Who Is the Holy Spirit?

This week at Bethany, we entered a new section of the Apostles' Creed—what we called the "catch-all section," full of essential truths the early Christians wanted to preserve. The focus of our time together was a simple yet profound line:

"I believe in the Holy Spirit."
But what does that mean? Who is the Holy Spirit? And what role does the Spirit play in our lives?

If you've been in the church for a while, you may have experienced confusion or discomfort around the Holy Spirit. For some, the Spirit feels mysterious—almost like a “force” from a sci-fi movie. For others, the topic may bring to mind extremes they’ve seen or heard of, such as emotional excesses or being "slain in the Spirit." As a result, many churches either overemphasize or completely neglect the Holy Spirit.
But Scripture doesn’t ignore the Spirit—and neither should we. So this Sunday, we dove into what the Bible really says about the Holy Spirit, and how that affects how we live and grow as followers of Christ.

The Holy Spirit Is God
The first truth we must affirm is this: the Holy Spirit is God. He is the third person of the Trinity—fully divine, fully personal. Not a “thing,” not a vague force, but a person who speaks, teaches, convicts, and loves.
In Acts 5, when Ananias lies about his offering, Peter says, “You have not lied to man but to God.” The Spirit is equated with God Himself. In John 14, Jesus calls the Spirit “He”—a helper, a counselor, and a companion.

We worship a Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God, three persons, united in essence, each active in our redemption and growth.

The Spirit Teaches Us Truth
One of the Holy Spirit’s most important roles is to teach us. Jesus calls the Spirit the "Spirit of Truth" in John 14 and 16. He promises that the Spirit will bring to remembrance all Jesus said, guiding us into truth.

This means that as we read Scripture, the Spirit illuminates it. As we study, pray, and reflect, He helps us understand what God is saying. The Spirit even inspired the writers of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), ensuring the Bible is God-breathed and trustworthy.
But this doesn’t mean we instantly understand everything. God is infinite, and we are not. Part of the beauty of our faith is the lifelong journey of growing in knowledge—and in relationship.

The Spirit Convicts and Counsels
The Holy Spirit also convicts us of sin and counsels us in righteousness. He is our constant companion, gently pointing out what needs to change and strengthening us to change it.
Conviction might come through Scripture, a sermon, a trusted friend, or a moment of quiet honesty. But conviction is always meant to lead us back to God—not to shame, but to transformation.

This is why we don’t need a physical temple to meet with God. As 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, we are the temple—the Spirit dwells in us. And He even prays on our behalf when we don’t have the words (Romans 8:26–27).

The Spirit Points Us to Jesus
The Spirit is always working behind the scenes to point us back to the work of Christ. Whether in creation, redemption, or our daily walk, the Spirit glorifies Jesus and declares His truth to us (John 16:14–15).

This helps us correct both extremes—those who forget the Spirit entirely and those who focus only on experiences. The Spirit’s ultimate role isn’t to make us feel something but to lead us into deeper relationship with Christ.

The Spirit Helps Us Grow
So what happens when we live in step with the Spirit?
We grow.

Galatians 5 says when we walk by the Spirit, we begin to overcome the sinful nature—not through sheer willpower, but through God's transforming work. We bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These are not traits we force ourselves into. They are the natural outcome of relationship—when we spend time with God, meditate on His Word, pray, and live in Christian community.
It’s like Psalm 1’s image of a tree planted by streams of water—rooted, strong, flourishing in its season.

So What Can We Do?
If you want to grow in your faith—if you want to experience real change in your life—the answer isn’t to try harder. It’s to walk with the Spirit.
Here are a few practical ways to do that:

1. Worship with your church family. Sunday services aren’t about checking a box—they’re opportunities to be shaped by truth and encouraged in community.
2. Join a small group. This fall, we’ll offer groups that meet weekly to study Scripture, pray, and walk through life together. It’s one of the best ways to grow.
3. Spend time in Scripture and prayer. The Spirit speaks through God’s Word. Start small, but be consistent.
4. Ask God to fill you. Don’t just pray for patience or joy—pray for the Spirit, and watch Him produce His fruit in you.

Jesus once told His disciples that it was better for Him to go away—so the Spirit could come. The Holy Spirit is not an afterthought or a lesser gift. He is God with us and within us, changing us from the inside out.
So let us not neglect this part of our faith. Let us not fear Him or misuse His name. Let us walk in the Spirit and discover what it means to live in the fullness of God.