The names of the Holy Spirit

Introduction

In Biblical times names always had meaning. They were meant to be descriptive of the person who had that name. This is especially true regarding the various names and titles of the Godhead. As a Person, the Holy Spirit has several names all of which have special and unique meaning. We cannot discuss every instance where these names appear in Scripture, but the following study should help us in our understanding of the Person of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God

In 1 Corinthians 3:16 He is called 'The Spirit of God' … "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" This is the equivalent of "The Spirit of the Lord GOD" (Isaiah 61:1), "The Spirit of the living God" (2 Corinthians 3:3), and "The Spirit of God" (Genesis 1:2). These verses reveal the Holy Spirit's relationship to the Godhead. He is the Spirit of Jehovah.

The Spirit of the Son

Being a member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:9 offers us a powerful insight into the relationship between the members of the Trinity … "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." He is also known as "The Spirit of his Son" (Galatians 4:6), and "The Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:19).

The Spirit of Judgement

The Holy Spirit, as God, is intimately involved in justice, law, and order. An aspect of His ministry concerns purity and sanctification. This is why the terms "The Spirit of Judgement" and "The Spirit of Burning" (Isaiah 4:4; 28:5-6) is used in Scripture. The Lord Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit's ministry in a similar way … "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged" (John 16:8-11). This once again reveals the inter-relationship of the Trinity, for John the Baptist said that Jesus Christ would "Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire" (Matthew 3:11).

The Spirit of Grace and Supplication

This name is found in Zechariah 12:10 … "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications." We are connecting this term with the Holy Spirit since Hebrews 10:29 calls Him "The Spirit of Grace." The Holy Spirit is responsible, along with the church, for calling mankind to Christ … "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). He brings God's mercy, and directs and draws the sinner to Christ, because He is the Spirit of Grace.

The Spirit of the Father

Matthew 10:20 describes Him as "The Spirit of your Father." The Lord Jesus Christ points to the Personality of the Holy Spirit when He responded to Peter's confession of faith by saying, "it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Though He speaks through people it is still evident that He speaks as a Person.

The Spirit of Truth

He is called the Spirit of Truth because it is impossible for Him to lie or be in error. His ministry has its foundation squarely on the truth of God's Word, since He is it Author … "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). He will not lead or direct contrary to what the Scriptures teach and say. This is why the Bible is known as "The sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17).

Only those who are led by the Holy Spirit have the truth … "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" … "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of" … "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13).

We must have the Holy Spirit operating in our lives otherwise we do not belong to God or we will fall into error … "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" … "Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (Romans 8:9; 1 John 4:6).The Spirit of Holiness

"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). The very fact that He is the Holy Spirit proves that He is the Spirit of Holiness. Without holiness the believer automatically hinders the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Such holiness is gained as we draw nearer to God and are transformed by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit's work involves sanctification. The Spirit of Holiness is working to bring "the beauty of holiness" into our lives (Psalm 29:2).

The Spirit of Life

In Romans 8:2 it is written, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." The Spirit of Life is just as available today as He was in the first century church. Our relationship with God should not be boring, lifeless and regimented. The Holy Spirit brings life-giving dynamic power into the life of the believer. His presence should be part of every area of our lives because He is the Spirit of Life.

Spirit of Adoption

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). Through the blood of Jesus Christ we are adopted into the family of God. The Holy Spirit draws the sinner to Christ so that he can be reconciled to God.

The Spirit of Promise

On the Day of Pentecost the followers of Christ were gathered together to wait for the fulfilment of Christ's promise, the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 2:33), as was prophesied in Joel 2:28. The Scriptures tell us that all flesh (mankind) could receive of this promise. Paul makes it clear that true believers have the Spirit of Promise … "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13).

The Comforter

This is probably the most well known and used names of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16 we find the precious promise of Jesus Christ to His disciples … "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."

The Greek word for Comforter is 'Parakletos.' 'Para' means 'alongside' and 'kaletos' means 'to call.' Therefore, the Holy Spirit was to be sent by Jesus to be with His followers. The word was also used in a legal sense also. A paraclete was someone who was the defence council or advocate at a trial. We know that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us … "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Roman 8:26).

The Holy Spirit, as the Comforter, is with us to instruct, guide, and assist throughout our lives. He will teach us what the Scriptures say and teach … "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father" (John 16:25). The Holy Spirit will only ever reveal and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

He only works through those who magnify and obey the Lord.

He encourages, comforts, empowers, and helps us to live for Christ.

Posted in: Holy Spirit