Thoughts on the Holy Spirit †

2024-06-22

Thoughts on the Holy Spirit, from Samuel Ridout’s Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psalms 139:7). Speaking to God, the psalmist is speaking to the LORD; both He and His Spirit are everywhere.

The Holy Spirit is eternal. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14).

The Holy Spirit is omniscient. “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). The Spirit knows everything, including the things of the Father.

The Holy Spirit is omnipotent. “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Job 33:4). Only God can call something into being.

The Holy Spirit is a Personality. “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 1:20).

The Holy Spirit can compel wicked men to speak truth. “And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him” (Numbers 24:2). “And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly” (1 Samuel 11:6).