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The Holy Spirit has justly been described as the misplaced person of the Godhead for in most Christian Churches the Spirit is almost entirely overlooked. In almost every age too little attention has been paid to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; So much so that nearly every Christian does not even refer to Her by Her proper gender. This has resulted in a distortion of Christian Doctrine and an impoverishment of Christian life.



There are many who claim to be orthodox in doctrine and know a great deal about the Spirit, yet they do not know Her as a real Divine Person who can be known, loved, and worshiped. It is evident that the limitations of our languages confuse the issue when we speak of believing in one God and also being Trinitarian and being able to worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; However, if we allow for these limitations we can indeed worship all three divine personages of the Godhead as individual aspects of God.


The Holy Spirit is a real person who came to reside within Jesus Christ's true followers after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 2). Jesus told His apostles...

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that She may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Her or know Her, but you know Her because She abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18) The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. She is a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. She is considered to be a member of the Godhead. Jesus said to His apostles... "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20) God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes born again by believing and receiving Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13; John 3:3-21), God resides in that person through the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 3:16). The Holy Spirit has intellect (1Cor. 2:11), emotion (Rom. 15:30), and will (1Cor. 12:11). A primary role of the Holy Spirit is that She bears "witness" of Jesus Christ (John 15:26, 16:14). She tells people's hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also acts as a Christian's teacher (1Cor. 2:9-14). She reveals God's will and God's truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples...

"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, She will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (John 14:26) "When She, the Spirit of truth, comes, She will guide you into all the truth; for She will not speak on Her own initiative, but whatever She hears, She will speak; and She will disclose to you what is to come." (John 16:13)

The Holy Spirit was given to live inside those who believe in Jesus, in order to produce God's character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Rather than trying to be loving, patient, kind, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Thus Christians are told to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25) and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). And the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to perform ministerial duties that promote spiritual growth among Christians (Rom. 12; 1Cor. 12; Eph. 4). The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians as well. She convicts people's hearts of God's truth.

Her personality is proved (1) from the fact that the attributes of personality, as intelligence and volition, are ascribed to her (John 14:17, 26; 15:26; 1 Cor. 2:10, 11; 12:11). She reproves, helps, glorifies, intercedes (John 16:7-13; Rom. 8:26). (2) She executes the offices peculiar only to a person. The very nature of these offices involves personal distinction (Luke 12:12; Acts 5:32; 15:28; 16:6; 28:25; 1 Cor. 2:13; Heb. 2:4; 3:7; 2 Pet. 1:21).

Her divinity is established (1) from the fact that the names of God are ascribed to Her (Ex. 17:7; Ps. 95:7; comp. Heb. 3:7-11); and (2) that divine attributes are also ascribed to Her, omnipresence (Ps. 139:7; Eph. 2:17, 18; 1 Cor. 12:13); omniscience (1 Cor. 2:10, 11); omnipotence (Luke 1:35; Rom. 8:11); eternity (Heb. 9:4). (3) Creation is ascribed to Her (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30), and the working of miracles (Matt. 12:28; 1 Cor. 12:9-11). (4) Worship is required and ascribed to Her (Isa. 6:3; Acts 28:25; Rom. 9:1; Rev. 1:4; Matt. 28:19).

Old Testament Passages Regarding The Trinity

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God ('elohiym) created the heaven and the earth. Gen 1:26 And God ('elohiym) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

See also Genesis 3:22 and 11:17 where God is spoken of as "us." 'elohiym is used of God as a plurality:

The Bible reflects that the first creation, as well as continuing creation, is done in tandem by Eloh (God) and Eloah (Goddess) (also referred to as Hokhma and Ruach). Together, Eloh and Eloah make up the Elohim. See Genesis 1:1-3, 1:26-27; Proverbs 3:19-20, 8:22-31; Job 38:4-40:30; Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10, 24:1-6; Wisdom of Solomon 7:22, 8:1-7, 8:21-9:4, 9:9-11.

Hebrew language scholars have noted that there has been a strange violation of convention in the formation of the word "Elohiym", in that the female root "Eoahh", meaning Goddess, is used and is then combined with the masculine suffix "iym". So the word "Elohiym" not only means plural Gods, but Gods with male and female attributes

'elohiym 430. 'elohiym, el-o-heem'; plur. of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but spec. used (in the plur. thus, esp. with the art.) of the supreme God; X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great. Yehovah is used of God as His being one God:

Yehovah 3068. Yehovah, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Comp. H3050, H3069. Thus, in Deuteronomy 6, we see the One God spoken of as a plurality:

Deu 6:1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD (Yehovah) your God ('elohiym) commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: Deu 6:2 That thou mightest fear the LORD (Yehovah) thy God ('elohiym), to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Deu 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD (Yehovah) God ('elohiym) of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD (Yehovah) our God ('elohiym) is one (echad)[ Echad speaks of God as being one as husband and wife are one: Gen 2:24 ] LORD (Yehovah): Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD (Yehovah) thy God ('elohiym) with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
 

6:1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which (YHWH) your Elohim commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

The Monotheism here is combined with a compound unity of God being one. In other words God is one, but not literally in number but in Substance. The Hebrew word here is the word ('Echad') which means compound unity and an absolute. The Scriptures have this Hebrew word 'one' which is (Echad) used in other Scriptures which proves the unity of this word. For instance, in Genesis 1:5, the combination of evening and morning comprise one (echad) day. In Genesis 2:24, a man and a woman come together in marriage and the two "shall become one (echad) flesh.

Isaiah 6:8 and 48:16 are a powerful witness to the unity of God in the Old Testament

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for (us?) Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isa 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

The Trinity is Biblical, it is Scriptural, and it is truth. God is said to be One God in Deuteronomy 6:4. God is said to be the only God from all eternity and no others were made or formed in Psalms 90:2 and Isaiah 43:10. Looking at Genesis 2:24 we see a Biblical way to see how the word 'one' can be used and applied within what the context says. The Bible says God is the only God and identifies three distinct persons called God. The Father is God in Jude 1, Jesus is God in John 1:1&14, and the Holy Spirit is God in Acts 5:3-4.



From Trinity to Tetragammation: Of all the names of God in the Old Testament, that which occurs most frequently is the Tetragrammaton, It is evident that the Tetragrammaton was used very extensively in original language, ancient Hebrew and Aramaic texts. This indicates a much more personal reference to the special identity of the Almighty (as opposed to impersonal titles such as "God" or "Lord"), on the part of the Bible writers. Many Bible scholars view this as evidence that the Bible writers (and indeed, likely the ancient Hebrew and Israelite people) viewed the Name represented by the Tetragrammaton as very important, and commonly used it in their everyday speech and prayers The tetragrammaton, the Holy name of God, so sacred it was never spoken aloud (always replaced by "Adonai" - Lord, or "Elohim"), from which Yahweh (and later, Jehovah) developed -- Said to be an anagram composed of the first letter of FOUR of the sacred names of God -- TWO of which (the "H's") are FEMININE. The "Y" refers to "the Supernal Father" and stands for Wisdom. The first "H" is the Supernal Mother, called "Understanding", who gave birth to and crowned the Son (the "W") and the Daughter (second H)...." In the unfolding of the Lord's Sacred Name which is YHWH, Yod-He-Vau-He, the First Yod was masculine meaning God the Father, . The second He was the Holy Spirit and female.. While the third letter Vau represents the Son and which of course stood for Jesus the Messiah which makes the Trinity, yet the Three are one. But the Lord is not complete without the Bride , the church and she becomes ONE with the Trinity (John 16) and the Holy Family and Holy Name is complete. This is called the unspeakable and holy TETRAGRAMMATON, which could only be spoken out loud by the High Priest once a year inside the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, for the hoped for remssion of all sins of the people for the whole year. The Tetragrammaton had two versions. EHYH, the lesser-known one, comes from Hayya, another one of Eve's many names, which designates the Goddess in her special connection to women in childbirth. On Samaritan phylacteries the male and female versions of the Tetragrammaton were intertwined. The pronunciation of the tetragrammaton yhwh was lost when the Jews avoided its usage for fear of descrating the holy name (cf. Exod. 20:7). However, The Hebrew mystics embodied this sacred name of God into the lore of Kabbalism. The "ineffable name" of God. Kabbalistic thought holds that the name YHWH contained all the Forces of Nature, and since God had lost His Shekina, his feminine part or the Great Mother, She had to return before there would be peace or harmony in the universe.

In the "Odes of Solomon'; the oldest surviving Christian hymnal, the Holy Spirit is female. The original tongue of the Hebrew or Aramaic would translate 'Holy Spirit' as female. Also, Greek would translate 'Holy Spirit' as either female or 'neuter in reference to the subject' and it only became 'He' in Latin and English bibles.

The Holy Spirit, like the other two persons of the Holy Trinity, is a person. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, an object, a concept, or even a personalized force. Rather, the Holy Spirit is a real and distinct person sharing the single, divine essence of the Godhead. Since the Holy Spirit is truly and really a person (and not just analogously so), it would be inappropriate to use the singular, impersonal pronoun "it." This pronoun in English, unfortunately, is used both for neuter things and for objects; it has this usage largely because human beings cannot conceive of persons or animals who do not have gender.

Marriage, and particularly marriage between believers, is a picture of the Trinity. Man and wife, though distinct individuals, become joined by God as one flesh in a manner analogous to Adam and Eve, who were distinct persons though literally created from the same flesh. Matthew 19:4-6. Neither mate owns his or her own body; that body belongs to the other mate, to them both jointly. I Corinthians 7:4. Further, it remains true that a married couple, joined by God, to a large degree shares a single, merged spirit. Malachi 2:15. However, the New Testament also clearly states that Christian marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:22-33. The Son and his Bride are, thus, distinct persons, yet a single body, just as the Father and the Son are distinct yet one.

The relationships in the Trinity, in marriage and between Christ, his Church and individual believers are analogous to each other, and point to the unity of the individual believers and the Church with Christ and with the Father Moreover, the Son and his Bride share a single Spirit, that same Holy Spirit which the Father and the Son share. Thus, the relationship between Christ, the individual believer, and Christ's Church is properly likened to marriage, as Paul does in one explanation of the mystery of the gospel:

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church - for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:25-32.(NIV)

Thus, as Father and the Son, though distinct, are one substance and man and wife are one flesh, the Son and his Body are one and are mutually one with each member of that Body. Similarly, as the Father and the Son share one Spirit, and a man and wife are one spirit, the Son, his Church and each member of his Church share one Spirit, the same Holy Spirit which the Father and the Son share. Moreover, that Spirit is a distinct personality from the Father, the Son, the Church and each of the members of the Church in which She resides, just as the spirit of a marriage is distinct from either of the partners separate from the other, yet She perfectly represents the Father and the Son to each other and to the Church.


Therefore one cannot use Greek to prove that TO PNEMUA ( neuter ) IS NOT a person any more than one can say that the paraclete (helper) is of the male gender in Greek and therefore the Holy Spirit IS a person.

What this means is that we also have a Christian Goddess; the Holy Spirit, not only a real Persona, but a Divine Person, worthy of equal love, reverence and worship with the Father and the Son.

"The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.." Rev:1;20

In harmony with the revelation of the Third Person of the Trinity as "the seven Spirits (or seven manifold spirit) which are before His throne, (hence...Bride), there are seven symbols employed to illustrate differing aspects of Her person.

1. (DOVE) / The earliest symbol is the 'Dove'; as seen in the Talmud, Gen 1:2 which is read as "The Spirit of God, like a dove, brooded (to hatch) over the waters". The symbol of the dove is seen in all four gospels, "the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove". The dove symbol represents a lover of peace, harmlessness is characteristic of it and the dove is fond of its home and mourns when deprived of the companionship of its mate. The dove has wings to fly to the heavens and carry itself upon the wind. The dove symbol represents purity in that it keeps itself clean, and for this reason it is called 'clean' and is used as a sacrificial bird in the Bible.

2. (FIRE) / In the book of Isaiah the Holy Spirit is referred to as "the Spirit of burning". In the New Testament John says of Christ, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and in fire". In the book of Acts, "cloven tongues like as of fire" signified the baptism of the Holy spirit on the disciples waiting in the upper room. The symbol of fire is one of zeal, purification and purging. This symbol is found at Eden's gate, in the burning bush, and in the pillar of fire of the Exodus.

3. (WIND) / The root of Her name in English "Spirit" or "Spiritus" in Latin, is the synonym for the Greek "pneuma". These words are the equivalent of the Hebrew word "ruach", which is of feminine gender and means "wind, and/or breath". This wind or breath is found throughout the Bible and is the Spirit manifest in the vision of the valley of the dry bones being transformed into a mighty army and is spoken of by Jesus to Nicodemus when referring to the birth of our spirit. It is a wind from God which makes a way through the sea for Israel in the Exodus and the pillar of cloud going before her. This symbol is of vitality and life, of power and refreshing.

4. (WATER) / In the 23 or "blessed psalm" God "leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul"; In the book of revelations the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come ...whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely". Both Ezekiel and Jesus speak of the Spirit as "rivers of living water".

"Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest." (Isaiah 32:15), "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring..." (Isaiah 44:3). Not only lightning,- fire from heaven,- but also the water from heaven, rain, is a type and shadow of the Holy Spirit: This symbol is found throughout the Bible and is a typology of restoration of life, refreshment, fullness, cleansing, purifying, satisfaction, fructifying and health.

5. (OIL) / Oil is used in the Bible for anointing and as a source of light. This symbol appears in all the offerings of the priesthood and tabernacle. The word 'Messiah' means the anointed one; "God has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows." Mary anoints Jesus as King and in preparation for his passion with costly oil.

6. (EARNEST/PROMISE) / "The Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of the purchased possession." The word earnest comes from 'earnest money', a payment of a sum of money to make a contract binding, guaranteeing a further payment to fulfill the contract. The initial gift of the Holy Spirit of God, from God, is the earnest of the many promises given to us by God; Promises of joy, holiness, and redemption.

7. (SEAL) / The Holy Spirit is represented in three passages with the emblem of a seal. The seal is Gods presence within the devote and faithful. "In Whom having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit." "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God where by you are sealed." "God has also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." A seal is a mark of ownership and a guarantee of authenticity; an agreement with fact and of good faith. "Having this seal, the Lord knows them which are His".


Wisdom hath builded Her house, She hath hewn out Her seven pillars:

Prov 9:1

The Church as the Bride of Christ was brought into being at Pentecost through the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus agreed that David had the Holy Spirit: "For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'" (Mark 12:36).

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb:

"He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb." (Luke 1:15). His mother was filled with the Holy Ghost also:

"And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." (Luke 1:41-44). And coming upon Mary, carrying baby Jesus, the Holy Spirit in them leaped for joy!

The Spirit came upon/into the Virgin Mary and she was filled with Jesus (Luc.1, Matt.1).
The Spirit came upon Elisabeth when Mary went to help her (Luc.1)
In the Great Pentecost of Acts 2, there was Mary, with the Apostles, and the brothers of Jesus, about 120 says Peter in Acts 1:14-15.

Our Lord's last words before His ascension were, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me." These words indicate that the witness of the Church must be in the Spirit.

After Jesus ascended to Heaven His Apostles, together with Mary and other members of the original Christian Church, continued to pray together until the feast of Pentecost when, in accordance with Jesus' promise, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." These nine days of prayer, reported in Acts 1:14 and 2:3-4, were the first Novena on which all later Novenas have been based.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of workings, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good...All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as (S)he determines.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11

Jesus said In Jn.14:16 he would ask the Father to send another comforter (Greek- Allos paracletos) which means another of the same kind, (a person). Here the Lord calls HER 'in the original Hebrew' our helper, the comforter one that comes alongside, She will be in the Christian as well as with them. Her ministry is to do what Jesus did when he was here physically but mainly from the inside of us. Instead of Jesus being here in the flesh, the invisible Spirit is. So the Holy Spirit would have the same nature of Jesus. Now we need to ask, what was Jesus like? Matt.11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." The Jesus of scripture is Gentle, humble, meek. When Jesus was on earth he spoke about glorifying the Father Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

When Christ ascended in bodily form to the Father, at Pentecost He sent in spiritual form the Holy Spirit, to be His 'Other Comforter. So that the Holy Spirit continues and develops spiritually what Christ in His flesh initiated in the days of His humanity. The Holy Spirit continually and permanently applying Christ!


'I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that She may abide with you forever
John 14:16

'It is expedient for, you that I go away.... If I depart, l will send Her unto you
John 16: 7

'I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you
John 14:18

An orphan has known a father, a mother, the sweetness of home, but has lost them. The disciples were soon to find themselves in just such a position, alone in a hostile world, lambs in the midst of wolves. But He assured them that His departure would not be like that of a mother whose children were left orphans when he died. "In the Spirit, I am coming back to you," He assured them. Just as the orphaned child on the day of the parents death needs someone to strengthen and comfort him, so Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to support them through the darkness and desolation following His death.

She is a mother in three distinct ways. First, it was the Spirit, through Mary, who was the true mother of Jesus, since she "prepared him in the womb, She [the Spirit] gave him [Jesus] certainly into the arms of his mother, Second, the Spirit is the mother of all living things because she has a special role in the on-going creation of the world. It is known that the Holy Spirit brings everything to life, and when the man was made from a clump of earth ... the Holy Spirit was very close through the breathing of the breath of God into the man. Thus, the Holy Spirit is the mother of all living souls in a general way. The Holy Spirit is also the Mother in a third and most important sense. She is the Mother of the church and all those who have been reborn. "The Holy Spirit is the only Mother of those souls who have been once born out of communion with Jesus.,

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, not from his mother’s womb, but from God. Nicodemus knew that we are born from a mother. You must have another Mother who will give you birth. Ultimately, then, the Holy Spirit is the Mother of the Christian in the sense that she is the active agent in conversion. Human actors are only agents of the Holy Spirit, and in some cases are not even necessary for conversion. The Mother who is above all mothers [says], "I will comfort you; The language of motherhood expresses the intimate connection felt with God through the Spirit. The heavenly Mother works individually since she knows the thoughts and weaknesses of her children and guides them in the path that is best for them. She directs their development in understanding and ability until their maturity and completion because She has created the world with the Savior and now is [re-]making every child until it is a new creation, until it become one in the spirit with him, and she nurses and watches until it is grown.

Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God "Father" and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory."

- St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto


Viewing the testimony of scripture as a whole, we cannot but concede consistent and clear testimony to the fact that that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, working with intelligent consciousness, infinite love, and independent will. This fact and truth is of fundamental importance to Christian experience. If She is merely a power or influence, our dominant aim would be, "How may I obtain more of this power and influence?" But if She is a Divine Person, our consistent attitude should be, "How may She more fully possess me so that I can become the vessel of Her?"

The Spirit’s work is primarily in the realm of conviction rather than cognition. Do not fear the spiritual journey, wherever it takes you, for God is with you.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT EXPRESS LOVE / LOVE MOTIVATES THESE GIFTS / LOVE RELEASES HER GIFTS

As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit manifesting Her fruit in us is far more important than any spiritual gift. Many people seek the power and manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit, but they do not place a priority on the call of every believer to a holy life. Our desire should be to earnestly seek "the Giver and not the gifts" then "all these things (Christ-like qualities) shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33)


A sharp line should not be drawn between many of the gifts. For instance, it is difficult to distinguish clearly between gifts of healing and working of miracles (1 Cor. 2:9, 10). There is clear overlap between exhortation and teaching (Rom. 12:7, 8).

1. Prophecy (Greek: propheteia). The spiritual ability to speak forth the mind and counsel of God. Prophets in the Old Testament were used by God to speak to Israel about current and future events. Jesus was the prophet to come(Deut. 1:8-18; Acts 2:22-23). The four daughters of Philip, the evangelist, were given the gift of prophecy among so many (Acts 21:9).

According to the New Testament, all believers are, in a sense, prophets. Analogous to the universal priesthood of believers, we may speak of the “prophethood” of all within the new covenant community in this sense: the words of God (the covenant oracles, cf. Rom. 3:2) are accessible to all and the laws and statutes of the covenant are a testimony written in the hearts and manifested in the lives of all (cf. Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:27; 2 Cor. 3:3 ff.; 1 John 2:27). With apparently no exceptions, however, the New Testament vocabulary for prophecy is not used in this sense. Rather, it has reference to a gift or function given only to some, not all, in the church. And furthermore, that gift is revelatory in character, bringing to the church the word of God in the primary and original sense. In these respects, New Testament prophets are in close continuity with the apostles as well as Old Testament prophets. Apparently, the designation prophet refers to those who exercise the gift frequently or with some regularity, while the gift itself can function temporarily in others or on particular occasions (cf. Acts 19:6).

Apostle (Greek: apostolos). One sent forth---as God sent forth his Son, Jesus---into the world with the message of salvation (Heb. 3:1). Jesus, in turn, sent forth apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit with the good news of salvation (Matt. 28:19-20), and universal authority in matters of doctrine for His disciples.

Discerning spirits (Greek: diakrisis). The spiritual ability to discern from God's word between the spirit of truth and error, before the fruit is evident. The main difference between this and the word of knowledge is that the discerning of spirits is not limited to natural information

2. Consoler / Pastor-teacher (Greek: poimen didaskalos). The spiritual ability to shepherd the flock of God (guarding, guiding, encouraging, warning, etc.), feed them the Word of God, and equip them to find their gifts so that they, too, can do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11, 12). Peter (John 21:15-17;1 Peter 5:1-15). The Consoler, by virtue of the Gift of Counsel, “suggests that which is to be done or not to be done in a specific case.” Hence, uncertainties arising from a particular situation are dismissed.

Leadership (Greek: proistemi). The spiritual ability to stand before a group of people and lead them in a deep walk with the Lord. The apostle James gave leadership to the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Administration (Greek: kubernesis). The spiritual ability to give guidance, pilot, or steer. The idea of governing as seen in the ministry of Stephanas (1 Cor 16:15-18).

3. A word of wisdom (Greek: sophia).(fem) The spiritual ability to perceive life and truth from God's perspective and then apply that wisdom to specific situations. Wisdom can be discerned by its fruit. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

General illumination is also an area in which the Spirit helps our interpretation. Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34) and therefore was able to walk continuously in divine wisdom. We can see Jesus having a word of wisdom in the incident of the women caught in adultery (John 8:1-12) and during the tax issue. In Mt 22:20, the pharisees and high priests looking for an excuse to arrest Jesus asked him: Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar or not? Jesus realizing their intention to trick him responded in inspired wisdom: Give to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods. In the gift of inspired wisdom the response is so new and so indicated that the divine inspiration is easily recognized. When they heard this, they were astonished.

A word of knowledge (Greek: gnosis). The spiritual ability to communicate spiritual truth which has been acquired through the investigation of God's word. Stephen was a great example of a man of spiritual wisdom and knowledge when he spoke before the Supreme Court and broke open the scriptures to show them that Jesus was their Messiah (Acts 7:1-53).

Teaching (Greek: didaskalos). The spiritual ability to take the truth from the Word of God and explain it clearly. Apollos and Paul had the spiritual gift of teaching (Acts 18:24-28, 2 Tim. 1:11).

Evangelist (Greek: eulangelistes). The spiritual ability to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ. The evangelists were also called of God to equip others to develop their spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:11,12). Philip was known as an evangelist (Acts 8:4-13, 21:8).

4. Encouragement (Greek: parakaleo). The spiritual ability to offer a word of comfort concerning the past and a word of encouragement, so that they will be able to walk in the steps of the Spirit in the future. A man named Joseph was renamed Barnabas (son of encouragement) by the apostles because of his ministry to the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37).

Serving (Greek: diakonia, the root for deacon). The spiritual ability to meet the physical needs of people. One of the first examples of the serving gifts in action was recorded in Acts 6:1-6 when the apostles selected seven men out of their group to minister to the poor Hellenistic Jewish widows who needed food. This in turn set the apostles free to minister with their spiritual gifts Phoeba, Acts 16:1).

Helps (Greek: antilepsis or antilempis). The spiritual ability to support others and their ministry in physical ways. See Paul's list of friends in Romans 16:6,12.

5. Faith (Greek: pistis). The spiritual ability to see what isn't, believe it to be, and trust God to do it in His way and time. Faith to move mountains.

Jesus' faith is made especially clear in the resurrection of Lazarus. When they told him that Lazarus had died, Jesus said: "Lazarus is dead, and I'm glad I wasn't there, because it will be better for your belief. Let us go to him".

Mercy (Greek: eleos) The ability to express compassionate loving action and lift up the one who is downtrodden and to do it joyfully. Tabitha---"...this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did" (Acts 9:36f).

Giving (Greek: metadidomi). The spiritual ability to give financially or materially to the needs of others in simplicity to the glory of God without drawing attention to ourselves. Barnabas sold a field and gave the money to the apostles for the good of the church (Acts 4:36-37).

6. Healings (Greek: iaomai). The spiritual ability to heal one who is sick. Note that Paul called it the gifts (plural) of healings which may mean this gifted person could make one who is sick whole; either spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Physical healing is a symbol of how God wants to heal all of us spiritually. An example: Peter and John's experience with the lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:2-10).

Peter and John come across a paralytic in the gate of the temple. This was not a meeting in any place of worship but in the street. The sick man is waiting for a hand out but Peter says: Silver and gold I have none, but what I have I give you; In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, stand up and walk . (Acts 3:6).The paralytic stands up and walks. A great crowd gathered near and Peter takes advantage of the opportunity to preach. As a result of this 2,000 persons came to believe.

Miraculous powers (Greek: dunamis). The spiritual ability to do works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means. Philip (Acts 8:13), and Paul (Acts 13:9-12).

In Acts of the Apostles, Paul traveling to Rome by boat was shipwrecked in a storm. The crew and passengers manage to reach the Island of Malta. There Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake. Everyone was waiting for him to die, but nothing happened. That the poison didn't have it's customary effect was contrary to all past experiences. This caused much admiration among the people, and Paul was then invited to the house of the governor of the island. There Paul healed the governors father and various other people. The miraculous charism is applied to the needs of the people with whom Paul comes into contact, and this also includes his own need

7. Tongues (Greek: glossa). The spiritual ability to speak an unknown foreign language without learning it beforehand. The gift of tongues is to be used publicly to bring praise to God (1 Cor. 14:2), to edify the body of believers (I Cor. 14:5), and to be used as a sign of judgment against unbelieving Jews (I Cor. 14:21-22).

Interpretation (Greek: hermeneis). The spiritual ability to translate the foreign language of the person speaking to the audience listening. The one who does the translation of that foreign tongue would be able, by the spirit, to interpret without learning the language beforehand (1 Cor. 14:27)

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It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit gives all these gifts and She allows them to operate as She wills. Two, three or even more of the gifts can operate through us at the same time. In practise it is sometimes hard to determine how many of the gifts are actually operating.

The Bible makes it clear that no person can come to Jesus apart from the testimony of the Holy Spirit. Jesus put it this way: "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). And how does the Father draw unbelievers to Jesus? Through the Holy Spirit who bears witness of Jesus as the Father’s only begotten Son (John 15:26 and 1 John 5:7). When a person responds to the witness of the Spirit by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, he is "born-again" (John 3:3), "of the Spirit" — the Holy Spirit! Within the believer, the Holy Spirit's role is to shape each believer into the image of Jesus (Romans 8: 29 and Galatians 4:19), a process which the Bible refers to as sanctification (Romans 6:22 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13). The Spirit does this by first of all gifting us. Each person, when he or she is born- again, is given at least one gift of the Spirit, and sometimes more than one (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). And if we are good stewards of our gifts, using them to advance the Lord’s kingdom, we may be given additional gifts during our spiritual walk with the Lord. The Spirit also accomplishes Her work of sanctification by guiding us (Romans 8:14), comforting us (Acts 9:31), strengthening us (Philippians 4:13 and 1 John 4:4), praying for us (Romans 8:26-27), encouraging us (Romans 15:5), defending us (Luke 12:11-12), and illuminating us as we study the Word (1 John 2:27).

Of all the marvels accompanying the effusion of the Spirit at Pentecost, none is greater than the change effected in the disciples themselves. They had been meeting behind closed doors for fear of the authorities. Now shrinking timidity gives place to lion­like boldness. Peter the denier is unrecognizable in the fearless preacher who faces the authorities and charges them with their guilt. All fear seems to have been consumed by the baptism of fire. Nor was Peter alone in this. His companions exhibited the same Spirit.

A second marvel was the spontaneous joy which welled up in their hearts, "joy in the Holy Spirit". There is nothing so attractive, nothing that so arouses wistfulness in the hearts of men and women of the world as true Christian joy.

Peter, illuminated by the Spirit, identified the events of this memorable day with the prophecy of Joel: "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit. . ."
"Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Could a more comprehensive promise be made? It is not for a spiritual elite. All, irrespective of sex, race or rank are eligible to receive It.

And what of the impact of these changed men on the hostile authorities and the unbelieving world? Of Stephen it was said, "They were not able to resist the wisdom and the power by which he spoke."

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