A Conversation With a Neighbor What Is the Holy Spirit?

What Is the Holy Spirit?

Scott: At Acts 1:8, Jesus tells us what the holy spirit is. Would you like to read that?

Brad: "You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth." 

Scott: Notice that Jesus associates the holy spirit with power. And from the previous verses we read, where do you think that power comes from?

Brad: From God the Father.

Scott: That's right. The holy spirit is the same force that God used to create the universe. The second verse in the Bible refers to it. Genesis 1:2: "God's active force" was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters."  The Hebrew word here translated "spirit." It is the invisible active force by means of which God accomplishes his purpose and expresses his will. Let me give you just one more scripture to consider.  It is Luke 11:13. Would you read this verse, please? 

Brad: "If you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!" 

Scott: If the Father in heaven controls the holy spirit, giving it to those who ask him, could the holy spirit be equal to the Father?

Brad: No. I see your point.

Scott: I don't want to keep you, Brad. You mentioned that you have only a few minutes. But let me ask you a question to summarize our discussion. From the scriptures we considered, what would you say the holy spirit is?

Brad: It's God's active force.

Scott: That's right. And according to john 14:26, when Jesus spoke of the holy spirit as a helper, or teacher, he was using a figure of speech called personification.  

Brad:I never knew that. 

Scott: There is something most reassuring to learn from Jesus' words.

Brad: What's that?

Scott: We can ask God for his holy spirit to help us in different circumstances. We can also ask for his spirit  to help us learn the truth about him. 

Brad: That is interesting. I'll have to think about that. 

Scott: Before I go, let me leave you with something else to think about. Since the holy spirit is God's active force, then we'll agree that God can use it to accomplish anything he chooses.

Brad: Absolutely. 

Scott: Then why has he not yet used that limitless power to end all the misery and wickedness we see in the world  around us? Have you ever wondered about that?"

Brad: I have, actually.

Scott: How about if I come back next week at this same time and we discuss it?

Brad: I would like that very much. See you then. 

Next time:SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS IT FROM GOD?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010