The Holy Spirit is the God of the Bible. This God is One. But He is also a complex unity, a Trinity, that is, three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Bible makes no attempt to explain the Trinity. It simply reports the actions and describes the character of God. Not surprisingly, many people find the Trinity quite confusing. But surely it is also makes sense that the essential nature of the One who created and sustains the universe would be difficult to comprehend. (for more on this subject, see “what is the Trinity?”)

One of the key roles of the Holy Spirit is to transform the life of every true follower of Jesus. When we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ (see “can I know God personally?”), then He sends His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, into our lives to take charge. The Holy Spirit will not come as a mere guest. He enters to change us from the inside out, to gradually make us more and more like Jesus Christ in character. Paul, an early follower of Jesus, explains this in a letter to Christians in the ancient city of Rome: “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)” (Romans 8:9)

In a letter to another group of Jesus’ followers, Paul lists a number of personal qualities that the Holy Spirit produces: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul called these the “fruits of the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a “Paraclete.” (John 14:16) This Greek word literally means “one who comes alongside,” and is translated variously as “Comforter,” “Mediator,” and “Counselor.” This illustrates several of the ways that the Holy Spirit works beneficially in the lives of Jesus’ true followers. As “Comforter” the Holy Spirit gives aid to Jesus’ followers when they suffer. As “Mediator” He pleads for them. (Romans 8:26-27)

The Holy Spirit’s role as “Counselor” deserves greater explanation. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit another name, “the Spirit of truth,” who guides Jesus’ followers into “all truth.” (John 16:13) As Paul explains, “No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12) It is in this role that the Holy Spirit guided the writers of the Bible. (see “is the Bible true?”)

Other roles of the Holy Spirit can be mentioned only briefly. He participated in creation (Genesis 1:2) and gave special abilities to artisans and leaders of the people of Israel. (Exodus 31:3; Numbers 27:18) To Jesus’ followers He gives power to speak faithfully and sometimes miraculously (Acts 1:8; 2:1-41; 4:31) and gives other gifts of leadership, worship, and service for the benefit of believers and others. (1 Corinthians 12 and 14; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:4-16) (see also “who is Jesus?” and “what is God like?”)