Revealing God the Holy Spirit: Person, Power and Purity of the Doctrine
A Personal Journey with the Holy Spirit
Recently, I’ve been intentionally working on deepening my understanding of the identity of God the Holy Spirit, especially in how I live a life of complete surrender to Him. I’m learning what it means to stay sensitive to His presence, so that I may abide consistently in a place of encounters with His tangible presence. This sensitivity is essential, whether it’s sharing the Gospel, making daily decisions, or navigating life. Perennially, it is God the Holy Spirit who is the perfect advocate for our lives. His direction won’t lead us into confusion or pitfalls—but into green pastures. And Jesus promised, “I will send you the Holy Spirit, the Helper,”—the one who brings counsel, truth, and life. (John 14:16-17). Also, there’s tremendous joy in learning what it means to be a faithful host of the Holy Spirit. Someone who does not grieve the Spirit but abides in Him, and leads others into those same Spirit-filled encounters. Resulting in deeper freedom. A power within to counter the flesh and all sorts of fear.
Fan into Flame the Gift of God - Paul to Timothy (2 Tim 1:7 ESV): In Christ, we carry the resurrection power of our risen Lord and Saviour. Because of that resurrection power, the Spirit of fear cannot prosper. We have the Spirit of God living inside of us, and He has defeated the greatest fear of humanity—death. He is the source within us who can destroy the wiles and schemes of the enemy. Prominently, the spirit of fear. The Scriptures affirm: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV). Paul, in this passage, is encouraging Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God,” helping him see that he doesn’t need to be afraid or anxious in his ministry. Because the source of strength to counter fear is within—“which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul reminds Timothy that the Spirit of God has been imparted to him.
A Story of Deliverance From Intimidation: Let me share a quick story. Years ago, I struggled with intimidation, especially when it came to sharing the Gospel in government-restricted, Muslim-majority areas. I love sharing the Gospel, but there was a fear I couldn’t shake. That was until I encountered Leif Hetland praying over me, who was ministering alongside leaders like Heidi Baker and Randy Clark. The moment Leif walked into the room, I sensed a shift in the spiritual atmosphere. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident. I knew I had to approach him. I asked him to pray for me, to break the spirit of intimidation I had wrestled with. As he prayed, the power of God came over me. I fell back under the weight of God’s presence that moment. And over the next few months, I noticed something had changed—I was no longer afraid. Since then, I’ve boldly shared the Gospel even in restricted areas. But here’s the deeper question: Am I faithful now to continue preaching the Gospel? Faithfulness is the fruit of consistently abiding in His presence.
Clearing the Air: Three Primitive Errors in Pneumatology
Before we go further, I believe it’s important to highlight some theological errors that still linger in the Church regarding the Holy Spirit. These errors can be subtle or overt, but they distort the identity and limit the manifestation power of the third Person of the Trinity.
1. Error: The Holy Spirit is Just God’s Influence or Power
No! The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or influence. God, the Holy Spirit, is a Person.
Binitarianism, a view held in some non-Trinitarian movements (like certain sects of Mormonism), treats the Spirit as merely a force. Parley P. Pratt once compared the Spirit to electricity! This is deeply misleading. Scripture is clear—the Holy Spirit is personal and relational: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17, ESV)
Attributes and Identity of the Holy Spirit: Here’s what the Bible tells us more about the divine nature of the Spirit:
Omniscient (All-Knowing) “The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Omnipotent (All-Powerful) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you… the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:35).
Omnipresent (Everywhere) “Where shall I go from your Spirit?” (Psalm 139:7).
The Holy Spirit: Not a Casper, but a Constant Companion: Sometimes, the Holy Spirit is thought of as a gentle ghost, like “Casper”—friendly but not quite real. That’s fiction. The Bible presents the Spirit as a living person with emotions, a will, and speech. He teaches (John 14:26), convicts (John 16:8), helps (John 16:7), and even speaks (Matthew 10:20). He can also be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), lied to (Acts 5:3), resisted (Acts 7:51), and insulted (Hebrews 10:29). All these affirm: He is a person.
2. Error: “Give Some Room” to the Holy Spirit
Have you ever heard someone say, “Let’s give the Holy Spirit some room”? I’ve heard this phrase multiple times. It got me curious. So, I started asking fellow believers: Who is the Holy Spirit to you? Here are some answers I received:
Henry: “The Holy Spirit? I guess He’s like a guide—kind of like Google Maps for life.”
Dave: “He’s more of a vibe—a positive force when things get spiritual.”
Harry: “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about Him.”
Peter: “Isn’t the Holy Spirit just another name for God’s power?
Take a moment. Pause and reflect: Who is the Holy Spirit to you? Write it down if you have a journal with you.
This phrase, while well-intentioned, undermines the full deity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a guest looking for a seat at the back of the church. He is God, coequal with the Father and the Son. “Baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). So, we don’t “give Him a moment”; we worship Him fully—with our lives, our words, and our adoration. In Acts 5, Peter confronts Ananias: “You have not lied to man, but to God.” The lie was to the Holy Spirit—meaning, the Holy Spirit is God.
3. Error: Slain in the Spirit is an Unbiblical Practice
The weight of God’s glory: “so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God” 2 Chronicles 5:14 ESV. What happened to the priest here?
I know some people fake it, but it’s not always false. The true evidence of encountering God is repentance and walking in His truth wholeheartedly. Additionally, if some people genuinely experience being ‘slain in the Spirit,’ it shouldn’t be condemned. It’s not the case for everyone, but not all experiences are false.
The weight of God's glory is the manifestation of His presence. God determines the capacity in which He will reveal Himself. The term "slain in the Spirit" does not appear in the Bible, and this is consistent with the absence of other theological terms, such as the “Trinity." It is important to note that I am not comparing the term "Trinity" with "slain in the Spirit." Nevertheless, God does manifest His tangible presence today. Those who hold to a cessationist view may need to soften their hearts and seek God more earnestly, or perhaps participate in evangelistic crusades to witness authentic miracles performed by God.
It is critical to note that no one indeed becomes a “super saint" after healing someone in the name of Jesus, nor does someone become more "holistic" after experiencing being slain in the Spirit. However, this does not necessarily negate the idea that being "slain in the Spirit" can be an expression of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, such experiences should not be viewed as the definitive sign of the Holy Spirit's work in one's life. True evidence of Salvation is found in repentance, the conviction of Christ's divinity, and the ongoing process of becoming more like Him, as Jonathan Edwards might emphasise.
That being said, it would be unwise to dismiss the work of the Holy Spirit that causes some individuals to fall under His power. For many, this experience leads to profound outcomes: immediate freedom from spiritual oppression (including demonic influence), visions of Christ among non-believers, a deep sense of peace, and unexplainable joy. How then can this be attributed to demonic influence? While Satan may counterfeit or induce false miracles, he cannot offer joy, peace, or deliverance from spiritual bondage. These are works uniquely attributed to the Holy Spirit. Yes, experiences should not be theologised, but neither should experiential testimonies be boldly condemned. How can someone attack the work of the Holy Spirit just because they have never experienced it?
Life in the Spirit: Can You Live the Christian Life Without Him?
Born of the Spirit: You cannot walk the Christian life without the Holy Spirit. He wants to dwell in you 24/7. Most importantly, your salvation is sealed when you are born of the Spirit. Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” John 3:5. Many attend church but have never encountered the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is not meant to be a point of shame, but a call to hunger. Ask God. Ask your leaders. Pursue the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We all need Him, not for a moment, but for a lifetime. He will guide, teach, comfort, convict, and empower us to live for Christ. And after being sealed with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, we need to joyfully pursue our formation in the likeness of Christ.
Transformed by the work of the Spirit: Dallas Willard explains that “in Spiritual formation, we are aiming at a character and life that is so shaped that the deeds of Christ routinely and easily come from inside.” But how do we work this out? That our deeds will be in the likeness of Christ? In Romans 8:12-13, Paul gave a victorious explanation of the power of sin by the working power of the Holy Spirit, that is, through Christ Jesus. This power from the Holy Spirit makes the children of God more than conquerors “So, then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
John Stott explains that the text here draws our attention to the topic of mortification, which should not be neglected. Stott also explains that in the work of mortification, we are not passive, waiting for it to be done for us. Yes, the power of the Holy Spirit enables an individual with the desire, determination, and discipline to reject evil. However, it is we who should take the responsibility to act against the evil deeds of the flesh.
F.F. Bruce explains that “Christ dwells in them by the spirit and his spirit infuses into them a new principle – the law of life – which is stronger than indwelling sin and sets them free from its tyranny.” So, Bruce explains that when an individual makes his efforts by relying on his resources, he fights a losing battle; however, if he takes himself to the resources and power that are in Christ Jesus, he will be more than a conqueror. Therefore, there is no doubt that the work of the Spirit will help us to live victoriously over our sinful nature. But we must bring our sinful battle to the Holy Spirit.
The Next Direction: Not Monuments, But Movements of God
In the journey of Spiritual Formation, we are not only being shaped personally but also invited into the mission of leading others to encounter the presence of the Holy Spirit. Often, when I drive through the city of Calgary, I find myself drawn to the many old church buildings scattered across neighbourhoods. There’s something about them—beautiful, historic, even mysterious. They stir my curiosity: What’s happening inside these churches now? I imagine the sacrifice and unity it took to build them—believers coming together in faith, time, and resources to see the kingdom of God expand in their generation. But I also wonder: Are these buildings still places of God’s presence? Or have they become monuments without the power of the Holy Spirit?
That question has been stirring in me. I’m beginning to feel led to visit these churches, to attend their Sunday services, and to pray that the Spirit of God is still at work there. Because if the presence of the Holy Spirit is absent, we’re only left with beautiful architecture and empty traditions. We need a fresh move of God in our churches—consistently. Without it, we will only preserve monuments instead of nurturing movements. Only the Holy Spirit can turn sacred moments into transformational movements. So, what does it take to experience such a move of God? Just a few—but essential—things:
A genuine hunger for God with deep repentance from pride and an ungodly lifestyle.
Consistent prayer and deep fellowship with people groups who have the same heart and mindset.
A willingness to learn how to host and remain in the presence of God.
Don’t be a stumbling block or sceptical—let it happen! Yield, like what we saw in the outpouring at Asbury Seminary. So, if someone is initiating it, don’t be a stumbling block. Instead, encourage it and become a part of it.
May the church not settle for being a place of the past. May we become places where God moves—again and again. Amen.
