Holy Spirit

The third person of the Christian Trinity, understood as God’s active presence and power in the world. In Judaism and Islam, the Holy Spirit refers to God’s spirit or breath, not a distinct divine person.

In Judaism

Ruach HaKodesh (רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ, “Spirit of Holiness”) refers to divine inspiration and prophetic revelation, not a separate divine entity.

Biblical Foundation

• Creation: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2)
• Prophetic Inspiration: “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon” (Judges 6:34)
• Messianic Promise: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (Joel 2:28)

Rabbinic Understanding

In Jewish theology:

• The Holy Spirit is God’s presence and power, not a distinct person
• It inspired the prophets to speak God’s word
• After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Holy Spirit departed from Israel (according to some rabbinic views)
• Will return in the messianic age
• Enables prophecy, wisdom, and righteous living

In Christianity

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity—fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Son.

New Testament Revelation

Jesus’s Teaching: In his farewell discourse, Jesus promised the Paraclete (Advocate/Comforter):

• “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17)
• “When the Advocate comes… he will testify about me” (John 15:26)
• “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13)

Pentecost: On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples:

• Sound like rushing wind
• Tongues of fire
• Speaking in other languages
• 3,000 baptized in one day
• Peter proclaimed this fulfilled Joel’s prophecy

Functions and Work

The Holy Spirit:

• Convicts: Convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8)
• Regenerates: Makes spiritually dead people alive (“born again”) (John 3:5-8)
• Indwells: Lives within believers (Romans 8:9-11)
• Sanctifies: Transforms believers into Christ’s likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18)
• Empowers: Gives gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12)
• Intercedes: Prays for believers (Romans 8:26-27)
• Inspires Scripture: Authored the Bible through human writers (2 Peter 1:21)
• Seals: Guarantees believers’ salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Symbols

• Wind: Invisible but powerful (John 3:8)
• Fire: Purifying and empowering (Acts 2:3)
• Water: Cleansing and life-giving (John 7:38-39)
• Dove: Gentle and pure (Matthew 3:16)
• Oil: Anointing and consecration

Gifts of the Spirit

Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12):

• Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles
• Prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation
• Service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy

Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

Theological Development

Nicene Creed (325 CE): Affirmed the Spirit as “Lord and Giver of Life”

Constantinople (381 CE): Clarified the Spirit’s full divinity—“who proceeds from the Father”

Filioque Controversy: Western church added “and the Son” (filioque in Latin), contributing to the East-West split

In Islam

Ruh al-Qudus (روح القدس, “Holy Spirit”) generally refers to the angel Gabriel (Jibril) who brought divine revelation.

Quranic References

“We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and supported him with the Holy Spirit” (Quran 2:87)

Islamic interpretation:

• The Holy Spirit is created, not divine
• Usually identified with Gabriel, the angel of revelation
• Strengthened and assisted Jesus in his prophetic mission
• No conception of the Spirit as a distinct person of God

Islamic Rejection

Islam rejects the Christian understanding:

• God is absolutely one (Tawhid)
• The Holy Spirit as a divine person violates Islamic monotheism
• Seen as a Christian innovation influenced by Greek philosophy

Comparative Summary

Tradition	Nature	Function
Judaism	God’s power/presence	Prophetic inspiration
Christianity	Third person of Trinity	Regeneration, indwelling, sanctification
Islam	Created being (Gabriel)	Revelation, assistance to prophets

Historical Impact

Charismatic Movement: 20th-century renewal emphasizing Spirit’s gifts

Pentecostalism: Fastest-growing Christian movement, emphasizing Spirit baptism and gifts

Mysticism: Many traditions emphasize intimate relationship with the Spirit

Controversy: Debates over cessationism (whether miraculous gifts continue) and the Spirit’s role in salvation

Significance

For Christians, the Holy Spirit is:

• God’s presence dwelling within believers
• The one who applies Christ’s redemption to individual lives
• The power for Christian living and witness
• The guarantee of future resurrection and glory

The doctrine of the Holy Spirit distinguishes Christianity’s understanding of God’s immanent presence from Judaism’s emphasis on transcendence and Islam’s radical monotheism. While all three traditions affirm God’s spirit is active in the world, only Christianity identifies the Spirit as a distinct divine person worthy of worship alongside the Father and the Son.