What is the holy spirit?

The Bible describes the holy spirit as being the invisible power or influence of God.

God gave most of us five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The holy spirit is like a very “special sense” that God gives to faithful Christians to help them make good decisions – like helping others, being honest, and understanding the Bible, just to name a few.

Jesus describes the holy spirit as a “helper” in John 14:26: “The helper, the holy spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.” 

The first person who ever received the holy spirit was God’s son, Jesus. One early Christian who received the holy spirit was Cornelius. We read about him in Acts, chapter 10. He was very faithful and wanted to do God’s will, so God gave him the holy spirit to help him spread Jesus’ message throughout the world.

Just like Cornelius, God gives the gift of the holy spirit to the people who faithfully follow His word and want to live their lives just like God’s son, Jesus. God alone decides who receives the gift of this helper. 

When Christians study God’s word, they may feel like God is inviting (or calling) them to take a serious step – to do their best not to sin, follow His word the best they can, copy the life of Jesus, and live a righteous life devoted to serving God.

Christians then decide if they will answer God’s invitation. Once they do, and God accepts their promise to serve Him, He gives them the holy spirit to guide them.

So, what is the holy spirit? It is God’s invisible power and influence that helps guide faithful Christians to make good decisions in serving God faithfully for the rest of their lives. 

To learn more about the holy spirit listen to, “How Can I Get the Holy Spirit?” and

“Do We Have the Purpose of the Holy Spirit Backwards?”