The Holy Ghost is not a force — He is God Himself.
The doctrine of God the Holy Ghost reveals the personal, divine presence of God active in the world today. He is not an influence, emotion, or mere power, but a living Person — co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existent with the Father and the Son.
He convicts, regenerates, indwells, seals, and empowers believers.
The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth who speaks, guides, and glorifies Jesus Christ. This doctrine of God the Holy Ghost is an essential part of our Statement of Faith.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
1. The Holy Ghost Is God
The Holy Ghost is not a created being or a lesser power. He is fully God — possessing all divine attributes. The Scriptures declare His deity, personality, and eternal nature.
Acts 5:3–4
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The Holy Ghost is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. He is not “it” — He is “He.” The Doctrine of God the Holy Ghost affirms His full divinity within the Doctrine of the Trinity.
2. The Holy Ghost Convicts and Regenerates
The first work of the Spirit in salvation is conviction. He reveals sin, righteousness, and judgment, bringing sinners face-to-face with their need for Christ.
When a person believes the Gospel, the Holy Ghost immediately regenerates their spirit and makes them a new creature in Christ.
John 16:8
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The Holy Ghost is the divine agent of the new birth. Without His work, no man can be saved. The doctrine of God the Holy Ghost is a foundation to the Christian faith. The Holy Ghost is eternal. Learn more in The Doctrine of Salvation.
3. The Holy Ghost Indwells and Seals Believers
At the very moment of salvation, the Holy Ghost permanently indwells every believer. His presence is the proof of sonship and the guarantee of eternal security.
Ephesians 1:13–14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
The indwelling Spirit does not come and go — He abides forever. His seal is God’s signature of ownership and His pledge of our eternal inheritance.
For further reading, see the Trinitarian Bible Society’s resource on the Holy Spirit — an external reference supporting this doctrine. Some “Christian” teachers reject the doctrine of God the Holy Ghost.
4. The Holy Ghost Teaches, Guides, and Comforts
The Holy Ghost is the believer’s personal teacher, reminding us of the words of Christ and guiding us into all truth. He comforts the afflicted, strengthens the weary, and reveals the will of God through His Word. The doctrine of God the Holy Ghost is not difficult to understand.
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
John 14:16–17
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The ministry of the Holy Ghost is personal, continual, and indispensable. He does not glorify Himself — He glorifies Christ.
For more context, read The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
5. The Holy Ghost Empowers for Service
The Christian life cannot be lived in human strength. The Holy Ghost fills, empowers, and equips believers to bear witness, resist sin, and serve God with boldness.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
The filling of the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual yielding to His control. The more we surrender, the more His power flows through us.
See also The Doctrine of the Church — where the Spirit’s work in the body of Christ is further explained. The doctrine of God the Holy Ghost is vital to the doctrine of the church and other foundational doctrines.
Application and Affirmation
The doctrine of God the Holy Ghost is the living reality of God within the believer.
He is our Comforter, Counselor, and Constant Companion. Without Him, there is no conviction, no understanding, no power, and no fruit.
To walk in the Spirit is to live in fellowship with God Himself.
Galatians 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Affirmation:
- The Holy Ghost is God — co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. This doctrine of God the Holy Ghost is not optional.
- He convicts the world of sin and regenerates all who believe.
- He permanently indwells, seals, and teaches every believer.
- He empowers the church to witness and serve in holiness.
- His presence in the believer is the proof of salvation and the source of spiritual power.
