God has always existed as three persons (Father, Son, and Spirit), unified in being but separate in their role. The Holy Spirit is God. We first hear of the Spirit in Genesis, where at the very beginning before the Earth was formed he was hovering over the face of the deep. Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit empowers people, such as prophets, priests and kings, to guide and govern God’s people. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit now dwells in Christians and is described as the comforter and helper, being our down payment for salvation until Jesus returns. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, to transform and renew us more into the image of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit also grants spiritual gifts such as words of knowledge and wisdom, healings, faith, prayer, encouragement, tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecies , and discernment. These gifts are sovereignly given by the Spirit to edify the church and help Christians understand and interpret God’s word.