1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, whose Trinitarian nature has never changed or had an origin. He is a distinct entity of the Godhead—able to strive, teach, convict, direct church affairs, help, intercede, inspire, and sanctify.JTL11 1.6

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, His friends were devastated to learn He would return to heaven and no longer be with them. They were beginning to understand His purpose and mission and couldn’t imagine being separated from Him. Not only was Jesus their comforting Friend and eternal Savior, they also loved His teaching and felt complete in His presence.JTL11 1.7

Jesus reassured them that the gift of the Holy Spirit in mighty power would be with them when He left. Though He remained fully God after His resurrection, He chose to have the Holy Spirit be His representative on Earth. As Christ’s representative, the Spirit would be comforting, teaching, and guiding every person who seeks to know Christ. Thus, the work of the Holy Spirit is by nature Christ-centered, not Spirit-centered!JTL11 2.1