The Holy Spirit: Third Person of the Trinity
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, sent by the Father and the Son to work in the hearts and lives of believers. Through Scripture and the means of grace, the Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, forgives, and ultimately raises God's people to eternal life.
The Spirit as Advocate (Parakletos)
Jesus promised His disciples that the Father would send "another advocate" (parakletos) to be with them forever (On Retainer, 4:12). This Greek word carries rich meaning - it literally means "one called alongside" to help, comfort, and provide legal assistance (On Retainer, 5:13).
In ancient times, a parakletos was the family attorney kept on retainer - always available when legal counsel was needed (On Retainer, 6:16). Similarly, the Holy Spirit comes alongside believers as our divine advocate, ready to assist us in our spiritual needs.
Jesus Christ is identified as our first advocate: "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1) (On Retainer, 11:24). Christ, our perfect and sinless advocate, died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, bringing us back into relationship with God (On Retainer, 11:53).
Now the Father sends "another parakletos" - the Holy Spirit - to continue this advocacy work in our lives (On Retainer, 12:30).
The Spirit of Truth
The Holy Spirit is specifically called "the Spirit of truth" in John 14:17 (On Retainer, 13:00). His work involves proclaiming truth to believers who have a natural tendency to believe lies about themselves and their spiritual condition.
Because of our sinfulness, we often fail to see the depth and breadth of our sin (On Retainer, 13:23). The Holy Spirit comes alongside us through God's Word to convict us of who we truly are - showing us our sin so that we understand our need for a Savior (On Retainer, 14:23).
The Spirit continues to teach and remind us of everything Jesus said, as recorded in the inerrant and infallible Word of God (On Retainer, 15:16). Through Scripture, He reveals both the law that convicts us of sin and the gospel that tells us of our Savior (On Retainer, 15:37).
Pointing to Christ
A crucial aspect of the Holy Spirit's ministry is testifying about Jesus Christ. As Jesus said: "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf" (John 15:26) (On Retainer, 16:15).
The Holy Spirit consistently points believers to the Lord Jesus Christ, ensuring that Christ remains central in the believer's faith and understanding (On Retainer, 16:32).
Bearing Spiritual Fruit
The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23) (On Retainer, 16:48). This fruit flows naturally from the Spirit's work in believers' hearts, transforming their character to reflect Christ's nature.
The Spirit's Intimate Presence
The Holy Spirit's work is remarkably intimate - He doesn't merely come alongside believers but actually dwells within them. Jesus promised: "You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you" (John 14:17) (On Retainer, 17:19).
This indwelling presence means the Holy Spirit is our constant companion, advocate, and guide - always available to assist us in our Christian walk.
Receiving the Spirit Through Baptism
The Holy Spirit works through baptism to make believers members of the church, which is the body of Christ (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 14:34). In the baptismal liturgy, pastors mark the sign of the cross upon those being baptized, saying "Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever" (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 14:53).
In baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit and are sealed in this Spirit which will abide with and in us, leading us to all truth (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 15:23). When baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are given the Holy Spirit as part of God's eternal promise (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 15:19).
Teaching Truth About Christ
The Spirit teaches us the truth of all things, but most importantly the truth of Jesus Christ who died upon the cross and was raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sin and for eternal salvation (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 15:38). Without the Spirit of truth abiding in and with us, we would know nothing of the truth of Jesus Christ (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 16:02).
As Luther says, if the work of Christ remained hidden - if no one knew of it, shared it, or heard it - it would be lost (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 16:24). We are called into faith by and through the Holy Spirit, and as we are sealed in the cross of Christ and the Holy Spirit, that is for all eternity (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 16:41).
Discerning the Spirit's Work
The Spirit's presence is not necessarily demonstrated through emotional displays, chaotic behavior, or speaking in gibberish. As the Spirit brings order into creation (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 10:41), anything chaotic is not of God (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 11:54).
The fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control - speaks of order, not chaos or wavering emotions (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 12:05). We cannot rely on feelings to determine if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, as feelings waver and change with each passing moment (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 8:23).
New Life Through Baptism
Through baptism, believers are united with Christ in both His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5) (If/Then Is Now, 8:59). The Holy Spirit works through these waters to kill the old sinful nature and raise believers to new life in Christ.
This isn't merely a one-time event but an ongoing reality. Martin Luther never spoke of being baptized in the past tense, but would say "I am baptized" - recognizing baptism as a continual blessing and daily regeneration (If/Then Is Now, 11:49).
The Holy Spirit daily drowns the old Adam and old Eve, raising believers to new life each day (If/Then Is Now, 11:30). This ongoing sanctification means believers don't wait for future resurrection - they are already living as new creations in Christ today.
Raised with Christ Now
Paul writes in Colossians 3:1: "If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above" (If/Then Is Now, 7:31). This "if" is not conditional but presuppositional - Paul is writing to believers who have indeed been raised with Christ through the Spirit's work.
The resurrection life is not merely a future hope but a present reality (If/Then Is Now, 14:22). Because Christ lives, believers live - not waiting for resurrection but already experiencing new life in Him (If/Then Is Now, 15:25).
The New Covenant
The Holy Spirit is central to God's new covenant established through Christ's blood. Unlike the old covenant at Sinai which was two-way and required human obedience, the new covenant is one-way from God (New Covenant, 13:35). Jesus Christ removes our sin by taking it upon himself and bearing God's wrath for us (New Covenant, 13:43).
The new covenant not only removes sin but empowers obedience through the Holy Spirit dwelling inside the believer (New Covenant, 14:03). God by His grace manifests that which is pleasing to Him, and when we fall short, God lifts us up with His word of absolution (New Covenant, 14:11).
This new covenant is sealed in baptism where God takes His word and puts it together with water, washing us and giving us forgiveness of sins, life eternal, faith, and the Holy Spirit, making us members of God's family (New Covenant, 14:26).
Ongoing Forgiveness
The Holy Spirit's work of forgiveness is not a casual "it's okay" or "no problem" when it comes to sin. Sin is serious and requires genuine confession and absolution (Day After Day, 0:59).
The Spirit works through God's Word to convict believers of sin while simultaneously pointing them to Christ's forgiveness. This creates an ongoing cycle of confession, forgiveness, and renewal in the believer's life.
Assurance for Believers
Luther teaches that although we have sin, the Holy Spirit sees to it that it does not harm us because we are in the Christian church where full forgiveness of sin resides (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 20:11). The Spirit helps, comforts, and sustains us even as the devil prowls around seeking to convince us with lies (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 20:53).
We cannot measure ourselves against other Christians to determine if we are filled with the Spirit (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 22:31). The Spirit of truth proclaims through God's Word that we are indeed filled with His Spirit, and that the Spirit will empower us to go forth proclaiming His word of truth, forgiveness, and salvation in Christ alone (How Do I Know I am filled with the Spirit?, 23:57).
The Spirit's Eternal Ministry
Unlike human attorneys who may lose cases, believers have in the Holy Spirit a perfect advocate who is always available on retainer (On Retainer, 18:54). Through Christ's blood, the case against us has been paid in full, and the Spirit continues to minister this truth to believers day by day.
The Holy Spirit's promise of advocacy and presence extends not just to future glory but to every believer today: "That promise is for you" (On Retainer, 19:17).
Through His work of calling, sanctifying, forgiving, and ultimately raising believers to eternal life, the Holy Spirit demonstrates the love and power of the triune God working in the lives of His people both now and forever.