If the trinity is not found in the Bible, and as Jehovah and Jesus are not the same person, what is the Holy Spirit? Please note that I asked "What" not "Who". The reason for that is that nowhere in the Bible is the Holy Spirit identified as a person. It is always identified as a force, a helper, as something acting under the direction of Jehovah to accomplish what Jehovah wants done. The Holy Spirit does not speak, does not have a name and is never identified as a separate person.

So, what is it? Let us check some Bible references where the Holy Spirit is mentioned to see what we can discern.

The very first mention of the Holy Spirit is found in Genesis 1:2, where it says (ASV), "And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." The New World Translation uses the expression, "God’s active force" instead of "Spirit of God". In the original language the word used means "breath", but is clearly not meant to be understood literally. Both of these renderings contain the idea of ownership: that the spirit or force involved is owned by God and used by him. Neither implies that it is a separate individual, neither do they imply that it is an independant part of a triune god, anymore than our breath is a separate individual and independent from us.

The next occurrence is in Genesis 6:2, where it says, "Then Jehovah said: ′My spirit will not tolerate man indefinitely, because he is only flesh.′" Then sets a time limit before he takes action against mankind, culminating in the flood. Again, ownership is implied, "My spirit", not "The spirit."

However, we are probably more familiar with the Holy Spirit as described in the Greek scriptures as a helper to early Christians, but note that in Greek also the word used means "breath". The most well known reference is found in Matthew 3:16 when Jehovah’s Holy Spirit appeared to bless Jesus following his baptism by John, "After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a

dove and coming upon him." Once again, ownership rather than independent action. The only independent action taken at that time was by God, himself, who announced (in verse 17), "Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: ′This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.′" The Spirit came to Jesus in the form of a dove, but it was Jehovah who announced his approval and blessing, once again emphasising that the spirit is owned and used by Jehovah.

But, is the spirit not just another name for the soul? The Bible makes it clear that it is not. In 1 Thessalonians, 5:23 (ASV), it says, "And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Note that the spirit is listed as separate from the soul and body.

As has been explained in another article, man became a living soul when Jehovah breathed into him the breath of life. A living man is a soul, and as a thinking person he also has desires, goals, expectations, and a thinking mind. These combined attributes make up his spirit, what he wants to accomplish and focus on. Also, remember that Jehovah created us in his own image. He also is a thinking being, he also has goals, desires, expectations and these are part of him.

Unlike us, of course, Jehovah is infinitely more powerful and capable, so he is able to invariably bring about what he wants and expects, and just as we are capable of letting other know what we want and then accomplish it, sometimes with a mere look, so Jehovah can bring about what he wants in an infinitely more successful fashion, and that process, that function, that power he has is referred to as his Holy Spirit, and nobody is capable of resisting it. It is accurately expressed, then, when the holy spirit is described as an active force which Jehovah uses to ensure that his will is accomplished.

If you have a question about this or any other bible subject, please ask it in an email.