• He has a mind (see Romans 8:27).

• He has a will (see 1 Corinthians 12:11).

• He has emotions, such as love and joy (see Romans 15:30; Galatians 5:22).

• He comforts (see Acts 9:31).

• He speaks (see Hebrews 3:7); in fact, He speaks clearly (see 1 Timothy 4:1).

• He teaches (see 1 Corinthians 2:13).

• He can be made to feel sorrow (see Ephesians 4:30).

• He can be insulted (see Hebrews 10:29).

• He can be resisted (see Acts 7:51).

• He can be lied to (see Acts 5:1-11).

If these attributes are so apparent in Scripture, then we must ask, why is the Holy Spirit so misunderstood?

The Dove

When many people think of the Holy Spirit, their minds immediately draw an association with a dove. Why is this often the first association? Did the Holy Spirit ever manifest as a dove? The answer is an emphatic no. In all four Gospels we read that the Spirit of God descended on Jesus like a dove (see Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). But don’t we often make comments like “she runs like the wind” or “he is strong like an ox”? If I say that my son is strong like an ox, does that make him a four-footed animal? Absolutely not! Similarly, to say that the Spirit descended like a dove is not to say that He is a dove.

Someone might say, “Yes, but John, He’s represented as flames before the throne of God” (see Revelation 4:5). Yes, this is the case, but the Bible also says, “I looked, and behold…in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as though it had been slain…” (Revelation 5:6). This is John’s description of Jesus. You and I both know that Jesus is certainly not a four-footed animal. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is not a mystical fire burning in front of God’s throne.

So, Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Bible makes it very clear that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’” Notice that God did not say, “Let Me make man.” The drama of creation required three distinct Actors playing three distinct parts; God was referring to Himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at Acts 10:38 to see the distinct identification of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

In this verse, we witness the Father anointing Jesus with the Holy Spirit—three distinct Persons working together for one common purpose. Let’s look at another example:

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)