Jesus's Words

All the Statements about the Holy Spirit

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Contents

This page serves to break down the list of things that the gospels claim about the Holy Spirit. It shows the final list, and how we came to make this list, and is shared so that way if any omissions or errors are found, they can be made known for our greater profit. What follows is our final list of statements made regarding the Holy Spirit.

We find in the gospels that Jesus makes these claims about the Holy Spirit:

  • 1. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10.)
  • 2. The Holy Spirit is as important to men as God and Jesus are.(Matthew 28:19.)
  • 3. The Holy Spirit tells people what to say, past, present, and future.(Mark 12:36, 13:11, Luke 12:11-12.)
  • 4. The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to the disciples of Jesus that ask for it.(Luke 11:13, John 14:16-17, 20:22-23.)
  • 5. The Holy Spirit will teach people truth, and all things, by reminding people of Jesus's sayings, even when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12, John 14:26, 16:13. See also John 7:37-39.)
  • 6. The Holy Spirit will testify and glorify Jesus.(John 15:26, 16:14.)
  • 7. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and a Spirit of Truth.(John 14:15-17.)
  • 8. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because they don't see him or know him.(John 14:15-17.)
  • 9. Those filled with the Holy Spirit that have been with Jesus from the beginning will bear witness of Jesus.(John 15:26-27.)
  • 10. Jesus and the Holy Spirit cannot be on Earth at the same time.(John 16:7, See also John 7:39.)
  • 11. The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment.(John 16:8-11.)
  • 12. The Holy Spirit will show us things to come.(John 16:13.)
  • 13. Possibly, those with the Holy Spirit can forgive sins.(John 20:22-23.)
Additionally, the gospels provide us a further seven statements about the Holy Spirit:
  • A. Jesus baptized people with the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33.)
  • B. The Holy Spirit performed a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Matthew 1:18, 20, Luke 1:35.)
  • C. The Holy Spirit lets others prophesy.(Luke 2:25-26, See, e.g., Luke 1:67, 2:25-26.)
  • D. Jesus will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even while in Mary's womb.(Luke 1:15.)
  • E. The Holy Spirit can assume a "bodily shape."(Luke 3:22.)
  • F. The Holy Spirit came from above by "descending."(Luke 3:22.)
  • G. The Holy Spirit can led people to places.(Luke 4:1.)

Collecting Verses Back to Top ↑

Collecting the Verses Spoken by Jesus

Jesus gave us many clues as to what the Holy Spirit is and what it does. Let us examine them so we can understand this elusive concept. First, we'll need to go through the canonical gospels and extract all of Jesus's statements regarding the Holy Spirit.

1) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.Matthew 12:31-32

2) The Holy Spirit is as important to men as God and Jesus are.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Matthew 28:19

3) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.Mark 3:29

4) The Holy Spirit tells people what to say. This aspect was active in the past.

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.Mark 12:36

5) The Holy Spirit tell people what to say. This aspect will be active in the future.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.Mark 13:11

6) The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to those who ask for it.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?Luke 11:13

7) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.
8) The Holy Spirit will tell people what to say when they are under duress.

And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.Luke 12:10-12

9) The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and a Spirit of Truth.
10) The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because they don't see him or know him.
11) The disciples of Jesus can receive him and have him in us.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.John 14:16-17

12) The Holy Spirit will teach all things.
13) The Holy Spirit will remind you of Jesus's sayings.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.John 14:26

14) The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus.
15) Those filled with the Holy Spirit will bear witness of Jesus, becayse they have been with him from the beginning.

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.John 15:26-27

16) Jesus and the Holy Spirit cannot be on Earth at the same time.
17) The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment.
18) The Holy Spirit will not speak himself.
19) The Holy Spirit will guide people into all truth.
20) The Holy Spirit will show us things to come.
21) The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.John 16:7-14

22) The Holy Spirit is a gift to be received.
23) Possibly, those with the Holy Spirit can forgive sins.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.John 20:22-23

Collecting the Verses Spoken by John the Baptist Back to Top ↑

Additionally, we have some verses from a bona fida prophet, John the Baptist. It would be helpful to note these as well, even though John the Baptist was not in the kingdom of God and even doubted that Jesus was the messiah.(For slightly more information, see Salvation Is Not From John the Baptist.) Nevertheless, when John spoke these verses, he, himself, was a full prophet of God.

A) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.Matthew 3:11

B) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.Mark 1:8

C) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.Luke 3:16

D) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.John 1:33

Collecting Other Verses Back to Top ↑

We also have some contextual verses from the authors of the canonical gospels. None of the authors were prophets, but they must have been very familiar with Jesus's teachings, and thus they likely understood what Jesus was saying. I will, for the time being, mark these verses with Roman numerals to denote their inferior status.

I) The Holy Spirit performed a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.Matthew 1:18
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.Matthew 1:20

II) Jesus will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even while in Mary's womb.

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.Luke 1:15

III) The Holy Spirit will perform a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.Luke 1:35

IV) The Holy Spirit filled Elisabeth and she spoke praise about Jesus.

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.Luke 1:41-42

V) The Holy Spirit filled Zacharias and praised God for his child, John the Baptist, and the salvation that Jesus would give.

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying...Luke 1:67

VI) The Holy Spirit lets others prophesy.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.Luke 2:25-26

VII) The Holy Spirit can assume a "bodily shape."
VIII) The Holy Spirit came from above by "descending."

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.Luke 3:22

IX) The Holy Spirit can led people to places.

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.Luke 4:1

X) Those with the Holy Spirit will have the rivers of living water flow out of them.
XI) The Holy Spirit wasn't given before Jesus is glorified.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)John 7:37-39

Initial List of Statements Back to Top ↑

So, we see several statements about the Holy Spirit in the canonical gospels.

Spoken by Jesus:
  • 1) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Matthew 12:31-32.)
  • 2) The Holy Spirit is as important to men as God and Jesus are.(Matthew 28:19.)
  • 3) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Mark 3:29.)
  • 4) The Holy Spirit tells people what to say. This aspect was active in the past.(Mark 12:36.)
  • 5) The Holy Spirit tell people what to say. This aspect will be active in the future.(Mark 13:11.)
  • 6) The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to those who ask for it.(Luke 11:13.)
  • 7) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Luke 12:10-12.)
  • 8) The Holy Spirit will tell people what to say when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12.)
  • 9) The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and a Spirit of Truth.(John 14:15-17.)
  • 10) The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because they don't see him or know him.(John 14:15-17.)
  • 11) The disciples of Jesus can receive him and have him in us.(John 14:16-17.)
  • 12) The Holy Spirit will teach all things.(John 14:26.)
  • 13) The Holy Spirit will remind you of Jesus's sayings.(John 14:26.)
  • 14) The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus.(John 15:26-27.)
  • 15) Those filled with the Holy Spirit that have been with Jesus from the beginning will bear witness of Jesus.(John 15:26-27.)
  • 16) Jesus and the Holy Spirit cannot be on Earth at the same time.(John 16:7.)
  • 17) The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment.(John 16:8-11.)
  • 18) The Holy Spirit will not speak himself.(John 16:13.)
  • 19) The Holy Spirit will guide people into all truth.(John 16:13.)
  • 20) The Holy Spirit will show us things to come.(John 16:13.)
  • 21) The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.(John 16:14.)
  • 22) The Holy Spirit is a gift to be received.(John 20:22-23.)
  • 23) Possibly, those with the Holy Spirit can forgive sins.(John 20:22-23.)
Spoken by John the Baptist:
  • A) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 3:11.)
  • B) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(Mark 1:8.)
  • C) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(Luke 3:16.)
  • D) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(John 1:33.)
Written by Narrators:
  • I) The Holy Spirit performed a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Matthew 1:18, 1:20.)
  • II) Jesus will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even while in Mary's womb.(Luke 1:15.)
  • III) The Holy Spirit will perform a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Luke 1:35.)
  • IV) The Holy Spirit filled Elisabeth and she spoke praise about Jesus.(Luke 1:41-42.)
  • V) The Holy Spirit filled Zacharias and praised God for his child, John the Baptist, and the salvation that Jesus would give.(Luke 1:67.)
  • VI) The Holy Spirit lets others prophesy.(Luke 2:25-26.)
  • VII) The Holy Spirit can assume a "bodily shape."(Luke 3:22.)
  • VIII) The Holy Spirit came from above by "descending."(Luke 3:22.)
  • IX) The Holy Spirit can led people to places.(Luke 4:1.)
  • X) Those with the Holy Spirit will have the rivers of living water flow out of them.(John 7:38-39.)
  • XI) The Holy Spirit wasn't given before Jesus is glorified.(John 7:39.)

Condensing Statements Back to Top ↑

Thus, we have all the knowledge contained in the canonical gospels regarding the Holy Spirit. We should condense it into something shorter for our use. We do this by combining verses that are the same into one verse. By doing this, we can find more easily determine the nature of the Holy Spirit.

Condensing Jesus's Statements

1) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Matthew 12:31-32.)
3) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Mark 3:29.)
7) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Luke 12:10.)
Statements 1, 3, and 7 have the same meaning. We can condense these statements into Statement 1 to form the Statement, Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10.)

4) The Holy Spirit tells people what to say. This aspect was active in the past.(Mark 12:36.)
5) The Holy Spirit tells people what to say. This aspect will be active in the future.(Mark 13:11.)
We can conceivably believe that the Holy Spirit was active during various times of the Old Testament, and is still active now. It tells people what to say at certain times. We can condense these statements into, The Holy Spirit tells people what to say, past, present, and future.(Mark 12:36, 13:11)

6) The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to those who ask for it.(Luke 11:13.)
11) The disciples of Jesus can receive him and have him in us.(John 14:16-17.)
22) The Holy Spirit is a gift to be received.(John 20:22-23.)
The implication in the context of Statement 11 is that God will give the Spirit to the disciples of Jesus. This is a gift just like in the other contexts, but it limits who exactly can be given the gift. It requires someone to both be a follower of Jesus, and to ask for it. In John 14:16-17, Jesus said he would pray to God on behalf of those disciples. Thus, we can condense these three statements into,The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to the disciples of Jesus that ask for it.(Luke 11:13, John 14:16-17, 20:22-23.)

8) The Holy Spirit will teach people what to say when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12.)
12) The Holy Spirit will teach all things.(John 14:26.)
13) The Holy Spirit will remind you of Jesus's sayings.(John 14:26.)
18) The Holy Spirit will not speak himself.(John 16:13.)
19) The Holy Spirit will guide people into all truth.(John 16:13.)
The Holy Spirit will teach people all things, even under duress by authority figures, however, the Holy Spirit will not speak of himself. Instead, he wil only guide people into all truth by reminding people of Jesus's sayings. Thus, we can conbine these Statements into, The Holy Spirit will teach people truth, and all things, by reminding people of Jesus's sayings, even when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12, John 14:26, 16:13.)

14) The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus.(John 15:26.)
21) The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.(John 16:14.)
The Holy Spirit will testify and glorify Jesus to those that have the Holy Spirit, and so we can condense these two statements into,"The Holy Spirit will testify and glorify Jesus.(John 15:26, 16:14.)

Condensing John the Baptist's Statements Back to Top ↑

Since all of John's statements regarding the holy spirit are the same thing, condensing them is easy.

A) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 3:11.)
B) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(Mark 1:8.)
C) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(Luke 3:16.)
D) Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.(John 1:33.)
We should note that while John the Baptist spoke in the future tense, Jesus had already come to Earth. So we should note that these statements should be in the past tense. With that in mind, we can condense these for statements into, A) Jesus baptized people with the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33.)

Condensing Narrator's Statements Back to Top ↑

The Narrators seemed to be more concerned regarding physical manifestations that the Holy Spirit could perform rather than what it would do for individual people.

I) The Holy Spirit performed a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Matthew 1:18, 1:20)
IV) The Holy Spirit will perform a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Luke 1:35.)
We can condense these statements into, The Holy Spirit performed a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Matthew 1:18, 20, Luke 1:35.)

IV) The Holy Spirit filled Elisabeth and she spoke praise about Jesus.(Luke 1:41-42.)
V) The Holy Spirit filled Zacharias and praised God for his child, John the Baptist, and the salvation that Jesus would give.(Luke 1:67.)
VI) The Holy Spirit lets others prophesy.(Luke 2:25-26.)
Statements IV and V are just fulfillments of Statement VI. The Holy Spirit filled Elisabeth and Zacharias, and thus they prophesied. We can condense these statements into, The Holy Spirit lets others prophesy.(Luke 2:25-26, See, e.g., Luke 1:67, 2:25-26.)

X) Those with the Holy Spirit will have the rivers of living water flow out of them.(John 7:37-39.)
5) The Holy Spirit will teach people truth, and all things, by reminding people of Jesus's sayings, even when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12, John 14:26, 16:13.)
Statement X is actually the same as Statement 5. Jesus gives living waters, as he told the Samarian woman, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.John 4:13b-14 Jesus's words are what leads to eternal life: And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.John 12:50
Therefore, those with the Holy Spirit will have the rivers of living water in them, because they will be reminded of Jesus's sayings and taught them by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we can condense Statement XI into Statement 5 by saying, The Holy Spirit will teach people truth, and all things, by reminding people of Jesus's sayings, even when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12, John 14:26, 16:13. See also John 7:37-39.)

XI) The Holy Spirit wasn't given before Jesus is glorified.(John 7:39.)
16) Jesus and the Holy Spirit cannot be on Earth at the same time.(John 16:7.)
Statement XI is very similar to Statement 10. Since the Holy Spirit didn't come on Earth until after Jesus departed, we know that Statement XI is wholly embedded into Statement 16. Thus, we can combine these statements into, 16) Jesus and the Holy Spirit cannot be on Earth at the same time.(John 16:7, See also John 7:39.)

The Final List of Statements about the Holy Spirit

By combining all these statements together, and adding John's statement with the narrators, we find our final list. This list is the same as the list which can be seen at the top of the page.

  • 1. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven.(Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10.)
  • 2. The Holy Spirit is as important to men as God and Jesus are.(Matthew 28:19.)
  • 3. The Holy Spirit tells people what to say, past, present, and future.(Mark 12:36, 13:11, Luke 12:11-12.)
  • 4. The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to the disciples of Jesus that ask for it.(Luke 11:13, John 14:16-17, 20:22-23.)
  • 5. The Holy Spirit will teach people truth, and all things, by reminding people of Jesus's sayings, even when they are under duress.(Luke 12:11-12, John 14:26, 16:13. See also John 7:37-39.)
  • 6. The Holy Spirit will testify and glorify Jesus.(John 15:26, 16:14.)
  • 7. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and a Spirit of Truth.(John 14:15-17.)
  • 8. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because they don't see him or know him.(John 14:15-17.)
  • 9. Those filled with the Holy Spirit that have been with Jesus from the beginning will bear witness of Jesus.(John 15:26-27.)
  • 10. Jesus and the Holy Spirit cannot be on Earth at the same time.(John 16:7, See also John 7:39.)
  • 11. The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment.(John 16:8-11.)
  • 12. The Holy Spirit will show us things to come.(John 16:13.)
  • 13. Possibly, those with the Holy Spirit can forgive sins.(John 20:22-23.)
Additionally, the gospels provide us a further seven statements about the Holy Spirit:
  • A. Jesus baptized people with the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33.)
  • B. The Holy Spirit performed a miracle by impregnating Mary with Jesus.(Matthew 1:18, 20, Luke 1:35.)
  • C. The Holy Spirit lets others prophesy.(Luke 2:25-26, See, e.g., Luke 1:67, 2:25-26.)
  • D. Jesus will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even while in Mary's womb.(Luke 1:15.)
  • E. The Holy Spirit can assume a "bodily shape."(Luke 3:22.)
  • F. The Holy Spirit came from above by "descending."(Luke 3:22.)
  • G. The Holy Spirit can led people to places.(Luke 4:1.)