Q: Does John 20:22 teach that Christ's apostles received the Holy Spirit prior to Christ's ascension to heaven and the Feast of Pentecost?

Published: November 11th, 2005

In John 20:22, we read that Christ, after His resurrection, but before His ascension to heaven and the subsequent Day of Pentecost, breathed upon the disciples and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Some erroneously teach that on that occasion, Christ gave His disciples the Holy Spirit (compare Nelson Study Bible and the Ryrie Study Bible, comments to John 20). Others understand correctly that Christ did not give the Holy Spirit to His disciples at that time. The New Bible Commentary: Revised explains:

"The breathing upon them of the Spirit is understandable since the Greek 'pneuma' means both breath and spirit. This would appear to be in anticipation of Pentecost, although some specific assurance of the conveyance of the gift is clearly given here."

Q: You are teaching that the Holy Spirit is not a God being or a Person. What then, exactly, IS the Holy Spirit?

Published: July 28th, 2006

God's Holy Spirit is foremost the POWER of God, emanating from both the Father and the Son. But it is also the MIND of God, including all the characteristics of God Himself. When God's Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are to change, by replacing our human nature with the nature of God (1 Samuel 10:6; Romans 8:13), enabling us to follow God and to be obedient to Him (Numbers 14:24; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:27; 1 Peter 1:22).

Q: Are there any scriptures that show the Holy Spirit is symbolized with oil?

Published: November 15th, 2002

There are many passages that convey and support the understanding that oil is used biblically as a symbol for the Holy Spirit.

For instance, we read in Mark 6:13 that Christ had His disciples anoint sick people with oil, and they were healed. We know that Christ healed the sick with the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 8:43-46 -- the Authorized Version has here, "virtue," but the literal meaning is, "power," compare New King James Bible. Compare, too, Mark 5:30; Luke 6:19).

Christ gave His disciples the same ability to heal sick people by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:18), which presence is symbolized by the anointing of the sick person with oil (James 5:14).

Q: Is God really omnipresent, that is, everywhere at all times? Scriptures like Genesis 3:8-11 seem to suggest the opposite!

Published: August 17th, 2007

The question of God's omnipresence has puzzled men for centuries and millennia, and diverse and sometimes incredible answers have been proposed.

One common idea in Orthodox Christianity is that God, as a Spirit being, is everywhere, as allegedly, Spirit has no form or shape--no limitations--no "parts." God is understood to be--even though proponents of that idea would oppose such wording--a formless or shapeless "blob"--permeating everything.

Q: Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father, from the Son, or from both?

Published: May 29th, 2009

This question has been the cause of controversy for many centuries and generations. While one major Christian denomination teaches that the Holy Spirit only proceeds from the Father, but is given us through the Son, another major Christian denomination holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.

To answer this question from the Bible, we must first of all realize that the Holy Spirit is not a Person or a Personage, but the POWER and the MIND of God. It is through the POWER of the Holy Spirit that God creates and acts, and mightily sustains what He has created. For more information on this vital subject, please read our free booklet, "Is God a Trinity?"

Q: You teach that both the Father and the Son are God. What about the Holy Spirit? Isn't the Holy Spirit also God -- the Third Person within the Trinity?

Published: November 26th, 2010

The short answer is, no -- the Holy Spirit is neither God nor a Person. Rather, the Holy Spirit is God's POWER emanating from God the Father AND from God the Son.