The Mystery of the Holy Spirit

Many times as a pastor I have heard Christians refer to the Holy Spirit as an "it," or a "power/force," or the like. I have also heard many times that the most abstract member of the trinity to many Christians is the Holy Spirit. It has been my own experience that I have had to work harder to understand and know the Holy Spirit more than any other Person in the Trinity. In this book Dr. Sproul writes with profound insight, biblical acumen, and exegetical precision and gradually peels away the mysteries surrounding the third Person in the Trinity.There are ten good reasons to read this book and its because each chapter handles a distinct important aspect of the character or attributes of the Holy Spirit and Sproul then cogently and articulately explains the ramifications for us theologically and then practically.In chapter one Dr. Sproul asks and answers the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" by using various Scriptures demonstrating that the Holy Spirit is a "person;" that we are called to a have a "personal relationship with him;" and that he performs "personal tasks."In chapter two the author gives a plethora of Scriptures and some very good logical arguments like this one: "Were the Holy Spirit not God, it is extremely unlikely that blasphemy against Him would be regarded as unpardonable," to show very clearly that the Bible teaches the deity of the Holy Spirit in both the Old and New Testaments.In chapter three Dr. Sproul tackles and dismantles the most common objections raised against the Trinity and deals with them historically, biblically, and philosophically. He answers the following objections with great erudition, concise simplicity, and with immense sagacity:Objection #1: The Word "Trinity" is not a biblical word and represents the invasion of foreign philosophy into biblical revelation.Objection #2: The doctrine of the Trinity is contradictory and therefore irrational.He demonstrates clearly in this chapter that the Trinitarian formula is neither contradictory nor irrational--rather it is biblical and logical.Chapter four is vintage Sproul. Dr. Sproul is known for his outstanding vocabulary and for making things clear by explaining the meaning of words with reference to his subject of discussion. Dr. Sproul takes the time in this chapter to define the meanings and distinctions of the Holy Spirit as "essence" and "person." He explains this by elaborating on three concepts: contradiction, paradox, and mystery with reference to our understanding of the Holy Spirit's character and attributes.Chapter six is a wonderful explanation of God the Holy Spirit's work in physical and spiritual creation. He summarizes the chapter in this manner: "It is the Holy Spirit who supplies the dynamic for the created world. By His power the universe has life and motion...there is a parallel between the Spirit's work in creation and redemption. As He is the generating power of biological life, so is He the source and generating power of spiritual life. His work in redemption mirrors and supplements His work in creation. He works both in creation and re-creation of a fallen world."In Chapter six Dr. Sproul gives a masterful presentation on what it means to be "born-again" or "regenerated" by the Holy Spirit. He demonstrates from John 3 and Ephesians 2 how we are "dead" spiritually and must be "made alive" by the Holy Spirit in order to be saved. He gives an outstanding presentation of why regeneration must precede faith and obliterates the much believed idea that faith + rebirth = justification.Chapter seven is a wonderful articulation of the eternal security of those who are indeed regenerate. Sproul gives a very good presentation on the biblical distinctions of justification (monergistically - God alone working to save us); and sanctification (synergistically - the cooperation between the Holy Spirit and us).I think chapter 8 on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is perhaps the best in the book. The baptism of the Spirit may be one of the least understood issues in theology today. Dr. Sproul brings great clarity and synthesis to a better understanding of this doctrine and its immense importance. The thesis he defends is summed up at the end of the chapter in this manner:"I am not saying that everyone who is a member of a Christian church has the Holy Spirit. Membership in the visible church no more guarantees the baptism of the Holy Spirit than it guarantees salvation. We know that there are unbelievers who are church members. No unbeliever has the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but every believer, every regenerate person, does have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian from Pentecost to the present is both regenerate of the Spirit and baptized in the Spirit. That is the essence of the meaning of Pentecost. Anything less casts a shadow over the sacred importance of Pentecost in the history of redemption. Any person who is regenerate is also sealed by the Spirit, baptized in the Spirit, and has the earnest of the Spirit."In chapter nine we have a great exposition of Galatians 5 contrasting the works of the flesh and the work of the Spirit, and lastly in chapter ten Dr. Sproul shows how the Holy Spirit is Christ's Vicar on earth to empower, comfort, and use us for the glory of Christ.Honestly, I'm surprised this book has not been a BIG seller. As far as I'm concerned it is the best book bridging great scholarship in laymen's terms on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit in the English language. I have read over twenty books on the Holy Spirit - and this is my third time through Sproul's work, and it is still the one I would recommend most if you are going to read one book on the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Sproul has written over 100 books on Christian topics. He also is executive editor of Tabletalk Magazine and has a radio program that is broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world. In this book, he discusses mainly the least known member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.Pastor Sproul explains that the Trinity should not be confused with the idolatrous worship of many gods. Rather, he clarifies, the Trinity is one God with three coequal parts. Those coequal parts are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This explanation is not hard to understand, he says, when we consider that a man, during his life, might function as a grandson, son, brother, cousin, and eventually as an employee, husband, father, and grandfather.Pastor Sproul writes that the Holy Spirit is not as understood as the Father and the Son. Whereas Jesus was God embodied, the Holy Spirit is like the wind. We cannot see the wind directly, but we can see its effects on the trees and waves of the ocean. In the same way, we can see the effects of the Holy Spirit in the behavior of believers. Furthermore, our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.Pastor Sproul cites and explains many Old Testament and New Testament references to the Holy Spirt. Examples of these citations are Genesis 1:2, Numbers 11: 16-18, Matthew 28.19, Acts 2:15-18, and Galatians 5: 22-23.Pastor Sproul asserts that a good conscience is one trained by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Such a conscience is as essential to spiritual health as pain is to physical health. Since pain signals illness, those who lose the capacity to experience plain have no system to alert them to a serious illness.Pastor Sproul discusses the difference between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. For example, Bezaleel and Aholiab were the first people the Scripture mentions to be gifted by the Holy Spirit. As silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewelers, stone-cutters, woodcarvers, and teachers, they were two of the most gifted and versatile artists in human history. Other examples of Old Testament heroes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were Judges such as Samson, Othniel, and Samuel.Pastor Sproul explains that the fruit of the Holy Spirit, however, is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Although, God is pleased when we dutifully exercise the gifts the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon, God is even more pleased when He sees His people manifest the fruit of the Spirit.This book is a good follow-up to Pastor Sproul’s first book about the Holy Spirit entitled “Who is the Holy Spirit?”

I had a little problem following this author. He did not expound clearly on the subject matter. As a result, I put down, but will resume reading it at some point. Thanks

Dr. Sproul's astute knowledge of the scriptures and his affable style combine to give a comprehensive picture of who the Holy Spirit is and how the Holy Spiritual functions as our help and empowerment to do the Father's will.

Dr. Sproul takes you on a journey! By the time you reach the end of it you will be amazed! You will not only know who the Holy Spirit is but also the vastness of His work! Starting from the creation to His work IN the believer and FOR the believer and for the Church!

Sproul is an amazing teacher and this work does a great job of reminding us that the Holy Spirit is God. Clear truth in a crowded world!

I love listening to and reading R. C. Sproul. Our Lord has gifted him in a unique manner given his training in philosophy and theology. Pneumatology has been somewhat neglected in modern times and taken a back seat to Christology. This is a shame because the essence and work of the Holy Spirit is arguably more present in our day to day, minute to minute Christian lives than the other members of the Trinity. Though fully God and co-equal and co-eternal, the Spirit is not as tangible in Scripture for us as Christ and the Father. Yet it is through the Spirit that the world is created, sustained and we are able to be "in Christ" and "in one body." Dr. Sproul has a gift for explaining theological matters in ways that are accessible for the average Christian yet not watered down or oversimplified. The very presence of the Holy Spirit defines us as a Christian for He dwells in us and with us. I commend this book to all as it has helped me tremendously.

Helpful summary of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.Typical RC Sproul thoroughness.Useful for pastors, students.Excellent

A good introduction to the Holy Spirit

The content of this book will enrich your knowledge of the Holy Spirit and more.I was searching for books on the Holy Spirit and He led me to this one.

An enlightening book on the Holy Spirit

I recommend this book to all Christians. Reformed, I feel like the Holy Sprit was never addressed properly, felt like that was missing.