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What the Bible Says About Holy Spirit

Overview

The Bible addresses holy spirit across 145 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Romans, Acts and John. Closely related themes include Trinity, The Holy, Regeneration, Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Trinity, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Zerubbabel and Paul.

Key Bible verses about holy spirit

Old Testament

Zechariah

Zechariah 4:1

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

Zechariah 4:2

And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: a bowl: Heb. her bowl seven pipes: or, seven several pipes to the lamps

Zechariah 4:3

And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

Zechariah 4:4

So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

Zechariah 4:5

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zechariah 4:6

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. might: or, army

Zechariah 4:7

Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

New Testament

John

John 3:5

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:6

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 7:39

(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 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:17

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 16:7

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.

John 16:8

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: reprove: or, convince

John 16:9

Of sin because they believe not on me;

John 16:10

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

John 16:11

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

John 16:13

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.

John 16:14

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Acts

Acts 2:2

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:3

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 5:3

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? to lie to: or, to deceive

Acts 5:4

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Acts 8:15

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Acts 8:16

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 8:17

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:18

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Acts 8:19

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:20

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Acts 8:21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Acts 8:22

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 10:19

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Acts 10:20

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Acts 10:44

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:45

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:46

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 10:47

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 11:15

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Acts 11:16

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 11:17

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ;1161 what was I, that I could withstand God?

Acts 16:6

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 16:7

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Acts 19:2

He said unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:3

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Acts 19:4

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Acts 19:5

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 19:6

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Romans

Romans 5:3

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Romans 5:4

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Romans 5:5

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: for sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin

Romans 8:4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:5

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. to be carnally: Gr. the minding of the flesh to be spiritually: Gr. the minding of the Spirit

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. the carnal: Gr. the minding of the flesh

Romans 8:8

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:10

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. by: or, because of

Romans 8:12

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 8:17

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Romans 8:20

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Romans 8:21

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Romans 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. the: or, every creature

Romans 8:23

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:24

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:27

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. because: or, that

Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Romans 11:34

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

Romans 15:18

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 2:10

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1 Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 12:3

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. accursed: or, anathema

1 Corinthians 12:4

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:5

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. administrations: or, ministries

1 Corinthians 12:6

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

1 Corinthians 12:7

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:8

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;1161 to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

1 Corinthians 12:9

To another faith by the same Spirit;1161 to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

1 Corinthians 12:10

To another the working of miracles;1161 to another prophecy;1161 to another discerning of spirits;1161 to another divers kinds of tongues;1161 to another the interpretation of tongues:

1 Corinthians 12:11

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Ephesians

Ephesians 1:12

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. trusted: or, hoped

Ephesians 1:13

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 1:14

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:3

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:4

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

People in the Bible and holy spirit

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying holy spirit for yourself

  • Begin with Psalms 51:11, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Romans, Acts and John each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Peter and Zerubbabel and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Trinity, The Holy, Regeneration, Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Trinity, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about holy spirit?

The Bible addresses holy spirit across 145 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Romans, Acts and John. Closely related themes include Trinity, The Holy, Regeneration, Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Trinity, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Zerubbabel and Paul.

How many Bible verses are about holy spirit?

The Bible references holy spirit in 145 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention holy spirit?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Psalms 51:11: “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with holy spirit?

Jesus, Peter, Zerubbabel, Paul and Moses.

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