Holy Spirit, witness of

The Holy Spirit bears witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ, and enables believers to bear effective witness to him.

The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ

The Spirit's testimony

1 John 4:2–3 See also Acts 5:32; 1 Corinthians 12:3

By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

At Jesus Christ's baptism

John 1:32–34 See also Matthew 3:16 parallels Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22

Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

After Jesus Christ's ascension

John 15:26 See also John 14:26, John 16:13–14; 1 John 5:6

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father — the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father — He will testify about Me.

The Holy Spirit's witness enables believers to be effective

He brings assurance to believers

1 John 3:24 See also 1 John 4:13, 1 John 5:7–10

Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.

He gives assurance of the finality of Jesus Christ's saving work

Hebrews 10:14–17

because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

He gives believers confidence in their status as children of God

Romans 8:15–16 See also Galatians 4:6

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.