In the first three centuries of the church, the nature of Christ and the relationship of the Holy Spirit to Christ were the subjects of ongoing strife and divisions. The Roman Emperor Constantine, who embraced Christendom, called the Council of Nicea to settle the issue of the nature of Christ, and the issue of the relationship of Christ and the Holy Spirit became the primary theological wedge between the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. This was as much about politics as theology and was settled by majority vote among unscriptural leaders of an apostate church.

Early in the American “Restoration Movement,” those who agreed with the teaching of Thomas and Alexander Campbell and those who agreed with Barton W. Stone were able to accept each other in fellowship by agreeing not to speculate about the nature of Christ beyond what is plainly revealed. It behooves us to accept without question what God has plainly revealed on these sublime subjects and to refuse to go further (Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 John 9). What does the Bible reveal about the relationship between Christ and the Holy Spirit?

Both Divine Persons

There is but on true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). Jesus Christ is a divine Person (John 1:1-3,14; Colossians 1:13-17; Hebrews 1:1-8). Likewise, the Holy Spirit is a divine Person. The Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are different divine Persons (Hebrews 10:5; John 14:26; 15:26) who are so perfectly united they are one (John 10:29-30; 17:20-21).

The Anointed One

Anointing was a common ancient practice. Basically, “anoint” means “to ‘rub’ with a liquid” (Mounce. 23). The law required that priests be consecrated for their office by anointing with holy oil (Exodus 28:41). Kings of Israel were consecrated to office by anointing with oil (1 Samuel 10;1; 15:1; 16:13; 1 Kings1:39). After Samuel anointed Saul as “commander” of the Lord’s “inheritance” (1 Samuel 10:1), the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he prophesied (1 Samuel 10:6, 9-10). When David was anointed as king, he also received the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13). Both Saul and David were called “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:9; 2 Samuel 19:21). They were chosen and set into office by the Lord.

But One was to come who would be in a very special sense “Anointed” (Psalm 2:2). In the Old Testament, this is the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and in the New Testament the Greek term “Christ.” Of course, Jesus, the divine Son of God, is this Messiah, Christ, Anointed One (John 1:40-42; 20:30-31).

Servant

Isaiah prophesied a coming Servant of the Lord upon whom the Lord would put His Spirit (Isaiah 42:1; 49:6-7). To bring about our salvation the glorious Son of God became the obedient, suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13; 53:3-11; John 5:30; 6:38; 8:28; Matthew 26:36-44; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:5-18).

Conceived

Jesus was not conceived in the natural order of human births. Rather, He was “conceived of the Holy Spirit” as the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, and the power of the Highest overshadowed her. Therefore, that Holy One conceived in her was “the Son of God” (Matthew 1:18-020; Luke1:35). The miracle of the virgin birth by the power of the Holy Spirit is how the divine Word became flesh (John 1:1-3,14).

Anointed

Jesus was not inducted into His office as Christ by having oil poured on His head. Rather, in fulfillment of prophecy, He entered into His ministry by being anointed with the Holy Spirit as the Father announced from heaven that He was the Son of God (Isaiah 61:1-3; Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; 4:16-19; Acts10:36-38). This is how John the Baptist knew He was the Son of God so he could testify of Him (John 1:32-34).

Filled

Christ Jesus was thus “filled with the Holy Spirit,” “led by the Spirit,” and had the Spirit without measure (Luke 4:1; Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; John 3:34). The power of the Spirit was upon Him (Luke 4:14), so that His great wisdom was from the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:1-2), He spoke by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 61:1-2; Matthew 12:15-21; Luke 4:16-22; John 3:34; Acts 1:1-3) and performed His miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28; Acts 10:36-38).

Sent

As the glorified Son of God, risen from the dead, He sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:7). As the result He baptized His apostles with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:1-8), and the Holy Spirit revealed to them all the things of Christ (John 14:26; 16:13-15).

Conclusion

These profound truths are perhaps beyond our full comprehension, but we must believe them, because they are plainly taught in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:16). But we must not go beyond them in speculation (2 John 9).

Work Cited

William Mounce, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.