Bible Question:

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in heaven?

Bible Answer:

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is one of three persons in the trinity (Acts 5:3-4). He is fully God, just as God the Father and Jesus Christ are. The Bible also teaches that He convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He helps Christians to understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:12-14), pray (Romans 8:26-27), and to have victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 5:18). He also gives believers spiritual gifts and ministers to believers here on earth in so many different ways. This is the Holy Spirit’s ministry today, as you will learn in this article.

But the question we want to consider is, “What is the role of the Holy Spirit in heaven?” That is, what does He do in heaven?

Holy Spirit's Role

Holy Spirit Within the Trinity

Four important statements about the Holy Spirit are found in the gospel of John. The first is John 14:16. It reveals that within the trinity God the Father had the authority to send the Helper.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever . . .” John 14:16 (NASB)

The Scriptures teach that God the Father is the master planner. For example, in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-14) Jesus taught the disciples to pray that God the Father cause His kingdom to occur soon. He urged the disciples to ask that His will would be done on earth as in heaven. Jesus also taught that the Father is the one who provides for our needs and forgives our sins. Ephesians 1:3-5 reveals that God the Father planned who would be saved. In summary, God the Father is the master planner within the trinity. So, Jesus said that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 echoes the truth that God the Father would send the Helper, who is the Holy Spirit.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26 (NASB)

Once again we are told that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is subject to the direction of God the Father.

John 15:26 also reveals that the Holy Spirit is subject to Christ. When Christ sent the Holy Spirit, it is the Father who sent Him.

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me . . .” John 15:26 (NASB)

In John 16:7, Jesus repeats the point that the Holy Spirit is subject to Christ.

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7 (NASB)

These verses teach that the Holy Spirit’s ministry today is to believers here on earth. This is the ministry that God the Father and Christ have given Him to perform today.

Role of the Holy Spirit In Heaven

So, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in heaven? An explicit answer is not given to us. Yet, we could say that His role in heaven is to obey the Father and Christ. Within the trinity, God the Father has the authority. Christ and the Holy Spirit are subject to Him. The Spirit also submits to Christ. Christ is our Savior and Lord, and the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He helps believers here on earth today.

Conclusion:

In summary, the Holy Spirit has a ministry here on earth and it is to believers. However, Scripture does not give us information as to His role in heaven. Whatever the Holy Spirit’s role in heaven, it is in cooperation with and submission to God the Father and Christ.

Suggested Links:

The Holy Spirit – Discipleship Series
Did the Holy Spirit come upon or fill the Old Testament saints?
When did the Holy Spirit come, after Jesus or before?
Receive the Holy Spirit — When does a person receive the Holy Spirit?
What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Is the Trinity equal even though they have different roles?
What is the Trinity?