As we’ve already seen in this study series, there is only “one spirit” and “one God” (Gal 4:4) in the Triune Godhead which “is Spirit” (John 4:24). Yet, there are many meaningful titles in the Bible for the “one Spirit” of God.

“Holy Spirit” seems to be the general all-inclusive title for the “Spirit of God.”

In the Old Testament there was only the “Spirit of God” (i.e., Gen 1:2). In the Law and the Prophets and the Psalms only King David mentions the Holy Spirit three times in the Psalm. He writes “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me (Ps 51:11).” “But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him (Isa 63:10-11)?”

The New Testament term “Holy Spirit” in Greek is hagios pneuma, meaning the “the sacred breath.” John 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” It may be beyond us to fathom the full significance of this name as applied to the Holy Spirit, but this much seems clear: The Spirit is the out-breathing of God, His life going forth to bring life. We should notice the fact that breath is itself the vital principle, and we can see that “the Spirit” therefore is the inmost life of God.

In many cultures, including Israelite culture, people were given descriptive names.  For instance, Isaac means “he laughs”, Abraham means “father of a multitude.” Thus, by examining the names of the Holy Spirit we learn about the characteristics and traits of the Holy Spirit and about the relationship between “the Spirit” and others.

Referring to Jesus of Nazareth after His death, burial, and resurrection, Paul’s then uses various terms for the “one God” that is the “one Spirit” and all are significant. These are some of the most relatable titles for believers; telling us the Lord Jesus is now the Spirit. 1) “That Spirit,” 2) “the Spirit of Jesus,” 3) “the Spirit,” 3) “Spirit of God,” 4) “the Spirit of Christ,” 5) “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” and 6) “a life-giving spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord (Jesus) is that Spirit…

Acts 16:7 When they (Paul and Barnabas) came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. (NIV)

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in (union with) 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.

Philip. 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of  the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit.

Some may say “How can you say the term Holy Spirit refers to the “Spirit of Jesus”? Referring to God, Paul writes there is only “one spirit” (Eph 4:4). Then notice in the verses here below that the terms “Holy Spirit” and “Spirit of Jesus” are used interchangeably.

Acts 16:6-7 (NIV) Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the HOLY SPIRIT from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the SPIRIT OF JESUS would not allow them to. (“Spirit of Jesus” appears in NIV and the “Greek Interlinear of the NT”)

All of these “Spirit” terms below refer to the resurrected “Jesus of Nazareth” who in fact now is God … in Christ, as “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2a). Each title refers to seeing the Spirit of the Lord from a point of view for particular emphasis.

1. The term “Spirit of Jesus” particularly speaks from the viewpoint of seeing the humanity of the incarnated and resurrected Spirit of the Savior, who was called Jesus. This reveals the human element of the Lord who was “born of a woman made under the law” (Gal 4:4) can thereby be touched with “the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb 4:15).

Acts 16:7b … but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them (Paul and Barnabas) to (go). (NIV)

“Spirit of Jesus” also speaks of Jesus as the “Son of man” who as a perfect man who died and was resurrected as “the Spirit,” bringing the element of His elevated humanity into the Godhead.

Romans 1:3-4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the (human) flesh; ⁴ And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

By His resurrection, Jesus’ humanity was now “declared to be the Son of God” – thus, the Father would say “this day I have begotten the” (Heb 5:5).

2) The term “Spirit of Christ” speaks of the now resurrected Spirit of the Savior from the viewpoint of seeing Christ as He now is in His divine element. Being completely processed via the cross, the “Spirit of Christ” speaks of the “life of” the “Spirit of God” indwelling the believers of Christ’s body, “the church, which is His body.”

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.

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

3) The term “Spirit of Jesus Christ” speaks from the viewpoint of seeing the Lord as BOTH the uplifted humanity of Jesus of Nazareth and divinity of the resurrected Christ, now in believers as being their full supply.

Philip 1:19 …this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

“The Spirit of Jesus Christ” speaks here of the full supply that Paul needed in his Roman prison experience. Paul and we need both the uplifted humanity and the overcoming divinity of Jesus Christ. “The Spirit” is our full supply for enduring the situations of life. We need the resurrected overcoming life of Christ that Paul enjoyed, to be our supernatural supply. Thankfully, we have that full supply always in us as by “Christ who is our life” (Col 3:4; Gal 2:20).

All the foregoing titles point to the culminated or completed “Spirit of Christ,” as He is today. He as “the Spirit” is the fruit of His total experience, with His divine essence as the Son of God and His human essence as the Son of man. He today is the God-man who still bears the marks of His experience as seen in His pierced hands and wounded side.