Certain characteristics show us that the Holy Spirit has a distinct personality within the confines of the Godhead. Consider Gen. 1:2 where the Spirit of God “moved” as one of the creative forces within the three distinct personalities of the Godhead. We know this from Gen. 1:26 where we read: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The plurality of this statement is clear and should not be overlooked. According to Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God hath made me [so the Holy Spirit “formed man of the dust of the ground,” Gen. 2:7, but] and the breath of the Almighty hath given one life [so God the Father, or God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit, or any combination thereof, “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,” finishing Gen. 2:7]. Other texts that show the plurality of the Godhead are Luke 1:35, where Gabriel mentions all three, and ones where God is speaking in which He asks the “Spirit of God” to do something, as in: Exo. 31:3; 35:31; Num. 11:17,25; John 14:16; 16:7; 1Co. 2:10.

That the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead and not just a servant of God becomes clear quite early in God's Word in Gen. 1:2. However, consider Jud. 13:25; 14:6,19; and 15:14, where Samson is endowed with the “Spirit of the Lord.” We learn that this is not some kind of spirit FROM the Lord, but God Himself when we read Jud. 16:20 where it states that not just the “Spirit of the Lord” (and indeed it was) but God Himself “departed form him.” Notice this difference as brought out in 1SA. 16:13-14. The “Spirit of the Lord” is sent, or departs, but just a mere spirit (non-deity) is “from the Lord.” Another place where the Bible presents the Holy Spirit as God is found in Acts Chapter 5. Notice in verse 3 that Peter tells Ananias that he lied “to the Holy Ghost.” And then Peter informs him in verse 4 that “thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” This clarifies not only Who Ananias was lying to, but also Who the Holy Spirit is. Also, Second Corinthians 3:17 states: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

That the Holy Spirit is included as a member of the Heavenly Trio, see: Mat. 28:19; Mark 12:36; 2Co. 13:14; 1Jo. 5:7. Also, certain characteristics of the Holy Spirit affirm that He is The living God. He has FEELINGS: Isa. 63:10; Acts 5:3; 7:51; 15:28; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 10:29. He performs MIRACLES: Mat. 1:18,20; Luke 1:35. He TEACHES: Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1Co. 2:13. He is a WITNESS: Acts 5:32; Heb. 10:15. He makes you OVERSEERS: Acts 20:28. He helps with our INFIRMITIES: Rom. 8:26. And He SPEAKS: 2Sa. 23:2; Eze. 2:2; 3:24; 11:5; Mark 12:36; 13:11; John 16:13; Acts 1:16; 10:19; 13:2,4; 20:23; 21:11; 28:25; Rom. 1:4; 8:26; 1Co. 12:3; 1Ti. 4:1; Heb. 3:7; 10:15. For other ways that the Holy Spirit works, see: 2Ki. 2:16; 1Ch. 28:12; Luke 2:26; 3:22; Acts 16:6-7; Rom. 5:5; 8:9; 2Pe. 1:21.

John 16:7 states: “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.” To use this text as a proof text to say that the Holy Spirit of God was not given until Christ left our earth is to ignore the meaning of the text entirely. This also disregards the following numerous texts, that show us clearly the workings of the Spirit in Old Testament characters. Check out the following: Gen. 41:38; Exo. 31:3; 35:31; Num. 11:17, 25-26,29; 14:24; 24:2; 27:18; Jud. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6,19; 15:14; 16:20; 1Sa. 10:6,10; 11:6; 16:13-14; 19:20,23; 2Sa. 23:2; 1Ch. 12:18; 2Ch. 15:1; 24:20; Job 27:3; 32:18; Psa. 51:11; Pro. 1:23; Isa. 11:2; 32:15; 42:1; 44:3; 59:21; 61:1; 63:11; Eze. 2:2; 3:24; 11:5,19; 36:27; 37:14; Dan. 4:8,9; 5:11,14; 6:3; Mic 3:8; 1Pe. 1:11.