Holy Spirit (Christianity)

Christian tradition locates the Spirit in the Godhead from the beginning: Hebrew scriptures speak of ruach (Spirit/breath) active in creation (Genesis 1:2), and New Testament and creedal formulations present the Holy Spirit as the third Person of the one God. Trinitarian doctrine treats the Spirit as proceeding from the Father (and in Western Latin theology also from the Son — the filioque formulation), while sources note nontrinitarian Christians reject the Trinitarian personhood without detailing alternative accounts.

Scriptural and iconographic traditions present the Spirit through symbolic theophanies — breath/wind language (Hebrew ruach, Greek pneuma), a dove at Jesus' baptism, and tongues of fire at Pentecost. These are presented in sources as symbolic or theophanic images rather than a permanent corporeal form.

Sources attribute to the Holy Spirit roles grounded in scripture and creed: present at creation as the animating Spirit, inspirer of prophecy (ruach ha‑kodesh), agent in the incarnation and baptism of Jesus, Paraclete or Spirit of Truth who guides and instructs, and bestower of the Spirit upon the Church (Pentecost) with baptizing and sanctifying functions. Liturgical and creedal language (e.g., Nicene Creed: 'the Lord, the Giver of Life') underpins these theological functions.