The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. In the Catholic faith, the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father and Christ the Son. The Church teaches Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles to strengthen them for ministry, and God’s Spirit will be with the Church forever.
These 25 Holy Spirit verses are considered in this post “the best verses” because they are all from the four Gospels: St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John. If you have never read the Bible before, I recommend reading the Gospels first.
1. The Holy Spirit and the Birth of Jesus
The conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb was a divine miracle. She conceived by the Holy Spirit. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us! Jesus, the Son of God, was conceived and born by a supernatural act, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
“God called Joseph to ‘take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit‘, so that Jesus, ‘who is called Christ’, should be born of Joseph’s spouse into the messianic lineage of David.” Source: CCC 437
1. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18
2. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. Matthew 1:20
3. And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35
2. The Holy Spirit and Baptism
When I went through RCIA and was confirmed a Catholic at the Easter Vigil Mass , the joy of receiving the sacrament was overshadowed by a mild mannered surgeon in our RCIA group who was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. After receiving the sacraments, he sobbed and wept uncontrollably in the pew next to me with tears of indescribable joy. The Holy Spirit was upon him! John the Baptist assures us in the Bible the Holy Spirit will come down from heaven and dwell within us at our baptism.
This is when we receive the gift of sanctifying grace, the indwelling of God within us.
4. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11
5. I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8
6. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16
7. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33
3. The Holy Spirit’s Presence With Jesus
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, guided Him into the wilderness for spiritual warfare against the devil, and continually indwelled within Him to rejoice, pray and give gratitude and praise to God the Father. The Father was pleased with the baptism of Jesus, and Jesus was pleased with the ministry of His followers upon the “return of the 72” in St. Luke’s Gospel. These are key moments of the Holy Spirit bringing forth God’s holy light into the Church through Christ the Son.
8. And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22
9. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert. Luke 4:1
10. At that very moment He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. Luke 10:21
4. Guidance by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been empowering Christian disciples with divine guidance throughout the ages. We know this to be true from the lives of the saints and martyrs. Examples: St. Ambrose was a devout bishop of Christ who defended the Church against heresy. He refused holy communion to the Emperor Theodosius for a massacre until he repented. The mystic, St. Teresa of Avila, endured persecution and trials while reforming her Carmelite Order. And, the holy martyr, St. Stephen, courageously stood up against persecution and was stoned to death.
“The Holy Spirit…the power responsible for the guidance of the Christian mission and the source of courage in the face of persecution.” Source: USCCB
11. If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11:13
12. When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11
13. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” Luke 12:12
5. Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Bible
The Holy Spirit was active with people in the Bible. Biblical names such as David, Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Simeon all received consolation from the Holy Spirit. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were blessed to be filled with Holy Spirit at key moments in their lives. David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, prophesied about a future messiah. The prophet Simeon was described as “having the Holy Spirit upon him.” Simeon gave words of prophecy that we meditate on in the fourth mystery of the rosary. And the archangel Gabriel, announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary the Holy Spirit’s role in the conception of Jesus in the 1st mystery of the rosary, the Annunciation.
14. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, Luke 1:41
15. Then Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: Luke 1:67
16. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, Luke 1:15
17. David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: ‘The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.”’ Mark 12:36
18. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke 2:25
19. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. Luke 2:26
6. Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit basically means to reject the promptings of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. Our God is a God of infinite mercy, but when He bestows His mercy upon us and we reject it and live a sinful life devoid of Christ, we blasphemy the Holy Spirt who ministers to save us from destruction. One who refuses to repent and seek God’s forgiveness and speaks badly about Him, “blasphemies the Holy Spirit.”
“There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept His mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.” Source: CCC 1864
20. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:32
21. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” Mark 3:29
22. “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Luke 12:10
7. The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Like a good growing garden, the Holy Spirit has been promised to Christ’s disciples to help us grow in our discipleship. Certainly, there will be rains and storms, winters and droughts, but God will work within us to cultivate growth in virtue and holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus declares in the Gospel that Holy Spirit will teach us the truths of God and lead us to prayerfully read and reflect upon the words of Christ. When filled with such sanctifying grace, we will be ready to answer our own unique vocational calling, whatever it may be, by performing spiritual and corporal works and mercy and leading others from the darkness of this world into the light of Christ.
The gift of God is the Holy Spirit. + St. Augustine
23. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. John 14:26
24. And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22
25. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19