Expert: Scott Talbot - 3/17/2011

Question
QUESTION: Dear Scott
Who is the Spirit of Christ? Isn't it the Holy Spirit? I read somewhere in some book that I encountered that the Spirit of Christ was not the Holy Spirit and that we are not to confuse the 2. But this is really troubling me though....from the 3 Scriptures that I have read(the one in 1st Peter 1, Roman 8, and Galatians 4) it seems to me that the Spirit of Christ is also really the Holy Spirit, and is interchangeable with the Spirit of God. We obtain "sonship" (or the adoption of sons) by the Father giving us the Spirit of His Son into our hearts ---- isn't this one and the same as the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a witness and testifies of Christ in and through the life of the believer....just like what the Scriptures says:'the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God...'Also as believers in Christ, we then have become born-again by the Spirit of God, and we then belong to Christ (according to Romans 8:9)....that would make sense since the Holy Spirit is to be received by the individual upon belief in Christ (or accepting salvation). Can you clarify? Are my thoughts incorrect in any way? Please I need your Biblical expertise. Thank you very much for your help.
Zhane

ANSWER: Hi Zhane,

Yes, you are correct. The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Spirit.

When you study the Trinity, you learn that they are three distinct persons, and yet all one God. This is a little hard to wrap our minds around, and is part of what makes up the mystery and complexity of God.

For example, Jesus states that "I and the Father are one." He also states, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." In the Gospel of John, Jesus talks about sending the Holy Spirit, The Comforter. The Holy Spirit is described as different, yet the same--a sort of alter ego of Christ.

So we see the members of the Trinity acting separately and identified separately. But we also see many references to the fact that they are all One God, indivisible--not three separate Gods.

I hope this helps. If you would like to discuss further, feel free to write back.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Scott,
Thank you for answering the question that has been hovering over my mind for days! It makes sense though --- just like the Bible clearly indicates that Christ was God manifested in the flesh, or that Christ being in the form of God did not think it robbery to be equal with God, or that IN HIM ALL THE fullness of the GODHEAD BODILY DWELLS and that He is the express image of God, and the preincarnate Word of God (in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God, but one and the same; still the same God: 2 Corinthians 5:19 'that GOD was in Christ' reconciling the world to himself when Jesus died on the cross). Also according to John, if you deny Christ, you are in essence denying the Father and are an unbeliever. This is why I don't get when people call themselves 'Christians' yet don't believe in the Holy Spirit..you deny 1, you deny the whole Blessed Trinity!
HAA,HAA, HAA....the devil is a liar and a mass deceiver!!! Thanks again for your help, Scott.
Zhane

Answer
I agree. It seems silly that anyone would have trouble understanding the fact that the Holy Spirit is God and part of the Trinity. But you're right--Satan is a master deceiver, and it should be no surprise that he would try to confuse people on such a significant matter of God's identity.

You're welcome, Zhane. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Scott