What do you think?
Rate this book
The Holy Spirit
Wherever Christianity has been a living power, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit has uniformly been regarded, equally with the Atonement and Justification by faith, as the article of a standing or falling church. The distinctive feature of Christianity as it addresses itself to man's experience, is the work of the Spirit, which not only elevates it far above all philosophical speculation, but also above every other form of religion. That the Holy Spirit is to be publicly owned and equally honored with the Father and the Son is very evident from the terms of the great commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Hardcover
First published November 24, 1970
194 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Arthur W. Pink
657 books304 followersArthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 8, 2023
There is a Christian hip song with the line “you’ll get everything but the kitchen sink from AW Pink.” That is def the case here. This book is composed of short chapters. They were originally small articles. Yet they raise issues and resolutions from a biblical perspective in reference to the Holy Spirit. pink is responding to two issues, exalting the Spirit above the other members of the Trinity, or forgetting about it altogether. It is an excellent volume deep in doctrine and application of the issue.
February 26, 2021
Deepened my faith and prayer life
I started to read this out of a desire to know more about the person of the Holy Spirit. I never knew how necessary He is to my walk of faith! I learned that He is worthy of worship and praise as much as God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. A.W. Pink explains it all with Scripture. I feel encouraged in my prayer life and faith walk by reading this book.
I started to read this out of a desire to know more about the person of the Holy Spirit. I never knew how necessary He is to my walk of faith! I learned that He is worthy of worship and praise as much as God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. A.W. Pink explains it all with Scripture. I feel encouraged in my prayer life and faith walk by reading this book.
August 4, 2017
Arthur W. Pink never fails to impress and this book is no different. One of the best devotional commentators of the 20th century, he avoids the antiseptic and clinical approach adopted by so many authors who exegete but seem to be deathly afraid of application. Not so Pink. This book is a must read for a child of God who wants to grow and I am planning to use it as a tool for those I disciple in the very near future.
March 25, 2021
A Thorough Treatment of the Holy Spirit
Books on the Holy Spirit are a dime a dozen. Pink's book examines the Holy Spirit through the lens of Scripture, which is not often done today. Pink takes pains to remind the reader that the Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and Son and worthy of worship.
Books on the Holy Spirit are a dime a dozen. Pink's book examines the Holy Spirit through the lens of Scripture, which is not often done today. Pink takes pains to remind the reader that the Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and Son and worthy of worship.
June 4, 2021
The book has really changed my understanding about the Holy Spirit and Christianity for ever, in such a profound way. But one star less for the kindle version, there are so many missing and unfinished sentences in almost every chapter, cutting in half, really needs some update on the digital editing of it.
October 5, 2018
Not getting it done for me. It seems the author is trying to push another agenda rather than exploring the virtue of the Holy Spirit.
June 17, 2021
Holy Spirit
It’s archaic English but helpful in understanding the role of the Holy Spirit. Pink always covers his bases and helps us understand the topic at hand.
It’s archaic English but helpful in understanding the role of the Holy Spirit. Pink always covers his bases and helps us understand the topic at hand.
August 6, 2024
Deeply inspired
Writing clearly emphasizes author’s grasp of the subject. Clearly presented with significant evidence from the scriptures presented. Very worth the read….
Writing clearly emphasizes author’s grasp of the subject. Clearly presented with significant evidence from the scriptures presented. Very worth the read….
September 21, 2025
Brilliant.
November 12, 2025
Pink is great at explaining scripture.
June 20, 2013
My copy was printed by Mt. Zion Publications in Pensacola, FL. I received my copy free in 2001 (you can e-mail them at chapel@mountzion.org). The contents of the book were originally published from 1932-37.
I read this book in conjunction with a short sermon series I preached on the Holy Spirit (June 2013). Some of the material was helpful in my preparation. But if you're looking for a good book on the Spirit, I would recommend Packer's "Keep in Step with the Spirit" and Ferguson's "The Holy Spirit."
Criticisms:
1. It felt like I was reading a book on the sovereignty of God. I understand that there is some theological overlap (e.g., the drawing of the Spirit), but it seemed like Pink kept getting distracted and launching into his Reformed hobby horse.
2. Due to the fact that this book was originally printed as a monthly periodical, the chapters were disjointed and random.
3. Weirdest quote ever: "The spiritual meaning of these passages is commonly unperceived today, when carnal dispensationalists insist on the ignoring of all figures, and the interpreting of everything 'literally'" (p. 180). What made this even more odd was that this was found in the chapter on the fruit of the Spirit. Apparently, being a dispensationalist is carnal, i.e., a fruit of the flesh!
4. Pink had some odd interpretations throughout.
- The only way Adam could have known how to name Eve and the animals was through the HS (p. 25)
- The HS indwelt OT believers (p. 26, granted, it's not odd; I just disagree)
- Jer 31:22 applies to the virgin birth (pp. 31-32)
- Rev 3:20 and Jesus knocking at the door represents initial salvation (p. 88)
Good Quote: "How can we expect the Spirit to work among us while He is so slighted, while our confidence is not in Him, but in our preaching?" (p. 87)
I read this book in conjunction with a short sermon series I preached on the Holy Spirit (June 2013). Some of the material was helpful in my preparation. But if you're looking for a good book on the Spirit, I would recommend Packer's "Keep in Step with the Spirit" and Ferguson's "The Holy Spirit."
Criticisms:
1. It felt like I was reading a book on the sovereignty of God. I understand that there is some theological overlap (e.g., the drawing of the Spirit), but it seemed like Pink kept getting distracted and launching into his Reformed hobby horse.
2. Due to the fact that this book was originally printed as a monthly periodical, the chapters were disjointed and random.
3. Weirdest quote ever: "The spiritual meaning of these passages is commonly unperceived today, when carnal dispensationalists insist on the ignoring of all figures, and the interpreting of everything 'literally'" (p. 180). What made this even more odd was that this was found in the chapter on the fruit of the Spirit. Apparently, being a dispensationalist is carnal, i.e., a fruit of the flesh!
4. Pink had some odd interpretations throughout.
- The only way Adam could have known how to name Eve and the animals was through the HS (p. 25)
- The HS indwelt OT believers (p. 26, granted, it's not odd; I just disagree)
- Jer 31:22 applies to the virgin birth (pp. 31-32)
- Rev 3:20 and Jesus knocking at the door represents initial salvation (p. 88)
Good Quote: "How can we expect the Spirit to work among us while He is so slighted, while our confidence is not in Him, but in our preaching?" (p. 87)
October 19, 2014
This book has lots of good stuff in it, but there are some questions over the author's method. Proof-texting abounds and there are many points at which he takes liberties in linguistic leaps. Just about every Bible reference to spirit or wind or breath is taken as a reference to the Holy Spirit without any argument in favour of so doing in the context. A worthwhile read, but it needs to be approached with caution.
October 21, 2008
My heart is on fire for GOD and this study of the Holy Spirit by Arthur Pink has enabled me to get closer to the third person of the Trinity. Neglected in teachings today this study is a must for serious bible students.
June 28, 2023
What a boost to the inner life!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews