The Mystery of the Holy Spirit

by R.C. Sproul

Want to know about the Holy Spirit, one of the members of the Trinity? Bible teacher, R. C. Sproul deepens the understanding of the Holy Sprit as he explores the many different roles the Spirit has in our lives. Sproul deals with some of the most perplexing and frequently discussed issues with sensitivity. While the mystery surrounding the Holy Spirit is not dispelled - we are challenged to get to know him better and to look for signs of his work in our life.

Dr. R. C. Sproul is a respected teacher, theologian and pastor. He is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He currently serves as the director of Serve International and as senior minister of preacher and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, Sanford, Florida. He can be heard teaching daily on the 'Renewing Your Mind' broadcast throughout sixty countries. He has a real heart for people to hear and do the Word of God in their lives.

"a very solid biblical and practical guide to the Holy Spirit."
Evangelicals Now

"R.C. Sproul is the master teacher of this generation. When so many others were offering excuses for doctrinal atrophy, R.C. Sproul recovered the art of teaching and has become a model of theological fidelity, teaching intensity, and Christian statesmanship. At so many points in my life, I have been blessed and influenced by the teaching of R.C. Sproul. I am so pleased to see The Mystery of the Holy Spirit available for Christians everywhere. This outstanding resource, newly available, will bless many lives as Christians learn of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Buy this book, read it, and you will know why so many have learned to trust and depend upon the teaching of R.C. Sproul."
R. Albert Mohler ~ President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living, Faith

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 1969

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Hudson Christmas · Rating 2 out of 5]

To start, I have the greatest respect for R.C. Sproul. But this book is one of my biggest problems with modern Reformed Theology. While this book contained wonderful Biblical wisdom and insight about the Trinity and Christ's atonement for our sins, it was missing one crucial part: The Holy Spirit. While attempting to uncover the mystery of the Holy Spirit, the reader is given little clarity on the Holy Spirit Himself. It is a trend of the Reformed Theology movement (in answer to the charismatic movement) to not often reference or discuss the Holy Spirit in a way that becomes too "spiritual." The result of this is many Christians who have little to no understanding of the Holy Spirit and how He influences our daily life. This is not a dissertation on the Holy Spirit in Reformed Theology. But the fact that this book, which is supposed to be about the Holy Spirit, contains little mention or analysis of that figure of the Godhead is frustrating. Very disappointed with this book. I don't suggest reading it.

[Matthew Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a blessing to me and helped me understand my God in ways I’ve never even known before. My favorite chapter was chapter 6 and it delves into how the Holy Spirit worked in creation to preserve and bring order to the earth when it was void, without form as He hovered over the waters, and he also breathes the breathe of life for every human. The same world for breath and spirit in Hebrew is ruach.

“then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭33‬:‭4‬ ‭

In the work of creation we have the breath of life from the Spirit as humans. In the work of redemption and regeneration, He breathes new life into dead men. Bringing us back to our holy humanity once had in the Garden.

He breathes brings order to our souls and preserves us in Christ. It’s a new-Genesis for the believer just a taste of what’s to come as we have a living hope in Christ Jesus who is calling humanity back to their “Garden humanity” through the Holy Spirit.

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of the title. There is a lot of mystery as well as knowledge surrounding God and His Spirit, so I was intrigued by what R.C. Sproul would write about the mystery of the Holy Spirit. What I read was a very good doctrinal explanation of the Trinity and God the Spirit. It was helpful and I do like how Sproul writes, but would have enjoyed his take on the mystery of God's Spirit and the things we can't always explain.
One statement that really stood out to me was, that we often seek out the gifts of the Spirit, yet the fruit of the Spirit is the true measure of our spiritual growth.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author RC Sproul was a gifted theologian who has the gift of explaining things in terms that are clear and understandable for the lay people. This book is no exception. In this work Sproul looks at the Holy Spirit and other doctrines related to the Spirit.
The book consists of ten chapters with the first one on who is the Holy Spirit, the second chapter on the Holy Spirit as God and the third and fourth chapters being on the Trinity. The fifth chapter is on the Holy Spirit in Creation while chapter six is on the Spirit and Regeneration and chapter seven is titled “Safe and Sound by the Holy Spirit.” Next is a chapter on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then the fruit of the Spirit and finally a chapter titled “The Other Comforter.”
Each chapter was quite informative. However my favorite chapter was the one on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sproul did a good job looking at a doctrine that is often misunderstood and incorrectly defined by some as the same thing as speaking in tongues. Sproul gave a good biblical look at the baptism of the Spirit and also argued that a wrong interpretation of seeing baptism of the Spirit as speaking in tongues would result in a two class Christianity; ironically this goes against what Scripture teaches. More importantly as we look at the context of Acts of the Spirit’s baptism according to the structure of the book one sees a better view of the function of the Spirit’s baptism in the book of Acts. I think the book is getting for this chapter alone. However there were other chapters that I also enjoyed. I enjoyed the chapter on the fruit of the Spirit as well where Sproul provides a good exposition on the passage in Galatians 5. He looks carefully at both the deeds of darkness and the fruit of the Spirit and I highlighted quite a bit for this chapter and plan to reference it in the future whenever I would teach from the book of Galatians. For those who want to understand the Trinity better the chapters on the subject is pretty good as well.
I wished Sproul could have touch on the topic of filling of the Spirit and also wished the book could have talked more in-depth of the Spirit as illuminator. Overall though this is a good book, very edifying to read by Christians no matter what is one theological persuasion.

[Bess · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Mystery of the Holy Spirit" is an excellent portrayal of who The Holy Spirit is, His purpose and , it stresses the important truth that He is a person and not an "it" as Sproul Illustrates. His perspective being that of a reformed theological one, one that clarifies the fact that the role of the Holy Spirit is to teach, one that is much needed. The title "The Mystery of The Holy Spirit", I found, to be perfect for the subject matter because the subject of The Holy Spirit is one so many are confused about. Many people seem to define Him with mixed up, confusing ideas It is easy to see why Pentecostals as well as those of other Charismatic faiths are hesitant to read it. They would find a very different idea of just who He is, as well as the purpose He serves in our lives than they are bent on believing. It's not uncommon to fear exploring different ideas than ones we have been convinced of and may be afraid of giving up.
Sproul's last idea that he presents is powerful. He makes the point that:
"If Nietzsche is looking for superman, he must look to those who have been
strengthened by the power of the presence of God the Holy Spirit, the Spirit
who is called alongside of us to come with strength."
He purposes the truth that indeed, in and of ourselves, we as Christians are a mass of weakness. But we hear afresh the promise of Christ to His Church-
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and to all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

[Hobart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh yeah, now I remember why I didn't like this when I first read it 16 years ago. The book is something like 70% tangential/tertiary material, and only 30% of a positive presentation of a theology of the Spirit. This could have been so much better. Guess I need to go find Ferguson's book (The Holy Spirit) again.

[Flo · Rating 2 out of 5]

sound theology, but almost entirely missing the subject.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is impossible for an inspiritual person to discern spiritual things. We are not by nature spiritual persons. A person cannot discern spiritual things until that person is first made alive to spiritual things by the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit's work of regeneration, of spiritual rebirth, that enables us to have spiritual discernment.

R.C. Sproul tackles the The Mystery of the Holy Spirit within this work. He does a good job of breaking down the theological challenges into graspable, relatable concepts. The only caveat to this work is his propensity to attack other denominations and even theologians with abandon, often to the point where I wonder what Spiritual Gifts are at work in him, since he seems to delight in going for the jugular. At one point, he puts the theories propounded by Karl Barthes into the mouth of Satan in a transcript of a conversation between Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden--to "demonstrate" how Barthes' ideas are "the subtle tool of Satan." Later, he "defines" what Paul means by "sins of the flesh" in three pages, making sure to include sins he feels Paul is emphasizing even though Paul did not even mention them.

All in all, there's an arrogance to Sproul's approach that is off-putting. While I learned a lot about the complexity of the Holy Spirit, I also received quite a bit of snide comments dissing multiple religious denominations and the integrity of people are aren't, according to Sproul, "Christian" enough. It's shit like this which gives Christianity a bad name. If we are truly cultivating the fruits of the Holy Spirit, then we should not be so concerned with passing judgment on everybody who has another opinion. Sproul should make sure he is describing himself as well as his enemies when he writes the following:

The preacher who smiles benignly from his pulpit, assuring us that "God accepts you just the way you are" tells a monstrous lie. The kingdom of God is far more rigorous in its requirements than Mr. Roger's neighborhood. The gospel of love may not be sugar-coated with saccharin grace. God does not accept the arrogant man in his arrogance. He turns His holy back on the impenitent. To be sure, He demonstrates love toward His fallen creatures, but that love has holy demands.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent for what it sets out to do—providing an overview of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. It serves as a useful refresher on the fundamental aspects of pneumatology. I’ve always admired R.C. Sproul for his clear and accessible style, and this book doesn't disappoint in that regard. I think that new believers, in particular, will find it beneficial, but still mature Christians can still glean a lot from it.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sproul’s gift of teaching shines wide in this gem of a book. It was one I already wanted to read, but it was a group reading challenge that finally got me going on it. Thankful that I did.

Though I should have expected it, I was pleasantly surprised at how directly and clearly he refuted several unbiblical doctrines—for example, the doctrine of entire sanctification—which are intertwined with the Holy Spirit.

This book was rich with Scripture and one I fully plan to re-read.

[Kristi Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Dr. Sproul is so good at explaining spiritual truths with word pictures, making hard to understand theological concepts simple to grasp. Dr. Sproul’s chapters on the baptism and gifts of the Spirit are especially helpful in clearing up neo-Pentecostal interpretations of Scripture. The chapter on the fruit of the Spirit is most helpful in its application.

[James Brixey]

A properly excellent book on the person and work of the holy spirit. No complaints, clear, wonderful. Probably would recommend Chris de la hoyde and Tim Chester's book first but this one is good.

[Eric Schick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of why I loved Sproul so much! Better yet, it reminded me of why I love the Holy Spirit so much more!

Loved the chapter on the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Pairs well with Ferguson's explanation on his work "The Holy Spirit".

[Taylor Loy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If the book was about the Holy Spirit, you could’ve fooled me. I read a book about the Immanent and economic Trinity. The Holy Spirit was no where to be found, as per the usual in Reformed circles.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic primer on the Reformed theological approach to the Holy Spirit. Most outside of charismatic and Reformed circles wouldn't care about the particularities on the theology of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But I came to this book to try to reconcile my pentecostal upbringing and the scholarly, studious approach of the reformed that i had come to embrace in college.

Reformed theology sort of takes the book of Acts and views it as historical vs. applicational. This approach practically leaves systematic teaching to the Epistles. While it doesn't come out and say so... non Epistle reading is viewed as an event and not something that is applied to your theology. I think this disconnect is the heart of the struggle. Can the book of Acts extend to today? Can God act or move like he did with the Apostles? Can theology be developed from Acts? After many years, I firmly say 'yes' to this, but taking Acts as applicational to our churches presents many problems for the Reformed individual. I would certainly say that Acts is a difficult book and isn't intended as a systematic theology.. but it is useful to take God out of the box and show everyone that he is alive and well and involved in our day to day living.

I don't see anywhere in scripture that says the gifts were or are going to 'die out' as the Reformed theologians claim. Consequently, they put God in a lockbox with made up, quasi biblical guidelines that put conditions on God that really are more a product of temperament and approach vs. biblical.

That is not to say Reformed critiques are not right on some things. Charismatic and Pentecostal churches are littered with folks who claim 'God is moving' when it isn't that at all. The emotional temperaments of these churches do not match the thinking temperament of the Reformed churches. Net, these strains are difficult to reconcile, if not impossible.

The chapter on the marks of the Holy Spirit being multicultural i found the most interesting. Sproul critiques the church as being too focused on tongues as a gift and vs forgetting the function of tongues in Acts. This is a really good critique and i actually agree with it. The function of tongues and gifts in Acts was to show the world that all cultures and ethnicities could receive the Holy Spirit. In today's world, i find Sproul's critique to be strangely ironic. The only place you can go to do these days that is truly multicultural are universities and... Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. By this mark alone, the church should take heed. Most Reformed churches i know are pretty monolithic as ethnicities go and i think some of this is really due to the fact that they have let their analytical, thinking temperaments color the theology.

This book clarified for me that i would always appreciate the Reformed as brothers and sisters in Christ, but that i could never fully embrace the Reformed church as my home. Consequently, just about this time.. i discovered the book "Empowered Evangelicals" by Rich Nathan and i finally found a place that would 'bust the borders' and embrace both the Pentecostal move of the Holy Spirit and the discipline of a mind that embraced the innerancy of Scripture in the Vineyard.

[Essie-Marie F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat little book about one of the most important elements of Christianity. Very informative, although Sproul does love his technicalities and rabbit trails, bless his heart 😂

[Bill Lueg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am more comfortable with Reformed, Covenantal theology than I am of any other system of doctrine. But I have been disillusioned with how impersonal we have made God and I believe that grieves the Holy Spirit. I came to Sproul as a respected theologian in so many areas hoping that he would provide some depth on the person of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity.

This book was barely more than a tired treatise on the doctrine of the Trinity. There was no help here in understanding who the Spirit is and what his work for and in us beyond explaining the same old doctrines of the difference between justification and sanctification. "Yep, that's the Holy Spirit right there. The End."

He is a *person* who can be grieved! He is the Comforter whom Jesus promised his Disciples would come when he left.

John 16:7 (ESV) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."

I wanted to know more about him! What was the advantage for the disciples?! I want to know Whom Jesus was talking about to Nicodemus that night. What happened in Acts 2 at Pentecost? How do I grieve him? Does he speak to me? I was sorely disappointed in this book. I learned nothing new about a whole lot of other things that are treated more thoroughly elsewhere.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and listened to a lot of Sproul's teaching, but was a little disappointed in this book. I felt like I had read the first part of the book in some of his other books - "Chosen by God" in particular. I wanted to learn more about who The Holy Spirit is, His role in my sanctification, etc. There was some of that in the last part of the book, but I would have liked more.

The section about the Spirit's work in the creation and tying it into the Spirit's work in our sanctification is what I hoped more of the book would be like. "There is a clear parallel between the Spirit's work in creation and His work in redemption. As our Sanctifier He hovers over His children to produce integrity in their lives. He orders and preserves what God creates and redeems." Also "In the work of creation and of redemption the Holy Spirit functions as the divine Illuminator. The One who lights the heavens also inspires the Scripture, reveals God's Word, and illumines that Word for our understanding."

Another reviewer mentions his preference for Sinclair Ferguson's book on The Holy Spirit. I have recently discovered Ferguson and have added that book to my "To Be Read."

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Sproul was a very intelligent and engaging theologian and scholar. He's taught me a great deal, but I've had the same exact experience with every single one of his books (this will be #6) I've read--no matter the topic--he quickly sets it aside to speak on:

1) sola fide (justification by faith alone)
2) the doctrine of divine election
3) sole scriptura (by scripture alone)
4) "Martin Luther, Martin Luther, Martin Luther said..." and of course "John Calvin, John Calvin, John Calvin said..."
5) and finally some sort of dunking/light roasting (he's actually rather gentlemanly for the most part) on "Rome" his preferred moniker for the Roman Catholic Church.

It's like clockwork.

I came to learn more about the person God the Holy Spirit and what I got was more Sola fide and how Rome disagrees. Seems to be the same with every "Reformed " author I've read.

And as another negative, Sproul mentioned Jimmy Bakker and Pat Robertson as if they were legitimate pastors and not false prophets.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good primer for anyone who wants to explore the works and Person of the Holy Spirit. R.C. covers the basics of the "other Paraclete" in his usual fatherly, tangent-following, energetic manner without compromising on theological depth. As a long-time fan of R.C., I really admire his ability to explain truth simply and concisely. Unsurprisingly, this is very much a text based on Reformed doctrines. I appreciate his teachings on Reformed doctrines as usual, but I did hope that he expounded on the gifts of the Spirit a little more. Overall, it's a great first-time study that would spark the interest of readers in their pursuit of understanding the Spirit.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul is undoubtedly one of my very favorite pastors. I love his books and follow Ligonier ministries and have benefitted greatly from these resources. I will say while I learned a lot from this book, it mostly had to do with other theological beliefs and how they compare with reformed I. Regard to things like creation (gap theory) etc. while I did glean a few nuggets of wisdom with regard to the Holy Spirit I don’t feel that this book was necessarily geared towards that subject matter as much as the title led me to believe. I’ve seen others mention Sinclair Ferguson’s (another favorite) book on the Holy Spirit and will be checking out that one next.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had expected this to be more about the Holy Spirit that it turned out to be. I'm sure it is necessary to discuss the Trinity, but that discussion took nearly half the book, it seemed. Depending on what you're trying to get out of a study about the Holy Spirit, the details about the meaning of the baptism of the Holy Spirit no doubt can be very useful. But in terms of how does my understanding of the Holy Spirit impact my relationship with God and how I live, I didn't find all that much. There were some interesting things in the last couple of chapters, but on the whole I think I'd look for another book on the topic.

[Mathew Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his usual clear method of writing, like a fatherly professor, Sproul unpacks the Reformed Theology doctrines of the Holy Spirit. He goes through everything from the basics of the person of the Spirit to a critique of the wrong teachings of the Spirit found in some neo-pentacostal churches to the role of the Spirit in our sanctification, and everything in between. It's not an exhaustive study of the Spirit, but it is very thorough in the topics it covers.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction on the reformed doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Sproul starts by explaining the Holy Spirit as part the trinity and the doctrine of the trinity itself. He then talks about regeneration, sanctification, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the fruits and the Holy Spirit as the comforter. Unfortunately, sproul does not talk much about the gifts of the spirit.

Altogether it is a good theological introduction to the Holy Spirit, but not exhaustive.

[Kyle Shope · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening, thought-provoking, and reformed view of the Holy Spirit for people at any point in their walk. What does “Holy Spirit” mean to you? Is the Holy Spirit an “it” or a “He”? Does the Holy Spirit have a role in your life? In creation? Regeneration? Justification? Sanctification? Well read and find out, this book was a great resource to help delve into the often overlooked third Person of the Trinity.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn’t really bad (even though I’m only giving it two stars), it’s just that it’s definitely not what I’d recommend for anyone who wants to know more about the Holy Spirit. The first major portion of the book is a long scriptural apologetic for the Trinity, and the majority of the rest of the book is a polemic for Calvinism more than anything about the Spirit. What little is left of the book is spent discussing Charismatics, but, again, not really discussing the Holy Spirit.

[Junior Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sproul impressiona sempre que escreve. Fico admirado como ele consegue nos fornecer conhecimento de maneira tão simples e ao mesmo tempo perspicaz. A pessoa do Espírito Santo foi exposta de maneira formidável pelo Dr. Sproul. Me sinto grato de ter tido contato com as reflexões sobre a terceira pessoa da Trindade.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. One of Sproul's best, in my opinion. Covering the basics of pneumatology in layman's terms (or well-explained technical terms) all the way through the Reformed doctrine of the Holy Spirit, contra neo-Pentecostalism and hyper-cessationism, Sproul lays out the central place the Holy Spirit takes in Christianity, from Creation to Redemption to Glorification, He is intimately involved.

[Albert L Schaubel · Rating 5 out of 5]

How awesome is our Comforter!

Dr. Sproul takes you on a journey! By the time you reach the end of it you will be amazed! You will not only know who the Holy Spirit is but also the vastness of His work! Starting from the creation to His work IN the believer and FOR the believer and for the Church!

[William Schrecengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the theology of the Holy Spirit. I read this alongside Ferguson’s Who is the Holy Spirit and I found Ferguson’s far more helpful. This dealt more with historical theology and discussed the doctrine of the trinity, speaking in tongues, spirit baptism etc while Ferguson’s was more of an exegetical study of different passages in scripture regarding the Spirit.