Holy Spirit in Christianity

====Synoptic Gospels====
[[File:Philippe de Champaigne - Annunciation - WGA04705.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The Holy Spirit as a dove in ''The Annunciation'', by [[Philippe de Champaigne]], 1644]]
The Holy Spirit is mentioned by all three authors of the synoptic Gospels. Most of the references are by the author of the [[Gospel of Luke]]; this emphasis is continued by the same author in the [[Book of Acts]].

The Holy Spirit does not simply appear for the first time at [[Pentecost]] after the [[resurrection of Jesus]], but is present in Luke (in [[Luke 1|chapters 1]] and [[Luke 2|2]]) prior to the [[Virgin birth of Jesus|birth of Jesus]].<ref name=Millsxi /> In Luke 1:15, [[John the Baptist]] was said to be "filled with the Holy Spirit" prior to his birth,<ref>[[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#1:15|Luke 1:15]]</ref> and the Holy Spirit came upon the [[Virgin Mary]] in Luke 1:35.<ref>[[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#1:35|Luke 1:35]]</ref><ref name=Millsxi /> Later, in Luke 3:16,<ref name="ReferenceA">[[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#3:16|Luke 3:16]]</ref> John the Baptist stated that Jesus baptized not with water but with the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus during his [[baptism of Jesus|baptism]] in the Jordan River.<ref name=Millsxi /> In Luke 11:13,<ref>[[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#11:13|Luke 11:13]]</ref> Jesus provided assurances that [[God the Father]] would "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him".<ref name=Millsxi />

Mark 13:11 specifically refers to the power of the Holy Spirit to act and speak through the disciples of Jesus in time of need: "Be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit."<ref>[[s:Bible (American Standard)/Mark#13:11|Mark 13:11]]</ref> Matthew 10:20<ref>[[s:Bible (American Standard)/Matthew#10:20|Matthew 10:20]]</ref> refers to the same act of speaking through the disciples, but uses the term "Spirit of your Father".<ref>''The Gospel of Luke'' by Luke Timothy Johnson, Daniel J. Harrington 1992 {{ISBN|0814658059}}, p. 195.</ref>