What Is the Spirit of Christ?

The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of God. Romans 8:9Romans 8:9 · King James VersionBut ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Romans 8:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source says that if the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are in the Spirit, and that anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ is none of his. Jesus says he himself will send that Spirit from the Father. Jehovah’s Witnesses call the holy spirit God’s active force, not a person. A force does not send itself, and a creature does not own and send the Spirit of God.

Key Points

• Romans 8:9Romans 8:9 · King James VersionBut ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Romans 8:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source uses “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ” for the one who dwells in the believer. Romans 8:11Romans 8:11 · King James VersionBut if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.Romans 8:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source calls that same Spirit the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead.
• John 15:26John 15:26 · King James VersionBut when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:John 15:26 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Jesus will send the Comforter from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. John 16:7John 16:7 · King James VersionNevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.John 16:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Jesus will send him.
• Revelation 5:6Revelation 5:6 · King James VersionAnd I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Revelation 5:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the Lamb has seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth. Zechariah 4:10Zechariah 4:10 · King James VersionFor who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.Zechariah 4:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source calls those seven the eyes of the LORD, running through the whole earth.
• The King James reading of Acts 16:7Acts 16:7 · King James VersionAfter they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.Acts 16:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source is “the Spirit suffered them not.” The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) reads “the spirit of Jesus did not permit them,” and the study note calls that Jesus’ use of the active force.
• The Watchtower of 15 September 1955 says the holy spirit “is God’s active force, not just God’s power residing in him, but that power in action.” Insight on the Scriptures says the same teaching in one sentence.
• Galatians 4:6Galatians 4:6 · King James VersionAnd because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.Galatians 4:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source says God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. Philippians 1:19Philippians 1:19 · King James VersionFor I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,Philippians 1:19 · King James VersionOpen the Source names the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:111 Peter 1:11 · King James VersionSearching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.1 Peter 1:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the Spirit of Christ in the prophets testified beforehand of his sufferings.

Romans 8:9 and the Spirit Who Indwells

Romans 8:9Romans 8:9 · King James VersionBut ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Romans 8:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source, King James Version:

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:9 · King James Version

The verse does not introduce a second spirit. The Spirit of God dwelling in you is the test of being in the Spirit. The next clause uses another name for that indwelling: the Spirit of Christ. To lack him is to be none of Christ’s. Romans 8:10Romans 8:10 · King James VersionAnd if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.Romans 8:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Christ is in you. Romans 8:11Romans 8:11 · King James VersionBut if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.Romans 8:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus will give life to mortal bodies. Father, Son, and Spirit are named in one paragraph, and the Spirit who belongs to God is the Spirit who belongs to Christ.

Jehovah’s Witnesses read the verse in the New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible): “However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this person does not belong to him.” Their study Bible at Romans 8Romans 8:9 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this person does not belong to him.Romans 8:9 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open the Source keeps “God’s spirit” and “Christ’s spirit” in the same verse. A study note on that chapter says, “Setting the mind on the spirit implies letting God’s spirit, or active force, influence and dominate one’s thoughts, desires, and actions.” Another note on the same chapter says, “‘The spirit itself’ refers to God’s holy spirit, or active force.” The English of verse 9 still has Christ possessing a spirit that marks who belongs to him.

Is the Holy Spirit a Person? quotes Insight: “The Scriptures themselves unite to show that God’s holy spirit is not a person but is God’s active force by which he accomplishes his purpose and executes his will.” The Watchtower, 15 September 1955, “Who or What Is the Holy Spirit?”The Watchtower, 15 September 1955 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract SocietyIt is God’s active force, not just God’s power residing in him, but that power in action.The Watchtower, 15 September 1955 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract SocietyOpen the Source says, “It is God’s active force, not just God’s power residing in him, but that power in action.” That is their account, in their words. Is the Holy Spirit God? is the Christian confession that this Spirit is a person, Lord and God. Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit lists the titles the Bible uses, including the Spirit of Christ.

How a person knows that Spirit is in them is the test Romans 8:9 already gives: the Spirit of God dwells in you, and you are Christ’s. Romans 8:15–16Romans 8:15–16 · King James Version^8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ^8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:Romans 8:15–16 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the Spirit of adoption cries “Abba, Father,” and the Spirit bears witness that we are the children of God. The verse does not describe a private sensation that replaces that confession.

Jesus Sends the Spirit as His Own

John 15:26John 15:26 · King James VersionBut when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:John 15:26 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the Comforter, whom Jesus will send from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, will testify of Jesus. John 16:7John 16:7 · King James VersionNevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.John 16:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source says that if Jesus does not go away, the Comforter will not come, and that if he departs, he will send him. The sender is Jesus. The one sent proceeds from the Father. The Spirit is not a third thing Jesus borrows. He sends the Spirit who is already the Father’s.

The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) at John 15:26John 15:26 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)When the helper comes that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which comes from the Father, that one will bear witness about me.John 15:26 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open the Source reads, “When the helper comes that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which comes from the Father, that one will bear witness about me.” The words “I will send” are still in their Bible. The study note on “that one” says the Greek demonstrative pronoun is in the masculine gender and refers to the helper. The Watchtower, 15 September 1955The Watchtower, 15 September 1955 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract SocietyIt is God’s active force, not just God’s power residing in him, but that power in action.The Watchtower, 15 September 1955 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract SocietyOpen the Source says, “Jesus in this connection used the personal pronouns because he had personalized the holy spirit as a helper or comforter.” The sentence they are explaining is still “I will send.”

Galatians 4:6Galatians 4:6 · King James VersionAnd because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.Galatians 4:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source says God sent the Spirit of his Son. Philippians 1:19Philippians 1:19 · King James VersionFor I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,Philippians 1:19 · King James VersionOpen the Source speaks of the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. The Spirit is called God’s, Christ’s, the Son’s, and Jesus Christ’s. Greek πνεῦμα is the word behind “Spirit” in these lines. A creature can be filled with God’s Spirit. A creature does not call God’s Spirit his own and then send him from the Father. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is the first creation. Is Jesus the Creator or a Creature? is that claim. The one who sends the Spirit of God is not a creature beside God.

The Seven Spirits and the Spirit of Jesus

Revelation 5:6Revelation 5:6 · King James VersionAnd I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Revelation 5:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source shows a Lamb standing as it had been slain, with seven horns and seven eyes, “which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Zechariah 4:10Zechariah 4:10 · King James VersionFor who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.Zechariah 4:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source says of the seven, “they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” The eyes that Zechariah assigns to the LORD are the eyes Revelation assigns to the Lamb, and both call them the ones sent through the earth. Yahweh Texts Applied to Jesus is the wider pattern of the LORD’s words and acts spoken of Christ.

The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) at Revelation 5:6Revelation 5:6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)having seven horns and seven eyes, and the eyes mean the seven spirits of God that have been sent out into the whole earth.Revelation 5:6 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open the Source says the Lamb has “seven horns and seven eyes, and the eyes mean the seven spirits of God that have been sent out into the whole earth.” Their text still identifies the Lamb’s eyes with the seven spirits of God.

Acts 16:6–7Acts 16:6–7 · King James Version^16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, ^16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.Acts 16:6–7 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Paul and his company were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach in Asia, and that when they assayed to go into Bithynia, “the Spirit suffered them not.” That is the King James reading. The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) at Acts 16:7Acts 16:7 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)the spirit of Jesus did not permit them.Acts 16:7 · New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible)Open the Source says “the spirit of Jesus did not permit them.” The study note says, “Apparently referring to Jesus’ use of the holy spirit, or active force, which he had “received . . . from the Father.”” It adds that Jesus, as head of the Christian congregation, used the spirit to direct the preaching work. Their own note has Jesus directing the church by the spirit he received. 1 Peter 1:111 Peter 1:11 · King James VersionSearching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.1 Peter 1:11 · King James VersionOpen the Source goes further back: the Spirit of Christ in the prophets testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. The Spirit who spoke in the prophets is already the Spirit of Christ before Pentecost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know the Spirit of Christ Is in Me?

Romans 8:9Romans 8:9 · King James VersionBut ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Romans 8:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source gives the mark: the Spirit of God dwells in you, and you belong to Christ. Romans 8:15–16Romans 8:15–16 · King James Version^8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ^8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:Romans 8:15–16 · King James VersionOpen the Source adds the cry “Abba, Father” and the Spirit’s witness that you are God’s child.

How Do We Receive the Spirit of Christ?

Galatians 4:6Galatians 4:6 · King James VersionAnd because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.Galatians 4:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source says God sent the Spirit of his Son into the hearts of those who are sons. John 16:7John 16:7 · King James VersionNevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.John 16:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Jesus sends the Comforter. The gift is tied to belonging to Christ, not to a technique.

What Is the Spirit of Jesus in Acts 16:7?

The King James Version says “the Spirit suffered them not.” Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible) says “the spirit of Jesus did not permit them,” and their study note treats that as Jesus directing the work by God’s active force.

What Are the Seven Spirits of God?

Revelation 5:6Revelation 5:6 · King James VersionAnd I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Revelation 5:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source identifies the Lamb’s seven eyes as the seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth. Zechariah 4:10Zechariah 4:10 · King James VersionFor who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.Zechariah 4:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source calls the seven the eyes of the LORD, running through the whole earth.