The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

George Smeaton (1814–89) was a theologian in the Free Church of Scotland, and a contemporary of Robert Murray McCheyne and the brothers Andrew and Horatius Bonar. He is best known for his twin volumes, “Christ’s Doctrine of the Atonement” and “The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement.” 


In “The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit” Smeaton brings biblical, theological and historical light to bear on the following topics: 


The Personality and Procession of the Holy Spirit 

The Work of the Spirit in the Anointing of Christ 

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Connection with Revelation and Inspiration 

The Spirit’s Regenerating Work on the Individual 

The Spirit of Holiness 

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church 


Writes Smeaton, “Previous to His resurrection Christ had been the receiver of the Spirit, and the Spirit was mainly limited to Christ’s own Person. With His resurrection the day came when He showed that the great result of His atoning death was the power of bestowing the Spirit upon others, a blessing so momentous that it may be described as that in which all other blessings are included. This is the grandest display of Christ’s exaltation—the culminating point,— arguing at once reward and divine dignity. 


For no mere servant could occupy the position of conferring upon others the gift of the Spirit, who is a divine Person. He only who had put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and who had the Spirit to bestow, could exercise the authority of sending Him. The Spirit was given by the risen Christ to equip His ministers and to be the all-directing as well as sanctifying power in the kingdom of heaven which was now set up, as had been expressly promised by the Old Testament prophets and by the Lord Himself (Ps. lxviii. 19; John xvi. 16).”