What is a move of the Holy Spirit?

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is present and active in the world today. Jesus refers to Him as an Advocate or Helper (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit’s work includes convicting the world of sin and indwelling believers (Romans 8:11). Some Christians describe a special work the Spirit is doing at a particular moment as the Spirit’s “moving.” Thus, the phrase a move of the Holy Spirit refers to a unique activity of the Spirit in the world, in the church, or in an individual’s life.

While all Christians affirm the personhood and activity of the Holy Spirit, the phrase is especially common in Pentecostal and charismatic churches. In these traditions, church leaders often emphasize experiencing the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit in the present moment. Specifically, “a move of the Holy Spirit” may be associated with revival meetings, healing services, exorcisms, spontaneous speaking in tongues, and other events typical of Pentecostal and charismatic worship.

The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, meaning He is present in all places at all times. For example, Psalm 139:7–8 reads, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Therefore, acknowledging a move of the Holy Spirit in one place and time does not mean He is absent or inactive elsewhere. He is always present, often working in unseen and quieter ways as well.

Although the phrase a move of the Holy Spirit doesn’t appear in Scripture, the Bible uses other expressions to describe His powerful and visible work. One biblical description that conveys this idea is “I will pour out my Spirit,” by which God predicts a special manifestation of the Spirit’s presence. The prophet Joel first issued this promise, and Peter later quoted it at Pentecost to explain the outpouring that marked the birth of the Christian church. The prophet Joel wrote, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28; also see Joel 2:29; Acts 2:17–18).

As Peter described the process of inspiration, he used wording that emphasized the Spirit’s activity: “No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21, NASB). Scripture is the product of the Spirit “moving” men to write God’s words. Other translations speak of the biblical writers being “carried along by the Holy Spirit” (ESV, NIV, BSB).

Another biblical phrase that may be associated with a “move of the Holy Spirit” is being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” For example, in Acts 2:4 Luke records, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Another example is Acts 4:31: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Historically, many people have characterized revivals as a move of the Holy Spirit. From the First Great Awakening in the eighteenth century to the Welsh Revival in the early twentieth century to the Jesus Movement in the later twentieth century, the Holy Spirit is seen as the Mover among large groups of people in a short period of time. Widespread repentance and faith in Christ are the marks of revivals, and repentance and faith are what the Spirit draws us toward (John 16:8; Acts 2:37–38).

Ultimately, “a move of the Holy Spirit” is a way to describe God’s work in the world. The Spirit’s movement isn’t designed to make a spectacle of extraordinary events or memorable moments, but to glorify God. Jesus expressed this sentiment when He said, “He [the Spirit] will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you” (John 16:14).