PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. But although he can not lose the thing itself, he can very easily lose the enjoyment of it, the experience and power of it. 8:11, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.” We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same essence. 1. In Exodus it is as the Spirit of wisdom that He is specially-and exclusively-regarded. The following verses give us a beautiful picture of the Trinity in the Bible: Matthew 3:16-17. In addition to these sacred uses, it was used as food (Rev 6:6), medicine (Mark 6:13), and even as a means of commodity exchange (1 Kgs 5:11).23. In like manner, if His Person be accepted, we are driven inevitably to the conclusion that He is God by the work He performs. If asked who the Holy Spirit is, would you say He is a ghost, a power, or a person? The Spirit neither sends the Father nor the Son, but is subordinate to Their will which at all times is His own will, and accomplishes His work in the earth. Choose a question to create openness. (2) The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration (John 3:6) likewise is clearly in the realm of a work of God. The doctrine of the deity of the Holy Spirit has an intimate logical relation to the doctrine of the personality of the Spirit. In a different way, Isaiah experienced such a cleansing and preparation in his call to service (Isa 6:6, 7). The person of the Holy Spirit is not only forgotten by those whom we describe as liberals or modernists in their theology (that is always true of them), but we ourselves are often guilty of … Here are Scriptures to learn more about the person of the Holy Spirit.But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. Accordingly Hodge states, “Since the fourth century his true divinity has never been denied by those who admit his personality.”5 In the fourth century Arius held originally according to Watson6 that the Spirit was created and hence affirmed in part His personality without affirming His deity. The identification is not of Person but of Essence. Sign up for The Moody Connection, a monthly e-newsletter from Moody Bible Institute: Moody exists to equip people with the truth of God's Word to be maturing followers of Christ who are making disciples around the world. For the sake of analysis, however, His Person will be considered first, with reference to His work only where necessary, leaving to later discussion the aspects of His work throughout the ages. It is the only case in the New Testament where it is so used. The attribute of grace is found in two titles, (16) Spirit of Grace (Heb 10:29), and (17) Spirit of Grace and Supplication (Zech 12:10). The doctrine of procession is based on Scripture and on inference. The work of the Holy Spirit in creation and all subsequent operations involves the procession of the Spirit. (3) The Holy Spirit is omnipresent (Ps 139:7), an attribute only God may possess. ), in Ezekiel (590 B.C. The Holy Spirit is God. The reference is to the work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. As such, He is to be revered as God and serves in perfect unity with Father and Son to lead us in our spiritual lives. The abundance in which water has been created gives rise to a variety of meanings. Without denial of the one Essence of the Godhead, the personality of the Holy Spirit must be affirmed and is subject to proof unassailable by any who accept the Scriptures as authoritative. He states that the first visit of the dove is significant of the visit of the Holy Spirit during the patriarchal and prophetic ages, vainly seeking a godly seed (Mal 2:15). The references in the Old Testament are manifold in that the very word for Spirit is variously translated wind, breath, air, blast, etc., as well as spirit. Without denial of the one Essence of the Godhead, the personality of the Holy Spirit must be affirmed and is subject to proof unassailable by any who accept the Scriptures as authoritative. Chicago, IL 60610 (800) DL-MOODY. The work of F. E. Marsh goes far to illustrate the beauties in this type.19. On the human level, possession of life is taken as proof of possession of personality, one without the other being impossible. Hence, we find the Spirit being sent into the world to reveal truth on behalf of Christ (John 16:13-15), with the special mission of making the things of Christ known and magnifying the Father and the Son. Accordingly, it is of great significance that this title is given the Holy Spirit. They were to be clothed with power. This site uses cookies to provide you with more responsive and personalized service and to collect certain information about your use of the site. F. E. Marsh adds to these suggestions that (5) “Among men a seal signifies a finished transaction”; (6) that the seal constitutes a mark of recognition; (7) that the seal implies secrecy and (8) obligation; and that “the seal leaves an impression upon the wax which corresponds to it,” i.e., is evidenced in the life of the believer.24 It is an evidence of the grace of God that such assurance should be given the believer in this age. (3) The ministry of the Holy Spirit in effecting the sanctification of the believer is another illustration (2 Thess 2:13). A comparison of Isaiah 6:8-9 and Acts 28:25 will reveal that the Jehovah of Isaiah is the Holy Spirit of Acts. 44:45. (2) The attribute of personality has abundant witness as already demonstrated. Since one of the major aspects of God’s nature is that he is a person, it follows that the Holy Spirit is a person. The context does not indicate definitely what the “tongues like as of fire” represented. The descriptive adjective holy is used to distinguish Him from other spirits, which are creatures. International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, v.s., Oil. The Holy Spirit must, then, have been a person; since he was seen by earthly eyes, and was recognizable by the human mind. All instances, of course, do not involve typology, but the connection of physical life with spirit is interesting. The Holy Spirit is included in the Trinity, which is made up of three distinct persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. "22, The Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts or abilities for service to every believer.23 Although His restraint of evil in the world today will cease with the rapture,24 He will continue to be present in the earth. The doctrine of procession has to do with the being and eternity of the Holy Spirit in His relation to the Father and the Son. The use of a dove as a type of the Holy Spirit is strikingly brought to our attention in the description of the baptism of Christ. From the more complete discussion of His works to follow, these illustrations will be sufficient: (1) His work in creation (Gen 1:2); (2) His work in empowering (Zech 4:6); (3) His teaching ministry (John 16:13); (4) His guidance (Isa 48:16; Rom 8:14); (5) His comforting (John 14:26); (6) His prayer (Rom 8:26); (7) His work of convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8); (8) His restraint of sin (Isa 59:19); (9) His authoritative commands (Acts 8:29; 13:2; 16:7). 18 Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 483. The two doctrines are mutually sustaining. The Holy Spirit Is a Person. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you. It may be concluded therefore, without further summation of the arguments, that the case for the deity of the Holy Spirit is impregnable. The current trend has been to emphasize the present work of the Spirit without a due consideration of His Person without which His work has no real foundation. We may see, then, in the work of both the Son and the Spirit, an illustration of the respective doctrines of eternal generation and procession. It must be admitted that the study of His Person is never complete without the complement of the revelation of His Person in His works. The place itself he never can lose, inasmuch as his Head and Representative, Christ, occupies it on his behalf. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.”12. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament; 4. An examination of the Scriptural revelation on the Holy Spirit will indicate that He is nowhere given a formal name, such as we have for the Second Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, but is rather given descriptive titles, of which the most common in Scripture and in common usage is the Holy Spirit. It is inconceivable that the Scriptures should turn from the normal neuter to the masculine unless a person is in view. As Charles Hodges states: “He is introduced as a person so often, not merely in poetic or excited discourse, but in simple narrative, and in didactic instructions; and his personality is sustained by so many collateral proofs, that to explain the use of the personal pronouns in relation to Him on the principle of personification, is to do violence to all the rules of interpretation.”3 The Greek of the New Testament is quite explicit in confirming the personality of the Holy Spirit by use of the pronouns. Recommended Resource: The Holy Spirit by Charles Ryrie The Nicene Creed, for instance, states: “And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and Son together, is worshipped and glorified.”9 The Athanasian Creed speaks of it more briefly, “The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.”10 In more recent times, the Articles of the English Church state the doctrine: “The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.”11 The Westminster Confession of Faith has a similar statement: “In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. 12 The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., p. 20. (5) Spirit of Glory connotes His glory as being the same as the Father and the Son (1 Pet 4:14). Oh, Peace. It is necessary, therefore, to allow the context to determine the meaning of the word in all of its occurrences. The inference from John 15:26 is certainly that of an eternal relation. We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same essence. we have understanding. The Holy Spirit has the Attributes of a Person. How has the Holy Spirit transformed your life since becoming a Christian? This was a work never repeated. The sum of this revelation is such that it constitutes conclusive evidence for the deity of the Holy Spirit. That would make the Holy Spirit the “father” of Jesus, if the Holy Spirit were a person. The following verse give a clear picture of the Trinity in the Bible: He is not seeking His own glory any more than the Son sought His own glory while in the period of humiliation. His presence is of great significance, entirely apart from His ministries. The apostle Paul noted the intellectual ability of the Holy Spirit when he asked, “What man knoweth the things of man save the spirit of man which is in him? (1) The Holy Spirit is revealed as possessing life (Rom 8:2). The reference to baptism by fire in Matt 3:11-12 apparently is not connected with a work of the Spirit at any time, referring rather to the purging accomplished by Christ Himself for the nation Israel at His second coming, and by application, the destruction of the flesh and its works at the judgment seat of Christ. According to Young’s Concordance, there are one hundred and seventy-five references to oil in the Old Testament and a dozen instances in the New Testament, the most notable being Matthew 25:3-8; Hebrews 1:9; James 5:14. PLAY. As Christ became an obedient Son in doing the Father’s will, so the Holy Spirit in procession became obedient to the Father and the Son. It should be clear from these citations that personality is absolutely necessary to explain these ministries. (2) The Spirit of Faith (2 Cor 4:13), while perhaps impersonal, and in this case not referring to the Holy Spirit as such, if admitted as a reference, it indicates the ministry of the Spirit in producing faith in us. Many of the titles referred to as indicating His attributes also connote His works. On that occasion all four Gospels mention that the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ in the form of a dove (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). The use of the masculine form, ἐκεῖνος, makes the personality of the Holy Spirit clearly the intent of the passage. Search. The ministry of the Third Person is accomplished in His own power and gives testimony to His eternal deity and glory, but it is accomplished on behalf of the Father and the Son. While this is not explicitly related to the Spirit, it is indicated in the context that the wind “filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2), and that “they were filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:4). As the Holy Spirit possesses life, personality is necessary. The proper statement of the doctrine is that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, as the Son proceeds from the Father. We see this in a … This article was taken from the Theological Journal Library CD and posted with permission of Galaxie Software. The possession of the Holy Spirit by the believer was not permanent in every case.10 The Spirit had a ministry of restraining sin and in the creation of the world.11, The Holy Spirit today plays a major role in the application of salvation to the individual. Introduction – You and I are each one person – body, soul and spirit. It is customary when speaking of persons to use the personal pronouns, I, thou, he, they. (3) The deity of the Holy Spirit is conclusive evidence of personality, as sustained in the material upholding the deity of the Holy Spirit to be given in a later section. It is in keeping with the baptismal formula mentioned in Matthew 28:19 where the Holy Spirit is associated on an equal basis with the Father and the Son, whose personality is generally accepted. Even so … To this end, this article will constitute another voice testifying to the fact that the study of the Persons of the Trinity is foundational to all theological truth. Oh, Oh, Oh, Hi everyone. This course will help you go to another level in your understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and what His purpose is. The inconsistency of this position drove Arius and his followers finally to renounce completely the personality of the Spirit, and, as Hodge points out, no further attempt in this direction has been made since. Generation must be guarded from all purely anthropomorphic ideas, and proceeding must be made eternal. By it we are known, and by it we are clothed. The various qualities of His Person demonstrate that personality is a necessity, the center without which other qualities could not exist. The essential of mind or intelligence is further confirmed by His works. Our inheritance, our salvation, our glory, our fellowship with God, our likeness unto Him, our freedom from sin and its evils, all are represented in the token payment of the Person of the Spirit. Scripture describes the Holy Spirit in personal terms, not as an impersonal force, when it says that He teaches, guides, comforts and intercedes.1 He possesses emotions, intellect and will.2 The Holy Spirit spoke to Philip and gave counsel to the church at Jerusalem.3 He was sinned against and lied to.4, The Scriptures also attest to the deity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in Relation to the Unsaved World; 6. Blasphemy in its nature is an act against deity. Knowing the Holy Spirit is essential to your life and ministry. Jehovah is used of all three Persons of the Trinity severally as well as of the Trinity corporately. It has few opponents even in the chaotic period of theology; and in modern times has been denied by none but Socinians, Arians, and Sabellians.”4. Men may influence, but only God can sanctify. The Holy Spirit is referred to as a person by scripture. This has been the position of the orthodox body of Christians from the beginning. The Bible provides many details about Him that point to His personhood, yet many of us do not think of the Spirit as someone we can know. THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT September 30, 2014 GOD, PEOPLE, VIRTUES AND CHARACTERS Repent and be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is God. Were a Person an object of faith to attack the inspiration of the Spirit wisdom... 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