GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

       This web page is concerned with the doctrine of  the Holy Spirit as it applies to the Trinity.  Another section of  this web site will deal with the Holy Spirit more fully.  Of  necessity there will be some duplication of  material here.  

1. His personality.  There are those who raise the question whether the Holy Spirit is a Person  or just an influence.  Those who oppose the truth that the Godhead is three Persons in the one God have always made the Holy Spirit only an influence.  The Biblical evidence, however, shows that the Holy Spirit has the three main aspects of  personality.
     Genesis 1:2 shows that the Spirit was involved in creation.  In John 16:13 we read, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of  Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will shew you things to come."  Notice the personal pronouns.  The Holy Spirit is "He" not an "it." Furthermore, Matthew 28:19 speaks of  the Holy Spirit in connection with the Father and Son in such a way that equality is set forth.  Thus, if  the first two are Persons, and they are, then the Holy Spirit is.  John 14:16, 17, 16; 15:26; and 16:7-15 all show that the Holy Spirit is a Person.  

2. His Deity.  There are several proofs of  His Deity.

     a) He is called God.  In Isaiah 61:1 the Spirit is said to be Jehovah.  Peter in Acts 5:3, 4 accused Ananias of  lying to the Holy Spirit and then said, "thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."  Then in 2 Corinthians 3:17 the Spirit is stated as Lord.

     b) He is associated with God.  This is seen in the great commission in Matthew 28:19, 20. John 15:26 shows this association also, for He sent "from the Father" and "proceedeth from the Father."  He is spoken of  as "the Spirit of  God" (1 Corinthians 2:11, 12) and as "the Spirit of  Christ" (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19; and 1 Peter 1:11).

     c) He has the attributes of  God.  He teaches (John 16:13) and regenerates (John 3:6).  He is omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10) and omnipresent (1 Corinthians 6:19).

    d) He can be blasphemed.  A person does not blaspheme a non-deity.  In Matthew 12:31 we read, "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of  sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

3. His witness.  The witness for the Holy Spirit is twofold.
     There is the witness of  the Old Testament.  Right from the beginning of  the Bible, He is mentioned in connection with creation (Genesis 1:2).  Again, in Job 26:13 and 33:4, His work in creation is set forth.  Psalm 104:30 also sets this work of  His.
     Then we see the Holy Spirit as He worked in government.  Several passages indicate that the Spirit was involved in the government of  the nation Israel under the leadership of  Moses; these include Nehemiah 9:20; Isaiah 63:11; and Haggai 2:5. Zechariah 4:6 shows that the leader of  Israel after the captivity, Zerubbabel, was instructed of  the need to be led by the Spirit.
     There are passages that the indicate the Spirit falls upon men for special service such as a prophet. There is one Messianic passage that needs a little consideration.  This is Isaiah 11:1-4 together with Isaiah 42:1-4 and 61:1-3. These indicate the work of  the Holy Spirit in connection with the promised Messiah.
     Fourthly, one sees the work of  the Holy Spirit in regard to individuals.  1 Samuel 10:6, 9 refers to the Spirit coming upon Saul; 2 Samuel 7:15 shows that the Spirit was taken from Saul.  Thus, we see that the Holy Spirit came on individuals but did not indwell them permanently (Cf. Psalm 51:11; Isaiah 63:10, 11).
     In the future when the Lord returns to reign on this earth., individuals will again have the Spirit poured out on them.  Such passages as Isaiah 44:3, 59:21; Ezekiel 11;19, 18:31, 36:26, 39:29; Zechariah 12:10; and Joel 2:28, 29.

     In the New Testament you can find that the Holy Spirit was promised to the disciples (Cf. John 14:26, 16:7).  In 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20  Believers are instructed  that their bodies are the temple of  the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 2:19-22 the Holy Spirit makes believers a part of  "an habitation of  God" which is the church.

4. His Titles.  There are numerous titles of  the Holy Spirit, particularly in the New Testament, ranging from "Spirit of  God' in Matthew 12:28 to "the seven Spirits in Revelation1:4.  In John 15:26, He is "the Comforter"; "the Holy Spirit of  promise" in Ephesians 1:13; and "eternal Spirit in Hebrews 9:14.  You can pick out the remaining references by use of any good concordance.

5. His relationships.  These relationships of  the Holy Spirit borders on the work of  the Spirit.  However, This writer is concerned here with those relations in general.
     First, there is the relationship to God the Father.  The titles "Spirit of  God" and "Spirit of  your Father" show that relation.  John 15:26 shows that the Spirit proceeds from the Father.
     Then, there is the relation of  the Spirit to the Son.  Besides having generated Jesus Christ, the Son of  God, through Mary, He empowered Jesus for His ministry.  The Holy Spirit is spoken of in Romans 8:9 as "the Spirit of  Christ", and in John 16:7 the Second Person sends the Spirit.
    Thirdly, the Spirit has a relationship to the world. John 16:7-11 sets forth that the Spirit convicts the world of  sin, righteousness, and judgment.  He even now restraining sin in the world as set forth 2 Thessalonians 2;6, 7.  Other  passages could be set forth in this regard.
     Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is active in the believer in regards to the flesh.  This is set forth Romans 8:4, 6, 13; and Galatians 5:16.
     Fifthly, the Holy Spirit's relation to the devil is seen in Ephesians 6:18 in regards to our armor in verses 1-17; and in 1 John 4:4 it is implied.

     This writer has set forth only slightly this often neglected Third Person of  the Trinity.  To properly understand the work of  the Holy Spirit, one must understand His Person.  Both His Person and His work will be dealt with more completely on the web page on the Holy Spirit.

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