The Holy Spirit Is A Person

     The Holy Spirit Is A Person

     God the Father is a person, God the Son (Jesus Christ) is a person, and God the Holy Spirit is a person too.  Most have no problem with the first two concepts, but many are not so sure about the third.

      The "Jehovah's Witnesses" regard the Holy Spirit, not as a person, but only as an "active force."  Mormonism ("The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," "The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," "Community of Christ," and other descendants of the impostor Joseph Smith) identify the Holy Spirit as a "divine liquid or fluid" or as a "magnetic or electrical force" (depending on which Mormon source one is reading).  Others think of the Holy Spirit only as a nebulous influence, a ghostly force, or an inanimate power.

     The Bible, however, reveals the Holy Spirit to be a divine person, just as God the Father is a divine person and just as God the Son is a divine person.   Scripture reveals the Holy Spirit to have all the characteristics of a person.  He loves (Romans 15:30),  helps (Romans 8:26), speaks (Matthew 10:20; 1 Timothy 4:1), teaches (John 14:26), wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), guides, hears and declares (John 16:13), bears witness (John 15:26), sends (Acts 10:20), and forbids (Acts 16:6).  We reason:
 
             (1) these are attributes of a person,
             (2) these are attributes of the Holy Spirit,  therefore, we conclude,
             (3) the Holy Spirit is a person.
 
     Furthermore, the Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3) and insulted (Hebrews 10:29).  He can be spoken against or blasphemed (Matthew 12:32) and resisted (Acts 7:15).  Is it possible to insult an inanimate force?  May one lie to electrical power?  May one insult a fluid or liquid?
 
     "But," it is objected, "the Bible says the apostles would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, that the Holy Spirit may be poured out, and that men can be filled with the Holy Spirit."  This is metaphorical (figures of speech) language referring to the miraculous powers and influence of the Holy Spirit on various occasions and under various circumstances.  One is not filled literally with the Holy Spirit nor literally baptized in the  Holy Spirit nor is the Holy Spirit literally poured out.  The same  is true when Scripture refers to the Spirit (as well as God and Christ) dwelling in us and us dwelling in the Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; John 6:56; 1 John 3:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 6:16; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 2:5, 6, 27, and many others).  The Holy Spirit is a person, just as is God and Christ .
 
     In addition, the Holy Spirit is mentioned often in contexts in which other persons are discussed.  For example, of the Holy Spirit, Christ said, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness of me" (John 15:26, ESV).  In this passage the "I" (Christ) and  "me" (Christ) and "you" (apostles) represents persons. Is not such the case also with the "he" (Holy Spirit) in this passage?  (Note also John 14:26 and 16:14.)  Furthermore, in Acts 15:28, persons who were participants in the discussion in Jerusalem wrote, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us."  The Holy Spirit in this passage is as personal as the "us" in this passage!
 
     The Holy Spirit is an important Bible subject.  There is no need for confusion regarding his identity nor his work.  The Holy Spirit is a person, just as God and Christ are persons, who employs means to accomplish his will and work in our lives.
 
Stephen Rook, preacher


  


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