A central doctrine of Christians is believe in the Trinity, of which the Holy Spirit is said to be the 3rd person that makes up God. The doctrine arises naturally from the Bible when passages are read in context. The divinity of The Holy Spirit along side the Father and Son is not only affirmed in the New Testament but is also foreshadowed and present in the Old Testament. For example we can see that the Holy Spirit of God is said to be omnipresent (Psalms 139:7), Omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10), eternal (Hebrews 9:14), even being present at Creation (Genesis 1:2). It is this Spirit that was active in the incarnation of Jesus (Matthew 1:18, 20: Luke 1:35), and raised Jesus from the dead (Galatians 1:1, Romans 1:4, 8:11). The Holy Spirit is described by Jesus as a helper, that teaches us God's will (John 14:26) and bears witness to Christ (John 15:26-27). It is the Holy Spirit that reveals God to us (1 Corinthians 2:11), convicts us of sin (John 16:8) prays and intercedes for us just as Jesus does (Romans 8:26-27). and sanctifies Christians (1 Peter 1:2). For He is the one that dwells in our own spirit, sealing us (2 Corinthians 1:22) and transforming (Romans 8:) us for the Day of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is explicitly equated with God (Ephesians 4:30, Hebrews 10:29), audibly speaking with His authority (Acts 8:29, 10:19, 1 Timothy 4:1) and giving commands (Acts 13:2, 15:28 16:6-7). Peter makes the Holy Spirit equal with God (Acts 5:34). Jesus and the apostles make it very clear in their language that the Spirit is a person (15:26-27, and 16:7-14) and that the Spirit is NOT God the Father (John 14:15-16, 26), He has has a mind (Romans 8:27) can be lied to (Acts 5:34), blasphemed against (Matthew 12:31-32), insulted (Hebrews 10:29), resisted (Acts 7:51, 1 Thessalonians 5:19), and grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit cast judgments (Acts 15:28), teaches (John 14:26, 16:13) and prays (Romans 8:26-27). There is no case that can stand that makes the Holy Spirit not a person. ###### Possesses the Incommunicable Attributes of God The Holy Spirit shares incommunicable attributes with God, reinforcing His divinity. - **Eternal**: - **Omnipresent**: - **Omniscient**: - **Involved in All the Works of God**: - **Creation**: - **Incarnation**: - **Resurrection**: - **Salvation**: #### The Holy Spirit Is A Person The biblical evidence overwhelmingly supports the understanding that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or the will of God but a distinct person within the Godhead. Firstly, the Holy Spirit is consistently referred to with personal attributes and actions. The fact that the Holy Spirit has a name, as seen in Matthew 28:19 and is used in conjunction with the Father and the Son. Even though something that is not a person may have a name, in the context of the converting believers in the name of The Holy Spirit, The Father and the Son, the use of "name" strongly suggests personhood. Moreover, in the book of Isaiah, the Holy Spirit is described as the "Helper," emphasizing His role as a distinct person. This title is echoed in John 14:16 (cf 1 John 2:1), and the Greek term "Helper" (parakl�tos) is typically used for persons. The Holy Spirit is not a passive force but an active agent with personal characteristics: - **Demonstrates Intentionality and Consciousness**: The Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus, teaches, arrives, bears witness, convicts of sin, speaks on behalf of Christ, and glorifies Christ, as outlined in passages like John 14:26, 15:26-27, and 16:7-14. These actions demonstrate intentionality and consciousness, indicating personhood. - **Personal Attributes and Functions**: The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3), makes decisions and judgments (Acts 15:28), and intercedes for Christians with the Father (Romans 8:26). These personal attributes and functions further emphasize His distinct personhood. - **Impersonal Language Paralleled by Persons**: Furthermore, there are instances where "impersonal" language used of the Holy Spirit is paralleled by similar language used of other persons. For example, the Holy Spirit is compared to fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16), which is reminiscent of how God revealed Himself in the burning bush to Moses (Exodus 3:2-4). Also, the idea of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) is akin to being "filled with the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17, 19), highlighting the personal nature of the Holy Spirit. Look at how the Holy Spirit is described in Scripture: The Holy Spirit speaks. "The Spirit clearly says . . ." -- 1 Timothy 4:1 "The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot . . . .'" -- Acts 8:29 "While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men . . .'" Acts 10:19 "The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart . . . " -- Acts 13:2 The Holy Spirit actively teaches. "The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things" -- John 14:26 The Holy Spirit gives testimony. "The Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me" -- John 14:26 The Holy Spirit guides, hears, speaks, and tells. "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you. . . He will speak only what He hears and He will tell you what is yet to come" -- John 16:13 (look at all those personal persons in that passage; there's no "it" among them) The Holy Spirit forbids. "Having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the Word . . . the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them" -- Acts 16:6-7 The Holy Spirit intercedes or prays. "The Spirit Himself intercedes for us . . . The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will" -- Romans 8:26-27 All six of these characteristics point to the Holy Spirit being a person. Does "wind" or "influence" or a "force" do these things? That's not all. There are more characteristics of the Holy Spirit that demonstrate His personhood. The Holy Spirit has a mind. "He knows the mind of the Spirit" -- Romans 8:27 The Holy Spirit has active knowledge. "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God" -- 1 Corinthians 1:10. Would an "active force" be said to search all things? The Holy Spirit possesses affection. "by the love of the Spirit" -- Romans 15:30. Would an "active force" be said to love? The Holy Spirit has a will. "He gives them to each one, just as He determines" 1 Corinthians 12:11. Could an "active force" or influence make decisions like this Scripture describes? Don't these last four characteristics signify that the Holy Spirit possesses intelligence and personality? For instance, have you ever known an impersonal force that "loved" something or someone? Then, there is the fact that Scripture says the Holy Spirit can suffer personal slights and injuries. Can an impersonal force be offended in the following ways? The Holy Spirit can be grieved. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God" -- Ephesians 4:30 The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed. "The blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven" -- Matthew 12:31-32 The Holy Spirit can be insulted. "who has insulted the Spirit of grace" -- Hebrews 10:29 The Holy Spirit can be lied to. "You have lied to the Holy Spirit" -- Acts 5:3 The Holy Spirit can be resisted. "You always resist the Holy Spirit" -- Acts 7:51 One could possibly say that one or two of these do not constitute proof of the personality of the Holy Spirit. But when you look at all of them together, that long list of 15 items becomes evidence that could be admitted in a court of law. Look again at all the ways the Bible describes the Holy Spirit. In light of this list, doesn't it seem ludicrous to say the Holy Spirit is simply an impersonal influence or force? In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is explicitly equated with God. Acts 5:3-4 recounts an incident where Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, to which Peter responds by saying that they lied not to men but to God, affirming the Holy Spirit's divine identity. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 speaks of the Lord being the Spirit, underscoring the Holy Spirit's divine nature. ###### Possesses the Incommunicable Attributes of God The Holy Spirit shares incommunicable attributes with God, reinforcing His divinity. - **Eternal**: Hebrews 9:14 presents a significant point. It speaks of the Holy Spirit as eternal. This notion presents a challenge for those who suggest that the Holy Spirit is something other than God because it implies that someone or something other than God is eternal. - **Omnipresent**: The Holy Spirit's omnipresence is illustrated in Psalms 139:7, where it is stated that there is nowhere one can go to escape His presence. This characteristic is consistent with the attributes of God and emphasizes the Holy Spirit's divine omnipresence. - **Omniscient**: 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 reveals the Holy Spirit's omniscience, as it explores the depths of God's wisdom and knowledge. - **Involved in All the Works of God**: The Holy Spirit's divine identity is vividly demonstrated through His active involvement in significant works of God throughout the Bible. - **Creation**: In the creation narrative found in Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God is depicted as hovering over the waters, underlining His role in the act of creation itself. - **Incarnation**: The Holy Spirit's role in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is evident in passages like Matthew 1:18, 20, and Luke 1:35. These verses highlight that the Holy Spirit played a pivotal part in the conception of Jesus, affirming His divine involvement in the most significant event in human history. - **Resurrection**: Galatians 1:1, Romans 1:4 and Romans 8:11 emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in the resurrection. He is the one who raised Jesus from the dead, a work that is undeniably divine in nature, and the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within believers. - **Salvation**: Romans 8:1-27 underscores the Holy Spirit's involvement in the process of salvation. He not only convicts and assures believers but also intercedes for them according to God's will. He gives comfort to Christians (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; John 14:26), and He sanctifies Christians (Jude 1; 1 Peter 1:2). In summary, these biblical passages collectively reinforce the understanding that the Holy Spirit is indeed God, possessing divine attributes, participating in the works of God, and being equated with God Himself throughout Scripture. #### The Holy Spirit Is A Person The biblical evidence overwhelmingly supports the understanding that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or the will of God but a distinct person within the Godhead. Firstly, the Holy Spirit is consistently referred to with personal attributes and actions. The fact that the Holy Spirit has a name, as seen in Matthew 28:19 and is used in conjunction with the Father and the Son. Even though something that is not a person may have a name, in the context of the converting believers in the name of The Holy Spirit, The Father and the Son, the use of "name" strongly suggests personhood. Moreover, in the book of Isaiah, the Holy Spirit is described as the "Helper," emphasizing His role as a distinct person. This title is echoed in John 14:16 (cf 1 John 2:1), and the Greek term "Helper" (parakl�tos) is typically used for persons. The Holy Spirit is not a passive force but an active agent with personal characteristics: - **Demonstrates Intentionality and Consciousness**: The Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus, teaches, arrives, bears witness, convicts of sin, speaks on behalf of Christ, and glorifies Christ, as outlined in passages like John 14:26, 15:26-27, and 16:7-14. These actions demonstrate intentionality and consciousness, indicating personhood. - **Personal Attributes and Functions**: The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3), makes decisions and judgments (Acts 15:28), and intercedes for Christians with the Father (Romans 8:26). These personal attributes and functions further emphasize His distinct personhood. - **Impersonal Language Paralleled by Persons**: Furthermore, there are instances where "impersonal" language used of the Holy Spirit is paralleled by similar language used of other persons. For example, the Holy Spirit is compared to fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16), which is reminiscent of how God revealed Himself in the burning bush to Moses (Exodus 3:2-4). Also, the idea of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) is akin to being "filled with the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17, 19), highlighting the personal nature of the Holy Spirit. **The Holy Spirit: Personhood And Divinity** #Unfinished For Christian Doctrines (Trinity) #Unfinished Herndon In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is explicitly equated with God. Acts 5:3-4 recounts an incident where Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, to which Peter responds by saying that they lied not to men but to God, affirming the Holy Spirit's divine identity. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 speaks of the Lord being the Spirit, underscoring the Holy Spirit's divine nature. ###### Possesses the Incommunicable Attributes of God The Holy Spirit shares incommunicable attributes with God, reinforcing His divinity. - **Eternal**: Hebrews 9:14 presents a significant point. It speaks of the Holy Spirit as eternal. This notion presents a challenge for those who suggest that the Holy Spirit is something other than God because it implies that someone or something other than God is eternal. - **Omnipresent**: The Holy Spirit's omnipresence is illustrated in Psalms 139:7, where it is stated that there is nowhere one can go to escape His presence. This characteristic is consistent with the attributes of God and emphasizes the Holy Spirit's divine omnipresence. - **Omniscient**: 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 reveals the Holy Spirit's omniscience, as it explores the depths of God's wisdom and knowledge. - **Involved in All the Works of God**: The Holy Spirit's divine identity is vividly demonstrated through His active involvement in significant works of God throughout the Bible. - **Creation**: In the creation narrative found in Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God is depicted as hovering over the waters, underlining His role in the act of creation itself. - **Incarnation**: The Holy Spirit's role in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is evident in passages like Matthew 1:18, 20, and Luke 1:35. These verses highlight that the Holy Spirit played a pivotal part in the conception of Jesus, affirming His divine involvement in the most significant event in human history. - **Resurrection**: Galatians 1:1, Romans 1:4 and Romans 8:11 emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in the resurrection. He is the one who raised Jesus from the dead, a work that is undeniably divine in nature, and the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within believers. - **Salvation**: Romans 8:1-27 underscores the Holy Spirit's involvement in the process of salvation. He not only convicts and assures believers but also intercedes for them according to God's will. He gives comfort to Christians (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; John 14:26), and He sanctifies Christians (Jude 1; 1 Peter 1:2). In summary, these biblical passages collectively reinforce the understanding that the Holy Spirit is indeed God, possessing divine attributes, participating in the works of God, and being equated with God Himself throughout Scripture. #### The Holy Spirit Is A Person The biblical evidence overwhelmingly supports the understanding that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or the will of God but a distinct person within the Godhead. Firstly, the Holy Spirit is consistently referred to with personal attributes and actions. The fact that the Holy Spirit has a name, as seen in Matthew 28:19 and is used in conjunction with the Father and the Son. Even though something that is not a person may have a name, in the context of the converting believers in the name of The Holy Spirit, The Father and the Son, the use of "name" strongly suggests personhood. Moreover, in the book of Isaiah, the Holy Spirit is described as the "Helper," emphasizing His role as a distinct person. This title is echoed in John 14:16 (cf 1 John 2:1), and the Greek term "Helper" (paraklêtos) is typically used for persons. The Holy Spirit is not a passive force but an active agent with personal characteristics: - **Demonstrates Intentionality and Consciousness**: The Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus, teaches, arrives, bears witness, convicts of sin, speaks on behalf of Christ, and glorifies Christ, as outlined in passages like John 14:26, 15:26-27, and 16:7-14. These actions demonstrate intentionality and consciousness, indicating personhood. - **Personal Attributes and Functions**: The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3), makes decisions and judgments (Acts 15:28), and intercedes for Christians with the Father (Romans 8:26). These personal attributes and functions further emphasize His distinct personhood. - **Impersonal Language Paralleled by Persons**: Furthermore, there are instances where "impersonal" language used of the Holy Spirit is paralleled by similar language used of other persons. For example, the Holy Spirit is compared to fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16), which is reminiscent of how God revealed Himself in the burning bush to Moses (Exodus 3:2-4). Also, the idea of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) is akin to being "filled with the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17, 19), highlighting the personal nature of the Holy Spirit. The Bible unequivocally presents the Holy Spirit as a distinct person within the Godhead, not a mere force or concept. Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit is referred to with personal attributes, actions, and intentions. In summary, the biblical evidence overwhelmingly supports the understanding that the Holy Spirit is indeed a distinct person within the Godhead, co-equal with the Father and the Son. <audio controls src = > </ audio> pCRZh4jGTt-PEzjznXQyig