Biblical Teachingon the Holy Spirit

Robert C. Newman

 

The Personality ofthe Holy Spirit

 

What do we mean by "personality"?

 

            Notthe common meaning of this word

            Butrather personhood, the fact of being a person

 

What do we mean by "person"?

 

One dictionaryhas (1) a human being, (2) an individual, (3) the body of a human being, (4) acharacter in a play.

Except perhapsfor (2), none of these is what we mean by "person" in this case.

Rather, a personas opposed to something inanimate or non-thinking, i.e., a being havingself-consciousness; grammatically, one which may refer to itself as"I" or be spoken of as "you," or spoken about at"he" or "she" rather than "it";  a being making logical, mental, moraland esthetic distinctions; or a being having mind, will and emotions.

What areevidences of mind?

            Thinking,saying, doing

What areevidences of will?

            Choosing,saying, doing, commanding

What areevidences of emotion?

            Feelingsof various sorts

 

What does theScripture say regarding the Holy Spirit?

 

Thinking:

 

Exodus 31:3 (NIV)and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability andknowledge in all kinds of crafts –

 

Isaiah 11:2 (NIV) The Spirit of the LORD will reston him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counseland of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD –

 

Saying:

 

2 Samuel 23:2 (NIV) "The Spirit of the LORDspoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

 

Nehemiah 9:30 (NIV) For many years you werepatient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets.Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples.

Mark 13:11 (NIV) Whenever you are arrested andbrought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whateveris given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts8:29 (NIV) The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay nearit."

 

Galatians 4:6 (NIV) Because you are sons, God sentthe Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, {[6] Aramaic for Father} Father."

 

Revelation 2:7 (NIV) He who has an ear, let himhear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will givethe right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. [six more such statements in Rev 2 and 3]

 

Doing:

 

Genesis 6:3 (NIV) Then the LORD said, "MySpirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be ahundred and twenty years."

 

Ezekiel 3:24 (NIV) Then the Spirit came into meand raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: "Go, shut yourselfinside your house.

 

Luke12:12 (NIV) for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you shouldsay."

 

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don't you know that youyourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

 

Choosing:

 

Acts 15:28 (NIV) It seemed good to the Holy Spiritand to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

 

Acts 16:6 (NIV) Paul and his companions traveledthroughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the HolySpirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

 

Acts 20:28 (NIV) Keep watch over yourselves andall the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds ofthe church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

 

Feeling:

 

Isaiah 63:10 (NIV) Yet they rebelled and grievedhis Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself foughtagainst them.

 

Romans 5:5 (NIV) And hope does not disappoint us,because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom hehas given us.

Romans 15:30 (NIV) I urge you, brothers, by ourLord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle bypraying to God for me.

 

Galatians 4:6 (NIV) Because you are sons, God sentthe Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,Father."

 

Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) And do not grieve the HolySpirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

 

Other Items re/ Personality of Holy Spirit:

 

Matthew 12:31-32 (NIV) And so I tell you, everysin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone whospeaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaksagainst the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the ageto come.

 

John 16:13 (NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide youinto all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears,and he will tell you what is yet to come. (masculine pronoun ekeinos)

 

John 14:26 (NIV) But the Counselor, the HolySpirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and will remind you ofeverything I have said to you. (masculine pronoun ekeinos)

 

John 15:26 (NIV) "When the Counselor comes,whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out fromthe Father, he will testifyabout me. (masculine pronoun ekeinos)

 

Acts 5:3 (NIV) Then Peter said, "Ananias, howis it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself someof the money you received for the land?

 

Hebrews 10:29 (NIV) How much more severely do youthink a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot,who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctifiedhim, and who has insulted theSpirit of grace?

 

Thus it is clear that the Bible represents theHoly Spirit as a person rather than as an inanimate force or influence.

 


The Deityof the Holy Spirit

 

What do we mean by "deity"?

 

Dictionary definition:

            "God,the Supreme Being; a pagan god or goddess"

 

Biblical definition:

 

Isaiah 42:5 (NIV) This is what God the LORD says– he who created theheavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes outof it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:

 

Isaiah 44:24-28 (NIV) "This is what the LORDsays – your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has madeall things, who alone stretched outthe heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, 25 who foils the signs offalse prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of thewise and turns it into nonsense, 26 who carries out the words of his servantsand fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, `Itshall be inhabited,' of the towns of Judah, `They shall be built,' and of theirruins, `I will restore them,' 27 who says to the watery deep, `Be dry, and Iwill dry up your streams,' 28 who says of Cyrus, `He is my shepherd and willaccomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it berebuilt," and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid." '

 

Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV) Remember the former things,those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is nonelike me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, whatis still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that Iplease.

 

Lesser 'gods'?:

 

Isaiah 43:10-11 (NIV) "You are my witnesses,"declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you mayknow and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed,nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from methere is no savior.

 

Psalm 82:6-7 (NIV) "I said, `You are"gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.' 7 But you will die likemere men; you will fall like every other ruler."

 

The Holy Spirit is regularly grouped in a triadwith God the Father and Jesus:

 

Isaiah 11:2 (NIV) The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him [Messiah] – the Spirit of wisdom and ofunderstanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge andof the fear of the LORDÉ

 

Isaiah 42:1 (NIV) "Here is my [Father speaking] servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spiriton him and he will bring justice to the nations.

 

Isaiah 48:16 (NIV) "[Messiah speaking] Come near me and listen to this:"From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time ithappens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and makedisciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I havecommanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of theage."

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV) There are differentkinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but thesame God works allof them in all men.

 

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) May the grace of the LordJesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the HolySpirit be with you all.

 

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope whenyou were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one Godand Father of all, who is over alland through all and in all.

 

1 Peter 1:2 (NIV) who have been chosen accordingto the foreknowledge of God the Father,through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace beyours in abundance.

 

The Holy Spirit is closely identified with God, soas to speak when He speaks, to be present when He is present.

 

Speaking:

 

2 Chronicles 20:14-15 (NIV) Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah,the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite anddescendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15 He said: "Listen,King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouragedbecause of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.

 

2 Chronicles 24:20 (NIV) Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada thepriest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: `Why do you disobey the LORD's commands?You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsakenyou.'"

 

Ezekiel 11:5 (NIV) Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say:"This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, O house of Israel, but I knowwhat is going through your mind.

 

Hebrews10:15-16 (NIV) The Holy Spiritalso testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant Iwill make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I willwrite them on their minds." [quotes Jer. 31:33]

 

Present:

 

1Samuel 16:13 (NIV) So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in thepresence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went toRamah. 14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit fromthe LORD tormented himÉ 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, becausethe LORD was with David but hadleft Saul.

 

 

2 King 2:9-16 (NIV) When they had crossed, Elijahsaid to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken fromyou?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha repliedÉ. 14 Then he took thecloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now isthe LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the rightand to the left, and he crossed over. 15 The company of the prophets fromJericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went tomeet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 "Look," they said,"we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for yourmaster. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on somemountain or in some valley." "No," Elisha replied, "do notsend them."

 

Psalm51:11 (NIV) Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

 

Haggai 2:4 (NIV) But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,'declares the LORD. `Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Bestrong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, `and work. For I amwith you,' declares the LORDAlmighty. 5 `This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. Andmy Spirit remainsamong you. Do not fear.'

 

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don't you know that youyourselves are God's temple andthat God's Spiritlives in you?

 

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) Do you not know that yourbody is a temple of the Holy Spirit,who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

 


Miscellaneous Identifications:

 

Ezekiel 8:1 (NIV) In the sixth year, in the sixthmonth on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judahwere sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign LORD came upon me there. 2 I looked, and I saw afigure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was likefire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal. 3 Hestretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. TheSpirit lifted me up between earthand heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance tothe north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousystood.

 

Acts 5:3-4 (NIV) Then Peter said, "Ananias,how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the HolySpirit and have kept for yourselfsome of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before itwas sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What madeyou think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

 

Acts 21:11 (NIV) Coming over to us, he took Paul'sbelt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, `In this way the Jews of Jerusalem willbind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"

 

1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV) but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of aman except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows thethoughts of Godexcept the Spirit of God.12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak,not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

 

TheHoly Spirit is seen to have attributes which are unique to God:

 

Omnipresent:

 

Psalm 139:7 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit?Where can I flee from your presence?

 

Omniscient:

 

Isaiah 40:13 (NIV) Who has understood the mind{[13] Or Spirit; or spirit}ofthe LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?

 


Eternal:

 

Hebrews 9:14 (NIV) How much more, then, will theblood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse ourconsciences from acts that lead to death, {[14] Or from useless rituals}so thatwe may serve the living God!

 

Blasphemyagainst unforgivable:

 

Matthew 12:31-32 (NIV) And so I tell you, everysin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks aword against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against theHoly Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.