Understanding the Holy Spirit as a Person
•The Confusion Concerning
the Holy Spirit
•Denial of his personhood
–Arius – (3rd Century) denied the eternity of Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit. For him the Holy Spirit was only the “exerted energy of God” manifested in the created world.
–Socinius (16th Century) - held that the Holy Spirit was merely the eternally proceeding energy of God
•The Confusion Concerning
the Holy Spirit
•Denial of his personhood
–Unitarians - belief that God exists in one person, not three. It is a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity and the personhood of the Holy Spirit
–Neonorthodox– Deny the distinct personality of the Holy Spirit and affirm His deity only in that He is represented as a divine manifestation of God.
•The Confusion Concerning
the Holy Spirit
•Denial of his personhood
–Jehovah’s Witnesses deny both the deity and the personality of the Holy Spirit. To them “it” is simply an impersonal force that God uses to accomplish his will.
•What does it mean to be a person?
•Personality and visibility are not synonymous. Just because the Holy Spirit cannot be seen does not make Him less than a person.
–Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
•Personality is not Personification
•Personification
–attribution of personal qualities; especially: representation of a thing or abstraction as a person or by the human form
•Personality
–the quality or state of being a person
•Definition of Personality
•That characteristic which contains these three important elements:
–Intelligence / Intellect (also called a mind…)
–Emotion (can He feel…)
–Volition (does He have a will…)
•The Holy Spirit has the attributes of personality
•Intellect
–He is said to possess a “mind”
•Romans 8:27
–He knows and searches the things of God
•1 Cor. 2:10-11
–He bestows spiritual gifts
•1 Cor. 12:4-11
–He teaches men
•1 Cor. 2:13
•
•The Holy Spirit has the attributes of personality
•Emotion
–He can be grieved
•Ephesians 4:30
–He can love
•Romans 15:30
•The Holy Spirit has the attributes of personality
•Volition or Will
–He distributes gifts accordingly
•1 Corinthians 12:11
–He exercises His will toward others
•Acts 16:6-7
•STATEMENT:
•The Holy Spirit passes the tests of personality. He has the three major components of personality clearly demonstrated from Scripture:
–Intellect
–Emotion
–Volition
•The Holy Spirit has the attributes of personality
•His intelligence is manifest in all His mighty works.
–Teaching (John 16:13)
–Guidance (Rom. 8:14)
–Comforting (John 14:26)
–Prayer (Rom. 8:26)
•The Holy Spirit performs the actions of personality
•He teachesJohn 14:26
•He testifiesJohn 15:26
•He guidesJohn 16:13; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18
•He reprovesJohn 16:7-11
•He restrainsGen 6:3; 2 Thess 2:6-7
•He commands / directsActs 8:29
•He performs miraclesActs 8:39
•He calls men to serviceActs 13:2
•He sends men to serviceActs 13:4
•He intercedes for usRom 8:26
•STATEMENT:
•The Holy Spirit not only has the marks of personality, He also does what only a Person can do. Based on Scripture, He is a Person.
•The Holy Spirit receives actions as a personality
•He can be obeyedActs 10:19-21
•He can be lied toActs 5:3
•He can be resistedActs 7:51
•He can be grieved Ephesians 4:30
•He can be reverencedPs 51:11
•He can be blasphemedMatt 12:31
•He can be outragedHeb 10:29
•STATEMENT:
•The Spirit has the marks of personality and performs the actions that are only accomplished by a Person. Additionally, Scripture demonstrates that He can also be affected as only a Person can.
•The Holy Spirit defies the accidence of Grammar as a personality
•πνεῦμα (pneúma)
–neuter noun meaning - to breath, spirit
–John 16:13-14
•John 15:26 / Ephesians 1:14
•John 16:7-8
•The Holy Spirit has the associations of personality
•The Apostles -Acts 15:28
–Here, the Spirit is distinguished from the apostles as a separate person.
–It would not seem natural to associate Him with the apostles if He were only an influence or force.
Trinity
•Matt 28:19-20
–It would be unthinkable to read and state 2 are persons and 1 is not.
•Matt. 3:16-17
–The Baptism of Christ identifies distinctions in Godhead – 1 God, 3 Persons.
•Matt. 4:1, 4, 7, 10
–The Spirit leading the Son and the Son referencing the Father.
•1 Peter 1:2
–Each member of the Godhead involved in our salvation. If we are saved by a “person”, then the Holy Spirit is co-equal to the Father and Son.
•The Power of the Spirit
•Substituting “power” for Spirit shows absurdity of denying personality to the Spirit.
–Luke 4:14: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.”
–Luke 4:14: “And Jesus returned in the power of the “power of God” into Galilee.”
–Acts 10:38: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power…”
•Baptismal formula
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
–In Matthew 28, we are commanded to baptize in the name (SINGULAR)…
–For the authority of baptism, only one name given: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
•Apostolic Benediction
•2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
•Can we have communion [fellowship] with a force?
•Personality of the Holy Spirit Conclusion
- The Holy Spirit has all three elements of personality
- The Holy Spirit can be responded to as a person
- The Holy Spirit does what only a person can do
- The Holy Spirit was looked upon by the early church as an equal member of the Godhead
- The Holy Spirit was heavily emphasized in the book of Acts (70x “Spirit”, “Holy Ghost”)
•Understanding the Holy Spirit as God
•We Look at His Names
•God (Acts 5:3-4)
•The Spirit of God (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:11)
•The Spirit of Jehovah (Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1)
•The Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)
•Comforter (αλλος) “another of the same kind” (John 14:16)
•Temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 6:19-20)
•We Look at His Attributes
•Eternal (Hebrews 9:14)
•Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7)
•Omnipotent (Luke 1:35, Job 33:4, Gen. 1:2)
•Omniscience (1 Cor. 2:11-12, John 16:13 )
•Truth (1 John 5:6)
•Holy (Isaiah 63:10-11, Luke 11:13)
•We Look at His Actions
•He creates (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4)
•He imparts life (Gen 1:2; Rom. 8:11)
•He regenerates lost men (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5-6)
•He inspired Scripture (2 Peter 1:21)
•He begot Christ (Luke 1:35)
•His Actions
•He indwells every believer
- (Eph. 2:22; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16)
•He sanctifies believers
- (Rom. 15:16; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13)
•He prays for believers (Romans 8:26)
•We Look at His Associations
•He is equated to Jehovah of the Old Testament
- Isaiah 6:8-10 w/ Acts 28:25-27
- Jeremiah 31:33-34 w/ Heb 10:15-17
•He is an equal member of the Godhead
- Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
•Representations of the Holy Spirit
•Clothing - Luke 24:49
•Power
- Clothing that God puts on us, not that with which we clothe ourselves.
•Protection.
- Just as clothing is a covering, so the Holy Spirit protects those whom He covers.
•Holiness
- Ephesians 4:24
•Picture
- Emblem of our relationship as belonging to God and representing Him. Luke 15:22
•Dove
Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32
- The purity of the Spirit
–Matthew 10:16 “harmless as doves”
•ἀκέραιος akéraios - Without any mixture of deceit, without any defiling material
- The heavenly origin of the Spirit
–Dove descended from the heavens
•The Earnest of the Spirit
2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14
•ἀρραβώνarrabṓn
–The principal idea is that of a pledge
–The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart is the pledged guarantee on the part of God that the believer will receive all the promised future blessings of his salvation.
–He is likened to Fire Acts 2:3
•God’s presenceExodus 3:2
•God’s protectionExodus 13:21
•God’s approvalLeviticus 9:24
•God’s cleansingLev. 10:2; Isa 6:8-11
•Matthew 3:11
•11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
•What did He mean?
–This was completely fulfilled at Pentecost
–Baptism of the Spirit was fulfilled at Pentecost but the fire is a general reference to the entire work of sanctification throughout the age
–John, the last OT prophet, was speaking of Pentecost with reference to the baptism of the Spirit and of the judgment at the Second Coming in reference to the fire.
•Oil Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1
•Anointing oil
–We need the work of the Spirit in our lives
•Oil for light
–Christ will be glorified in the eyes of believers
•Oil for medicine
–Oil of Gladness cleanses and sanctifies us to be meet for the Master’s use
•He is likened to a Seal
2 Cor. 1:22; Eph 1:13, 4:30
•Ownership
–We belong to God as a purchased possession
•Security
–We are permanently secured
–God is the only One who can break the seal
–We are sealed unto the day of redemption
•Authority
–God’s authority over what He owns.
•Hope
–The realization of all promised blessings at the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30, Phil 3:20-21).
•He is likened to a Servant
•The Holy Spirit does not speak “on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak” (John 16:13).
•The Holy Spirit gives Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11).
•He is likened to Water
John 4:14; 7:38-39
•Eternal life
–Life springing up from that which was entirely barren before
•Abundant Life
–The abundance of life which Christ gives (John 10:10)
•Service life
–For out of the believer shall flow rivers of living water to others
•He is likened to Wind (Breath)
John 3:8; Job 33:4
•The Spirit’s work cannot be seen
–But we know when He is working
•The Spirit’s work is sovereign
–“wherever it listeth…”
•The Spirit’s work is supernatural
–The new birth is “from above…” (John 3:21)
•The Spirit’s work is strong
–Not to destruction (as in powerful wind tornadoes), but to construction (as in new life!)
•Conclusion:
At the very least, you should remember the following truths:
- The Holy Spirit is a person.
- The Holy Spirit is God.
- The sealing of the Spirit is related to our security.
- The earnest of our heavenly inheritance is the Holy Spirit.
•Lecture #3
Understanding the Ministry of the Holy Spirit
•His ministry in Revelation
•He is described as the Author of Scripture
–This can be seen by the word – θεόπνευστος “God Breathed”, “Inspired”
•2 Timothy 3:16
–This is illustrated by a wind filling the sails of a ship
•2 Peter 1:21
–φέρω - to be borne along, as in a ship before the wind
–Acts 27:15-17
•His work is not Mechanical Dictation
–Peter’s use of the word φέρωphero
•The analogy is that of a wind filling the sails of a ship
•The inference is that the Spirit takes the initiative with Scripture
•We may say that He superintended the process of “inspiration”
•He did not suppress personalities , experiences, emotional or intellectual abilities
•What we have is an intimate involvement with the Spirit and each writer.
•He speaks to people
•He spoke to and through Ezekiel
–Ezekiel 2:2
•He spoke to and through Balaam
–Numbers 24:2
•He spoke to and through David
–2 Sam 23:2; Matt 22:43-44
•The Holy Spirit’s ministry in the Old Testament
•Creation
•He creates
–Genesis 1:2 “moved upon the face of the Earth”
•Deut. 32:11 “, fluttereth over her young”
•“The Spirit hovered over and cared for the original but as yet unfashioned earth.” Ryrie
–Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God hath made me”
•He sustains and renews creation
–Psalm 104:30
–Isa 32:15
•Empowerment
•Imparts wisdom, skill, strength, and ability
–Construction of Tabernacle, Ark, and Mercy Seat
•Ex. 31:1-11
–Selectively indwelling some for service
•Selective indwelling
•He was in certain ones
–JosephGen 41:38
–JoshuaNum 27:18
–DanielDan 4:8; 5:11-14
•He came upon certain ones
–OthnielJudges 3:10
–GideonJudges 6:34
–Saul1 Samuel 10:10
•He filled certain ones
–BezaleelEx. 31:3
•Understand the difference between the Old and New Testament saint:
•The indwelling Spirit of the Old Testament saint was not permanent. Hence, David prays, “Take not thy holy Spirit from me…” (Ps 51:11)
•Jesus gives insight from His words in John 14:17, Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for hedwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
–The Old Testament work of the Spirit was not erratic, indicated by the use of the word “dwell” or “abide.”
–His ministry at Pentecost was different for now He would not just be “with” us, He would be “in” us.
•His ministry in the Old Testament
•He restrained sin.
–Evidenced in the days before the floodGen 6:3
–Evidenced by His names
•Good Neh. 9:20
•Holy Ps 51:11
•His ministry in the Old Testament
•Regeneration
–The Jews’ salvationEzekiel 36:26-28
–The Jew’s instructionNeh. 9:20
–Bringing future righteousnessIsa. 11:2-5
•His Ministry in Relationship to Christ
- He is the Agent of the Virgin Birth
–Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35
–The Virgin Birth insures Jesus is fully man while never ceasing to be fully God
•His Ministry in Relationship to Christ
•II. The Anointing of Christ
–It empowered Him for preaching.
•Luke 4:18
–It marked Him off as Messiah.
•Acts 4:27
–It was connected with His work of healing and doing good.
•Acts 10:38
•His Ministry in Relationship to Christ
III. He was involved with His death and resurrection
A. His death – Hebrews 9:14
B. His resurrection – Romans 1:4; 8:11
IV. He points men to Christ – John 15:26
•His Ministry in Relationship to Christ
•His Ministry in Relationship to the Church
I. He is involved with Administration of the Church
- While Christ is the “Head,” the Spirit is the Administrator; one who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs.
- He gives gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:7
- He gives instruction – Acts 8:29; 10:19; 13:2-4; 16:6-7
•His Ministry in Relationship to the Church
II. He is involved with the Worship of the Church
- Preaching – 1 Peter 1:12; 1 Thess. 1:5
- Prayer – Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20
- Singing – Ephesians 5:18-19
•The Holy Spirit’s Ministry to the Christian
•I. He regenerates - Titus 3:5
- It is the Spirit that regenerates (Born Again)
–“…washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”
–This regeneration is the imparting of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) so that we are now “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ) and hence a “new creature”.
–John 3:3 refers to regeneration as a “new birth.”
•The Greek word translated “again” ἄνωθενánōthenmay be translated “from above.”
•“Except a man be born from above”
•Regeneration should be distinguished from conversion
•Conversion
–Is the response of man to God’s offer of salvation.
–The soul is active
•Regeneration
–Is the act whereby God imparts new life to the one who believes.
–The soul is passive
•II. He Baptizes
•Promised By Christ
–Matthew 3:11 …he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
–Acts 1:5 … ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghostnot many days hence.
–Christ is the Baptizer, the Spirit is the means, the Agent by whom we are baptized
•The Baptism of the Spirit
•Confirmed by Paul
–1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
–All Christians are Baptized by the Holy Spirit
•The Confusion Concerning
Spirit Baptism
•Pentecostalism
–Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second work of grace for enduement with power
–Acts 8:17 “…Then laid theytheir hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost”.
–Acts 10:44 “… the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word”.
–Acts 19:6 “…when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied”.
•What is “Spirit Baptism”?
•The word βαπτίζω (baptizo) can mean to immerse, to place under (into), identify with.
–1 Cor. 12:13 “…For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”
•The Spirit Baptism places us into one body.
•Primarily, this gives the Christian a position (we are “in Christ”).
•Secondarily, it gives us power.
•Baptism with the Spirit is not to be confused with Filling of the Spirit
•Baptism is for all believers without exception at the moment of salvation
– “…by one Spirit are we all baptized…”
–In this context, the most carnal Christians at Corinth are declared to be baptized and in the one body
•Baptism (by the Spirit) is never commanded but filling is commanded.
–Eph 5:18 “…be filled with the Spirit;”
•Baptism with the Spirit is not to be confused with Filling of the Spirit
•Spirit Baptism takes place only once
–1 Cor. 12:13 “Baptized” - βαπτίζωbaptízō– Aorist tense Passive voice (Simple Action)
–Eph 5:18 “Filled” - πληρόωpleróō – Present Passive Imperative – (Continuous action - Command)
–Compared with Ephesians 4:4-5 – “…One Baptism”
•III. He Indwells Permanently
Key passages: 1 Cor. 3:16; Rom. 8:9; John 14:17
- Recognition of His permanent presence is part of the secret to the realization of His power.
- If the Holy Spirit dwells in us forever, then eternal security must be related to this doctrine.
- This permanent indwelling is the marked difference between OT and NT believers.
- This permanent indwelling causes our bodies to now become living, moving temples of God – a truth that has ramifications on holy living.
•IV. He seals
- Key passage: Eph. 1:12-14; Eph. 4:30
- A seal is a mark of ownership, authority, and responsibility
- The certainty of possession by God.
–The certainty of the promise of salvation, for there is no power greater than God who could break the seal, and God Himself has promised never to break it.
–The certainty of His purpose to keep us until the day of redemption.
•V. He Fills Eph. 5:18
•In contrast with “baptism,” “filling” is commanded
–πληροῦσθε -Present Passive Imperative
•πληρόωpleróō –to fill, supply abundantly with something, impart richly
•The Present tense carries the force of being continually filled
•The Imperative mood tells us we are commanded to be filled.
–There is only “one baptism” (Eph. 4:4-5) but many fillings
•V. He Fills Eph. 5:18
•If the idea of filling is control, then the secret to being filled is being yielded.
–Romans 6:13 Neitheryield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
•VI. He directs – Romans 8:14
•He directs in the “who” of service
–Acts 13:2-4 – “Separate me Barnabas and Saul”
•He directs in the “where” of service
–Acts 8:27-29
–Acts 10:19
–Acts 11:12
–VII. He equips
- He illuminates – 1 Cor. 2:12-14
–Man is in darkness.