The Holy Spirit

I.  WHO OR WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

1. Some people or groups believe that the Holy Spirit is merely a force or an influence, not a person.

2. But the Bible calls the Spirit "he" not "it". -- John 14:26; 16:13-14. (In the original Greek text the definite masculine article ekeinos is used.)

3. The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit as a person -- possessing mind, feeling and a will of His own. For example, observe the following:

• He has intellect and understanding -- 1 Corinthians 2:10-13
• He has a mind -- Romans 8:27; Acts 15:28
• He has a will -- 1 Corinthians 12:11
• He searches and knows -- 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
• He can be grieved -- Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30
• He speaks and commands -- Acts 13:2,4; 16:6
• He teaches -- John 14:26

These are all characteristics of a person, not a force.

II.  IS THE SPIRIT GOD?

1. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit... just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
2. Acts 5:3,4 -- "lied to the Holy Spirit" = "lied to God".
3. John 14:16,18,23 shows an identification between the Spirit, Jesus, and God the Father.
4. A person can "blaspheme" against the Spirit -- Mark 6:29 (In the New Testament, this Greek word almost always refers to speech against God.)
5. Matthew 28:19 says: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Note the use of "the name" singular, not "the names of." This shows a tri-unity between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
6. Special qualities which only God possesses are applied to the Spirit:

• He is omnipotent -- Micah 3:8; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13,19
• He is omniscient -- 1 Corinthians 2:10
• He is omnipresent -- Psalm 139:7
• He is the giver of life -- Job 33:4; 1 Peter 3:18
  

III.  WHAT DOES THE SPIRIT DO?

1. He Creates -- Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30
2. He Inspired Men to Communicate God's Word:

• In speaking -- 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:21
• In writing -- 2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:10-11; 1 Corinthians 7:10

3. He Gives New Birth To (Regenerates) People -- John 3:1-8; Titus 3:5.
4. He Bears Witness With the Spirit of Each Christian That He Is a Child of God -- Romans 8:16-17.
5. He Assists in the Prayer Life of Christians -- Romans 8:26-27.
6. He Bestows Gifts (charisma, singular; charismata, plural) Upon Christians -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
7. He Baptizes & Fills Christians -- Matthew 3:11, John 1:33; 7:37-39; Acts 4:31; 6:3,5; 11:16; Ephesians 5:18.
8. He Seals Believers -- Ephesians 1:13; 4:30.
9. He Teaches & Gives Understanding -- 1 John 2:27; 1 Corinthians 2:14.
10. He Leads and Guides -- Mark 1:12; Acts 16:6.
11. He Resurrects -- Romans 1:4; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:14.
12. He Brings About Maturity in the Believer's Life -- 2 Corinthians 3:15-18; Galatians 5:22-25.
13. He Convicts the World -- John 16:8-11.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a person, a member of the Trinity.  The Spirit is actively involved in the world and in our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ!

See also:

• The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
• The Baptism and Filling of the Holy Spirit
• Alan Marshall's essay on Understanding Romans 7 & 8.

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