The
Divine Person of the Holy Spirit
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the
Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is a person, and should be treated with the
respect of a divine person. He is a member of the Trinity, equal to God the
Father and God the Son.
I am not saying there are three gods, but three divine
persons who are also one. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one”
(Deut. 6:4).
The unbelieving world will not believe this great Biblical
truth because it cannot. “It neither sees Him nor knows Him,” Jesus said. “But
you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:18). Jesus
promised His disciples “another Comforter to be with you forever—the Spirit of
truth” (v. 16). Another divine person was being sent to continue the work of the
Kingdom of God. Jesus was not sending a thing, but another divine person, a
member of the Godhead.
R. A. Torrey observed, “If we once grasp the thought that
the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person of infinite majesty, glory and holiness and
power, who in marvelous condescension has come into our hearts to make His abode
there and take possession of our lives and make use of them, it will put us in
the dust and keep us in the dust. I can think of no thought more humbling or
more overwhelming than the thought that a person of Divine majesty and glory
dwells in my heart and is ready to use even me.”
The divine personality of the Holy Spirit is observed in
His actions. He is promised as a Counselor, Helper or the Encouraging One for
believers. He gives His gifts to build up the body of Christ (John 14:16-18; 1
Cor. 12:11). He is another Counselor of the “same kind.” He is another divine
being doing the will of the Father just like Jesus. He lives with Christians and
in them. He is equal to the Father and the Son.
The Holy Spirit has the same divine attributes as the
Father and the Son. He is “holy,” omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent just like
the Father and the Son (1 Cor. 2:10-11; Jn. 16:12-13; Lk. 1:35; Ps.139:7-10).
The Holy Spirit does works that are exclusive of God. He is
creator, imparts life, gives spiritual birth, gave the inspired Word of God, the
Bible, and equips believers with spiritual gifts (Job 26:13; 33:4; John 3:5-6;
Rom. 8:11; 2 Pet. 1:21). It is not a spiritual force or power that gives gifts.
Only a person can do that.
The Holy Spirit has a distinct personality from the Father
and the Son. Jesus said of Him, “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to
you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will
testify about me” (John 15:26). The Spirit is ranked coordinate with God the
Father and God the Son. He is equal in power and deity. “The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with
you all” (2 Cor. 13:14). We are commanded, “Go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).
He is given a personal name. Peter said,
“Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to
the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 5:3). Holy Spirit is His name, and He is God. “You have
not lied unto men, but unto God” (v. 4).
The sin against the Holy Spirit is an offense against a
divine personality, and it has eternal consequences (Matt. 12:31-32).
The Holy Spirit is a real person whose work is to get hold
of our lives and use us to the glory of God. As long as we think of Him as a
mysterious power, or influence our thoughts will be to get more of the Holy
Spirit, and we will be filled with self-exaltation and self-pride. When we think
of Him as a Divine Person, a member of the Trinity, we are occupied with how can
He have more of me. How can I make myself available to Him to glorify the Father
and be used in the Kingdom of God?
We honor the Holy Spirit by recognizing and relying upon
His work in our lives, in our churches and in reach8iang the lost world. When we
ignore Him , we Him and disobey Him we dishonor the Godhead. Our attitude and
response to the Word of God honors or dishonors the Holy Spirit who is its
Author. Being "filled with the Spirit" means to obey Him and be in submission to
Him. When we are under His control we bring honor and glory to the Lord God.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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