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 He can 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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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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