The Person of the Holy Spirit

Why is there so little understanding of the Holy Spirit in the today’s church? All too often, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit isn’t taught in our churches. One of the major reasons is ignorance arising from an absence of information. Some pastors and teachers intentionally refrain from teaching the doctrine of the Holy Spirit for fear of being accused of extremism; some from lack of personal knowledge of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; and others from failure to yield to the authority of the Holy Spirit. Still another major reason for the lack of biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit is overemphasis or abuse of limited or misunderstood parts of Scripture. This often comes to light through misinformation that is often carnal and that gives more importance and value to experience and feelings than to the clear understanding of the literal Word of God. During my early experiences as a Christian I was taught that the Holy Spirit was a thing such as a force, a substance, an influence, but certainly not a person. Little attention was given to what the Bible taught, more attention was placed on what was “caught”, and conclusions were drawn from inadequate interpretation or shoddy scholarship. The scriptures given regarding the nature of the Holy Spirit are Matthew 3:11, 16; Mark 1:10; John 1:32 and Acts 1:8. Concerning Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10 and John 1:32, we find the Holy Spirit’s action being presented as “like a dove” and not as a dove. Therefore, we understand these passages as referring, symbolically, to the Holy Spirit’s action and not actual physical appearance. Likewise, Matthew 3:11, when taken in context, the phrase “with the Holy Ghost and with fire”, refers to Jesus’ dual function as Savior and Judge. Acts 2:2-3 continues the use of symbolic language in describing the Holy Spirit’s action of filling the disciples on the day of Pentecost. In this passage the symbol of “a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind filling the house” refers to the Holy Spirit coming in His power and His fullness. The “cloven tongues like as fire” symbolism point to the presence of God resting upon the disciples as they were each filled with the Holy Spirit. Many times Acts 2:2-3 is used as a description of the nature of the Holy Spirit. If we only considered Acts 2:2-3 as the basis for our understanding of His nature, we would think of the Holy Spirit as being simply an influence, a power, or a force coming from God. We might even consider the Holy Spirit as a spiritual blessing among other blessings given us by God. The Holy Spirit is not simply a blessing, although we are surely blessed by Him. The Holy Spirit does provide strength, power, and exerts influence. These are acts done by the Holy Spirit and not through any mystical phenomenon. The Holy Spirit is definitely a Person, in fact He is God, being the Third Person of the Trinity!

How Can We Know that the Holy Spirit is a Person?

Scripture Referring to Him Through the Use of Personal Pronouns Establishes Him as a Person.

Unfortunately some translations of the Greek text in the King James Version of the Bible refer to the Holy Spirit as an “it”. For example Romans 8:16: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit…” and verse 26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself…” The reason for this is that the Greek word for “spirit” is neuter or neutral in gender and the strict English language translation requires the use of neuter or neutral pronouns such as “it, itself, etc.”. However, as we read Romans 8:16 and 26 in the more current English translations (NKJV, NIV, ESV, etc.) we find the phrase “the Spirit itself” being replaced by “The Spirit Himself”. These translations accurately present the Holy Spirit as a person and not an “it”. Additionally we have John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:11 as other examples of the Holy Spirit being identified by the use of personal pronouns. Clearly, the Holy Spirit is a person in the same manner that the Father is a Person, and the Son is a Person.

The Holy Spirit’s Characteristics (Attributes) Establishes Him as a Person.

Generally when we speak of a “person”, we have in mind a physical being. However “person” also refers to immaterial beings, i.e. Angels, Demons, Satan, and God. The Holy Spirit definitely possesses “personality”. Generally when we speak of personality, we mean those characteristics that distinguishes one person from another. That is but a single understanding of personality. Personality is also defined, not only as that which distinguishes one person from another, but also as those attributes that define what is a “person”. Personality is the quality of being a person, one’s existence as a self-conscious being. In other words, personality consist of those attributes that define personhood. The three major attributes of personality are: intelligence, emotion, and will. The Holy Spirit’s intelligence is evident in His works and inherent in His possessions: “The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). Additionally, He is the Spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17) and the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). His possession of emotions is revealed in that He can be grieved: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). His will is demonstrated by His distribution of spiritual gifts “as he wills” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

The Holy Spirit’s Works Establishes Him as a Person.

His Continuous Acts. The Holy Spirit performs acts that only a person can perform. These acts are: teaching (John 14:26; 1 John 2:27); performing miracles (Acts 8:39); leading and guiding (Romans 8:14); and interceding (Romans 8:26).

His Old Testament Works. The Holy Spirit was active in the Old Testament as recorded in Genesis 1:2 and Job 33:4 concerning His work in Creation. Exodus 31:3 records His enabling men for special service. 2 Peter 1:21 relates His revelation of God’s Word in the Old Testament. Numerous Old Testament Scriptures point to His selective indwelling (Genesis 41:38, Numbers 27:18, Daniel 4:8) and His coming upon individuals for special purposes (1 Samuel 10:9-10, Saul; Judges 14:6, Samson).

His Work in the New Testament . His Ongoing Work in Relation to the Unsaved is described in John 16:5-15 as convicting the unsaved of sin, righteous and judgment.

The Spirit’s Work in Salvation consist of regenerating; indwelling; baptizing; sealing; and filling.  The Holy Spirit’s work of Regeneration is Him imparting eternal life to those who believe in Christ: it is the new nature of 2 Corinthians 5:17. His Indwelling is Him taking up residence in the believer: 1 Corinthians 6:19. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not being baptized with the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit placing the believer into the Body of Christ at the time the believer trusts Christ as his Savior: 1 Corinthians 12:13. Every believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit: 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30. This concept includes ideas of ownership, authority and security. All believers are, therefore, God’s possession and secure until the day of redemption: Ephesians 1:13b-14. The fact that we have the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that we will receive everything God has promised with our salvation. He is the seal and the down payment. What assurance this should give us! The Filling of the Holy Spirit is Him being able to fulfilling all that He is come into the believer’s life to do. It is accomplished through the believer yielding to His control in one’s Christian life and service: Ephesians 5:18.

His Continuous Work in the Lives of Believers.  Following is a brief listing of the Holy Spirit’s Work in relation to believers. (Future Articles on the Works of the Holy Spirit will present this crucial topic in more detail). The Holy Spirit: 1. Distributes “Spiritual Gifts” – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 2. Teaches (Illuminates) – John 14:25-26; 1 John 2:27; 3. Guides and Leads – (Romans 8:14; 4. Gives Assurance of Salvation – Romans 8:16; 5. Intercedes in prayer – Romans 8:26; 6. Empowers the believer in God-pleasing worship and praise – Ephesians 5:19; 7. Enabling Christ-centered service – Ephesians 2:10 and Christ-like character – Galatians 5:22-23.

The Holy Spirit’s Relationship With Others Establishes Him as a Person.

Finally, how could the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19: (“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,”) be reasonably interpreted as referring to two persons (Father and Son) and one thing (Holy Spirit)? Additionally, the Holy Spirit is related to the Lord Jesus Christ and believers in such a way as to establish that all concerned are persons: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13, 14 ESV).

Clearly, The Holy Spirit Is A Person In The Same Manner That The Father Is A Person, And The Son Is A Person.