The
Holy Spirit is probably one of the most misunderstood subjects within
Christianity. Some teach that He is not a person but rather simply a force, or
even possibly a myth. Others teach with their actions/emphasis that He greater
than God the Father or God the Son. Still others teach with their
actions/emphasis that He is only to be thought of in the context of side show
phonies. And then some don’t talk about Him at all. But what does the Bible
have to say about the Holy Spirit?
Who
is the Holy Spirit and what is He like?
For the next 2 months we are going to discuss the Holy Spirit. There are
a few vitally important things to consider concerning the Holy Spirit.
First,
the Holy Spirit is a person (John 15:26; 16:7, 8, 13, 14). Second, He is God
(Acts 5:3-4). Third, He is separate from God the Father and God the Son Jesus
Christ. At Jesus’ baptism, all 3 members of the Trinity were present (we’ll
talk more about the concept of the Trinity in June). In Matthew 3:13-17 we see
Jesus being baptized. After Jesus came
out of the water, God the Father said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I
am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). And just as Jesus was coming up out of the
waters, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove (Matt. 3:16).
Apart
from these 3 things, the Holy Spirit has several names all revealing who He is
and what He does. Several of these names and attributes point to the
Truth. The Holy Spirit is the One
primarily responsible for revealing the truth about God to mankind.
The Names of the Holy
Spirit (Holy Spirit appears 94 times in the NIV)
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Spirit of the
Lord
(Jud. 3:10;
6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Sam. 10:6; 16:13,4; 19:9; 2 Sam. 23:2;
1 Kin. 18:12; 22:24; 2 Kin. 2:16; 2 Chr. 18:23; 20:14; Isa. 11:2; 40:7, 13;
59:19; 63:14; Ezek. 11:5; Hos. 13:15; Mic. 2:7; 3:8; Acts 5:9; 2 Cor. 3:17)
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Spirit of God
(Gen. 1:2;
41:38; Ex. 31:3; Job 33:4; Matt. 3:16; 1 Cor. 3:16)
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Spirit of the
Living God
(2 Cor. 3:3)
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Spirit of
Christ
(1 Peter
1:11)
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Spirit of
Truth
(John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 4:6) |
Spirit of
Grace
(Zech. 12:10;
Heb. 10:29)
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Spirit of
Life
(Rom. 8:2)
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Spirit of
Holiness
(Rom. 1:4)
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Teacher
(1 Cor. 2:13)
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Convicter of
Sin
(John
16:7-11; 1 Thess. 1:5)
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Lord
(2 Cor. 3:18)
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Guide
(John 16:13)
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Witness
(Rom. 8:16;
Heb. 2:4; 10:15)
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Helper
(John 14:16;
15:26; 16:7)
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Counselor
(John 14:26)
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Intercessor
(Rom. 8:26)
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Author of
Scripture
(2 Tim. 3:16;
2 Pet. 1:21)
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Indweller of
Believers
(Rom. 8:9-11;
Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Cor. 6:19)
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Deposit/Seal
(2 Cor. 1:22;
5:5; Eph. 1:13-14)
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Gift
(Acts 2:38)
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The Contrasts of the
Holy Spirit
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The Holy Spirit is a
Spirit
(Matt. 4:1;
John 3:6; 1 Cor. 2:10; 1 Tim. 4:1)
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The Holy Spirit is
symbolized by a Dove (Matt. 3:16); the Wind (Acts 2:1-4); Fire (Acts 2:3)
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The Holy Spirit is a
Male Person (John 15:26; 16:7, 8, 13, 14)
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The Holy Spirit is God
(Acts 5:3-4), equal with
Father & Son (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter
1:2)
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The Attributes of Deity of
the Holy Spirit
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Eternal
(Heb. 9:14)
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All knowing
(Isa. 40:13-14; 1 Cor.
2:10)
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All powerful
(Psa. 104:30;
Zech. 4:6;
Luke 1:35;
Rom. 15:13)
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Present everywhere
(Psa. 139:7-10)
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Creator of
all things
(Gen. 1:2; Psa.
104:30)
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Gives life
(Job 33:4; John
3:8; Rom. 8:10-11; 2 Cor. 3:6)
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Empowers believers
(Ex. 31:3; 35:31, 34;
Num. 27:18; Jud. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Sam. 11:6;
16:13; 19:20; Ezek. 11:5, 13; Hag.
2:5; Luke 4:14, 18-19; Acts 1:8; 6:5, 8; Rom. 15:19; 1 Cor. 2:4; 12:11)
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Responsible for and involved in salvation
(John 3:5; 6:63; Acts 2:38-39;
5:32; 9:17, 18; 1 Cor. 6:11; Titus
3:5)
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Receives
worship
(Psa. 18:3;
John 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3)
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Active in
prayer
(Rom.
8:26-27; Eph. 6:18; Jude 1:20)
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Imparts righteousness and sanctification
(Rom. 14:17; 15:16; 1
Cor. 6:11)
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Sins Against the Holy
Spirit
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Rebel
(Isa. 63:10)
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Resist/Unbelief
(Acts 7:51)
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Insult
(Heb. 10:29) |
Lie to
(Acts 5:3) |
Grieve
(Eph. 4:30) |
Quench
(1 Thess. 5:19) |
Reject
(1 Thess. 4:8)
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Blasphemy
(Matt. 12:31)
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The
Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for the written Word of God, which
contains the truth about God (Acts 1:16; 28:25; Heb. 3:7). The Holy Spirit moved over 40 different
earthly authors to write the Bible. This truth was NOT subject to these individuals’
interpretation (2 Peter 1:20-21). The evidence which verifies this truth is
extensive. If 40 different people wrote about a topic, there would surely be
major differences and contradictions, yet this is not the case in the Bible!
The
Apostle Paul said, “When we brought you the Good News, it was not only with
words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that
what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we
lived when we were with you” (1 Thess. 1:5 NLT).
Furthermore,
the Holy Spirit confirms the truth of Scripture in the hearts of those who hear
it with an open mind. Sometimes this will bring conviction that what we are
doing is not right (John 16:8). Other times He will confirm that path which we
are on (Acts 15:28).
Moreover,
the Holy Spirit has all the wisdom and knowledge which we need for whatever
situation we encounter (1 Cor. 12:8; Eph. 1:17). He has given us all we need in
His Word, the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This is often going to take asking God
for the wisdom which we need, seeking it out in His Word, and being willing to
trust the Holy Spirit’s leading. Isn’t it amazing what is available to us (Jer.
33:3; James 1:5)?
With
this understanding, that the Holy Spirit is the author of the infallible
written Word of God, I have to ask: How much time are you spending in God’s
Word every day? The Holy Spirit wants to help you; He wants guide you; but you
must first be willing to listen to what the Truth is.
More
of Him, less of me,
Matt
