The Nature of the Holy Spirit
Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
This doctrine out of all the many doctrines is one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly taught in modern Christianity. The spreading influence of what is termed, the charismatic movement, has brought about an emphasis on the work of God the Holy Spirit like no other time in history. Thus, it is extremely urgent that we understand what the Bible teaches about this wonderful Person and His activities. As we know, Satan is the great deceiver and seeks to lead those who do not study the Bible astray with part-truth doctrine and counterfeit experiences. However, a careful study of the Bible’s teachings about the Holy Spirit and His ministries will help us avoid error. It will also show us, who are saved, how to cooperate with Him so that He can do His work in and through our lives.
We will begin with some careful consideration of His nature, who and what He is. He is a person and He is God.
He Is A Person
He Is A Person
There are number of groups and so-called scholar who deny the personhood of the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible teaches otherwise. The Holy Spirit’s having personhood, or being a person, is shown by the following Biblical propositions.
The Holy Spirit possesses certain features of personhood.
The Holy Spirit possesses certain features of personhood.
He has self-awareness.
He has self-awareness.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Note the use of the pronouns “me” and “I.”
He has self-determination.
He has self-determination.
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
He possesses individuality.
He possesses individuality.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
He has moral awareness. (Rom 1:4; Gal 5:16-17)
He has moral awareness. (Rom 1:4; Gal 5:16-17)
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
He has perpetuity.
He has perpetuity.
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
He is intelligent.
He is intelligent.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
He shows emotion. (Eph 4:30)
He shows emotion. (Eph 4:30)
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
He has a will.
He has a will.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
The Holy Spirit does work that only persons can do.
The Holy Spirit does work that only persons can do.
He teaches.
He teaches.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
He reproves.
He reproves.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
He intercedes.
He intercedes.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
He leads.
He leads.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
He calls.
He calls.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
He witnesses.
He witnesses.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Holy Spirit’s responses to human actions and needs indicate His having personhood.
The Holy Spirit’s responses to human actions and needs indicate His having personhood.
He grieves over sin.
He grieves over sin.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
He gives satisfaction.
He gives satisfaction.
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
He helps.
He helps.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
He imparts power. (Acts 1:8; Eph 1:19)
He imparts power. (Acts 1:8; Eph 1:19)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Certain things may be done to the Holy Spirit which point to His being a person.
Certain things may be done to the Holy Spirit which point to His being a person.
He can be obeyed.
He can be obeyed.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
He can be lied to.
He can be lied to.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
He can be resisted.
He can be resisted.
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
He can be blasphemed.
He can be blasphemed.
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
He can be insulted.
He can be insulted.
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Both John and Peter used masculine pronouns for Him.
Both John and Peter used masculine pronouns for Him.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The word “which” is a masculine relative pronoun in the Greek language.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The Holy Spirit’s relation to other persons indicates His having personhood.
The Holy Spirit’s relation to other persons indicates His having personhood.
He relates to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He relates to the Lord Jesus Christ.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
He relates to believers.
He relates to believers.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Each of these evidences demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is a person and not a mere impersonal influence or force. We should always in our thoughts and relationship with Him regard Him as a personal being just as we are personal beings.
He is God
He is God
The Holy Spirit is more than just a person. He possesses the divine nature and He is God. Unfortunately, just as there those who would deny the person of the Holy Spirit, there are also those who would deny the deity of the Holy Spirit as well. He is God is backed by Scripture.
The Holy Spirit has divine names.
The Holy Spirit has divine names.
Pete referred to the Holy Spirit as being God.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Paul wrote of the Holy Spirit as the “the Spirit of our God” in 1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
He wrote of the Holy Spirit as “the Lord is the Spirit” and “the Spirit of the Lord” in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
He indwells believers whose bodies are considered the “temple of God” indicating that He is God in 1 Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Note also these passages.
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand To bring them out of the land of Egypt; Which my covenant they brake, Although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, And write it in their hearts; And will be their God, And they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For they shall all know me, From the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: For I will forgive their iniquity, And I will remember their sin no more.
Compare these verses with Hebrews 10:15-18
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Note also Judges 15:14
14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
Compare that verse with Judges 16:20
20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.
Note also Matthew 12:28
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Compare to Luke 11:20
20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
The Holy Spirit has the attributes of God.
The Holy Spirit has the attributes of God.
He is life. (John 3:5-6)
He is life. (John 3:5-6)
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
He is Eternal.
He is Eternal.
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
He is omnipresent. (1 Cor 6:19)
He is omnipresent. (1 Cor 6:19)
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
He is omnipotent. (Ps 104:30; Gen 1:2)
He is omnipotent. (Ps 104:30; Gen 1:2)
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
He is omniscient. (John 16:13)
He is omniscient. (John 16:13)
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
He is truth. (John 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:27; 5:6)
He is truth. (John 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:27; 5:6)
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
He is holy.
He is holy.
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
He is righteous.
He is righteous.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
He is grace.
He is grace.
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
He is love. (Rom 5:5)
He is love. (Rom 5:5)
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
He is sovereign. (Acts 10:19-20)
He is sovereign. (Acts 10:19-20)
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The Holy Spirit does the works of God.
The Holy Spirit does the works of God.
He was active in the creation of the universe. (Ps 33:6; Job 26:13)
He was active in the creation of the universe. (Ps 33:6; Job 26:13)
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
He inspired the prophets.
He inspired the prophets.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
He brought about the conception of Jesus’ sinless human nature.
He brought about the conception of Jesus’ sinless human nature.
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
He produces the new birth of believers.
He produces the new birth of believers.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is listed with the other Persons of the Divine Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is listed with the other Persons of the Divine Trinity.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Again, we have more than enough evidence from Scripture that points to the Holy Spirit is God in every respect as the Father and the Son are each God.
The Holy Spirit’s Relation To The Other Persons Of The Divine Trinity
The Holy Spirit’s Relation To The Other Persons Of The Divine Trinity
The Holy Spirit is equal to the other Persons of the Trinity in the extent of His powers and attributes since the three Persons commonly possess the single, divine nature, which make Them to be God. However, the subordination of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son is as follows.
His Subordination in Rank
His Subordination in Rank
This is that ontological subordination that concerns the internal relationship of the Divine Persons. In the communication of the divine nature, God the Father breathes out, or exhales, the divine nature through the Son to the Holy Spirit, who thus is third in order.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
His Subordination in Activity
His Subordination in Activity
This is that economical subordination which is related to the external and transitive work of the Persons of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Dynamic Cause, by whom the Son carries out that which is initiated by the Father, as determined by the divine decree. This is seen in the divine works of creation.
13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
It is also seen in the giving oral and written divine revelation.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Symbols and Theophanies of The Holy Spirit
Symbols and Theophanies of The Holy Spirit
Biblical symbols are things that represent something or someone else. For example, consider Revelation 11:3-4
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
In the same manner, Scripture attributes several symbols which represent the Holy Spirit.
Oil - 1 Samuel 16:13 “13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (Heb. 1:9)
Earnest (Deposit) - 2 Corinthians 1:22 “22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (Eph. 1:14)
Seal - Ephesians 1:13 “13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph 4:30)
Water - John 7:38–39 “38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
A theophany, in contrast to a symbol, is an appearance of God in some temporary, visible form. There are several theophanies of the Holy Spirit in Scripture.
Dove - Matthew 3:16 “16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:” (John 1:32)
Wind and Fire - Acts 2:2–4 “2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”