It may be admitted that typology is not conclusive evidence, that doctrine must not be built upon it, but this does not destroy its rich illustration of truth, nor the fact that the Scriptures themselves interpret types and use important words with evident design. It has few opponents even in the chaotic period of theology; and in modern times has been denied by none but Socinians, Arians, and Sabellians.”4. The person of the Holy Spirit is not only forgotten by those whom we describe as liberals or modernists in their theology (that is always true of them), but we ourselves are often guilty of … Accordingly Hodge states, “Since the fourth century his true divinity has never been denied by those who admit his personality.”5 In the fourth century Arius held originally according to Watson6 that the Spirit was created and hence affirmed in part His personality without affirming His deity. Hence, the Holy Spirit is accorded the same honor, position, and ministry as the other members of the Trinity. That He is the third Person of the Holy Trinity is made clear by His inclusion with the Father and the Son in such Bible passages as Matthew 28:19. It reveals the Holy Spirit as one who is always ready to help the Christian. The New Testament word for the Spirit, πνεῦμα, is found in two hundred and sixty-two passages, according to Cummings, scattered throughout all the major New Testament books.16 To quote Cummings, “The Gospels contain fifty-six passages; the Acts of the Apostles, fifty-seven; St. Paul’s Epistles, one hundred and thirteen; and the other books, thirty-six.”17 From these facts, it may be clearly seen that there is consistent reference to the Holy Spirit from Gen 1:2 to Rev 22:17, and the inference is plain that a constant ministry of the Holy Spirit is maintained suitable for each dispensation. The instances of reference to oil in the Old Testament outnumber those to the Holy Spirit. Cummings lists eighty-eight references to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.13 The American Standard Version of the Bible by means of initial capital letters indicates considerably more than this. 3. The Holy Spirit is a divine person in the Godhead. The references in the Old Testament are manifold in that the very word for Spirit is variously translated wind, breath, air, blast, etc., as well as spirit. stoon77. Perhaps we have received incomplete teaching about Him or have misunderstood translations that call Him the Holy Ghost. You can change your cookie settings through your browser. A number of Scripture references indicate that the Holy Spirit constitutes a seal of the believer’s redemption (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30). It is the Spirit who brings conviction to the unbeliever and causes him to see the truth of the gospel in a clear light.12 Those who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life and a new nature.13 The Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places him in the body of Christ, the church.14 He also unites the believer with Christ in His death, enabling him to live victoriously over sin.15 The Holy Spirit controls the believer who yields to God and submits himself to God's Word.16 When these conditions are met, the believer lives in the power of the Spirit and produces the fruit of the Spirit.17, The Holy Spirit indwells the believer permanently.18 While the child of God may sin and grieve the Spirit, the Spirit will never leave the true believer.19 Absence of the Holy Spirit is the mark of the unsaved.20 The Holy Spirit seals the believer.21 This ministry guarantees the security of the believer "until the day of redemption. In the New Testament, the references to the Holy Spirit are even more numerous. While the nature of procession is largely inscrutable, it is an expression in human words based on the Scriptural revelation of the relationship of the Persons of the Trinity to each other. In Isaiah, and in the Psalms, the twofold teaching concerning Him is His connection with the Messiah on the one hand, and what may be called His personal qualities, such as being grieved, or vexed, by ingratitude or rebellion, on the other.”15. THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT September 30, 2014 GOD, PEOPLE, VIRTUES AND CHARACTERS Repent and be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is God. For the sake of analysis, however, His Person will be considered first, with reference to His work only where necessary, leaving to later discussion the aspects of His work throughout the ages. We live in a physical, three-dimensional world in which we can see, smell, touch and hear. When You Think All Is Lost - Duration: 33:33. The other approach, which is taken here, is through the explicit reference of Scripture, revealing certain attributes. The reference to baptism by fire in Matt 3:11-12 apparently is not connected with a work of the Spirit at any time, referring rather to the purging accomplished by Christ Himself for the nation Israel at His second coming, and by application, the destruction of the flesh and its works at the judgment seat of Christ. In Judges it is the in-breathing of courage or strength which is alluded to in every one of the seven passages. Men may influence, but only God can sanctify. Abundant revelation is given in the titles of the Holy Spirit to disclose His attributes. On the day of Pentecost, in connection with the work of the Spirit on that occasion, “tongues like as of fire” touched each of the believers (Acts 2:3). STUDY. Choose a question to create openness. That is to say, He is God. His presence is our guarantee. The following verse give a clear picture of the Trinity in the Bible: As Christ became an obedient Son in doing the Father’s will, so the Holy Spirit in procession became obedient to the Father and the Son. His movements are not governed by human will. The attribute of grace is found in two titles, (16) Spirit of Grace (Heb 10:29), and (17) Spirit of Grace and Supplication (Zech 12:10). It was used to induct kings into office (1 Sam 10:1; 16:13; 1 Kgs 1:39; etc.). (3) The Holy Spirit is omnipresent (Ps 139:7), an attribute only God may possess. He states that the first visit of the dove is significant of the visit of the Holy Spirit during the patriarchal and prophetic ages, vainly seeking a godly seed (Mal 2:15). We believe that the Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son and is of the same essence. An examination of the Scriptural revelation on the Holy Spirit will indicate that He is nowhere given a formal name, such as we have for the Second Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, but is rather given descriptive titles, of which the most common in Scripture and in common usage is the Holy Spirit. The abundance in which water has been created gives rise to a variety of meanings. (4) The eternity of the Spirit is seen in the title, Eternal Spirit (Heb 9:14). Knowing the Holy Spirit is essential to your life and ministry. Oh, Peace. The Christian indwelt by the Holy Spirit is indwelt by God (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:22). Thayer defines it, “Money which in purchases is given as a pledge that the full amount will subsequently be paid.”21 The Holy Spirit Himself rather than His gifts is the Earnest. As Charles Hodge puts it, “The personality of the Spirit has been the faith of the Church from the beginning. The two doctrines are mutually sustaining. Hence, it is possible to indicate merely the broad outlines of the argument for His deity. As Charles Hodges states: “He is introduced as a person so often, not merely in poetic or excited discourse, but in simple narrative, and in didactic instructions; and his personality is sustained by so many collateral proofs, that to explain the use of the personal pronouns in relation to Him on the principle of personification, is to do violence to all the rules of interpretation.”3 The Greek of the New Testament is quite explicit in confirming the personality of the Holy Spirit by use of the pronouns. It is inconceivable that the Scriptures should turn from the normal neuter to the masculine unless a person is in view. The type is nowhere explained in Scripture. Read Titus 3:3-5. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity–equal with the Father and Son in essence. While this is not explicitly related to the Spirit, it is indicated in the context that the wind “filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2), and that “they were filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:4). The order of discussion is alphabetical. In Luke 24:49, Christ told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until “ye be endued with power from on high.” The word translated endued is ἐνδύσησθε, which literally means, to clothe. The abundant creedal evidence while not possessing the infallible inspiration of the Bible may be taken as conclusive proof that the large portion of evangelical Christendom accepts without question this doctrine. How do fire and the Holy Spirit often accomplish the same purpose? Five of the titles of the Holy Spirit refer to some extent to Him as the author of revelation and wisdom: (10) Spirit of Wisdom (Exod 28:3; Eph 1:7); (11) Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding (Isa 11:2); (12) Spirit of Counsel and Might (Isa 11:2); (13) Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the Lord (Isa 11:2); (14) Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). By it we are known, and by it we are clothed. This is done unconsciously rather than deliberately, their relation to the Spirit effecting this response. [Author’s note: This article is the first of a series on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. If asked who the Holy Spirit is, would you say He is a ghost, a power, or a person? The many aspects revealed speak of His infinite Person, equal in power and glory with the Father and the Son. 2 Theological Institutes, Vol. Theologians have borrowed the Scriptural distinctions as to the eternal relation of the Second and Third Persons to the First Person. (5) Spirit of Glory connotes His glory as being the same as the Father and the Son (1 Pet 4:14). On the part of the Holy Spirit, the eternal procession of the Spirit issued in the ministry which ensued. (1) The Holy Spirit is revealed as possessing life (Rom 8:2). Blasphemy in its nature is an act against deity. Three titles affirm the holiness of the Spirit: (7) Spirit of Holiness (Rom 1:4), a possible reference to the holy human spirit of Christ; (8) Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost (Ps 51:11; Matt 1:20; Luke 11:13), the most formal title of the Spirit and most frequently used; (9) Holy One (1 John 2:20). 1. They were to be clothed with power. The Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost,) is the third divine person of The Trinity. It is used of judgment on the lost more frequently than in reference to the saved, as in Acts 2:3. Without denial of the one Essence of the Godhead, the personality of the Holy Spirit must be affirmed and is subject to proof unassailable by any who accept the Scriptures as authoritative. It was used in the anointing of the priests and the consecration of the tabernacle (Lev 8). First, the Holy Spirit … The field of typology is rich, and has been unfortunately ignored by theologians. While it is not the purpose of the present discussion to examine the nature of His works, it is sufficient proof of His personality merely to name them. The doctrine of procession has to do with the being and eternity of the Holy Spirit in His relation to the Father and the Son. Of the many titles and variations in reference to the Holy Spirit, sixteen reveal His relationship to the other Persons of the Trinity. His works indicate intelligence, knowledge, and the normal functions of personality. 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