The person of the Holy Spirit is not known to many Christians. The Holy Spirit is a significant person in Christianity and Christian living. The knowledge of who the Holy Spirit is has been established that people do not argue His personality. The Holy Spirit has been sent by the father and son to indwell and guide believers. Many believe in God the Father, and God the Son, but think that the Holy Ghost is an errand boy. This is not true because the Holy Spirit is equal to the father and the son.
Others have reduced the person of the Holy Spirit to an inanimate force such as electricity, a very powerful force. They do not think of the Holy Ghost as a living being, much less God. This article attempts to prove the person of the Holy Spirit and His deity. By this article we will understand that the Holy Spirit is a living person because He can:
- be approached or shunned,
- trusted or doubted,
- loved or hated
- adored or insulted.
The Holy Spirit is a person; however, He is not flesh and blood. He does not possess a human body as we do but He possesses the attributes of a person. He is a Divine Personality, He is God Almighty and equal to the Father and the Son.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as our comforter. “Comforter” comes from the Greek word translated as “paraclete”. The word means “one called alongside”. The Holy Spirit is therefore the Divine Helper or the Heavenly Assistant. His continuous presence and power provide the necessary assistance in the life of every Christian.
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The Person of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not a “thing” or “it”. He is not a material substance. He is not an impersonal force or energy such as electricity or radiation or magnetism. He is not just a quality, such as “goodness” or “love” or the so-called “universal mind”.[i] He is not a feeling that makes one cry or wail. He is also not an emotion.
The Holy Spirit is therefore a person. He is a personality in the order of the Godhead. He is one of the persons in the trinity. He is in charge of the affair of the kingdom of God on earth today. The Holy Spirit is key to the execution of the divine program on earth today. He is the energizer and operator of every revealed plan (vision) of God. The Holy Spirit is the most valuable asset to Christian living. He is the central figure in any breakthrough in life.[ii]
He is a real person, a real being. He thinks, acts, wills, feels, loves, speaks, and does all other things that can be said of persons. The Holy Spirit has attributes, natural and moral, He has a position, He has rights, and privileges. The Holy Spirit is God; as such He is the third person of the Godhead in the Holy Trinity. This does not mean that the Holy Spirit is one-third of God because God cannot be divided. And it does not mean that He is one of the three Gods. There is only one God who eternally self-exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these persons is fully God and possesses all the attributes, and represents and expresses the fullness of Godhead.[iii]
Also because He is God, the Holy Spirit is eternal. That means that He always was, is, and ever, will be. He has no beginning, no end. He is eternally self-existent. Book of Hebrews says that Christ “through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God…” (Heb. 9:4). His name is linked with the Father and the Son in the Benediction and baptismal formula.
If He is a person and is equal to the Father and the Son, then He ought to be worshipped. If He is a person then we must get to know Him more intimately.
Characteristics of the Person of the Holy Spirit
A. Will Power
The Holy Spirit has a will and power. His will is revealed in the book of I Cor. 12:11, “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. The Holy Spirit makes decisions. The Holy Spirit possesses the power to change and transform. He powerfully changed Peter. The scripture says, in Acts 1:8; “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be witness unto me.” Peter who was uneducated received this Power and was changed.
B. Intelligence
The Holy Spirit understands what should be done and has the power to direct things accordingly. He teaches and instructs the believers according to the will of the Father. Neh. 9:20 says, “Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them. In Rom. 8:27, the Bible says, “And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the mind of the Spirit is because He maketh intercession…” He searches and can know things.
C. Knowledge
The Holy Spirit knows things. One of the fruits of the Spirit is the word of knowledge that emanates from the Holy Spirit. He knows the past, present, and future, and can reveal the same to the saints. In 1Cor. 2:11, Paul says, “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.”
D. Capacity for Grief.
The Holy Spirit can feel pains like a man. Grieving Him may cause Him to depart from us. In Ephesians, Paul told the Ephesian believers not to grieve Him. According to Him, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30)
From the above qualities, we can deduce that the person of the Holy Spirit can:
- Think and feel
- Purpose and know,
- Teach and lead
- Wills and love, and
- Be grieved.
Therefore, the person of the Holy Spirit is certainly not a mere influence. He has abilities of intelligence and emotions which inanimate forces do not possess. Thus, let us never shun, doubt, hate, or insult the Holy Spirit. We should always approach Him with faith, love, and adoration.
Qualities of the Person of the Holy Spirit
A. The person of the Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God.
He knows all things in detail as well as in general. He keeps track of everything. He knows far more about each out of us than we know about ourselves.
B. The person of the Holy Spirit can speak.
According to Revelation, He wrote letters to the seven churches in Asian Minor. “He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto Churches…” (Rev. 2:17).
C. The Holy Spirit can cry out.
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying Abba Father” (Gal. 4:6).
D. The Holy Spirit Intercedes.
“The Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26)
E. The person of the Holy Spirit Teaches
“But the comforter which is the Holy Ghost he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance” (Jn. 14:26; 16:12-14; Neh. 9:20).
F. The person of the Holy Spirit leads and directs
“For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God. Do you and I personally know of these leadings? (Rom. 8:14)
G. The Holy Spirit testifies
“But when the comforter is come He shall testify of me” (John 15:26)
H. The Holy Spirit calls men to work and gives them tasks
“the Holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (Acts 13:2). Also Acts 20:28; “The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers”
I. The Holy Spirit proceeds on whom He is sent
“Whom I will sent unto you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the father he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).
In the Godhead, the Holy Spirit has been assigned a definite office. He is the official comforter and counselor. “He shall give you another comforter” (John 14:16). He is a personal companion as a person, he becomes our best friend to guide and comfort us. Let the Holy Spirit be our companion, our senior partner, and comrade with whom we have intimate fellowship every moment.
The Deity the Holy Spirit
The fact is that the Holy Spirit is a person. However, He is not a human person for he does not possess the human body as we do. The Holy Spirit is not only a person but we believe that He is a Divine person. The Holy Spirit is God Almighty, equal to the father and the son in every respect.
We believe the Holy Spirit is divine because the Holy Spirit possesses the following divine attributes:
ETERNAL:
“How much, more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God” (Heb. 9:14).
OMNI-PRESENT:
And because He is God, the Holy Spirit is Omnipresent. That is, He is everywhere present at once. No one can get away from the Spirit of God. He is everywhere Christian is never alone either. The Holy Spirit is always present to strengthen, chasten encourage, and do whatever else is needed to keep our victories. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? … “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depth you are there …” (Psalm 139:1-10).
OMNI-POTENT:
The power of the Holy Ghost for the conception of the Holy Child. Gen. 1:2 “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. “By His Spirit, He hath garnished the heaven” (Job 26:13).
OMNI-SCIENT:
1 Cor. 2:10, 11 “The Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God”. John 14:26 “But the comforter He shall teach you all the things” John 16:12, 13… “When the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you unto all truth”
HOLINESS:
Luke 4:13 “The Holy Spirit” The word Holy is not a noun but an adjective describing his character.
TRUTH:
He is the Spirit of truth. There is no error in the Holy Spirit. He will never lead us astray. He will never lead us to do anything contrary to or inconsistent with the scriptures. No variance exists between the Spirit and the word. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit Eph.6:17. As the divine author of the Bible II peter 1:21. The Holy Spirit will never contradict or deviate from his word. The directions of the bible are the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will always guide us according to those directions.[iv] 1John 5:6 says, “It is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is truth. Benevolent (kind and helpful); Neh. 9:20.
The Names of the Holy Spirit
- THE Holy Spirit: Luke 11:13, “your Heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit”
- The Spirit; John 3:6 “That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit”
- The Spirit of the Lord: Isaiah 11:2 “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him”
- The Spirit of Jehovah: Isaiah 61:1 “THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me”
- The Spirit of the living God: 1 Cor. 3:3 “but with the Spirit of living God”
- The Spirit of Christ: Rom. 8:9 “Now if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ”
- The Spirit of the Son: Gal. 4:16 “God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son in your hearts saying Abba father”
- The Spirit of Jesus Christ: Phil. 1:19 “And the supply of the Spirit of Jesus”
- The Eternal Spirit: “Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself…” etc.
The Co-Operation of the Holy Spirit to the Full Manifestation of God
In Creation
- God the Father spoke in Gen. 1:3, “And God said let there be light”.
- God the Son was the word spoken. Jn. 1:1 “In the beginning was the word.”
- God the Holy Spirit moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:12, 13).
In the Incarnation
- God the Father gave His only son. (Jn 3:16).
- God the Son was born into the world (Lk 2:11).
- God the Spirit came upon Mary to cause conception (Luke 1:35).
In Redemption
- God, the father accepted the sacrifice of Calvary (Heb. 9:14).
- God the Son offered himself as our substitute (Heb. 9:14)
- God the Holy Spirit: Jesus offered Himself through the Eternal Spirit” (Heb. 9:14)
In Salvation
- God the Father received the prodigal son from the far country (Luke 15:22). The father welcomes the sinner and forgives Him.
- God the Son is the Shepherd that goes to seek the lost sheep (Luke 15:4).
- God the Spirit seals the converts (Eph. 1:13)
In Communion
- God the Father invites us to come to Him for fellowship. Ephesians 2:18
- God the Son is the reconciliation. II Cor. 5:19
- God the Holy Ghost affects this union and communion. Ephesians 2:18.
In prayer
- God, the father is the one who receives the requests. John 16:23.
- God the Son is the one in whose name we pray. John 16:13, Phil 2:19-21, Phil 2:19-21.
- God the Holy Spirit directs us in our requests. Romans 8:26.
In regeneration
- God the father records the new name in glory. Luke 10:20
- God the son cleanses the sin in His precious blood. Ephesians 1:7
- God the Holy Spirit performs the transforming miracle to a man in the new birth Jn. 3:36.
In Glory
- God, the father is to eventually receive the millennial kingdom 1 Cor.
- God the Son is the one who will change our vile body to one like His. Phil. 3:21
- God the Holy Spirit gives the invitation. Revelation 2:17.
The entire Godhead has a role to play in the earthly ministry. Throughout the entire Bible, the Godhead manifested themselves at different times. For example, God the Father descended at Mount Sinai in the Old Testament. In the Gospels, God the Son descended at the incarnation. And on the day of Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit descended to fulfill the ministry of the Godhead. Also, the Father commends the Son from heaven (Mathew 3:17); the son commends the Holy Spirit (Rev. 2:11) and the Holy Spirit testifies of the son (John 15:26).
Conclusion
The person of the Holy Spirit is real; He is not a feeling or an emotion, He is a person. He is a personality in the order of Godhead. He is in charge of the affair of the kingdom of God on earth today. He executes the divine program of the Godhead here on earth. He is the motivator, energizer, and operator of every revealed plan of God. He is the revealer of every secret and holds the key to the inheritance of the saints. The Holy Spirit is the most valuable asset to Christian living. He is the central figure in any breakthrough in life.[v]
The Holy Spirit is a real person, a real being that thinks, acts, wills, feels, loves, and speaks. His law, the law of faith and love, liberate believers from the law of sin and death. Living in the Spirit is victory over sin.
Bibliography
Boyel, Frank .M. The Spirit Works Today. Spring field Missouri: Gospel Publishing House, 1970.
Brown, Herbert .W., Fire Radiance, and Love. Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers INC., 1979.
DUNN, James .D.G. Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Philadelphia: The West Minister press, 1970.
Horton Stanely .M. What the bible says about the Holy Spirit. Spring field Missouri: Gospel Publishing House, 1976.
Jepson, J.W. What You should know about the Holy Spirit. Oregon, 1981.
Oyedekpo, David .O. Anointing For Breakthrough. Lagos: Dominion House, Ikeja., 1992.
Pearlman, Myer. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible. Spring field: Missouri Gospel Publishing, 1937.
Riggs, Ralph.N., The Spirit Himself. Spring field Missouri: Gospel Publishing house, n.d.
Notes
[i] J W Jepson, What you should know about the Holy Spirit, (Oregon, 1981) p.15
[ii] David O. Oyedepo, Anointing for breakthrough, (Lagos, Dominion House ikeja,1992) p.10
[iii] J W Jepson, What you should know about the Holy Spirit, (Oregon, 1981) p.16
[iv] Ibid p.19
[v] David O. Oyedepo, Anointing for breakthrough, (Lagos, Dominion House ikeja,1992) p.11
