Point 4: Who or What is the Holy Spirit?
In response to the question asked of Point 4 I must answer that the third Person of the Trinity is WHO the Holy Spirit is and God as to His essential nature is WHAT the Holy Spirit is.
Now as has been sufficiently demonstrated in previous posts, the Holy Spirit is by nature God as evidenced by His being in possession of all of the attributes of Deity, i.e. Eternality (Hebrews 9:14), Omnipotence (Isaiah 40:12), Omniscience (1Corinthians 2:10-11), Omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-18). The Holy Spirit is also called God (Acts 5:3-4) as well as Lord (2Corinthians 3:17). The Holy Spirit Creates (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4), Regenerates (Titus 3:5), Gives Life (2Corinthians 3:6), Justifies (1Corinthians 6:11), Sanctifies (1Peter 1:2), Resurrects (Romans 8:11), Indwells Believers (2Timothy 1:14), and Searches the Heart (1Corinthians 2:10). His Deity is firmly established beyond refutation.
Since this is true then my main task in this post is to set forth the personality of the Holy Spirit. I will judge this according to the definition I laid out for the term “person” in my opening to Point 1. This is the same criteria I used to establish the Father's personality in Point 2 (i.e. intelligence, rationality, and consciousness.)
The Holy Spirit has a Mind and Knowledge (intelligence)
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)
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. (1Corinthians 2:11)
The Holy Spirit Reasons (rationality)
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; (Acts 15:28)
The Holy Spirit is Self-Aware (consciousness)
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. (Acts 13:2)
This should be sufficient to prove that the Holy Spirit is a Person, but I’ll continue to build the case—at this point though I’d like to state that any denial of the Holy Spirit’s personality according to this criterion logically necessitates denying the personality of anyone who possesses these traits.
Thus far we haven’t been told the method my opponent has been using to determine the personality of the Father, other than perhaps the use of personal pronouns applied to Him. As I have mentioned repeatedly, whatever criteria is used to assert the Father’s personality can be used to prove the Holy Spirit’s as well. If personal pronouns are the test, or even a part of the test, then the Holy Spirit passes.
In Acts 13:2 (quoted above) the Holy Spirit refers to Himself as “me” (Gk: moi) and also “I” (“I have called” – Gk: proskeklēmai). Likewise in John 15:26 and 16:13, the Holy Spirit is referred to by the masculine pronoun “He” (Gk: ekeinos). Thus we have a personal Spirit.
We must also take into account that the Holy Spirit has emotions—for example, The Holy Spirit Loves (Romans 15:30) and can be Grieved (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). Emotions are personal characteristics, not impersonal.
To add to the evidence I would mention that the Holy Spirit Speaks (2 Samuel 23:1; Acts 8:29; 1Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7-8; Revelation 2:7). He can be Lied to (Acts 5:3), Resisted (Acts 7:51), Tested (Acts 5:9), and Blasphemed (Matthew 12:32). Once again, these are all personal characteristics and the fact that the Holy Spirit can be blasphemed is further proof of His deity.
As if the case hasn’t been built enough, we can see the personality of the Holy Spirit in His many functions. Functionally the Holy Spirit Witnesses (Acts 5:32, 1John 5:7), Glorifies Jesus (John 16:14), Teaches (John 14:26; 15:26), Makes Intercession (Romans 8:26), Anoints (1John 2:27), Appoints (Acts 20:28), and Convicts the world of sin (John 16:8). Surely these are not impersonal acts.
I believe that at this point an airtight case has been made for the personality of the Spirit so now I’ll move on to the objections I expect my opponent to make, and offer a preemptive refutation. Truthfully, I have to do this just to use up the word limit since the personality of the Holy Spirit is so easily established.
I expect to see an argument stating that the Holy Spirit is merely another term for the Father or is simply the Father’s “power” or “energy.” The latter argument nullified in the above treatment, but the first argument merits some attention. That the Holy Spirit is a distinct Person from the Father is clear from many passages of scripture.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:30)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. (John 14:16-17)
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. (Joh 14:26)
Now clearly in each of these passages it is the Father who sends the Spirit showing that they are two distinct Persons. We also see Yahweh AND His Spirit sending the Messiah in Isaiah 48:16 which says, “Come ye near unto Me, hear ye this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I; and now the Lord GOD hath sent me, and His spirit.” We see the definite distinction between the Father and Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:16-17 at the baptism of Jesus where the Father speaks from heaven as the Spirit descends upon Christ.
Other passages to take note of are 1Corinthains 12:4-6 and Ephesians 4:4-6. These verses show clear distinctions between the three Persons of the Trinity, which obviously includes the distinction between the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The next argument I would expect to see from Searchingone1033 would be methodologically similar to his argument against the deity of the Son. If you noticed, he ignored passages referring to Jesus’ deity to focus instead upon passages that referred to His humanity. On this point I would expect to see passages that make the Holy Spirit seem to be impersonal focused upon while those which show His personality are ignored. This usually comes via arguments like:
1. “The Holy Spirit can’t be a person because he was poured out on people.”
In response to the question asked of Point 4 I must answer that the third Person of the Trinity is WHO the Holy Spirit is and God as to His essential nature is WHAT the Holy Spirit is.
Now as has been sufficiently demonstrated in previous posts, the Holy Spirit is by nature God as evidenced by His being in possession of all of the attributes of Deity, i.e. Eternality (Hebrews 9:14), Omnipotence (Isaiah 40:12), Omniscience (1Corinthians 2:10-11), Omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-18). The Holy Spirit is also called God (Acts 5:3-4) as well as Lord (2Corinthians 3:17). The Holy Spirit Creates (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4), Regenerates (Titus 3:5), Gives Life (2Corinthians 3:6), Justifies (1Corinthians 6:11), Sanctifies (1Peter 1:2), Resurrects (Romans 8:11), Indwells Believers (2Timothy 1:14), and Searches the Heart (1Corinthians 2:10). His Deity is firmly established beyond refutation.
Since this is true then my main task in this post is to set forth the personality of the Holy Spirit. I will judge this according to the definition I laid out for the term “person” in my opening to Point 1. This is the same criteria I used to establish the Father's personality in Point 2 (i.e. intelligence, rationality, and consciousness.)
The Holy Spirit has a Mind and Knowledge (intelligence)
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)
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. (1Corinthians 2:11)
The Holy Spirit Reasons (rationality)
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; (Acts 15:28)
The Holy Spirit is Self-Aware (consciousness)
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. (Acts 13:2)
This should be sufficient to prove that the Holy Spirit is a Person, but I’ll continue to build the case—at this point though I’d like to state that any denial of the Holy Spirit’s personality according to this criterion logically necessitates denying the personality of anyone who possesses these traits.
Thus far we haven’t been told the method my opponent has been using to determine the personality of the Father, other than perhaps the use of personal pronouns applied to Him. As I have mentioned repeatedly, whatever criteria is used to assert the Father’s personality can be used to prove the Holy Spirit’s as well. If personal pronouns are the test, or even a part of the test, then the Holy Spirit passes.
In Acts 13:2 (quoted above) the Holy Spirit refers to Himself as “me” (Gk: moi) and also “I” (“I have called” – Gk: proskeklēmai). Likewise in John 15:26 and 16:13, the Holy Spirit is referred to by the masculine pronoun “He” (Gk: ekeinos). Thus we have a personal Spirit.
We must also take into account that the Holy Spirit has emotions—for example, The Holy Spirit Loves (Romans 15:30) and can be Grieved (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). Emotions are personal characteristics, not impersonal.
To add to the evidence I would mention that the Holy Spirit Speaks (2 Samuel 23:1; Acts 8:29; 1Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7-8; Revelation 2:7). He can be Lied to (Acts 5:3), Resisted (Acts 7:51), Tested (Acts 5:9), and Blasphemed (Matthew 12:32). Once again, these are all personal characteristics and the fact that the Holy Spirit can be blasphemed is further proof of His deity.
As if the case hasn’t been built enough, we can see the personality of the Holy Spirit in His many functions. Functionally the Holy Spirit Witnesses (Acts 5:32, 1John 5:7), Glorifies Jesus (John 16:14), Teaches (John 14:26; 15:26), Makes Intercession (Romans 8:26), Anoints (1John 2:27), Appoints (Acts 20:28), and Convicts the world of sin (John 16:8). Surely these are not impersonal acts.
I believe that at this point an airtight case has been made for the personality of the Spirit so now I’ll move on to the objections I expect my opponent to make, and offer a preemptive refutation. Truthfully, I have to do this just to use up the word limit since the personality of the Holy Spirit is so easily established.
I expect to see an argument stating that the Holy Spirit is merely another term for the Father or is simply the Father’s “power” or “energy.” The latter argument nullified in the above treatment, but the first argument merits some attention. That the Holy Spirit is a distinct Person from the Father is clear from many passages of scripture.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:30)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. (John 14:16-17)
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. (Joh 14:26)
Now clearly in each of these passages it is the Father who sends the Spirit showing that they are two distinct Persons. We also see Yahweh AND His Spirit sending the Messiah in Isaiah 48:16 which says, “Come ye near unto Me, hear ye this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I; and now the Lord GOD hath sent me, and His spirit.” We see the definite distinction between the Father and Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:16-17 at the baptism of Jesus where the Father speaks from heaven as the Spirit descends upon Christ.
Other passages to take note of are 1Corinthains 12:4-6 and Ephesians 4:4-6. These verses show clear distinctions between the three Persons of the Trinity, which obviously includes the distinction between the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The next argument I would expect to see from Searchingone1033 would be methodologically similar to his argument against the deity of the Son. If you noticed, he ignored passages referring to Jesus’ deity to focus instead upon passages that referred to His humanity. On this point I would expect to see passages that make the Holy Spirit seem to be impersonal focused upon while those which show His personality are ignored. This usually comes via arguments like:
1. “The Holy Spirit can’t be a person because he was poured out on people.”
2. “People are filled with the Holy Spirit therefore he is not a Person.”
3. “The Holy Spirit is a gift, and persons aren’t gifts.”
4. “The Holy Spirit can be quenched and persons can’t be quenched.”
These types of arguments are common and easily refuted.
1. Joel 2:28 (3:1 MT) says that the Yahweh will “pour out” (Heb: Eshpoch) his Spirit on all flesh. David said in Psalm 22:14 “I am “poured out” (Heb: Nishpachti) like water.” Both verses use the same root word “shaphak” meaning poured out. No one would deny the personality of David based on this, so it doesn’t make sense to deny the personality of the Spirit based upon this either.
2. Ephesians 3:19 speaks of believers being “filled (Gk: plērōthēte) with all the fullness of God.” Likewise, Jesus is said to “fill (Gk: plērōsē) all things” in Ephesians 4:10.
3. Ephesians 4:8, 11 speak of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as “gifts”—no one would doubt the personality of these individuals based on this.
4. The word “quenched” (Gk: sbennute) used in 1Thessalonians 5:19 is used of men in the LXX. The Lord spoke of an army of men being “extinct” (Gk: esbesthēsan) and “quenched” (Gk: esbesmenon) in Isaiah 43:17, while Ezekiel was told to take up a lamentation for Pharaoh, king of Egypt (Ezekiel 32:2) and tell him that God would “extinguish” (Gk: sbesthēnai) him (vs. 7). Unless “men” and “Pharaoh” are not persons, this argument is invalid.
Of course this isn’t an exhaustive list of all such arguments, but it is representative of what I expect to see. Rest assured, others like it are just as easily refuted and of just as little substance. I’d also point out that as Searchingone1033 has consistently moved away from what the scriptures say about the Trinity and moved toward what the later Christian creeds stated, then I expect to see some type of argument about the Holy Spirit not being mentioned as God or a Person in the earliest creeds—but I will stay true to form and keep my arguments based upon the Word of God.
1. Joel 2:28 (3:1 MT) says that the Yahweh will “pour out” (Heb: Eshpoch) his Spirit on all flesh. David said in Psalm 22:14 “I am “poured out” (Heb: Nishpachti) like water.” Both verses use the same root word “shaphak” meaning poured out. No one would deny the personality of David based on this, so it doesn’t make sense to deny the personality of the Spirit based upon this either.
2. Ephesians 3:19 speaks of believers being “filled (Gk: plērōthēte) with all the fullness of God.” Likewise, Jesus is said to “fill (Gk: plērōsē) all things” in Ephesians 4:10.
3. Ephesians 4:8, 11 speak of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as “gifts”—no one would doubt the personality of these individuals based on this.
4. The word “quenched” (Gk: sbennute) used in 1Thessalonians 5:19 is used of men in the LXX. The Lord spoke of an army of men being “extinct” (Gk: esbesthēsan) and “quenched” (Gk: esbesmenon) in Isaiah 43:17, while Ezekiel was told to take up a lamentation for Pharaoh, king of Egypt (Ezekiel 32:2) and tell him that God would “extinguish” (Gk: sbesthēnai) him (vs. 7). Unless “men” and “Pharaoh” are not persons, this argument is invalid.
Of course this isn’t an exhaustive list of all such arguments, but it is representative of what I expect to see. Rest assured, others like it are just as easily refuted and of just as little substance. I’d also point out that as Searchingone1033 has consistently moved away from what the scriptures say about the Trinity and moved toward what the later Christian creeds stated, then I expect to see some type of argument about the Holy Spirit not being mentioned as God or a Person in the earliest creeds—but I will stay true to form and keep my arguments based upon the Word of God.
