Holy Spirit | ACBC Exam Question #16

Who or what is the Holy Spirit?    

             The Holy Spirit is a Person.  This is shown in Scripture in that He has the characteristics and actions of a person; intellect (Romans 8:27, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11), the ability to teach (1 Corinthians 2:13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), He has a will (1 Corinthians 12:11), and He guides believers by speaking, hearing and demonstrating as we read in John 16:13; “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  His person-hood is also alluded to in the language used in reference to Him; He is to be obeyed (Acts 10:19-21), He can be lied to (Acts 5:3), He can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29). “…Scriptural evidence leads to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit, even though spirit being, is as real a Person as the Father, or the Son, or as we are.”¹    

             The Holy Spirit is a member of the Trinity, He is God.  In John 14:16 Jesus said; “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever”.  This helper, the Holy Spirit was another of the same kind as Jesus and God Himself, demonstrated by the word choice Jesus used.  Also, The Holy Spirit has attributes and performed acts that only God can do; He is omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:12), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7), and omnipotent (Psalm 104:30-His work in Creation demonstrates His power).  The Holy Spirit has done things only God could have done; He caused the virgin birth of Christ (Luke 1:35), He inspired the writing of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), He was involved in creating the world (Genesis 1:2).    Scripture gives evidence the Holy Spirit is an equal member of the Godhead.  “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14-my own emphasis added)  In Matthew 28:19, the Great Commission passage believers are commissioned to make disciples and baptize them in the name (singular) of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This text is the strongest proof that the Spirit is Deity, and equal member of the Trinity.

             So we gather from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is a Person, He is God, and an equal member of the Trinity.  He is also very much involved in a person coming to faith and growing in their relationship with God.  See question #2 in the Pneumatology section below where this is explained.

                                                                                                               

¹ “Basic Theology”, Charles Ryrie, page 344