The Personhood of the Holy Spirit
Is the Holy Spirit a Person? Week 1 & 2
Is the Holy Spirit God?
Is the Holy Spirit separate and distinct from God?
* ref: God, The Bible, And You by R.A. Torrey
Introduction
We have spent 3 weeks learning about the Gifts of the
Spirit; that they are to be used for the common good, for ministry in the
church. We may have held back on using or discovering our gifts so far because
we are afraid, or feel unqualified. Realize this – the HS is our Helper!!
He is the Giver of spiritual gifts – [read] 1 Cor 12:7-11 * note the Spirit
We should have a thorough understanding of what gifts are
and they are from the Holy Spirit. Who or what is this Holy Spirit? Is He a
mere influence or power? Or is He a Person? Is He God?
----------------------------------------
Many of us might cringe if we started out our prayer with
Dear Holy Spirit. We might think to ourselves, Òwe canÕt pray to the HS we need
to pray only to GodÉÓ. In part, we cringe because we donÕt think of Him as God
or as a person equal to and part of Jesus who is part of God. When it gets
right down to it, we do think of the HS as a mere influence or power.
The doctrine of the personhood of the HS is both fundamental
and vital. We are very familiar with the other parts of the Godhead i.e. The
Father and The Son. WeÕve become comfortable with the fact that they are one
yet distinct. We know that the HS is a third part of the Trinity and we are
pretty familiar with the Day of Pentecost where the HS appeared as flames above
the apostles heads.
---------------------------------------
Yet, the bible says,
2 Cor 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship (or communion) of the Holy Spirit, be with
you all.
The three are in communion with each other. They are
associated, closely connected.
--------------------------------------
The doctrine of the personhood of the HS can really set us
free once we understand it!
Once you understand this you will never be lonely again,
never fear, and your practice of sin will all but disappear. This is a strong
promise, but letÕs just see how possible it is. Be set free.
The importance of The Doctrine of the Personhood of the HS
from 3 standpoints
a.
from the standpoint of Worship
b.
from a practical standpoint
c.
from the standpoint of experience
a. from the standpoint of Worship:
1. The HS is the 3rd part of the Godhead. We are here to
worship God.
De 6:4 – Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is One. (& vv
5-9?)
2. We sing the Doxology and Gloria Patri in worship of the GodheadÉ
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all
creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost as it was in the
beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
When we do this, we are worshipping the HS, yet almost as a
silent partner eh?
If we think of Him only as an impersonal power or influence we cannot worship
Him. We are even robbing Him of His due; the love, the trust, the surrender and
obedience that is due Him as part of the Godhead.
b. from a practical standpoint
– this is huge
If we think of the HS as an influence or power we will fall into the trap that
many believers do. Namely, Òhow can I get more of the power and use it?Ó
If we think of the HS as a divine person, we will ask, Òhow
can the HS get more of me and use me?Ó
Read IS 41:14-16. Note that God used man to thresh the
mountain, not man using God to thresh the mountain. Note that afterwards they
rejoice in the Lord, not in their attainment of power.
Ask:
Òhow can the HS get more of me and use me?Ó NOT Òhow can I get more of the power and
use it?Ó
-----------------------------------Be glad your name is in
the Book of Life
Remember when the disciples went out to preach, heal, raise
the dead, and cast out demons? They were amazed at Ôtheir powerÕ and exclaimed
that to Jesus. Jesus responded, Ò..donÕt be glad that the demons obey you, be
glad your name is written in the Book of Life!Ó
I say this understanding is huge because in this world there
is a large movement teaching people how to have the power of the HS. ÉHow to be
spirit-filledÉ etc.
We can discern truth or deceit by dissecting which attitude they are teaching:
Òhow can the HS get more of me and use me?Ó not Òhow can I get more of the power and use it?Ó
We become spirit-filled as we yield our life to Him more and
more: NOT as we obtain more and more of His power and qualities for our
use. We do not harness or become the HS.
If you think of the HS as a power to obtain and use, you
will inevitably end up being confident in yourself, you will exalt yourself,
you will parade yourself, you will be full of self.
If you understand the HS to be a divine person, very God,
you will bear the marks of humility, self-renunciation, self-denial. Are these
not the characteristics Jesus called us to have?
This understanding is a fine line. IÕm sorry to say that
many television teachings, Pentecostal and charismatic teachings will cross
this line. Their teaching starts out biblical but develops into being ÔSpirit
– FilledÕ for the purpose of taking control of your life and itÕs
circumstances.
c.
from the standpoint of experience
You can experience the HS and what He can do in your life as you 1) properly
worship Him, 2) acknowledge His personhood, and 3) yield to Him.
There are many stories in the bible of people whose lives
were transformed as the HS came upon them.
You can test the truth of the HS experience my measuring the
fruit of the HS: >> Do you
display it? << ÉorÉ >>
Do you increase your estimation of self? <<
Do you have É.
love, peace, joy, patience, humility, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control?
Or,
do you think you are omnipotent with power to literally command a
physical mountain to move like a genie?
Repeat:
The Doctrine of the Personhood of the HS is important from the
standpoints of worship, practicality, and experience.
----------------------------------------------------
Proofs of the Personhood of the HS [1601]
1) The HS is a
spiritual person, a divine person, not a physical person. The HS is a male, He. Not it. We donÕt worship IT. The HS is not an object. An object is
an idol. Idol worship is abominable in GodÕs eyes.
Jn 16:13 – Jesus says, ÒBut 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.Ó
The HS does not have Òspecial moral value or spiritual
statusÓ; He is God. He is Holy and worship is due Him. Yes, as weÕll see, He
does have an autonomous nature and much importance for other people.
2) Characteristics only a person could have:
Knowledge – Will – Feeling
We
donÕt mean the HS has fingers, toes, hands, etc. when we talk about Him being a
person. Those are the marks of
bodily existence. We mean a divine person that has the characteristics that are
ascribed to personhood.
* HS has É. Knowledge
– {Read} 1 Cor 2:11 {
knows the thoughts of God }
* HS has É Will
- {Read} 1 Cor 12:11
We
must properly understand that the HS is not a power we get a hold of and can
use at our will. WeÕd be like evil genies. Imagine. RATHER, we need to let the HS get a hold of us and use us
according to His will, the will of the Father. (like a 12 yr old driving a car)
{Read} Rom 8:27 { note ÔmindÕ } God searches our hearts, and knows the mind, or will, of the
Spirit because the HS is constantly interceding for US to the Father.
* HS has É. Feeling - {Read} Rom 15:30 {love, fellowship}
We owe our salvation to the HS as much as we do to God &
JC. The HS sought us out, followed us around, loved us even when we insulted
Him and ignored Him. He enabled us to realize our sinful condition and the need
for a Savior. He loved us into the Truth.
{Read} Eph 4:30 {grieve} We hurt the feelings of the HS
when we sin or when we reject the Savior. Influences or undefined spirits do
not have feelings that we can hurt. They donÕt care if we sin.
-----------------------------------------------
The HS sees whatever we do, hears whatever we say, knows our
very thoughts. If there is anything impure, unholy, immodest, untrue, harsh, or
unChristlike – He knows it and it hurts His feelings.
As a young boy, when I would go somewhere or start to do
something, IÕd think about whether my Mom would approve of it if she saw
me. If I felt guilty IÕd worry how
it would grieve her or hurt her feelings. Most often, IÕd change
direction.
As I got older, I lost that.
--------------------------------------------------
It is important to understand that the HS is with you
wherever you go, knows whatever you think, hears whatever you say.
If you bring this to mind when you are ready to enter into
sin, you will want to turn away and not grieve the HS.
If you arenÕt sure if you should go somewhere, do something,
or say something ask yourself, Òwould the HS be ok with this?Ó. If not, donÕt go there, donÕt do it, or
donÕt say it.
Men, would we take the HS into a strip bar? No. A gambling casino? Likely not. We know
what goes on in there. Would the HS be comfortable there or would He want to
flip the tables.
Brethren, would we take the HS into a movie where there is
graphic violence of people killing people, people cussing, people having sex?
No. Remember He is sitting with
you.
Would we take the HS into a temple of false godÕs and see
what they are all about, see what they are teaching, and say that Òeveryone has
their own religion?Ó No. It is not ok. It grieves the HS. {what are modern day
examples of temples?}
The HS is holy, He is God, yet He is with us always and
everywhere.
Would we say to His holy face that it is ok to believe that
the HS did not create us, and every thing? ItÕs ok if we teach our children
that we evolved from apes. No, that is offensive.
Would we say to HS – turn your head while I make a
choice to perform this operation to abort this baby in my womb that YOU
created?
Conclusion:
He is the Giver of spiritual gifts
The importance of The Doctrine of the Personhood of the HS
from 3 standpoints
a.
from the standpoint of Worship
b.
from a practical standpoint
c.
from the standpoint of experience
The HS is a spiritual person, a divine person, not a
physical person. The HS is a male, He.
Not it. We donÕt worship
IT. The HS is not an object. An object is an idol. Idol worship is abominable
in GodÕs eyes.
Ask: Òhow can
the HS get more of me and use me?Ó NOT
Òhow can I get more of the power and use it?Ó
LetÕs pray,
Benediction – 2 Cor 13:14
----------------------Proofs of the Personhood of the HS
continued------------
3) Characteristics revealed early in the OT
Neh 9:20 ÒAnd
thou didst give Thy good Spirit to instruct them, The manna thou didst not
withhold from their mouth, and thou didst give them water for their thirst.Ó { talking about the Israelites
during the exodus }
Is 63:10 But
they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; therefore, He turned Himself
to become their enemy, He fought against them.
4) The HS is active and alive. He is not an undefined higher
power.
Stories of people receiving the HS in the OT [ read 1604] *
note the actions *
5) He performs actions only a person could do
Searches – Prays – Teaches – Testifies – Comforts
– Guides – Dwells – Speaks - Hears
Searches -1
Cor 2:10 (read from vv. 9-11)
Prays
-
Rom 8:26
Teaches, Guides -
Jn 14:26 É. how else do we learn spiritual things but through the Spirit?
Speaks, Hears -
Jn 16:12-14
6) He is treated in ways only a person could be
Is 63:10 But
they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; therefore, He turned Himself
to become their enemy, He fought against them.
Heb 10:29
How much serverer punishment do you think he will deserve who has
trampled under foot the Son of God and has regarded as unclean the blood of the
covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of
grace?
Acts 5:3 But
Peter said, Aninias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy
Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land?
Mt 12:31,32
Therefore, I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men,
but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever
shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever
shall speak against the HS it shall not be forgiven him either in this age or
the age to come.
7) Fills an office that only a person could fill
Jn 14:16-17
& Jn 16:7 The
meaning of the word Helper – it was translated from the Greek word, Parakletos,
which means to Ôone called to stand alongside anotherÕ.
Up until the ascension of Jesus, He had been the disciples
paraclete or their friend always at hand to help. Whenever they got into
trouble He was there to help.
We can imagine how they felt when He said He must leave
them; and how they felt when He did physically leave them. What love He has for
them and us to replace His physical presence with the presence of the HS, our
Paraclete, our Helper. He is with us wherever we go, whatever we do. Day or
night, HE is by our side.
-------------------The cure for insomnia---------- The HS is there with you. Ask Him what
you should pray for. Ask Him what things He has to tell you. Talk to Him. J
-------------------The cure for fear---------------- The HS
is there with you, One called to walk alongside you. How can we be afraid if we
know that very God is right there with us? The HS is the strong man of the
house. He can and will protect us. Ask Him to. {mission trip – walk to the monastery}
-------------------The cure for loneliness------- The HS is
there with you, always, everywhere.
If you let this truth that the HS is our ever present friend and helper
penetrate your heart, you will never be lonely again. { must teach this to the Residents }
-------------------The cure for broken hearts------ The HS
is there with you, always, everywhere. He can fill every empty corner or broken
part of your heart. 2 Cor
13:14 - we have the fellowship of
the HS. He is the wisest, most loving, strongest Helper and Companion we can
have. He is ever present and always ready to listen and to help. Love Him.
-------------------Gives help in our Christian Work ----- We
have looked at the Gifts of the Spirit and seen how the Spirit is the giver of
those gifts. We know that these Gifts are to be used in the ministry of the
church for the common good. Right?
If we understand that we have a Helper standing right beside
us, we can have the courage or strength we need to carry out the ministry.
People we minister to will be seeing Him.
HE knows just what should be said, what should be done.
Trust the HS to do it. It may not seem the right thing at the moment, but trust
the HS. Our ministry is His responsibility.
When we witness to people and they donÕt respond we think
that nothing happened. This is far from true. The HS is working in that
situation. We may not see the fruit of it till much later, maybe not even until
Heaven.
In our ministry and faith works we are often just a link of
a long chain in the drawing of someone to Christ. We have to trust that the HS
is in fact called alongside us and helping us.
Conclusion
We just learned about the Gifts of the Spirit; that they are
to be used for the common good, for ministry in the church. We may have held
back so far because we are afraid, or feel unqualified. Let this soak in
– the HS is our Helper!! He
is there beside us.
Read: 1 Cor
2:9-14 We have been given the HS,
he is indwelling us, He searches the mind of God and reveals to us.
The HS is a spiritual person, a divine person, not a
physical person. The HS is a male.
1)
Characteristics only a person could have
2) HS is alive and active
3) Performs actions only a person could do
4) Treated in ways only a person could be
5) Fills an office that only a person could fill
He is Our Friend and
constant companion, welcome the Holy Spirit
You can experience the HS and what He can do in your life as
you 1) properly worship Him, 2) acknowledge His personhood, and 3) yield to
Him.
LetÕs pray,
Benediction – 2 Cor 13:14