Ever-increasingfaithchurch.org

THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - BISHOP FRANK

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WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The scriptures testify to the fact that: -

A. The Holy Spirit is God – Acts 5:3-4

B. Co-equal with the Father and the Word (Son) Gen 1:1-3; Job 33:4; John 1:1-14

C. A distinct person in the eternal Godhead D. The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, the third person of the Godhead - 1 John 5:7.

E. Co-creator with the Father and the WORD - Gen 1:1-3; 2:7; Job 33:4; 26:13; Ps 33:6.

 In the Old Testament, we see Him impart power and ability to do the extraordinary (Judges 14:6, 19)

 He is the expression of God’s power. He is the part of God that accomplishes whatever words the Father speaks (Gen 1:1-3)

 He is the Spirit of love, power and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7)

 He is the Spirit of liberty (2 Cor 3:17)

 He has been in existence before time (Gen 1:2) He is God indwelling the redeemed and working within the believer to fulfill the will of God. It is the blessed and glorious privilege of all believers to have the conscious joy and knowledge of the Spirit within.

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIVINE ASSOCIATION WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are linked together as one in the baptismal command of Jesus – Matthew 28:19. This shows the Holy Spirit to be co-eternal and co-eternal in the Godhead. Each is linked in the triune name – 2 Cor 13:14; 1 John 5:7-8. The teaching of Jesus clearly relates that the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and Himself (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 2:33).

The Holy Spirit has equality in the Godhead and deserves our worship just as do God the Father and God the Son. For us believers our spiritual growth begin the moment you begin to see that the Spirit of God is truly God. The Holy Spirit is not a servant to the Body of Christ as some people say in error, He is in charge and He is the leader of the body of Christ globally. The Holy Spirit is not only God; He is also the Father of our Lord Jesus according to Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:34-35. He deserves our worship always.

1. We see the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at Jesus baptism – Matt 3:13-17.

2. In the administrations of the Church we see the association – 1 Cor 12:4-6.

3. And involved in apostolic benediction –2 Cor 13:14

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIVINE DISTINCTION FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON.

The Holy Spirit, though one with the Father and the Son is also distinguished from the Father and Son.

1. The Son is sent by the Father and the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 48:12, 16).

2. The Spirit descended upon the Son as a dove, as the Father’s voice spoke from heaven (John 1:33; Luke 3:21-22).

3. The Holy Spirit is partaker of triune name, the name of the Godhead to be used in administering baptism (Matt 28:19).

4. The Son prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit who is the Comforter (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13).

5. The believer has access to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit (Eph 2:18).

6. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son (John 14:26; 15:26).

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES ASCRIBED TO HIM.

The same essential and moral attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are also ascribed to the Holy Spirit. This could only be so if the Holy Spirit is indeed a Divine Person.

ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE AS FOLLOWS: -

A. The Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 3:16; 12:4-6)

B. The Holy Spirit is eternal (Hebrews 9:14)

C. The Holy Spirit is immutable (Change not - Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

D. The Holy Spirit is omnipotent (ALL Powerful) (Luke 1:35, 37)

E. The Holy Spirit is omniscient (ALL Knowing) (John 14:26; 16:12-13; 1 Cor 2:10)

F. The Holy Spirit is omnipresent (present everywhere the same time) (Psalms 139:7-16)

THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED AS A PERSON.

The Holy Spirit is revealed in the scriptures to be the third person in the eternal Godhead. This title is often associated with the person of the Father and the person of the Son (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7, 8).

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS REFERRED TO WITH PERSONAL PRONOUNS.

Although the word “SPIRIT” is in the neuter gender, the Lord Jesus used personal pronouns when He spoke of the Holy Spirit. The pronouns “He”, “Him” and “Himself” are used a number of times in John’s gospel when speaking of the Spirit. These pronouns are in the masculine gender (John 14:15, 16, 26; 16:7-14; 15:26-27)

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPOKEN OF AS HAVING PERSONAL QUALITIES.

The three main qualities that constitute personality are attributed to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has:-

A. Mind – Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

B. Will – 1 Corinthians 12:11

C. Emotions – Romans 8:26-27; 15:30; Colossians 1:8)

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPOKEN OF UNDER PERSONAL TITLES.

Personal titles are given to the Holy Spirit, which again show that He is a divine person. He is called “the Comforter” which also means “the Advocate” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). This same title is used of Jesus as a person, meaning “one who stands alongside” (John 14:26). In John 14:16 Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as “another Comforter”. The Holy Spirit could not take the place of Jesus personally if He was but an impersonal influence or power. He came to be personally related to the disciples that Jesus was personally related to while on earth. The Spirit came to be personally in them what Jesus was personally to them.

THE HOLY SPIRIT PERFORMS PERSONAL ACTS.

1. The Spirit works (1 Cor 12:11)

2. The Spirit searches (1 Cor 2:10)

3. The Spirit speaks (Acts 13:2; Revelation 2:7; 2 Sam 23:2; Matt 10:20; 1 Tim 4:1)

4. The Spirit testifies (John 15:26; Neh 9:30)

5. The Spirit bears witness (1 John 5:6)

6. The Spirit teaches (John 14:26)

7. The Spirit instructs (Neh 9:20)

8. The Spirit reproves (John 16:8-11)

9. The Spirit prays and makes intercession (Romans 8:26)

10. The Spirit leads (Matt 4:1; Rom 8:14)

11. The Spirit guides the believer into all truth (John 16:13)

12. The Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14)

13. The Spirit brings about regeneration / new life and new creation (John 3:5-6)

14. The Spirit strives with men (Gen 6:3)

15. The Spirit convicts men (John 16:8)

16. The Spirit sends messengers from God (Isaiah 48:16)

17. The Spirit calls men and women into ministry (Acts 13:2; 20:28)

18. The Spirit directs men and women in the service of Christ (Acts 8:29; 10:19; 16:6-7)

19. The Spirit also imparts spiritual gifts to the members of the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:7- 11)

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPOKEN OF AS HAVING PERSONAL FEELINGS

1. He can be grieved (Eph 4:30, 23-32)

2. He can be insulted (Heb 10:29)

3. He can be lied to (Acts 5:3, 1-16)

4. He can be blasphemed (Matt 12:31-32, 22-37)

5. He can be resisted (Acts 6:8-15; 7:51, 52-60)

6. He can be tempted (Acts 5:9; 6:9)

7. He can be vexed (Isaiah 63:10)

8. He can be quenched (1 Thess 5:19)

WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT?

1. The Holy Spirit is not a force, wind, oil or dove although from scripture, we see Him symbolized as such.

2. He is not tongues, though He gives the utterance to speak (Acts 2:4)

3. He is not power, but He brings to us the power of God (Acts 1:8)

4. He is not the Spirit that brings you again into bondage to fear (Romans 8:15) but of liberty (2 Cor 3:17)

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER – WHY WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT

The life of the believer follows that example of the Lord Jesus the moment he/she is born of the Spirit of God (John 1:11-13; 3:3-8). When you are born again the Holy Spirit becomes an integral part of your life. So you need to understand Who He is and recognize His work in your life. You must understand what He has come to offer you, so you can enjoy the abundant life (John 10:10) that is available in Christ and receive the gift (1 Cor 12:8-10) and power (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8) available to you through Him.

The Holy Spirit gives us divine power (Acts 1:8). This “power” translated from Greek word “dunamis”; actually means ‘Dynamic ability to cause changes’ When the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. He gives the ability to change things in our lives and in the lives of others

1. The new birth/new life/new creation/born again is brought about by the Spirit (John 3:3-6; 2 Cor 5:17; John 1:12-13; 1 Cor 12:13; Luke 10:17-20)

2. The Spirit gives us the freedom to approach God in love (Rom 8:15; 2 Cor 3:17; 2 Tim 1:7)

3. The Spirit indwells the believer’s spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:17; 1 John 2:27)

4. The Spirit gives assurance of salvation, bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God, and therefore partakers of His riches in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:16; Eph 3:6)

5. The Spirit fills the believers with Himself (Acts 2:4; Eph 5:18)

6. The Spirit, by the baptism in the Spirit, enables the believer to speak in unknown languages (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6; Mark 16:17; 1 Cor 14:2, 4, 18). The expression “baptism in or with the Spirit” is a scriptural expression and experience (Matt 3:11; Acts 1:5; 1 Cor 12:13; John 1:33; Luke 3:16).

7. The Spirit speaks to the believer (Acts 8:29; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29).

8. The Spirit opens the believers understanding to the things of God (1 Cor 2:12).

9. He gives us boldness to preach the gospel (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18)

10. He guides and directs us (John 16:13; Rom 8:14)

11. He comforts us (John 14:18; Acts 9:31)

12. The Spirit teaches the believer, and guides him into all truth (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27). 1

3. The Spirit imparts life (John 6:63; 2 Cor 3:16).

14. The Spirit brings about renewal (Titus 3:5).

15. The Spirit strengthens the believer’s inner being (Eph 3:16).

16. The Spirit enables the believer to pray (Jude 20; Romans 8:26-28).

17. The Spirit enables the believer to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24; Phil 3:3; 1 Cor 14:15).

18. He instructs and teaches believers (John 14:26; 1 Cor 2:11-12)

19. The Spirit leads the believer (Romans 8:14).

20. The Spirit enables the believer to put fleshly deeds to death (Romans 8:13).

21. The Spirit produces Christ-likeness in character and fruit in the believer’s life (Gal 5:22-23).

22. The Spirit walks with believers and becomes a part of our daily lives (John 14:16)

23. The Spirit gives a calling to the believer for special service (Acts 13:2-4).

24. The Spirit guides believers into their ministry (Acts 8:29; 16:6-7).

25. The Spirit empowers the believers to witness (Acts 1:8).

26. The Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to the believers as He wills (1 Cor 12:7-11).

27. The Spirit will bring about the resurrection and immortality to the believers bodies in the last day (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 15:47-51; 1 Thess 4:15-18).

18.02.2009. 09:06