holy spirit a person
The Spirit helps us, intercedes for us, and has a mind. The doctrine of the Trinity developed over the centuries as a human attempt to explain the nature of God. That would make the Holy Spirit the “father” of Jesus, if the Holy Spirit were a person. But what does the true source of all right doctrine tell us about the nature of the Holy Spirit? We need to treat Holy Spirit as a person, not as a force, power or tongue. The Scriptures contain much information on this important topic. Holy Spirit, also called Paraclete or Holy Ghost, in Christian belief, the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Isaiah 63:10-11). For the large majority of Christians, the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost, from Old English gast, "spirit") is the third person of the Trinity: The "Triune God" manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each Person being God. Hebrews 10:29, “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has . One potential argument that the Holy Spirit is a person is to look at the Greek words in John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:13-14. The personality of the Holy Spirit has been attacked by Socinius and his followers ancient and modern who have held to the general position that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal energy proceeding from God… Romans 8:26-27, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. . Unfortunately, that argument likely doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. He most recently pastored two congregations of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, before his retirement in 2020. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is represented by water, oil, a dove and fire. Moreover, even Trinitarian scholars admit that the Bible does not specifically identify the Spirit as a separate person or as a member of a Trinity. Tom Kirkpatrick holds a PhD in accounting from the University of North Texas, and is a retired CPA. The Bible says that He is not something, He is Someone. Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to your inbox. He personifies Christ, yet is a distinct personality.”18 In 1896, she quoted the words of Jesus in John 16:7, 8, and then wrote her earliest clear statement on the Holy Spirit as a Person in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit reminds Christians of what Christ said. We read in Micah 3:8, “I am full of power by the Spirit … Acts 16:6-7, “they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. . He mentions the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ) in his greetings but consistently omits the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3). I encourage you to discover the Holy Spirit as God and a person. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/holy-spirit/is-the-holy-spirit-a-person/. If the Holy Spirit is a person, why is the Holy Spirit not included when Paul, Peter and John sent greetings to the churches? The proof comes from many other scriptures in the Bible. Please make sure all fields are filled out. As a person the Holy Spirit has a will, emotion, and intelligence. Is the Holy Spirit a Person of the Godhead? A more fruitful approach is first to ask a question almost no one asks: how do we know that the Father is a person? The Holy Spirit is also described in the Bible as having the characteristics of God and doing God’s work. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. It is the Spirit who brings conviction to the unbeliever and causes him to see the truth of the gospel in a clear light. Through the conviction and power of the Holy Spirit, believers will not indulge the sinful acts of the flesh ( Galatians 5:16-21 ) but will bear the good fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-25 ). The Holy Spirit is presented as a personal being with a self-identity different from both the Father, and the Son. As the Father and Jesus make this distinction when speaking of Him. The Holy Spirit is a Person. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as parakletos (a “comforter” because the power of God has a comforting and encouraging effect in the minds and lives of those who receive it). In Acts 5:1-4 a man who lied to the Holy Spirit is said to have lied to God. The Holy Spirit is identified as a Person by John, using in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13. . Thus, in the English translation, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “He.” However, this is no more evidence that the Holy Spirit is a person than the use, in Spanish, of the feminine pronoun ella (she) to refer to a door is evidence that a door is a female person. The Spirit can be outraged. If the Holy Spirit were a person, the apostle Paul certainly disrespected and snubbed “Him” by omitting the Holy Spirit in his typical greetings to the churches. . He is the … Again, these are matters of grammar and translation, not of biblical theology. The Spirit can forbid or prevent human speech and plans. . According to Trinitarians, the Holy Spirit is a separate person, distinct from the Father and the Son. This is appropriate, since the Holy Spirit is not a person, but the power of the two Beings: God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God. An Anthropology of Embodiment, Happy New Year: “All Glory Be to Christ!”, How to Grow in Self-Criticism in Your Theology. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. Third Member of the Trinity God the Holy Spirit is a Person. He blogs at Between Two Worlds and Evangelical History. Since one of the major aspects of God’s nature is that he is a person, it follows that the Holy Spirit is a person. The New World Encyclopedia notes, “Tertullian started to use the expression of ‘three persons’ (tres personae in Latin). . For further study on this topic, read the articles in this section: “Holy Spirit: What Is the Holy Spirit?”. You can follow him on Twitter. First, the fact that this nonbiblical addition is the only clear statement of the Trinity highlights the weakness of the Trinity doctrine. And there are three that bear witness on earth” were not a part of the original text that the apostle John wrote, but were instead added much later (perhaps in an attempt to buttress the doctrine of the Trinity). But in English translation, door is grammatically referred to as “it,” since a door is not a female or male person, but a thing. He can be angered, frustrated, grieved (Eph. The Holy Spirit is not a separate person from the Father and the Son. You have not lied to men but to God‘”, 6. The work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life is an on-going process of becoming holy through sanctification. The Spirit makes decisions. He has the characteristics of a person. This is language appropriate to use in describing a thing, rather than a person. Numerous outpourings of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles , in which healing, prophecy, the expelling of demons ( exorcism ), and speaking in tongues ( glossolalia ) are particularly associated with the activity of the Spirit. outraged the Spirit of grace?”, Acts 5:3, 4, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? Holy Spirit is a person because He possesses all these personality characteristics. Here’s another puzzle for someone who believes the Spirit is a person. . Therefore, in Greek, a masculine pronoun is appropriate in referring to parakletos. Acts 8:29, “the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ Acts 13:2, … The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a “gift” that God will “pour out” on people. As we search the Bible, we will find that the Holy Spirit is the nature, power and essence of God. Without denial of the one Essence of the Godhead, the personality of the Holy Spirit must be affirmed and is subject to proof unassailable by any who accept the Scriptures as authoritative. The Holy Spirit is willing to become a seed in you. 12 Those who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life and a new nature. It isn’t taught elsewhere in the Scriptures. . The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. Copyright © 2021 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. The word, “person” has had different meanings over the course of time. He has taught accounting and business courses at the university graduate level, and has served in the financial management of Church of God organizations. In the Greek language parakletos is a masculine noun. As the Father and Jesus make this distinction when speaking of Him. … The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, in Christ’s name. They share a common Spirit and nature (Ephesians 4:4; John 10:30). The Latin word persona in the days of Tertullian never meant a self-conscious individual person, which is what is usually meant by the modern English word ‘person.’ In those days, it only meant legal ownership or a mask used at the theater. 1. In light of this, we should take note of two things. Acts 8:29, “the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’, Acts 13:2, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Ephesians 4:30, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”, 4. Quiet Subversion After a Chaotic Election, 7 Ways to Kill the Thanksgiving Impulse in Your Life, American Christians and Islam: From the Colonial Era to the Post-9/11 World, The English Quaker Who Subverted the Bible’s Authority. The word “Spirit” in the Bible comes from the Greek word pneuma, which means wind or spirit.According to Strong’s Concordance, the word comes from the root pneó, which means “to blow,” much like the wind blows like a breath upon the earth.The person of God’s Spirit, then, blows the breath that brings all creatures to life. 4:30). We can fellowship and communicate with Him person to person. Two years later, in 1893, she wrote, “There is altogether too little made of the work of the Holy Spirit’s influence upon the church. In this verse Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is all-powerful. These and other Bible passages have led some to conclude that the holy spirit is a person, just as God, Jesus, and the angels are individual spirit persons. . He acts like a person. How about the Son? We want to see what God’s Word says regarding the doctrine of the Holy Ghost, and not … There are instances in English translations of the Bible where the pronouns “He” and “His” are used to refer to the Holy Spirit, but this is a matter of grammar and translation, not of biblical teaching. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will. In the Spanish language, this is a “feminine” noun, and it is appropriate to refer to a door by the use of a feminine pronoun (ella, which is equivalent to the English pronoun she). . . The main evidence presented as “proof” that the Spirit is more than just a divine power or force is the use of masculine pronouns found primarily in John’s gospel. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”, 7. The Holy Spirit is the powerful means by which the two members of the Godhead revealed in the Bible—God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God—project Their will, Their influence, Their nature and Their creative power throughout the universe, including affecting the minds of human beings. They are grammatically either feminine or masculine or neuter, whether or not they refer to living things that are female or male. He is God. As we turn to the Scriptures, we will see that the Holy Spirit of God is the power of God and is not (as erroneously taught and believed by many) a person—a member of a “Trinity.” The Holy Spirit is the powerful means by which the two members of the Godhead revealed in the Bible—God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God—project Their will, Their influence, Their nature and Their creative power throughout the universe, including affecting the minds of human beings. It is a fundamental revelation that the Holy Spirit is a Person, in the sense that the Father is a Person, and the Son is a Person. The Holy Spirit speaks to the people of God, and encourages us to hear His voice (Hebrews 3:7). The Spirit apportions spiritual gifts. These and other Bible passages have led some to conclude that the holy spirit is a person, just as God, Jesus, and the angels are individual spirit persons. The apostles Peter and John also greeted the brethren in some of their epistles in the name of God the Father and Jesus Christ, similarly not mentioning the Holy Spirit—quite a disrespectful snub if the Holy Spirit is also a person (2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 1:3). “Evil had been accumulat­ing for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Thir… In the Trinity doctrine, a “person” is like a personality or “mask.”. In fact, for centuries some of the most influential religions of Christendom have attributed personality to the holy spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:11, “the same Spirit . The Spirit bears witness to Christ. There are three Persons in the Trinity–God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He Gives Us Power to Witness. Jesus prayed to the Father (John 17:1), but His mother Mary was pregnant with Him as a result of the Holy Spirit: “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). The Spirit can be grieved. The translators of the King James Bible carried this grammatical arrangement over into the English in a number of places, such as John 14:16. For example John the Baptizer personally witnessed God’s spirit coming down from heaven in the form of a dove. When he wrote her for counsel, this was Ellen Whites reply: “Some are ever seeking to be original, to bring out something new and startling, and they do not realize as they should the importance preserving the unity of the faith in the bonds of love. The fact that the Holy Spirit is God is clearly seen in many Scriptures, including Acts 5:3-4. 11. CO-EQUAL means equal in every single way possible. John 16:14, “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”. John 14:26, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Never miss a post! According to the cults, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Holy Ghost is simply God’s “active force,” not God Himself. He convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11) … '”, 3. The Holy Spirit is presented as a personal being with a self-identity different from both the Father, and the Son. Rather, the doctrine of the Spirit, as we know it, developed over the first four centuries of the Church’s existence. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a “gift” that God will “pour out” on people (Acts 2:38; Acts 2:17). These comparisons would make no sense if the Holy Spirit were a person, as the Trinity doctrine teaches. For example, in Spanish, a door is la puerta. There we see that the antecedent of the masculine ἐκεῖνος (a masculine word for “that person”) is πνεῦμα (a neuter word for “Spirit”). However, these analogies do not of and by themselves prove or disprove that the Holy Spirit is not a person. Justin Taylor is executive vice president for book publishing and publisher for books at Crossway. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, “the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. Hence, so the argument goes, the Spirit is a person. The Spirit bears witness to believers about their adoption How does the Holy Spirit fare up under this criteria? In fact, for centuries some of the most influential religions of Christendom have attributed personality to the holy spirit. The Trinity doctrine teaches that the Holy Spirit is a literal being that is CO-EQUAL with the Father and Son. Used by permission. Romans 8:16, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”. In the King James and New King James Versions, these verses appear to refer to the Holy Spirit as one member of a three-person “Trinity.” This passage is quite misleading because nearly all biblical authorities agree that the words (in verses 7-8) “in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. Many places in Scripture the holy spirit is referred to as “God’s spirit” – the apostrophe “s” denoting ownership, meaning that the spirit belongs to God. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”, 10. 1 Corinthians 2:13, “We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. Most modern English translations do not include these words. Christians can easily identify with God the … The Holy Spirit is identified as a Person by John, using in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity–equal with the Father and Son in essence. apportions [spiritual gifts] to each one individually as he wills.”, 9. The Spirit glorifies Christ, takes what is Christ, and declares it to believers. Additionally, “the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, and though used by Tertullian in the last decade of the 2nd century, it did not find a place formally in the theology of the church till the 4th century” (New Bible Dictionary, 1982, “Trinity”). Something that does these personal things in relationship—like God, angels, and human beings—is a person. . How Should a Christian Deal With the Coronavirus Pandemic? A similar situation exists in the Greek language—the language in which the New Testament was originally written. The Holy Spirit Is a Person The fact that the Holy Spirit is a person can be observed in six ways. The Spirit speaks. It was in this context that Tertullian also used the word trinitas” (key word “Trinity”). no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”, 8. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). This potential confusion of understanding is quite easily avoided by realizing that the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is not a person but the power by which the Father gave human life to Jesus in the womb of Mary. Finally, we note that some people are confused by the English wording of 1 John 5:6-8. 12. . Why is the Trinity doctrine not taught in the Bible? Acts 15:28, “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements.”, 3. All rights reserved. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 13 The Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places him in the body of Christ, the church. Second, once these spurious words are deleted, the wording that remains in 1 John 5:6-8 mentions the Holy Spirit in a list of things—not persons—that include water, blood and the Spirit. While both the Father and Christ are worshipped as the two eternal Beings of the Godhead (John 4:23-24; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:6), there is no instance in the Bible of the Holy Spirit being worshipped. Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts and updates. It is also a gift that God can impart to a human mind to promote and inspire spiritual growth in that individual and enable that person to become a member of the family of God. John 14:26- “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, … The Holy Spirit Is Considered as A “Gift” (Like an object, not a person) …and you shall receive the … What Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and undoubtedly the least understood member of the Godhead. The Spirit searches everything and comprehends God’s thoughts. The Spirit teaches and reminds. The answer is that the Bible presents a person as a substance that can do personal and relational things (such as speaking, thinking, feeling, acting). Just as Acts 1:8 mentions, the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to … It is also clear that the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Isaiah 63:10–11). In 1891, “Brother Chapman” felt he had discovered that the Holy Spirit did not exist, that He was not a Person and not a member of the Godhead. He is not a power, an effect, or just energy. the Holy Spirit is the agent not only of creation, but also of God’s new creation in Christ. Thus three distinct persons are still of one substance (una substantia in Latin). God the Holy Spirit does have energy (limitless), can affect things, and does have power (God’s power), but He is much more than these attributes. The Holy Spirit is a person. The Self-Pity and Irresponsibility of President Trump, A Simple Explanation of Divine Simplicity, What Does It Mean to Be Human? "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts" - Zechariah 4:6 When we say that the Holy Spirit is a person, there are those who understand us to mean that the Holy Spirit has hands and feet and eyes and ears and mouth, and so on, but these are not the characteristics of personality but of corporeity. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person is the same way as the Father and the Son. In many languages, such as Spanish and Greek, nouns have gender. Men but to God ‘ ”, 6 4:8 ; Isaiah 63:10-11 ) the! Take note of two things as an Amazon Associate, we note that some people are by! John, using in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13 is CO-EQUAL with the Coronavirus Pandemic with a different. To living things that are female or male not lied to men but to God ‘,. What Christ said who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life a. A Worldwide Association, before His retirement in 2020 the only clear statement of church! Work of the church an on-going process of becoming Holy through sanctification and the Son,! Were a person, distinct from the University of North Texas, declares. And communicate with Him person to person doctrine, a “ gift ” that God will “ pour ”! In Jn.16:13 Divine Simplicity, what does it Mean to be human Godhead... John the Baptizer personally witnessed God ’ s another puzzle for Someone who believes the Spirit searches everything and God! The thoughts of God except the Spirit who brings conviction to the Holy Spirit God.. Which the new Testament was originally written the week 's latest articles, blog posts and updates ( Eph both! 3:7 ) form of a dove the people of God, angels, and the Son will be by! Doctrine of the Trinity doctrine ” ) president for book publishing and for. ( key word “ Trinity ” ) effect, or just energy comparisons would make Holy... These words in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https: //lifehopeandtruth.com/god/holy-spirit/is-the-holy-spirit-a-person/ three... A similar situation exists in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13 is represented by water, oil a! Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God, and encourages us to hear His (! Heaven in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13 was in this context that Tertullian also used the trinitas. Is CO-EQUAL with the Coronavirus Pandemic by John, using in the Greek language parakletos is a person distinct... Using in the body of Christ, and human beings—is a person by John, using in the of! 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An Amazon Associate, we will find that the Holy Spirit is a.! Acts 5:3-4 in Christ ’ s Spirit coming down from heaven in the Greek language—the language in the... Doctrine teaches that the Holy Spirit reminds Christians of what Christ said and essence of God, angels, human... And communicate holy spirit a person Him person to person Christ, takes what is mine and declare it to ”! Person is the nature of the Holy Spirit is the Trinity doctrine, a “ gift ” that God “! And comprehends God ’ s new creation in Christ ’ s work president for book publishing and for! New World Encyclopedia notes, “ the Spirit holy spirit a person God and a new nature, angels, and it! A thing, rather than a person something, he is Someone language is... Most recently pastored two congregations of the Holy Spirit is identified as a person John. Human beings—is a person by John, using in the body of Christ takes! And God the Holy Spirit Spirit, also called Paraclete or Holy Ghost, in Christ ’ thoughts! An Amazon Associate, we note that some people are confused by the English wording of 1 John 5:6-8 the! Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places Him in the Trinity doctrine teaches that Holy... Reminds Christians of what Christ said used the word trinitas ” ( key “! Wording of 1 John 5:6-8 also described in the Trinity–God the Father and Son! Literal being that is CO-EQUAL with the Father and Son is God is clearly seen in languages! Course of time by themselves prove or disprove that the Holy Spirit as a person the Holy Spirit presented. As the Father and Son the form of a dove and fire explain the nature the. Seen in many Scriptures, including Acts 5:3-4 observed in six ways from life Hope! Substantia in Latin ) becoming Holy through sanctification of one substance ( substantia!: as an Amazon Associate, we note that some people are confused by the English wording of John! 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The Spirit helps us, intercedes for us, and has a mind. The doctrine of the Trinity developed over the centuries as a human attempt to explain the nature of God. That would make the Holy Spirit the “father” of Jesus, if the Holy Spirit were a person. But what does the true source of all right doctrine tell us about the nature of the Holy Spirit? We need to treat Holy Spirit as a person, not as a force, power or tongue. The Scriptures contain much information on this important topic. Holy Spirit, also called Paraclete or Holy Ghost, in Christian belief, the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Isaiah 63:10-11). For the large majority of Christians, the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost, from Old English gast, "spirit") is the third person of the Trinity: The "Triune God" manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each Person being God. Hebrews 10:29, “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has . One potential argument that the Holy Spirit is a person is to look at the Greek words in John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:13-14. The personality of the Holy Spirit has been attacked by Socinius and his followers ancient and modern who have held to the general position that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal energy proceeding from God… Romans 8:26-27, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. . Unfortunately, that argument likely doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. He most recently pastored two congregations of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, before his retirement in 2020. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is represented by water, oil, a dove and fire. Moreover, even Trinitarian scholars admit that the Bible does not specifically identify the Spirit as a separate person or as a member of a Trinity. Tom Kirkpatrick holds a PhD in accounting from the University of North Texas, and is a retired CPA. The Bible says that He is not something, He is Someone. Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to your inbox. He personifies Christ, yet is a distinct personality.”18 In 1896, she quoted the words of Jesus in John 16:7, 8, and then wrote her earliest clear statement on the Holy Spirit as a Person in the Godhead. The Holy Spirit reminds Christians of what Christ said. We read in Micah 3:8, “I am full of power by the Spirit … Acts 16:6-7, “they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. . He mentions the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ) in his greetings but consistently omits the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3). I encourage you to discover the Holy Spirit as God and a person. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/holy-spirit/is-the-holy-spirit-a-person/. If the Holy Spirit is a person, why is the Holy Spirit not included when Paul, Peter and John sent greetings to the churches? The proof comes from many other scriptures in the Bible. Please make sure all fields are filled out. As a person the Holy Spirit has a will, emotion, and intelligence. Is the Holy Spirit a Person of the Godhead? A more fruitful approach is first to ask a question almost no one asks: how do we know that the Father is a person? The Holy Spirit is also described in the Bible as having the characteristics of God and doing God’s work. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. It is the Spirit who brings conviction to the unbeliever and causes him to see the truth of the gospel in a clear light. Through the conviction and power of the Holy Spirit, believers will not indulge the sinful acts of the flesh ( Galatians 5:16-21 ) but will bear the good fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-25 ). The Holy Spirit is presented as a personal being with a self-identity different from both the Father, and the Son. As the Father and Jesus make this distinction when speaking of Him. The Holy Spirit is a Person. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as parakletos (a “comforter” because the power of God has a comforting and encouraging effect in the minds and lives of those who receive it). In Acts 5:1-4 a man who lied to the Holy Spirit is said to have lied to God. The Holy Spirit is identified as a Person by John, using in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13. . Thus, in the English translation, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “He.” However, this is no more evidence that the Holy Spirit is a person than the use, in Spanish, of the feminine pronoun ella (she) to refer to a door is evidence that a door is a female person. The Spirit can be outraged. If the Holy Spirit were a person, the apostle Paul certainly disrespected and snubbed “Him” by omitting the Holy Spirit in his typical greetings to the churches. . He is the … Again, these are matters of grammar and translation, not of biblical theology. The Spirit can forbid or prevent human speech and plans. . According to Trinitarians, the Holy Spirit is a separate person, distinct from the Father and the Son. This is appropriate, since the Holy Spirit is not a person, but the power of the two Beings: God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God. An Anthropology of Embodiment, Happy New Year: “All Glory Be to Christ!”, How to Grow in Self-Criticism in Your Theology. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. Third Member of the Trinity God the Holy Spirit is a Person. He blogs at Between Two Worlds and Evangelical History. Since one of the major aspects of God’s nature is that he is a person, it follows that the Holy Spirit is a person. The New World Encyclopedia notes, “Tertullian started to use the expression of ‘three persons’ (tres personae in Latin). . For further study on this topic, read the articles in this section: “Holy Spirit: What Is the Holy Spirit?”. You can follow him on Twitter. First, the fact that this nonbiblical addition is the only clear statement of the Trinity highlights the weakness of the Trinity doctrine. And there are three that bear witness on earth” were not a part of the original text that the apostle John wrote, but were instead added much later (perhaps in an attempt to buttress the doctrine of the Trinity). But in English translation, door is grammatically referred to as “it,” since a door is not a female or male person, but a thing. He can be angered, frustrated, grieved (Eph. The Holy Spirit is not a separate person from the Father and the Son. You have not lied to men but to God‘”, 6. The work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life is an on-going process of becoming holy through sanctification. The Spirit makes decisions. He has the characteristics of a person. This is language appropriate to use in describing a thing, rather than a person. Numerous outpourings of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles , in which healing, prophecy, the expelling of demons ( exorcism ), and speaking in tongues ( glossolalia ) are particularly associated with the activity of the Spirit. outraged the Spirit of grace?”, Acts 5:3, 4, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? Holy Spirit is a person because He possesses all these personality characteristics. Here’s another puzzle for someone who believes the Spirit is a person. . Therefore, in Greek, a masculine pronoun is appropriate in referring to parakletos. Acts 8:29, “the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ Acts 13:2, … The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a “gift” that God will “pour out” on people. As we search the Bible, we will find that the Holy Spirit is the nature, power and essence of God. Without denial of the one Essence of the Godhead, the personality of the Holy Spirit must be affirmed and is subject to proof unassailable by any who accept the Scriptures as authoritative. The Holy Spirit is willing to become a seed in you. 12 Those who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life and a new nature. It isn’t taught elsewhere in the Scriptures. . The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. Copyright © 2021 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. The word, “person” has had different meanings over the course of time. He has taught accounting and business courses at the university graduate level, and has served in the financial management of Church of God organizations. In the Greek language parakletos is a masculine noun. As the Father and Jesus make this distinction when speaking of Him. … The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, in Christ’s name. They share a common Spirit and nature (Ephesians 4:4; John 10:30). The Latin word persona in the days of Tertullian never meant a self-conscious individual person, which is what is usually meant by the modern English word ‘person.’ In those days, it only meant legal ownership or a mask used at the theater. 1. In light of this, we should take note of two things. Acts 8:29, “the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’, Acts 13:2, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Ephesians 4:30, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”, 4. Quiet Subversion After a Chaotic Election, 7 Ways to Kill the Thanksgiving Impulse in Your Life, American Christians and Islam: From the Colonial Era to the Post-9/11 World, The English Quaker Who Subverted the Bible’s Authority. The word “Spirit” in the Bible comes from the Greek word pneuma, which means wind or spirit.According to Strong’s Concordance, the word comes from the root pneó, which means “to blow,” much like the wind blows like a breath upon the earth.The person of God’s Spirit, then, blows the breath that brings all creatures to life. 4:30). We can fellowship and communicate with Him person to person. Two years later, in 1893, she wrote, “There is altogether too little made of the work of the Holy Spirit’s influence upon the church. In this verse Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is all-powerful. These and other Bible passages have led some to conclude that the holy spirit is a person, just as God, Jesus, and the angels are individual spirit persons. . He acts like a person. How about the Son? We want to see what God’s Word says regarding the doctrine of the Holy Ghost, and not … There are instances in English translations of the Bible where the pronouns “He” and “His” are used to refer to the Holy Spirit, but this is a matter of grammar and translation, not of biblical teaching. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will. In the Spanish language, this is a “feminine” noun, and it is appropriate to refer to a door by the use of a feminine pronoun (ella, which is equivalent to the English pronoun she). . . The main evidence presented as “proof” that the Spirit is more than just a divine power or force is the use of masculine pronouns found primarily in John’s gospel. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”, 7. The Holy Spirit is the powerful means by which the two members of the Godhead revealed in the Bible—God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God—project Their will, Their influence, Their nature and Their creative power throughout the universe, including affecting the minds of human beings. They are grammatically either feminine or masculine or neuter, whether or not they refer to living things that are female or male. He is God. As we turn to the Scriptures, we will see that the Holy Spirit of God is the power of God and is not (as erroneously taught and believed by many) a person—a member of a “Trinity.” The Holy Spirit is the powerful means by which the two members of the Godhead revealed in the Bible—God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God—project Their will, Their influence, Their nature and Their creative power throughout the universe, including affecting the minds of human beings. It is a fundamental revelation that the Holy Spirit is a Person, in the sense that the Father is a Person, and the Son is a Person. The Holy Spirit speaks to the people of God, and encourages us to hear His voice (Hebrews 3:7). The Spirit apportions spiritual gifts. These and other Bible passages have led some to conclude that the holy spirit is a person, just as God, Jesus, and the angels are individual spirit persons. The apostles Peter and John also greeted the brethren in some of their epistles in the name of God the Father and Jesus Christ, similarly not mentioning the Holy Spirit—quite a disrespectful snub if the Holy Spirit is also a person (2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 1:3). “Evil had been accumulat­ing for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Thir… In the Trinity doctrine, a “person” is like a personality or “mask.”. In fact, for centuries some of the most influential religions of Christendom have attributed personality to the holy spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:11, “the same Spirit . The Spirit bears witness to Christ. There are three Persons in the Trinity–God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He Gives Us Power to Witness. Jesus prayed to the Father (John 17:1), but His mother Mary was pregnant with Him as a result of the Holy Spirit: “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). The Spirit can be grieved. The translators of the King James Bible carried this grammatical arrangement over into the English in a number of places, such as John 14:16. For example John the Baptizer personally witnessed God’s spirit coming down from heaven in the form of a dove. When he wrote her for counsel, this was Ellen Whites reply: “Some are ever seeking to be original, to bring out something new and startling, and they do not realize as they should the importance preserving the unity of the faith in the bonds of love. The fact that the Holy Spirit is God is clearly seen in many Scriptures, including Acts 5:3-4. 11. CO-EQUAL means equal in every single way possible. John 16:14, “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”. John 14:26, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Never miss a post! According to the cults, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Holy Ghost is simply God’s “active force,” not God Himself. He convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11) … '”, 3. The Holy Spirit is presented as a personal being with a self-identity different from both the Father, and the Son. Rather, the doctrine of the Spirit, as we know it, developed over the first four centuries of the Church’s existence. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as a “gift” that God will “pour out” on people (Acts 2:38; Acts 2:17). These comparisons would make no sense if the Holy Spirit were a person, as the Trinity doctrine teaches. For example, in Spanish, a door is la puerta. There we see that the antecedent of the masculine ἐκεῖνος (a masculine word for “that person”) is πνεῦμα (a neuter word for “Spirit”). However, these analogies do not of and by themselves prove or disprove that the Holy Spirit is not a person. Justin Taylor is executive vice president for book publishing and publisher for books at Crossway. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, “the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. Hence, so the argument goes, the Spirit is a person. The Spirit bears witness to believers about their adoption How does the Holy Spirit fare up under this criteria? In fact, for centuries some of the most influential religions of Christendom have attributed personality to the holy spirit. The Trinity doctrine teaches that the Holy Spirit is a literal being that is CO-EQUAL with the Father and Son. Used by permission. Romans 8:16, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”. In the King James and New King James Versions, these verses appear to refer to the Holy Spirit as one member of a three-person “Trinity.” This passage is quite misleading because nearly all biblical authorities agree that the words (in verses 7-8) “in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. Many places in Scripture the holy spirit is referred to as “God’s spirit” – the apostrophe “s” denoting ownership, meaning that the spirit belongs to God. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”, 10. 1 Corinthians 2:13, “We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. Most modern English translations do not include these words. Christians can easily identify with God the … The Holy Spirit is identified as a Person by John, using in the Greek the masculine ekeinos in Jn.16:13. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity–equal with the Father and Son in essence. apportions [spiritual gifts] to each one individually as he wills.”, 9. The Spirit glorifies Christ, takes what is Christ, and declares it to believers. Additionally, “the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, and though used by Tertullian in the last decade of the 2nd century, it did not find a place formally in the theology of the church till the 4th century” (New Bible Dictionary, 1982, “Trinity”). Something that does these personal things in relationship—like God, angels, and human beings—is a person. . How Should a Christian Deal With the Coronavirus Pandemic? A similar situation exists in the Greek language—the language in which the New Testament was originally written. The Holy Spirit Is a Person The fact that the Holy Spirit is a person can be observed in six ways. The Spirit speaks. It was in this context that Tertullian also used the word trinitas” (key word “Trinity”). no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”, 8. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). This potential confusion of understanding is quite easily avoided by realizing that the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is not a person but the power by which the Father gave human life to Jesus in the womb of Mary. Finally, we note that some people are confused by the English wording of 1 John 5:6-8. 12. . Why is the Trinity doctrine not taught in the Bible? Acts 15:28, “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements.”, 3. All rights reserved. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 13 The Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places him in the body of Christ, the church. Second, once these spurious words are deleted, the wording that remains in 1 John 5:6-8 mentions the Holy Spirit in a list of things—not persons—that include water, blood and the Spirit. While both the Father and Christ are worshipped as the two eternal Beings of the Godhead (John 4:23-24; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:6), there is no instance in the Bible of the Holy Spirit being worshipped. Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts and updates. It is also a gift that God can impart to a human mind to promote and inspire spiritual growth in that individual and enable that person to become a member of the family of God. John 14:26- “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, … The Holy Spirit Is Considered as A “Gift” (Like an object, not a person) …and you shall receive the … What Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and undoubtedly the least understood member of the Godhead. The Spirit searches everything and comprehends God’s thoughts. The Spirit teaches and reminds. The answer is that the Bible presents a person as a substance that can do personal and relational things (such as speaking, thinking, feeling, acting). Just as Acts 1:8 mentions, the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to … It is also clear that the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Isaiah 63:10–11). In 1891, “Brother Chapman” felt he had discovered that the Holy Spirit did not exist, that He was not a Person and not a member of the Godhead. He is not a power, an effect, or just energy. the Holy Spirit is the agent not only of creation, but also of God’s new creation in Christ. Thus three distinct persons are still of one substance (una substantia in Latin). God the Holy Spirit does have energy (limitless), can affect things, and does have power (God’s power), but He is much more than these attributes. The Holy Spirit is a person. The Self-Pity and Irresponsibility of President Trump, A Simple Explanation of Divine Simplicity, What Does It Mean to Be Human? "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts" - Zechariah 4:6 When we say that the Holy Spirit is a person, there are those who understand us to mean that the Holy Spirit has hands and feet and eyes and ears and mouth, and so on, but these are not the characteristics of personality but of corporeity. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person is the same way as the Father and the Son. In many languages, such as Spanish and Greek, nouns have gender. Men but to God ‘ ”, 6 4:8 ; Isaiah 63:10-11 ) the! Take note of two things as an Amazon Associate, we note that some people are by! 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