Bible Studies

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The Personality of the Holy Spirit - A Study
by
Josprel


It is of the utmost importance that believers understand that the Holy Spirit is a Person, and not merely an impersonal emanation from God. The personality of the Holy Spirit is abundantly evidenced in the Scriptures -- all the attributes of personality are attributed to Him. Therefore, as a Divine Person, the believers' love and adoration are His due, as also they are due to the Father and to Jesus Christ, the Son. In the Scriptures, the personality of the Holy Spirit may be noted by:

1.) The Personal Pronouns Referring to Him.

John 15:26 states: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me . . ."

NOTE: Here it will be noted that the personal pronoun "he" is used in reference to the Holy Spirit. Other verses also employ these pronouns in relation to the Person of the Holy Spirit (For example: John 16: 7-8 & 13-14).

John 16: 7: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: . . . 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you . . ."

2.) The Action Verbs referring to Him.

NOTE: In addition to the personal pronouns that refer to the Holy Spirit, the above verses employ action verbs that describe His work in the world. In verses 7 & 8, He is described as one who "comes" to the believer. He "reproves" the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (verse 8). He guides the believers into all truth (verse 13).

3.) The Attributes of Personality Referring to Him.

A.) The Holy Spirit speaks, but does not speak of himself.

John 16: 13: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself . . ."

B.) The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ.

John 16:14: "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you . . ."

C.) The Holy Spirit guides the believer into all truth.

John 16:13: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth . . ."

NOTE: (In order to fulfill His roll as our guide, the Holy Spirit must possess intelligence).

D.) The Holy Spirit hears.

John 16:13: "but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak . . ."

E.) The Holy Spirit shews (reveals) to the believer things to come (verse 13).

John 16:13-14: "and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you . . ."

NOTE: The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not self-centered; it is absolutely Christ-centered. The format He uses to glorify Christ is to receive the infinite truths that reside in Christ and reveal them to the believers. Jesus is the truth whom the Holy Spirit reveals to us. "I am the way the truth and the life" (John 14:6).

4.) The Personal Characteristics Imputed to Him.

A.) Knowledge is imputed to the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor.2:10 -11: "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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."

B.) Will is imputed to the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor.12:11 12:11: "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

C.) Mind is imputed to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:27: 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.

Note: The word that here is translated mind (phronesis) includes the attributes of feelings and purpose and thought; therefore the Holy Spirit possesses the ability to think and act with purpose.

D.) Emotions (feelings) are imputed to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:30: "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me . . ."

1. He grieves:

Eph.4:30: "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

2. He loves:

Romans 15:30: "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's feelings and purpose and thought; therefore the Holy Spirit possesses the ability to think and act with purpose.

3. He cries out to the Father:

Gal. 4:6: "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father . . ."

4. He intercedes for the believers with unutterable groanings:

Romans 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

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