Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 6
The Holy Spirit
(Part One)
His Personality, Deity, Names, and Symbols

Introduction
We are living in the age of the Holy Spirit. All over the world there is vast interest in His ministry. However, due to erroneous teaching, there is considerable confusion. Millions of people are dismayed and bewildered by what they are seeing and hearing. It is our purpose in this, and in the next two lessons, to set before you an exhaustive and clear presentation of the biblical teaching concerning the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Importance of this Lesson

• The Holy Spirit is the author of life (John 3:5), the giver of power (Acts 1:8) and the one who reveals Christ (John 16:14).
• It is of the utmost importance both to know Him, to know what He does, how and why He does it and to whom He does it.
• Since the Holy Spirit is God, the third member of the Holy Trinity, it is vital that we know Him and His work. For only then can we fully know God and give to Him the worship, love, and service He deserves. May the Spirit Himself guide you in your search for truth.

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The Lesson

I. THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• We can hold to one of two views. First, that the Holy Spirit is simply a power that man in his weakness can possess and use; or second, the Holy Spirit is an infinitely wise, holy, loving, and powerful person who wants to possess us and use us. The first view produces pride. The second view shatters pride and produces self-emptying and self-abdication.
• It is of the utmost importance to recognize the Holy Spirit as a person for both spiritual and practical reasons. First, if to us the Holy Spirit is not a Divine Person and is merely an influence or power emanating from God, we shall fail to give to Him the worship, faith, love and adoration He deserves. Second, to view the Holy Spirit, as simply a gracious and holy influence is to rob one’s self of the blessing of His abiding presence and power as THE COMFORTER who came to live within us (John 14:16-17).

1. Why Some Believe the Holy Spirit is Simply an Influence Emanating From God:
   1. Because the word “spirit” is of neuter gender in the Greek language and can be translated literally as “wind.” Because of this, the word “spirit” is rendered “itself” (Romans 8:16,26 in the Authorized Version). This is corrected to “Himself” in later editions.
   2. Because the Holy Spirit is usually not included in the apostolic greetings in the Epistles
      (Galatians 1:1-3; Ephesians 1:1-2; Philippians 1:1-2). Nevertheless, Paul does include the Holy Spirit in his apostolic benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14).
   3. Because He is often symbolized and identified with things like wind, breath, fire and water, some
      teachers have erroneously believed and taught that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal, but blessed,
      influence emanating from God the Father.
2. Proof of the Spirit’s Personality
   1. Masculine pronouns are repeatedly used when He or His work is being discussed
      (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-15). While the word “spirit” is neuter, the Lord Jesus used the masculine pronoun “He” at least twelve times in these verses assuring us of the Spirit’s personality.
   2. Personal characteristics ascribed to the Holy Spirit require personality.
      1. He has a definite will and purpose (1 Corinthians 12:11).
      2. He has intelligence (Romans 8:27) and knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:9-11).
      3. Think of the nine things listed by Paul (Galatians 5:22) as being “the fruit of the Spirit,” all of which require personality.
   3. The various actions of the Holy Spirit demand personality.
      1. He empowers (Acts 1:8).
      2. He leads (Romans 8:14; Acts 16:6-7).\
      3. He comforts (Acts 9:31; John 14:16).
      4. He intercedes (Romans 8:26).
      5. He testifies concerning Christ (John 15:26).
      6. He witnesses to our hearts that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6).
      7. He speaks (Revelation 2:7).
      8. He instructs or teaches and guides us into the Truth (John 14:26; John 16:12-14).
      9. He administers the affairs of men and of the church (Acts 16:6-7 and Acts 13:2; 20:28).
   4. The Bible names a variety of sins that can be committed against the Holy Spirit. One cannot sin against a mere influence or emanation.
      1. Grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
      2. Quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
      3. Lie to the Spirit (Acts 5:3).
      4. Insult the Spirit (Hebrews 10:29).
      5. Blaspheme the Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32).
      6. Resist the Spirit (Acts 7:5)
3. Since the Holy Spirit is a person, what is your relationship to Him? Do you recognize His presence in your life? Do you rely entirely upon His direction and power? Do you work with, live in and have fellowship with Him? Do you give to Him the love and worship He deserves?

II. PROOFS OF THE ABSOLUTE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• If the Holy Spirit is neither a separate nor equal part of our Triune God, then He must be a mere influence and not a person.
• If the Holy Spirit is not God, then it is wrong to love, worship, serve, and obey Him.

1. He is associated equally with God the Father and God the Son:
   1. In the apostolic benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14).
   2. In the commission to baptize (Matthew 28:19). (Note the phrase “IN THE NAME OF” not in the names of.)
   3. In the distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
2. The Holy Spirit is actually called God (Acts 5:3-4).
3. He is said to do only what deity could do.
   1. He creates (Psalm 104:30 – RV; Genesis 1:2).
   2. He regenerates (John 3:5).
   3. He gives life (John 6:63).
   4. He resurrects (Romans 1:4; 8:11).
   5. He prophesies concerning things to come (2 Peter 1:21).
   6. He sovereignly gives gifts to men (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).
4. He possesses all the attributes of deity.
   • Explanation – What is an attribute?
   The attributes of God are the unchanging characteristics and powers of the Triune God that may be separately distinguished. There are two classifications of these attributes: Natural and Moral. The NATURAL attributes are those characteristics inherent and inseparable from deity which reveal God in relation to Himself. The MORAL attributes are those inherent characteristics that reveal God in relation to His creatures.
   1. Illustrations of the Holy Spirit’s NATURAL attributes:
      1. Those revealing the LIFE of God:
         LIFE (Romans 8:2)
         SPIRITUALITY– Invisible reality (John 3:8)
         PERSONALITY – Having intellect, will, etc. (John 16:13-16)
      2. Those revealing the PERSON of God:
         UNITY – Indivisible perfect being – One in substance and Three in manifestation
         (John 17:22; Matthew 28:19-20)
         ETERNITY (Hebrews 9:14)
         IMMUTABILITY (Malachi 3:6)
      3. Those revealing the POWER of God:
         OMNISCIENCE (1 Corinthians 2:9-14)
         OMNIPRESENCE (Psalm 139:7-10)
         OMNIPOTENCE (Genesis 1:2; Romans 15:19)
   2. Illustrations of the Holy Spirit’s MORAL attributes:
      1. Those revealing the NATURE of God:
         LOVE (Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:5)
         GRACE (Hebrews 10:29)
         MERCY – Kindness, Compassion (Galatians 5:22)
      2. Those revealing the CHARACTER of God:
         HOLINESS (Romans 1:4)
         RIGHTEOUSNESS (John 16:7-10)
         FAITHFULNESS – To fulfill promises (Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:13-14)
      3. Those revealing the GOVERNMENT of God:
         WISDOM (1 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Corinthians 2:9-11)
         TRUTH (John 14:17)
         SOVEREIGNTY – Absolutely authority (2 Peter 1:21)
         • Recognizing the Holy Spirit to be Divine, a personal member of the Triune God, let us make certain that we honor and worship Him as such. Your life will be steadied, fulfilled, and enriched when you see the Holy Spirit, not as a feeling or power to be experienced, but as a blessed, divine Person to be loved, yielded to, and depended upon; and whose communion and fellowship we can constantly enjoy.

III. THE NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
In the unique and various names given to the Holy Spirit in the Bible we see the character of His work as a representative of the Godhead.

1. THE SPIRIT OF GOD (1 Corinthians 3:16) and the SPIRIT OF CHRIST (Romans 8:9)
   The Spirit is sent forth by both the Father and the Son as their executive or divine representative.
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT (Luke 11:13; Romans 1:4 – Spirit of holiness)
   In this name His character, as holy, is presented. Holy in Himself, He imparts and inspires holiness in us.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE (Ephesians 1:13)
   Here, we see that He came as the “promised one” (John 14:16-18). In us He becomes the “seal” (verse 13) and the “earnest” (verse 14), guaranteeing the fulfillment of the promises in redemption.
4. THE SPIRIT OF GRACE (Hebrews 10:29)
   In this name we see that He is the administrator and dispenser of the grace of God.
5. THE SPIRIT OF LIFE (Romans 8:2)
   He is the life giver. He makes Christ a living reality within us.
6. THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)
   As such He conveys, confirms, testifies to, leads us into, and defends the TRUTH, as opposed to error (1 John 4:6).
7. THE SPIRIT OF GLORY (1 Peter 4:14)
   He not only is glorious in Himself, but also imparts glory (god-like character) to us. He administers and dispenses grace, which culminates in glory (Romans 8:16-17).
8. THE ETERNAL SPIRIT (Hebrews 9:14)
   This reveals the endless work of the Spirit and the divine attribute of ETERNITY, proving His absolute deity.
   • You will discover other names ascribed to the Holy Spirit as you study the Scriptures but these will be sufficient for our purpose now.

IV. THE SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Biblical symbols employed in reference to the Holy Spirit reveal His character and His particular ministry.

1. THE DOVE (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32)
   The white dove speaks of purity. Doves are also used as messengers. So also was the Holy Spirit.
2. THE WIND (John 3:8; Acts 2:1-4) The wind is invisible, but powerful and penetrating. It is also refreshing. So is the Holy Spirit.
3. FIRE (Acts 2:3; Jeremiah 20:9) He makes the Word like a fire (Malachi 3:2). He makes the Word like a refiner’s fire. Fire burns, purifies, refines, and consumes. So does the Holy Spirit.
4. OIL (Exodus 27:20; 30:31; Acts 1:8, 2:4; Hebrews 1:9) Oil lubricates! It has food value (olive oil). It gives light. And it is used for anointing, symbolizing the outpouring of God’s power.
5. WATER (John 7:37-39) Water renews, refreshes, restores, cleanses, satisfies and is life sustaining. So is also the
   Holy Spirit.
6. A SEAL (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30)
   The Holy Spirit in us is God’s seal of ownership. The Spirit Himself is the seal (the company seal!) that identifies us with God as His children.
7. THE EARNEST (2 Corinthians 5:5; 1:22 and Ephesians 1:14) The EARNEST is the down payment, the pledge, the assurance or guarantee. The gift of the Spirit is God’s guarantee that we shall inherit glory.

Conclusion:
The subject of the Holy Spirit is so extensive and important, that we are going to devote Lessons 7 and 8 to the further study of it. We’ll study together the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament and in the Life of Christ. We’ll learn of the ministry of the Spirit in creation, in the scriptures, in unbelievers and in believers. We’ll take a close look at the baptism of the Spirit, the gifts, the fullness, and the power of the Spirit. All who take the course will be well grounded in their knowledge of the Holy Spirit’s nature and ministry.

Examination

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