From Before:From Before: The subject of GodThe subject of God  Back to Basic Introduction  Why I believe in God  Why the God of the Bible  Theistic Evolution  Who is God

 What is the Bible?  Is the Bible inspired?  Is the Bible Reliable today?  Studying the Word of God

 Who is Jesus  Jesus the Son of God/Son of man  Virgin Birth/Resurrection  Is The Holy Spirit God/The God Head  What was The work of The Holy Spirit/Then/Now

Jehovah's Witness: is not a person The holy spirit is God's active force It is not equal to God to a certain extent, it can be likened to electricity "the holy spirit is not a person and it is not a part of a Trinity. The holy spirit is God's active force that he uses to accomplish his will. It is not equal to God but is always at his disposition and subordinate to him... to a certain extent, it can be likened to electricity, a force that can be adapted to perform a great variety of operations" (Should, Watchtower publication, p. 20, 23). "The Holy Spirit is the active force of almighty God which moves His servants to do His will." "It [the Holy Spirit] is the impersonal, invisible, active force that finds its resource and reservoir in Jehovah God and that he uses to accomplish His will even at great distances."

The Godhead

Who is the Holy Spirit? A subject misunderstood and often neglected by brethrenA subject misunderstood and often neglected by brethren He is one of three persons in the Godhead – instrumental in our salvation and the life of Jesus.He is one of three persons in the Godhead – instrumental in our salvation and the life of Jesus. Mentioned 260+ times in NT.Mentioned 260+ times in NT. Known also as The “Helper” Jn. 14:26Known also as The “Helper” Jn. 14:26 26 But 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 things that I said to you.

Holy Spirit is a Person A person is one who has substance, completeness, is self-existent, individuality and rationality. “A self-conscious or rational being.” He is NOT an “it”! He is not an Object or thing to be call IT. He is God, the Real God, The living God and the same with the Father and Son in attributes!

Holy Spirit is a Person Qualities of a personQualities of a person A mind – Rom. 8:27A mind – Rom. 8:27 Knowledge – 1 Cor. 2:11Knowledge – 1 Cor. 2:11 Will – 1 Cor. 12:11Will – 1 Cor. 12:11 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Holy Spirit is a Person Referred to as “He”Referred to as “He” John 14:26, “He will teach you all things…” John 14:26, “He will teach you all things…” John 15:26, “He will testify of Me…” John 15:26, “He will testify of Me…” John 16:13-15, “He will guide you into all truth…” John 16:13-15, “He will guide you into all truth…”

Holy Spirit is a Person His actions:His actions: He speaks – 1 Tim. 4:1, Ac. 8:29, 10:19-20 He teaches – John 14:26 He loves – Rom. 15:30 He intercedes – Rom. 8:26 He can be lied to – Ac. 5:3. He can be grieved – Eph. 4:30 4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 26 But 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 things that I said to you. 30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Holy Spirit is God He is eternal – Heb. 9:14 He is omnipresent – Psa. 139:7-10 He is omniscient – 1 Cor. 2:10-11 He is Holy – “Holy Spirit” Isaiah 6:3 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Isa 6:3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"

Holy Spirit is God Called God – Ac. 5:3-4 Spirit of the Lord – 2 Cor. 3:18 Spirit of God – 1 Cor. 3:16 The “Comforter” – John 14: But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The Godhead Associated with the “divine nature” or that which makes one God. God in 3 persons Genesis 1:1-3, 26 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…”

The Godhead 3 Distinct persons (“Trinity”) At baptism of Jesus – Matt. 3:16,17 Great commission – Matt. 28:19 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 1 Pe 1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

The Godhead Each person distinct from the other Father is God – 1 Cor. 1:3 Jesus is God – John 1:1-3, 14; Phil. 2:5-6 Holy Spirit is God – Ac. 5:3-4 1Co 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

The Godhead Each person distinct from the other Father is NOT Jesus – John 8:16-18 Father is NOT Holy Spirit – John 14:26 Jesus is NOT Holy Spirit – Acts 10:38 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” Joh 14:26 But 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 things that I said to you. Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

The Godhead How can 3 be ONE? We are clearly taught there is ONE God - Deut. 6:4, Eph. 4:6, 1 Cor. 8:6 Yet there is also constant reference to the 3 as God. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The L ORD our God, the L ORD is one! Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 1Co 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

The Godhead How can 3 be ONE?How can 3 be ONE? The Trinity - “there is one God who has revealed Himself in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three persons are the one God.” McDowell, J., & Stewart, D. D. (1993). Answers to tough questions. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

The Godhead How can 3 be ONE?How can 3 be ONE? Think of the term God as the term “water” (or “matter”) (not that He is water) – it comes in different states (solid, liquid, gas, plasma), yet it is still water (or matter)

The Godhead How can 3 be ONE?How can 3 be ONE? While God has a plural nature, they are one in essence (true substance, or constitution of anything), purpose, and in total agreement.

The Godhead How can 3 be ONE? Jesus one with Father yet subject to Him - John 10:25-30, The prayer of Jesus for us John 17: While difficult to understand, it IS what the Bible teaches.

Understanding God is fundamental to our faith! Do YOU Believe in God as He is revealed in the Bible?