Who is the Holy Spirit? March Theme The Godhead
Who is the Holy Spirit? A 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. Mentioned 260+ times in NT. The “Helper” Jn. 14:26
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”!
Holy Spirit is a Person Qualities of a person A mind – Rom. 8:27 Knowledge – 1 Cor. 2:11 Will – 1 Cor. 12:11
Holy Spirit is a Person Referred to as “He” John 14:26, “He will teach you all things…” John 15:26, “He will testify of Me…” John 16:13-15, “He will guide you into all truth…”
Holy Spirit is a Person 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. 5:3-4 He can be grieved – Eph. 4:30
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”
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 14:16-17
The Godhead Associated with the “divine nature” or that which makes one God. God in 3 persons Genesis 1:1-3, 26
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. 1:1-2
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
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
The Godhead How can 3 be ONE? We are clearly taught there is ONE God - Deut. 6:4, Eph. 4:6, 1 Cor. 12:6, 8:6, Jas. 2:19, etc. Cf. Gen. 2:24 Yet there is also constant reference to the 3 as God.
The Godhead 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? 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? 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 17:20-21 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?