The Doctrine of The Holy Spirit - Part Two

2. METHOD OF PROOF.

It is difficult to define personality when used of the Divine Being. God cannot be measured by human standards. God was not created in the image of man, but man in the image of God. God is not a deified man; man is rather a limited God (“a little….less than God.” Heb. 2:7, R.V.). Only God has a perfect personality. When, however, one possesses the attributes, properties and qualities of personality, then personality may be unquestionably predicated of such a being. Does the Holy Spirit possess such properties? Let us see.

a) Names that Imply Personality are Given to the Spirit.

The Comforter: John 14:16; 16:7. “Comforter” means one who is called to your side – as a client calls a lawyer. That this name cannot be used of any abstract, impersonal influence is clear from the fact that in 1 John 2:1 the same word is used of Christ. (See Rom. 8:26). Again in John 14:16 the Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete, is to take the place of a person – Christ Himself, and to personally guide the disciples just as Jesus had been doing. No one but a person can take the place of a person; certainly no mere influence could take the place of Jesus Christ, the greatest personality that ever lived. Again Christ, in speaking of the Spirit as the Comforter, uses the masculine definite article, and thus, by His choice of gender, teaches the personality of the Holy Spirit. There can be no parity between a person and an influence.

b) Personal Pronouns are Used of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:7, 8, 13-15 : Twelve times in these verses the Greek masculine pronoun ekeinos (that one, He) is used of the Spirit. This same word is used of Christ in 1 John 2:6; 3:3, 5, 7, 16. This is especially remarkable because the Greek word for spirit (pneuma) is neuter, and so should have a neuter pronoun; yet contrary to ordinary usage, a masculine pronoun is here used. This is not a pictorial personification, but a plain, definite, clear-cut statement asserting the personality of the Holy Spirit. Note also that where, in the Authorized Version, the neuter pronoun is used, the same is corrected in the Revised Version: not “itself” but “Himself” (Rom.8:16, 26).

c) The Holy Spirit is Identified with the Father and the Son – and, indeed, with Christians – in such a way as to Indicate Personality.

The Baptismal Formula. Matt.28:19. Suppose we should read, “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the wind or breath.” Would that sound right? If the first two names are personal, is not the third? Note also: “In the name” (singular), not names (plural), implying that all three are Persons equally.

The Apostolic Benediction. 2 Cor. 13:14. The same argument may be used as that in connection with the Baptismal Formula, just cited.

Identification with Christians. Acts 15:28. “For it seemeth good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.” Shall we say, “It seemeth good to the wind and to us”? It would be absurd. 10:38 – “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” Shall we read, “Anointed .. with power and power?’ Rom 15:13 – “That ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Shall we read, “That ye may abound in hope, through the power of the power”? See also Luke 4:14. Would not these passages rebel against such tautological and meaningless usage? Most assuredly.

d) Personal Characteristics are Ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is represented as searching the deepest and profoundest truths of God, and possessing knowledge of His counsels sufficiently to understand His purposes (1 Cor. 2:10, 11).

Spiritual gifts are distributed to believers according to the will of the Spirit (1 Cor.12). Here is wisdom, prudence and discretion, all of which are distinguishing marks of personality. The Spirit not only bestows spiritual gifts, but bestows them discretely according as He thinks best. See John 3:8 also.

The Spirit is said to have a mind, and that implies thought, purpose, determination Rom. 8:27, cf. v. 7. Mind is an attribute of personality.

e) Personal Acts are Ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit speaks: Rev.2:7 (cf. Matt. 17:5 – “Hear ye him.”) It is the Spirit who speaks through the apostles (10:20). Speech is an attribute of personality.

The Spirit maketh intercession: Rom. 8:26 (R.V.), cf. Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1, 2, where Christ is said to “make intercession.”

Acts 13:2; 16:6, 7; 20:28. In these passages the Holy Spirit is seen calling missionaries, overseeing the church, and commanding the life and practice of the apostles and the whole church. Such acts indicate personality.

f) The Holy Spirit is Susceptible to Personal Treatment.

He may be grieved (Eph. 4:30); insulted (Heb. 10:29); lied to (Acts 5:3); blasphemed and sinned against (Matt. 12:31, 32). Indeed the sin against the Holy Spirit is a much more grievous matter than the sin against the Son of Man. Can such be said of an influence? Can it be said even of any of the sons of men?