The Deity and Names of the Holy Spirit
The Deity and Names of the Holy Spirit
INTRODUCTION In the last lesson we established the fact that the Holy Spirit is a Person.
However He is not a human Person for He does not possess a human body as we do. The Holy Spirit is not only a Person but we believe that He is a Divine Person. The Holy Spirit is God Almighty, equal to the Father and the Son in every respect
THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit is divine because:
The Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes:
Eternal. Hebrews 9:14, "How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God."
Omnipresent. Psalms 139:7-10, "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold Thou art there. "
Omnipotent. Luke 1:35, the power of the Holy Ghost for the conception of the holy child. Genesis 1:2, "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
Job 26:13, "By His Spirit He bath garnished the heavens."
Omniscient. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, "The Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. . . knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.?
John 14:26, "But the Comforter... He shall teach you all things."
John 16:12-13, "... the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.?
Holiness. Luke 11:13, ": . . the Holy Spirit. . ." The word holy is not a noun but an adjective describing His character.
Truth. 1 John 5:6, "It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."
Benevolent. Nehemiah 9:20, "Thou gavest also Thy good Spirit to instruct them."
Communion. 2 Corinthians 13:14, "... and the communion of the Holy Ghost...?
The Holy Spirit does things that only God could do.
Creation. Job 33:4, "The Spirit of God hath made me."Psalms 104:30, "Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created. . .?
Salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:11, "Ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Also the sealing of the Spirit in Ephesians 1:1
Giving life. John 6:63, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."
Author of the new birth. John 3:5-6, ". . . born of water and of the Spirit. . . that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Prophecy. 2 Peter 1:21, "For no prophecy ever came by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (Bible inspiration)
Convincing men of righteousness and of judgment to come, John 16:8-11.
Scripture makes certain strong statements:
In Isaiah 6:8-10, it says, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying. . ." and Paul referring to this passage in Acts 28:25-27, says, "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet." This identifies "Lord" and "Holy Ghost."
In Acts 5:3-5, the Holy Spirit is called God, ". . . Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost. . . thou hast not lied unto men but unto God."
Divine couplets
Matthew 28:19, the baptismal formula, "... in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
2 Corinthians 13:14, the Benediction, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."
John 14:16, "And I [Jesus Christ the Son] will pray the Father [God Himself] and shall give you another Comforter [God the Holy Spirit)."
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DISTINCT FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON
Some people think that the Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of the Father" or the "Spirit of the Son" and not a separate distinct Person.
Luke 3:21-22, at the baptism of Jesus, three distinct Persons are in evidence:
God the Father said, "Thou art My beloved Son: in Thee I am well pleased."
God the Son was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan.
God the Holy Spirit descended in bodily shape like a dove.
Matthew 28:19, the baptismal formula makes a clear distinction between the three Persons.
John 14:16, the Son prays; the Father sends; the Holy Ghost comes to abide.
Acts 2:33, the Son is exalted to the right hand of the Father; the Father is on His throne; the Holy Spirit is received by the Son and given to the Church. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personalities, with mutual relations one to another, speaking to one another, recognizing each other.
(Torrey)
THE SUBORDINATION OF THE SPIRIT TO THE FATHER AND THE SON
John 14:26, the Father sends the Holy Spirit to earth and He obeys the command.
John 15:26, the Son sends the Holy Spirit to the believers and the Church.
Acts 16:7, R. V., the Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Spirit of Jesus.?
Romans 8:9, the Holy Spirit is referred to as "the Spirit of God." The Holy Spirit speaks not from Himself but repeats that which He hears.
John 16:13, "He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak. . ." This is true humiliation and condescension. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ. John 16:14, "He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." The Name of the Holy Spirit follows that of the other two when the three are linked in one sentence: Matthew 28:19, Father, Son, Holy Spirit; 2 Corinthians 13:14, Son, Father, Spirit.
THE NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13, "Your heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit."
The Spirit. John 3:6, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
The Spirit of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2, "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him?
The Spirit of Jehovah. Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me."
The Spirit of the living God. 2 Corinthians 3:3, ". . . but with the Spirit of the living God?
The Spirit of Christ. Romans 8:9, "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ."
The Spirit of His Son. Galatians 4:6, "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts - crying, Abba, Father."
The Spirit of Jesus Christ. Php 1:19, "... and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus...?
The Spirit of Jesus. Acts 16:7, R. V., "The Spirit of Jesus suffered them not. "
The Spirit of Burning. Isaiah 4:4, "... purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning." (Refining the dross)
The Spirit of holiness. Romans 1:4, ". . . according to the Spirit of holiness. . ."
The Holy Spirit of Promise. Ephesians 1:13, ".. . sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
The Spirit of Truth. This is used in John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13.
The Spirit of life. Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus...?
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and might; the Spirit of Knowledge - these thoughts and names occur in Isaiah 11:2.
The Spirit of grace. Hebrews 10:29, "... done despite unto the Spirit of grace."
The Spirit of glory: 1 Peter 4:14. "... for the Spirit of glory and of God . . ."
The eternal Spirit. Hebrews 9:14, ". . . who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself
The Comforter, John 14:26; John 15:26.
The Oil of gladness. Hebrews 1:9, ". . . anointed Thee with the oil of gladness...? CONCLUSION
The Holy Spirit is also likened to a dove which is both timid and gentle.
He is likened to the wind, John 3:1-9, the unseen mysterious force in regeneration.
He is like a spring of water, the cleansing force in sanctification, John 4:14.
He is like an overflowing river of blessing in service, John 7:38-39.
He is the Comforter, consoling, guiding and directing in the Christian life, John 14:16.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What is the difference between us and the Holy Ghost if we are both Persons?
List 6 attributes to prove the Deity of the Holy Spirit.
List 6 major works of the Spirit to show His Deity.
What do you learn by comparing Isaiah 6:8-10 with Acts 28:25-27?
What is the significance of Acts 5:3-5 with regard to this doctrine?
Why is the Name of the Holy Spirit included in Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14
What do we learn about the Holy Spirit from Luke 3:21-22?
Give 3 verses to show the subordination of the Spirit to the Father and Son.
List 7 Names of the Holy Spirit.
Name 4 things to which the Holy Spirit is likened.