Who is the Holy Spirit?

March ThemeThe 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, 37-38

• 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?