The Holy Spirit

PROPHECY:

Thus Says The LORD,

I desire all people to seek Me, to learn about Me. My Holy Spirit draws people to Me. Helps lead people into a relationship with Me. He is in the world and is convicting the world of sin.

I have never desired to be separated from My creation. I want all people to repent and turn to Me. It is by My Holy Spirit that all experience conviction. My Spirit exposes sin and makes people confront their wickedness.

When conviction is experienced, My Spirit leads people to repentance by pointing them to Jesus. The only One who can forgive sin due to His sacrifice.

I am a God who loves all people. I show mercy in place of judgement for the purpose of drawing people to Myself. I am not angry or looking to hold sin against anyone. This is why I the LORD gave My Spirit, for He is the One that leads people to receive forgiveness.

The Holy Spirit is given so people will know My love. Experience My presence and understand My desire for them.

Says The LORD.

MESSAGE:

The Holy Spirit is known as the Spirit of God, also known as the third person of the Trinity. He is fully God, having the same attributes and nature as God the Father and God the Son.

Jesus promises to give us the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 (NKJV) [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.

John’s gospel introduces the Holy Spirit’s role in spiritual growth. Spiritual growth only beginnings with the Holy Spirit. Jesus had to give us the Holy Spirit to help us live a life that is pleasing to Him. Jesus even made it known that a rebirth was required to see the Kingdom of God.

John 3:3 (NKJV) [3] Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The new birth is receiving salvation. Though this is only the beginning of our spiritual walk. Jesus understood that we need the Holy Spirit to help us. This is why He promised to give the Holy Spirit to us in John 14:26 revealing the role of the Holy Spirit. It is only by the Holy Spirit we can understand and live by truth.

With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can pray and trust that He, the Holy Spirit, will convict people of sin. Conviction is one of His primary ministries. John 16:8-11 (NKJV)

[8] “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] “of sin, because they do not believe in Me; [10] “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; [11] “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Another important thing to understand is that the truth can only be known by the Holy Spirit. John 16:12-15 (NKJV) [12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [14] “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. [15] “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

God has been very adamant about us knowing the Holy Spirit and who He is. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is mainly Christ focused, with Him teaching and reminding us of what Jesus taught. The Spirit of God is not self-serving and will always point to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit has several characteristics that reveal Him to be like us. When we see the Holy Spirit as a person, and understand why He was given to us. We have clearer insight on how to yield to Him.

The Holy Spirit is thought by some to be an "essence" or "power" of God rather than a separate person, because "ruach (roo-aak)", the Hebrew word for Spirit, also means breath, and "pneuma (noo-muh)", the Greek word for Spirit, also means wind or air. We as Christians know He is a person.

The early Church scholar, Arias, caused division with his declaration that God the Father was the only true God, that Jesus was a created being, and the Holy Spirit was only an essence. This doctrine is known as the Arian heresy.

A. The following will help understand the characteristics of the Holy Spirit.

1. I Corinthians 2:10-11 - the Holy Spirit searches and has knowledge.

Just like we have knowledge and understanding, this verse shows us that the Holy Spirit is similar.

1 Corinthians 2:10 (NKJV)

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 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.

2. I Corinthians 12:11 - the Holy Spirit distributes gifts as He wills.

Here we see that the Holy Spirit has a will, the ability to make choices.

1 Corinthians 12:11 (NKJV)

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

3. Romans 8:27 - He has a mind.

Having a mind, is very vital to us seeing the Holy Spirit as a person and not just an essence. This shows us that the Holy Spirit can think and reason just like us.

Romans 8:27 (NKJV)

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.

4. Romans 15:30 - He loves us.

Being able to love shows us that the Holy Spirit has emotions and feelings.

Romans 15:30 (NKJV)

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,

5. John 15:26, 16:13- He testifies of Jesus and exalts the Father and Son over Himself.

Here we see that the Holy Spirit is not selfish or proud, rather humbly exalts others over Himself.

John 15:26 (NKJV)

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

John 16:13 (NKJV)

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

6. Personal pronouns are used when referring to the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-15). "Comforter" in John 14:16 is "parakletos (" which means "One who comes alongside of to help". The Holy Spirit is always with us ready to help when we ask Him to.

This reveals that the Holy Spirit does have the means to act just like a person. Just like a mother or father shows love to a child. The Holy Spirit does the same thing.

John 14:16 (NKJV)

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— “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.

John 16:7-15 (NKJV)

[7] “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. [8] “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] “of sin, because they do not believe in Me; [10] “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; [11] “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. [12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [14] “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. [15] “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

B. Personal acts are ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

1. Acts 13:2 - the Holy Spirit speaks.

Just like a person has the ability to speak, so does the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:2 (NKJV)

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

2. Romans 8:26 - the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

Here we see that the Holy Spirit does work for us and helps us we need Him too.

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

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. I John 2:20-27. John 14:26 - He teaches us.

Just like we can teach someone and help another person learn something. The Holy Spirit has the same ability.

1 John 2:20-27 (NKJV)

[20] But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. [21] I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. [22] Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. [23] Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. [24] Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. [25] And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. [26] These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. [27] But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

John 14:26 (NKJV)

[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.

4. Acts 16:6-7 - the Holy Spirit guides Paul, sometimes forbidding things.

Just like we can guide a person or warn someone, the Holy Spirit is shown to do the same thing.

Acts 16:6-7 (NKJV)

[6] Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. [7] After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

5. Genesis 6:3 - the Spirit strives with man.

The Holy Spirit is here to help us and be close to us as we live. This is no different than a friend staying close to us and being their for us.

Genesis 6:3 (NKJV)

[3] And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

C. The Holy Spirit can receive treatment as a person.

1. Ephesians 4:30 - He can be grieved by us.

This shows us that the Holy Spirit has feels and can be offended.

Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)

[30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

2. Hebrews 10:29 - We can insult Him.

It is not possible to insult something that is not a person. The object being insulted must be able to comprehend an insult. This means that that Holy Spirit must be able to comprehend, reason, and respond to an insult. Making Him no different than you.

[29] Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

3. Acts 5:3 - He can be lied to.

The Holy Spirit must be able to have conversation with a person to be lied to. If it were not possible to converse with the Holy Spirit, then it is not possible to lie to the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:3 (NKJV)

[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. Matthew 12:31-32 - He can be blasphemed.

Here we see that the Holy Spirit can be disgrace or profaned. It is not possible to disgrace a non-person.

Matthew 12:31 (NKJV)

[31] “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. [32] “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

E. The Holy Spirit is identified with the Father and the Son as a person.

If the Holy Spirit were not a person, then He would not be named with the Father and Son in baptism, benediction, or identified with believers.

1. Matthew 28:19 - He is named with the Father and Son in baptism.

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)

[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,

2. 2 Corinthians 13:14 - He is named with the Father and Son in benediction.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

[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.

3. Acts 15:28 - He is identified with the believers as a person.

Acts 15:28 (NKJV)

[28] For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

By seeing the Holy Spirit as a person, we can relate to Him. We can have conversations with Him and pray with Him assisting us. It also helps us know that He understands us as we are. The Holy Spirit does understand us and is able to lead us in this life. It would not be possible for the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us if He were not a person.