There is much evidence for the reality of the Holy Spirit as a person. Here are some of the characteristics of the Spirit:
- The Holy Spirit has a mind. "And he who searches our hearts know the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's Will" (Rom 8:27).
- The Holy Spirit has emotions. The Holy Spirit grieves, rejoices, finds pleasure in relationships, ministers from a heart of love, and in other ways fills the gamut of emotions associated with the spirit of humanity.
- The Holy Spirit has a will. Paul calls attention to the will of the Holy Spirit in distributing spiritual gifts. "All these [the gifts he had just identified] are the works of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (I Cor 12:11).
These above three factors: 1) mind, 2) emotions, and 3) will all of which function in the personality of the Holy Spirit are the same three factors that are deeply involved in the development of the human personality. We wouldn't be human without a mind, free will, and emotions; we would be like the animals. The Holy Spirit could never minister to us in the personal way He does if we were or He was void of mind, emotions and will.
- The Holy Spirit is our Counselor. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26). As Counselor, the Holy Spirit does not become overbearing. He is not arrogant or haughty, speaking down to us from a lofty throne. The Holy Spirit is the great listener. He reminds us of what we know and explains what we do not understand. His counsel is private, personal and always available.
- The Spirit is a member of the Trinity. Jesus honored the Trinity in His Great Commission. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:17). Paul, likewise, affirmed the Trinity. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor 13:14). The doctrine of the Trinity is an orthodox Christian belief.
- The Spirit brings salvation. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God the Father on earth and the active agent of His only Son, Jesus. "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Rom 8:9).
This post was adapted from the book, Who Is The Holy Spirit? by Dr. Leslie Parrott.
- The Holy Spirit has a mind. "And he who searches our hearts know the mind of the Spirit, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's Will" (Rom 8:27).
- The Holy Spirit has emotions. The Holy Spirit grieves, rejoices, finds pleasure in relationships, ministers from a heart of love, and in other ways fills the gamut of emotions associated with the spirit of humanity.
- The Holy Spirit has a will. Paul calls attention to the will of the Holy Spirit in distributing spiritual gifts. "All these [the gifts he had just identified] are the works of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (I Cor 12:11).
These above three factors: 1) mind, 2) emotions, and 3) will all of which function in the personality of the Holy Spirit are the same three factors that are deeply involved in the development of the human personality. We wouldn't be human without a mind, free will, and emotions; we would be like the animals. The Holy Spirit could never minister to us in the personal way He does if we were or He was void of mind, emotions and will.
- The Holy Spirit is our Counselor. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26). As Counselor, the Holy Spirit does not become overbearing. He is not arrogant or haughty, speaking down to us from a lofty throne. The Holy Spirit is the great listener. He reminds us of what we know and explains what we do not understand. His counsel is private, personal and always available.
- The Spirit is a member of the Trinity. Jesus honored the Trinity in His Great Commission. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:17). Paul, likewise, affirmed the Trinity. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor 13:14). The doctrine of the Trinity is an orthodox Christian belief.
- The Spirit brings salvation. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God the Father on earth and the active agent of His only Son, Jesus. "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Rom 8:9).
This post was adapted from the book, Who Is The Holy Spirit? by Dr. Leslie Parrott.
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