Doctrine of the Holy Spirit THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit. Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force. Others understand the Holy Spirit as the impersonal power that God makes available to followers of Christ. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will. Some people ask the question what is the Holy Spirit which is the wrong question it should be who is the Holy spirit. He is the third person of the Godhead- the trinity One God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit Matt. 28:18-20 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit. 1. WHY IS THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT QUESTIONED? the acts and workings of the Holy Spirit are so secret and mystical, that we are prone to think of Him as an influence, a power, or an agent rather than a Person.
Personal Characteristics of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11English Standard Version (ESV) 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is represented as searching the deepest truths of God, and also possesses knowledge 1 corinthians 12:4-11 Spiritual gifts are distributed to believers according to the will of the Spirit Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. The Spirit not only bestows spiritual gifts, but bestows them discreetly, according as He thinks best. Romans 8:27 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because [a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. The Spirit is said to have a mind, and that implies thought, purpose, determination: Mind is an attribute of personality.
Personal Acts are Ascribed to the Holy Spirit. 1.The Spirit speaks: Revelation 2:7 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Matthew 10:20 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Speech is an attribute of personality. 2. The Spirit makes intercession Romans 8:26 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. The Spirit maketh 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.
The Holy Spirit is Susceptible to Personal Treatment. He may be grieved Ephesians4;30 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. insulted (Heb. 10.29); lied to Acts 5:3-4 But peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and keep part of the price of the land? blasphemed and sinned against Matt. 12:31, 32. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.