4) God, the Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity - Personality, divinity and work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is often the most neglected person of the Trinity. Some think He is merely a force or divine influence. But the Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit is a real person, the third person of the Godhead, as divine as the Father and the Son.
The Holy Spirit is a Person
What kind of actions does Jesus attribute to the Holy Spirit?
In John 16:13, Jesus presents the Holy Spirit as speaking, hearing and guiding. These are personal actions, not the work of a mere impersonal force.
Can the Holy Spirit be grieved?
An impersonal force cannot be grieved. The fact that the Holy Spirit can be grieved proves He has emotions — a characteristic exclusive to persons.
Does the Holy Spirit have His own will?
The Holy Spirit makes decisions, forbids certain actions, and directs the church according to His own will. This demonstrates personality and cannot be attributed to a mere force.
“The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God.” — Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 617.
The Holy Spirit is God
Lying to the Holy Spirit is equivalent to lying to whom?
Peter said to Ananias: “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” And immediately adds: “You have not lied to men, but to God.” The Holy Spirit is directly identified as God.
Is the Holy Spirit called 'Lord' with divine attributes?
Does the Holy Spirit possess omniscience (knowledge of all things)?
Omniscience is an exclusively divine attribute. The fact that the Holy Spirit knows “all things, even the deep things of God” proves He is God.
“Evil had been accumulating for centuries and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 392.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
What was the role of the Holy Spirit in creation?
The Holy Spirit actively participated in creation as a creative agent alongside the Father and the Son.
What does the Holy Spirit do when He dwells in us?
What does the Holy Spirit do regarding the world's sin?
“The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 669.
The Unpardonable Sin
What is the only sin that cannot be forgiven?
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is persistent and final rejection of His convicting work. It is not an isolated act, but a continuous attitude of resistance until the person becomes incapable of responding to God. Whoever worries they have committed this sin probably has not.
And Now?
Recognizing the Holy Spirit as God and as a person transforms our lives:
- We can relate with Him: He is a person who desires communion with us.
- We must listen to Him: He guides, convicts and teaches; we should be attentive to His voice.
- We must not grieve Him: Our choices affect our relationship with Him.
- We depend on Him for victory: Without the Spirit, we cannot live the Christian life.
My Decision
I believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — fully God, together with the Father and the Son. I recognize His work in my life and desire to be sensitive to His voice. I ask that He fill me and guide me in all truth.