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?
Show answer
Answer: He guides into all truth, speaks and hears
John 16:13: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
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?
Show answer
Answer: Yes, do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
Ephesians 4:30: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
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?
Show answer
Answer: Yes — He distributes gifts to each one as He wills
1 Corinthians 12:11: "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he 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?
Show answer
Answer: God
Acts 5:3-4: "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."
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?
Show answer
Answer: Yes — 'The Lord is the Spirit'
2 Corinthians 3:17-18: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD."
Does the Holy Spirit possess omniscience (knowledge of all things)?
Show answer
Answer: Yes — the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God
1 Corinthians 2:10-11: "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
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, par. 2.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
What was the role of the Holy Spirit in creation?
Show answer
Answer: The Spirit of God hovered over the waters
Genesis 1:2: "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
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?
Show answer
Answer: Will give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you
Romans 8:11: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
What does the Holy Spirit do regarding the world's sin?
Show answer
Answer: Convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment
John 16:8: "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
“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, par. 2.
The Unpardonable Sin
What is the only sin that cannot be forgiven?
Show answer
Answer: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Matthew 12:31-32: "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
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 to Him: He is a person who desires communion with us, not an impersonal force.
- 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.