REASONING IN BALANCE WITH THE

SCRIPTURES

 Holy Spirit

How Impersonal Is He?

Holy Spirit is referred to as 'him,' 'he' or 'whom'

Jn 14:26 But the counselor, the Holy Spirit , whom(person) the Father will send in my name... Jn 14:17 the Spirit was to be in the Apostles (the world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him.)
Jn 16:8 Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as 'him'  Jn 16:14 He(Spirit) will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you - 'He ' glorifies Christ
Jn14:18 I (Jesus) will come to you. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in believers, and to have the Holy Spirit is to have Jesus (NIV p1911) Jn 16:13 'he" guides into all truth. No priest, prophet, apostle, minister or organization needed.

If the Holy Spirit is simply a force then...
1.Why is He called God (Acts 5:3-5)?  2. How is it that He can teach (John 14:26)?
3. How can He be blasphemed (Matt.12:31,32)?  4. How can be the one who comforts (Acts 9:31)?
5.How is it possible for Him to speak (Acts 28:25)?   6.How then can He be resisted (Acts 7:51)?
7. How can He be grieved (Eph. 4:30)?  8.How can He help us in our weaknesses (Rom. 8:26)?
If the Holy Spirit is a force, then how is it possible that the above mentioned phenomena are attributed to Him? A force doesn't speak, teach, comfort, etc. Nor can you blaspheme against a force.  (1)

Summary: The Holy Spirit is seen to be much more than an impersonal force!

 

Striking Similarities of God / Holy Spirit

  Holy Spirit Creates

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God creates

Gen 1:2 Holy Spirit present at the creation of life

  Holy Spirit is Omni-Present

Ps 139:7-8 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens you are there;...

God is Spirit 

Acts 3:17 /18 The Lord is the Spirit / Lord, who is the Spirit

There is Only One Spirit (The Holy Spirit)

 Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit

Questions: If only God created the universe and He was alone then who is the Holy Spirit? See Acts 5:3-5

Summary: The Bible makes it very clear that the Holy Spirit is a person.

 

Holy Spirit Dwells Within Believers

 Acts 1:16 the Holy Spirit spoke thru David 1 Pet 1:11 Spirit of Christ was in the prophets
1 Pet 1:12 Apostles were able to preach the gospel by the Holy Spirit Jn14:18 I (Jesus) will come to you. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in believers, and to have the Holy Spirit is to have Jesus(NIV p1911)
Eze 3:24 The Spirit came upon Ezekiel and spoke Exe 11:5 The Spirit came upon Ezekiel and spoke

Summary: Without the Holy Spirit one cannot live a God directed life!

 

The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth
 Neh 9:20 The Spirit instructs Lk 2:26,27 The Spirit reveals and moves
Jn 14:16-17 Spirit is a counselor and Spirit of truth Jn 14:26 Spirit is counselor, teacher, and a reminder
Jn 16:13 Spirit of truth, guides in all truth Jn 16:13 'he" guides into all truth. No priest, prophet, apostle, minister or organization needed.

The Word is the source of God's message. The Word can be found in Jn 1:1-5, yet it is the Holy Spirit who reveals truth...how can this be? Why are they similar?

Baptism

Mt 28:19 Go and baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (why would one want to equate the Father and the Son and with an impersonal force?)

Question: Can an impersonal force intercede for personal beings to a personal father?

 

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stephen.lay@sympatico.ca

(1)* Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry J. Slick, B.A., M. Div. welcomes your comments via E-mail at mslick@connectnet.com

Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.