REASONS
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Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary Th e P e r s o n a l i t y
of th e H o ly S p ir it The Spirit is often spoken of as one with the Father and with the Son. This is true of the important “great commission” and baptismal formula of Matthew 28:18-20. In this passage, it is interesting that the three persons are clearly mentioned and yet they are considered to comprise but one divine “name.” The persons are equal, yet comprise one godhead. Similarly, the Spirit is included with the Father and the Son in the apostolic benedic tion of 2 Corinthians 13:14. The actions of the Spirit are those of a person. He speaks (Rev. ,2:7). He prays (Rom. 8 :26 ). He has a mind, for He searches the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2 :10 ). He has a w ill, for spiritual gifts are distributed accord ing to the w ill of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The Holy Spirit does the work of a person. He empowers (Zech. 4 ;6 ). He guides (Rom. 8:14 ). He teaches and comforts (John 16:13; John 14: 26). In addition, He intercedes, He commands, He convicts. These are all personal actions and activities. The Spirit is also susceptible to personal treatment. The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1 2 :31 ,32 ). The Spirit may be lied to (Acts 5 :3 ). He may be insulted (Heb. 10:29). He may be grieved (Eph. 4 :3 0 ). He may be re sisted (Acts 7:51). A ll of these poten tialities testify to His true personality. Dr. R. A. Torrey has summarized the importance of the personality of the Holy Spirit, saying, “If the Holy Spirit is a divine person, worthy to receive our adoration, our faith and our love, and we do not know or recog nize Him as such, then we are robbing a divine Being of the adoration and love and confidence which are His due.” Moreover, “if we think of the Holy Spirit only as an impersonal power or influence, then our thought w ill constantly be, ‘How can I get hold of and use the Holy Spirit’; but if we think of Him in the biblical way as a divine person, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely tender, then our thoughts w ill constantly be ‘How can the Holy Spirit get hold of me?’ ” (T h e Fundamentals, II, 323, 324.) END.
C hief among the problems which concern the Holy Spirit is the denial of His personality. Certain ancient sects of Christendom have considered the Spirit to be a created being, mak ing Him of necessity less than God. Some have thought the three persons of the holy trinity to be nothing more than separate modes of existence of a uni-personal God, a distinct departure from the triune God of the Bible. The Spirit has also been viewed merely as a power or an influence emanating from God but failing to possess the necessary characteristics of person ality. There are a number of reasons why the personality of the Spirit has thus been brought into question. In con trast to the Father and the Son, the work of the Holy Spirit appears some what impersonal. The Spirit rarely speaks of Himself but is content by divine arrangement to occupy the background position. Christ Himself testified concerning the Spirit, “. . . he shall not speak of himself . . . . He - shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16 :13 ,14 ). Furthermore, the name “Spirit” shares the Greek word for breath or wind, context deciding which is in view. Impersonal symbols are also used in reference to the Spirit (John 3 :8 ; Acts 2:2, 3). Also, the Greek and Hebrew words translated “Spirit” are neuter, a fact which is reflected by the use of the neuter pronoun itself in Romans 8:16, 26. Nevertheless, there is considerable evidence for the true personality of the Holy Spirit. The name “Com forter” implies that He is a person, for a comforter is “one called to your side to help.” Such a name is hardly suitable to portray an influence (John 14:16; 16:7). The same name (in the Greek) is used for Christ in 1 John 2:1, and obviously, a mere influence could not take the place of our Lord. In addition to this and other personal names, personal pronouns are used of | the Spirit. In John 1 6 :7 ,8 , 13-15, the Greek personal pronoun is used 12 times of the Holy Spirit and comprises I a definite statement of His personality.
W e s t e r n 1 Biblical Soundness 25 Spiritual Fervor 3 Missionary Zeal 4 Evangelistic Passion 5 Sound Scholarship
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