Chapter 2
THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRITINTRODUCTION
In approaching the study of the Holy Spirit's deity we are confronted with the modern tendency to down-play the importance of doctrine. Nowhere is this doctrinal apathy more dangerous than when it concerns the knowledge of God. To err on the truth concerning any Person of the Godhead is to pervert the doctrine of the Trinity, and thus depart from the knowledge of the true God. There is no salvation or service where the knowledge of God is not possessed (Jeremiah 9:23-24, John 17:3, Daniel 11:32, Hosea 6:6).
The study of God is the most beneficial pursuit that the Lord' s people can engage in (Philippians 3:8). Nothing else will expand our mind and yet humble us in the same way. To learn of God strengthens our fellowship with God, and fills our hearts with tranquility (Job 22:21). What a joy and ground of confidence it is to know that we are indwelt by the Person of the Holy Spirit Who is Himself God. This thought should encourage our faith (I John 4:4), and cause us to shun sin (I Corinthians 6:l8-19). May God this lesson to confirm us in this great truth of the Holy Spirit's deity. I. THE TRINITY.
The Bible teaches that while there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), yet there are three Persons in the Godhead (Matthew 28:19, I John 5:7). In our study of the Holy Spirit's deity it will help us to review the relationship of the Persons of the Triune God.
A. God the Holy Spirit - In theology we speak of the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Trinity Who proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26, Psalms 104:30, Galatians 4:6, Philippians 1 :19). "Eternal Procession" is the phrase used to describe the Spirit's relationship to the Father and the Son.
B. God the Son - Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He has always been the Son of the Father (Galatians 4:4, John 3:16, Isaiah 9:6). "Eternal Generation" is the phrase used to describe Christ's relationship to the Father. In theology we speak of Christ as the Second Person of the Trinity.
C. God the Father - The Father neither "proceeds" from, nor is "generated" by any, and thus we speak of Him as the First Person of the Trinity. We must remember that these terms imply no inferiority of the Divine Persons. While these relationships cannot be comprehended by the human mind, yet they must be accepted or we soon drift from the doctrine of Trinitarianism into Unitarianism. Perhaps we cannot do better than to close this discussion with a quote from the old Philadelphia Baptist Confession of Faith: II. THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."In this divine and infinite Being there are three Persons, the Father, the Word (Son) and the Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence with Him."
The proofs of the Spirit's deity may be divided into five categories.
A. The Holy Spirit is called God - (Acts 5:3-4, 9, I Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:22, II Corinthians 3:17). The Spirit is called Adonai (Compare Acts 28:25 with Isaiah 6:8-9). The Spirit is called Jehovah (Compare Hebrews l0:15-16, with Jeremiah 31:31-34). (1)
B. The Holy Spirit is associated with the Father and the Son on an equal level -- (Matthew 28:19) [Notice that the word "name" is in the singular thus signifying that the power, glory and authority of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit are one] (I John 5:7, II Corinthians 13:14.
C. The attributes of God are attributed to the Holy Spirit.
1. Eternity - Hebrews 9:14.
2. Life - Romans 8:2.
3. Omnipresence - Psalms 139:7-8.
4. Holiness - Matthew 28:19.
5. Omniscience - I Corinthians 2:10.
6. Sovereignty - John 3:8, I Corinthians 12:11.
7. Omnipotence - Genesis 1:1-2, John 3:5.
D. The works of God are attributed to the Holy Spirit.
1. The creation - Job 33:4.
2. The incarnation - Matthew 1:18.
3. Regeneration - (Compare John 3:8 with I John 4:7).
4. Resurrection -Romans 8:11.
5. The inspiration of God's Word - (Compare II Peter 1:21 with II Kings 21:l0).
E. The nature of the unpardonable sin reveals the Divine dignity of the Holy Spirit - Matthew 12:31-32.
Conclusion - The importance of this lesson is well emphasized by noticing the many cults that Satan has raised up to attack the truth of the Spirit's deity. May this incite us to greater care in giving the Holy Spirit His proper place in our love and worship. ________________ Note
1. Perhaps it should be explained that in the King James Version the word "Lord" when applied to God in the Old Testament may be a translation of one of two different Hebrew names of God. When it is printed in all capitals it indicates the name Jehovah. When merely the first letter is capitalized it is a translation of the Hebrew title for God - Adonai.
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