PNEUMATOLOGY: DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PART 2

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1 PNEUMATOLOGY: DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PART 2 THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Nicene Creed was originally intended to be a statement that emphasized the deity of Christ and the deity of the Holy Spirit. In addition to that, what emerged from this Council was a major controversy concerning the Holy Spirit between the Eastern and the Western branches of the Church which eventually was a factor that led to the split of those factions into the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church 700 years later. The issue was whether or not the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father only or from the Father and the Son. The Eastern Church rejected the inclusion of and the Son in the language of the creed. This may have been the result of their fear that granting that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son made the Spirit subordinate to the Son and therefore less than a fully equal member of the Trinity. This is called the filioque controversy; filioque means and the Son in Latin. The Latin fathers believed the addition of this word made it perfectly clear that the Son and the Father were coequal. The New Testament makes it clear that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, but it is more of a scriptural inference that He also proceeds from the Son. But when considering the full council of God, the only conclusion that can be reached is a Triune Godhead consisting of three coequal persons. John 15:26 26 When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, Some Scriptures identify and equate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by identifying a relationship one with the other within what can only be called the godhead. Matthew 28:19 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 13:14 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Romans 8:9 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 1

2 1 Peter 1:2 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. There is some interesting evidence presented for the deity of the Holy Spirit when something God is credited with saying in one part of Scripture is credited to the Holy Spirit in another part of Scripture. For example, Jeremiah s proclamation of the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34) identifies God (the LORD) as the speaker. Each one of the four verses has declares the LORD as the identifying factor for the One speaking. The personal pronouns I, My, and Me are also used throughout all four verses to refer to the speaker. The author of Hebrews in the New Testament refers to these verses and credits them the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 31: Behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD, I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the LORD, for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, declares the LORD, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. Hebrews 10: And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM, He then says, Peter equated God and the Holy Spirit in the episode of lying by Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5:3 4 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. Which is it? Were they lying to God or were they lying to the Holy Spirit? It s both because both are one God in essence within the Triune Godhead. Yet, they are clearly distinct persons not mixed together in any way. They are distinct persons united in essence as one God. 2

3 God is eternal and the Scriptures assign that attribute of God to the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:14 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? In this verse, all three members of the Triune Godhead are clearly identified. Chafer had this to say about that fact: It will be seen that in this one statement all three Persons of the Godhead are named, and it would be strained reasoning indeed to contend that in such a passage the identity of the Third Person is uncertain. The text could not in conformity to human theories read that Christ, through His own spirit, or through an attribute, or mere influence, offered Himself to God. The construction of the text, as well as the stupendous thing said to have been undertaken, demands as great a Person at the one point as is required at the other two. The Son is offering Himself; the Father is receiving; and all is executed by the Eternal Spirit. Could it possibly be demonstrated that the work of the Spirit in this vast undertaking is any less than that of the Son, or than the Father s responsibility in receiving? The term eternal, which with all propriety can also be assigned to God the Father or God the Son, is here assigned to the Holy Spirit. Since of God alone this attribute may be predicated, the Spirit is to be understood as God [Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, p. 6:23]. The Holy Spirit displays the omnipotence that only God can display. No other being can be considered to be all powerful outside of God. The Spirit was active in the act of creation ex nihilo, that is, out of nothing. Genesis 1:2 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. The Holy Spirit possesses the attribute of God that is omnipresence. He is at all times in all places. It is futile to attempt to escape the presence of the Holy Spirit. Everyone knows God and those who seek to deny Him must deliberately do so but they cannot hide from Him. In this age, the Holy Spirit is present in a unique way because He is indwelling every born again believer. Through those believers, as the body of Christ, sin is restrained. Psalm 139: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 3

4 Romans 1: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Ephesians 2: for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is omniscient. Nothing is hidden from him as unbelievers so desperately wish they could hide everything from Him. The all-knowing Spirit uses his omniscience to illuminate the truth to believers. Unbelievers cannot understand truth but believers, subject to this ministry of the Holy Spirit, are enabled to understand truth as they learn the doctrinal truths contained within the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 2: For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. The Holy Spirit possesses the divine attribute of truth. He is complete truth and He witnesses to that truth through the Scriptures. 1 John 5:6 6 It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. As an attribute of God, truth highlights God s integrity, trustworthiness, and faithfulness. Deuteronomy 32:4 4 The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. 4

5 Justice is also an element of truthfulness. Only a true God can judge with righteousness and with fairness. 2 Corinthians 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Revelation 19:11 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. In John s gospel, he called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of truth three times. This was in connection with the apostles who would be responsible for writing the New Testament. The Spirit of truth can only proclaim the truth and the Spirit inspired Scriptures are absolutely true. In these Scriptures, we have the blueprint for the New Testament. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would remind them of everything He told them (John 14:26). That seems to refer to the writing of the four gospels. He also told them that the Spirit would guide them into all truth; that seems to refer to the writing of the epistles. Finally, He told them the Spirit would disclose what is to come which must refer to the prophetic revelation of Christ written by John on Patmos in addition to the prophetic elements contained within the epistles. John 14:17 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 15:26 26 When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, John 16:13 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. It is vital to understand that the Spirit of God is never separate from or elevated over Christ or the Word. It is the Spirit s role to glorify Christ. Anything people do that is attributed to the Spirit that is contrary or beyond the revelation of the Scriptures, is untrue. Jesus is the truth and the Word is truth; the Holy Spirit will only operate within the bounds of these truths. John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 5

6 John 17:17 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. This word that was inspired by the Spirit is referred to in the New Testament as the Word of Truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. Colossians 1:5 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel We are finite human beings and we have no inherent wisdom and knowledge. We are dependent on the Spirit inspired Scriptures to inform us, teach us, and point us to God. It is in Christ that all wisdom and knowledge reside and we rely on the Spirit to teach us that which He desires us to know. When we ignore the Scriptures or substitute our own supposed wisdom and knowledge for that which the Spirit has revealed, we are fools. Colossians 2:3 4, 8 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. PERSONALITY AND MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit is a person; He displays personality. The Holy Spirit is not an it or a thing; He is a person. Personality includes intellect, sensibility [think of sensibility as emotions], and will. These characteristics of personality require a freedom both of external action and of choice of ends toward which action is directed. Intellect must direct, sensibility must desire, and will must determine in the direction of rational ends [Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, p. 1:185]. The Holy Spirit epitomizes intelligence. Among other things, He is the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, and power. The Holy Spirit has a mind. 1 Corinthians 2: For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 6

7 Isaiah 11:2 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Romans 8:27 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. The sensibility of the Spirit is revealed through the fact that we can grieve Him and quench Him. Ephesians 4:30 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Isaiah 63:10 10 But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 19 Do not quench the Spirit; It is a command from the Lord through Paul not to grieve the Holy Spirit. That He can be grieved, establishes the fact that He is a person; inanimate objects do not display or feel emotion. Things cannot suffer a grievance and they cannot feel wronged. This isn t just a matter for believers in this dispensation; the Israelites rebelled against God and grieved the Spirit in so doing. We are not to do anything that impedes the spiritual growth of others and we are not to stunt our own spiritual growth by doing things that grieve the Holy Spirit. The word for grieved is from λυπέω meaning to cause someone to be sad, sorrowful, or distressed. The most obvious way we grieve the Spirit is through sin. But there are other ways to grieve the Spirit that are sinful yet we may not always think of them that way. For example, what about the person who is sowing discord and disunity within the body of Christ? What about the person engaging in extra-biblical mystical experiences in the name of the Holy Spirit? What about the person making blasphemous claims in the name of the Spirit? Anything that is not of God may well grieve the Holy Spirit. Paul also said that we can quench the Spirit. The picture here seems to be one of putting out a fire and since the Holy Spirit has been compared to a consuming fire, that picture is probably accurate. The Holy Spirit cannot be extinguished, of course; He is an eternal being. But we can extinguish the work He wants to accomplish in and through us. Does your life reflect the fact that you are born again, indwelt by the Spirit, and gifted by that same Spirit to perform good works? Are you saying no to the things believers are called to be and do? If so, then the Spirit is being quenched. 7

8 Conversely, when we recognize the proper identity and role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can reverence Him and value Him and obey Him as He directs our lives in accordance with the written Word. After David s great sins of adultery and murder, he was desperately afraid that God would remove the Holy Spirit from Him. Later, we will examine the dispensational distinctions between the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Old Testament believers and now in the lives of those in the body of Christ. Psalm 51:11 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Acts 10: While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself. 21 Peter went down to the men and said, Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come? 8