<\/p>\n
Not long after Christ founded the church, heresies began cropping up regarding the triune nature of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.1 Today, we still see false beliefs about the triune God\u2014perhaps none more than heresies attacking the role of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
At first glance, the details can appear subtle as these heresies describe the Holy Spirit as a presence or a power, while denying His personhood. For example, binitarianism is a small but growing heresy extending from the fourth century AD. Binitarianism is the belief that God<\/span> exists as only two persons, Father and Son, rejecting the Holy Spirit\u2019s deity and personhood and refusing to worship Him as part of the Trinity.<\/p>\n If we are not discerning, these assertions can seem insignificant. But when we lack a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit\u2019s role and existence, we risk creating a false god<\/span>, less powerful than the triune God<\/span> of Scripture whose three-in-one roles are equally purposeful in our lives. If we are to guard against heresies, we must understand that Scripture affirms the equal personhood of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n In the Old Testament, the person of the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) is actively involved in the work of creation. Genesis 1:2 states that at the beginning of creation \u201cthe Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.\u201d The Hebrew word r\u00fba\u1e25<\/span> can be translated either as \u201cSpirit\u201d or \u201cwind.\u201d The latter term is used to suggest an impersonal force. The context, however, shows that the verb \u201chovering\u201d more properly takes \u201cSpirit\u201d as its subject than \u201cwind\u201d (cf. Deuteronomy 32:11).2 The Spirit of God<\/span> is co-participating in creation as He \u201chovers\u201d over the waters preparing the way for the creative Word of God<\/span> (Genesis 1:3) to transform the earth, readying it for habitation. The psalmist confirms that it is God<\/span>\u2019s Spirit who brings life: \u201cWhen you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground\u201d (Psalm 104:30 ESV). Notice the Spirit is sent forth by the Father and therefore is distinct from Him.<\/p>\n The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4 ESV)<\/p>\n Scripture is also clear that the Holy Spirit had an individual role in creating mankind. In Job 33:4 (ESV), Elihu acknowledges, \u201cThe Spirit of God<\/span> has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.\u201d The Spirit was actively involved in Elihu\u2019s creation<\/span>, just as in Adam\u2019s creation<\/span> (Genesis 2:7; cf. Genesis 1:26\u201327).<\/p>\n In the New Testament, Jesus told His disciples that when He returns to the Father, He and the Father will send another Helper, \u201cparakl\u0113tos<\/span>\u201d (cf. 1 John 2:1), the Holy Spirit to dwell in them (John 14:16, 26). Jesus presents the Holy Spirit as a divine person, as He is eternal (John 14:16), truthful (John 14:17), and will \u201cteach\u201d the disciples (John 14:26; cf. Luke 12:11\u201312). In John 15:26, Jesus<\/span> further confirms the distinction between all three persons of the Trinity by sending the Holy Spirit from the Father.<\/p>\n Numerous New Testament texts make it difficult to deny that the Holy Spirit is an individual divine person like the Father and the Son.<\/p>\n Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 ESV)<\/p>\n The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV)<\/p>\n These texts, as well as others (such as Romans 15:16; Ephesians 2:18, 4:4\u20136; and Jude 20\u201321), show that the Holy Spirit cannot be merely referring to a presence or power. He is not only distinct from the Father and the Son but also equal to them.<\/p>\n The Holy Spirit is a divine person (Acts 5:3\u20134) who is distinct from the persons of the Father and the Son. For example, personal pronouns are used by Him (Acts 10:19\u201320); personal properties are assigned to Him, such as wisdom, knowledge, might (Isaiah 11:2), and will (1 Corinthians 12:11); personal activities are ascribed to Him\u2014He speaks (Acts 13:2), He reveals (Luke 2:26), He comforts (Acts 9:31), He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and He can be lied to (Acts 5:3).<\/p>\n Furthermore, several New Testament authors identify the Holy Spirit as YHWH (\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4<\/span>) of the Old Testament (for example, Acts 28:25\u201327 quotes Isaiah 6:9\u201310 and 2 Corinthians 6:16 quotes Leviticus 26:11\u201312).3<\/p>\n If the Holy Spirit is God<\/span>, why does the Bible seem to focus more on Jesus<\/span> than on the Holy Spirit? In His redemption role, the Holy Spirit does not point to Himself but bears witness to Jesus<\/span> and glorifies Him (John 15:26, 16:14). The Holy Spirit is the Helper (advocate) and sanctifier of Christians (John 15:26; Romans 15:16). The Holy Spirit\u2019s role is to point our attention toward Jesus<\/span> so that we can be conformed to His image. Jesus<\/span> said it was for our advantage that He returned to the Father because the Holy Spirit \u201cwill convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment\u201d (John 16:8 ESV). We are in absolute need of the Holy Spirit when we call people to trust in Jesus<\/span> because it is He who convicts them of sin<\/span> and opens their hearts (Titus 3:5\u20137).<\/p>\n The personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit is important for Christians to know because when we do not teach and emphasize the importance of biblical doctrine, such as the Trinity, we open the door to heresy. We miss out on worshipping and honoring God<\/span> accurately when we reject the Holy Spirit as a distinct, divine person who is fully equal with the Father and the Son.<\/p>\n The Holy Spirit is not a mere expression, an essence, or a sense of God<\/span>\u2019s presence. He is the omnipotent God<\/span>, a complete and entire person in Himself, acting in our lives with the authority of the Godhead.<\/p>\n God<\/span>\u2019s Word is the recorded communication of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-breathed letter to mankind reveals the Father and the Son\u2019s character to us.<\/p>\n 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20\u201321<\/p>\n The Holy Spirit convicts of sin<\/span> and calls people to salvation. Jesus<\/span>\u2019 death on the cross is the door through which we enter into salvation, but the Holy Spirit opens that door.<\/p>\n John 6:63, 16:7\u20138; Romans 8:1\u20132<\/p>\n Equal in power to the intercession of Jesus<\/span> for us at the right hand of the Father, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us from within\u2014expressing the cries of our soul when our human weakness leaves us silent.<\/p>\n John 14:16\u201317; Romans 8:26\u201327<\/p>\n When we receive the gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit marks us as redeemed and assures us that we belong to Christ.<\/p>\n Romans 8:16\u201317; Ephesians 4:30<\/p>\n The Holy Spirit indwells us after salvation, empowering us to become more like Christ. He guides us to the truth and enables us to act upon it. Only by living in obedience to Him can we produce the fruit of righteousness.<\/p>\n Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 5:5, 16, 22\u201323<\/p>\n Compassionately possessing an intimate knowledge of our hearts, the Holy Spirit refutes doubts with reminders of God<\/span>\u2019s truth and encourages downcast hearts to hope in God<\/span>.<\/p>\n John 14:26; Romans 8:16, 15:13<\/p>\n1. He Was Involved in Creation<\/h2>\n
2. Jesus Refers to Him as a Distinct Person<\/h2>\n
3. He Is Referred to in Personal Descriptions<\/h2>\n
4. He Fulfills an Individual Role<\/h2>\n
Importance of the Trinity<\/h2>\n
Holy and Wholly Equal<\/h2>\n
Revelation<\/h3>\n
Invitation<\/h3>\n
Intercession<\/h3>\n
Confirmation<\/h3>\n
Sanctification<\/h3>\n
Consolation<\/h3>\n