Pneumatology
The study of the Holy Spirit is called pneumatology. What does pneumatology mean? It comes from two Greek words: pneuma + logos. It means wind, breath, or spirit + word, matter, or thing. So pneumatology is the study of what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit. Does the Bible Show that the Holy Spirit is a Person?
Trinitarian, Binitarian or Unitarian?
- Most Christian churches teach trinitarianism, meaning that God is one, but also three in unity, the Trinity.
- A few churches teach what is called unitarianism, that only the Father is God, and that Jesus is not and the Holy Spirit is not a person.
- Some churches teach binitarianism, that only God the Father and Jesus the Son are God, but that the Holy Spirit is not a person.
- Both unitarianism and binitarianism are considered to be heresies by those churches that believe in the Trinity.
- Why do most Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person and not just the force, or God’s energy or some impersonal thing like that? Some may argue that because Greek nouns are either masculine or feminine, objects are therefore given gender, and that does not prove that they are real people.
- That is true, but most Christian churches do not look at that to support what they believe. They believe that the Bible supports their belief that the Holy Spirit is a person in other, more convincing ways. How?
- The Bible indicates that the Holy Spirit also has personality and that he is more than just a force from God. Let’s look at a few scriptures which indicate that the Holy Spirit actually has personal qualities:
The Holy Spirit is a Person
- He makes determinations or decisions by his will—1 Corinthians 12:11
- He teaches—John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13
- He guides us into all truth—John 16:13
- He makes the things of Jesus known to us—John 16:14
- He convicts the world of sin—John 16:8
- He can be grieved—Ephesians 4:30
- He can be blasphemed—Matthew 12:31
- He possesses a rational mind—Romans 8:26-27
- He can be lied to—Acts 5:3-4
- He can be resisted—Acts 7:51
- He is distinguished from the Father and the Son—Matthew 28:19-20
- We can have fellowship with him—2 Corinthians 13:14
The Holy Spirit is God
The Christian Church has long taught that the Holy Spirit is God. Where do we get that from? Here is a selection of indicators from the Bible:
- The Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son, yet He is spoken of in equal terms to the Father and the Son—2 Corinthians 13:14
- The Holy Spirit performs the works of God such as:
- He inspired scripture—2 Peter 1:20-21
- He regenerates people—Titus 3:5
- He Raised Christ from the Dead—Romans 8:11
- The Holy Spirit is regarded as God
- He is eternal—Hebrews 9:14
- He is omniscient—1 Corinthians 2:10-11
- He is called God—Acts 5:3-4 (lied to the Holy Spirit = lied to God); 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Scriptural Metaphors for the Holy Spirit
What is the Holy Spirit like. The Bible compares him to several familiar things so that we can learn more about him. Here are some examples:
- Wind—John 3:8
- Water—John 7:37-39
- Dove—Matthew 3:16
- Power or clothing—Acts 1:8
- A guarantee or pledge—Ephesians 1:14
- Fire—Acts 2:3
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Bible
What kind of work does the Holy Spirit do? Here are some of the things he has done as recorded in the Bible:
- He worked with Baalam—Numbers 24:2
- He worked with Saul—1 Samuel 10:6, 10
- He worked with Ezekiel—Ezekiel 2:2
- He helps us know what to say—Mark 13:11
- He gives us spiritual wisdom—1 Corinthians 2:12-13
- He encourages—Acts 9:31
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
- In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was engaged in creating, sustaining, and recreating—Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; 34:14; Psalm 104:29-30; Isaiah 32:15; Romans 8:18-27
- He was also involved in the sanctification of Israel—Psalm 51:11; Psalm 143:10; Isaiah 63:10; Nehemiah 9:20; Hebrews 3:7; Isaiah 11:2-5; 32:15-20
- He also gave special gifts or abilities to Old Testament leaders:
- To build the tabernacle—Exodus 31:1-11
- To build the second temple—Zechariah 4:6
- To prophesy — Nehemiah 9:30; 2 Chronicles 15:1
- To lead the nation and administer national life — Genesis 41:38; Numbers 11:17, 25; Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 14:19
- To Saul—1 Samuel 10:10; 16:13
- To David—2 Samuel 23:2; Psalm 51:11; Ezra 1:5
During Jesus’ Earthly Ministry
The Holy Spirit was also vitally involved in Jesus’ ministry on earth:
- He was involved in the birth of Christ—Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35
- He anointed Christ for his messianic ministry—Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:14, 18
- He enabled Jesus in his victory over satanic powers during his temptations—Luke 4:1; John 3:34 and during his three year ministry—Matthew 12:28
At Christ’s Death and Resurrection
- Hebrews 9:14 Romans 1:4; 8:11 1 Timothy 3:16 1 Peter 3:18
He is Called the Spirit of Christ
- Isaiah 11:1; 42:1; 62:1 John 15:26-27 Romans 8:9-10
The Holy Spirit in the Church
The Holy Spirit has a lot of work to do in the Church, including:
- He encourages the Church—Acts 9:31
- He places some as overseers in the Church—Acts 20:28
- He gives spiritual gifts—1 Corinthians 12
- He has much to say to the churches—Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:1, 6, 13, 22
Blasphemy of the Spirit
What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? How can we avoid it? Matthew 12:22-32 is the most complete passage about this topic. It still leaves us with less than a complete explanation as to what is meant, but also gives some clues in the context.
- The Pharisees, with malice in their hearts, accused Jesus of casting out demons by demonic power. After showing the lack of logic in their accusation, Jesus said that it was by the Spirit of God and that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven.
- A broad explanation of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit includes three conditions:
- an insult
- final lack of repentance
- malicious sins against the Holy Spirit
- The Pharisees had insulted the Holy Spirit’s work calling it that of the devil. Also, even God cannot pardon someone who ultimately refuses to repent of sin.
- Finally, most of us sin out of weakness, but some sin deliberately out of malice even against any hope of salvation.
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