The Holy Spirit Is Who or What?

Phillip Arnn

In the article Is the Holy Spirit a Person?, nine statements are made about the Holy Spirit with the conclusion being, the Holy Spirit does not have personality (Good News, Nov.\Dec. 1990, p. 10).

"First, it is the power of God (Zech 4:6, Micah 3:8).

"Second, it is the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding (Isa. 11:2).

"Third, it is the Gift of God (Acts 2:28)," and "It is poured out (Acts 2:17).

"Fourth, to be effective the Holy Spirit must be stirred up (2 Tim. 1:6).

"Fifth, the Spirit of God can be quenched, (1 Thess. 5:19).

"Sixth, it is the begetting power of God, (Matt. 1:18, Romans 8:9).

"Seventh, it is God's guarantee to us that he will fulfill his promise to us (Eph. 1:13-14)."

"Eighth, it sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5).

"Ninth, it must be renewed (2 Cor. 4:16)."

The article states, "Notice in all of these scriptures there is not one characteristic even implying the Spirit is a person.

"Does a person do any of these things? Is a person `poured,' `quenched,' or `renewed?'"

Biblical Reply

In Psalms 22 David gives a prophetic vision of the Lord on the cross. The Lord Jesus says, "I am poured out," (Vs. 14).

"Quench not the Spirit." According to Thayer's Greek/ English Lexicon of the New Testament, 1 Thess. 5:19 is a metaphor; "To quench, suppress, stifle divine influence," (p. 572).

It is the influence of the Holy Spirit within the local body being suppressed or stifled that is the occasion of the Apostles charge. Influence is a personal activity.

Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:16 speaks of "renewing" the inward man or spirit. This verse is not speaking of the Holy Spirit but of the spirit of man.

Thayer's Lexicon, under renew says of the Apostles thought in this scripture, "new strength and vigor is given to me."

Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are said to be "the power of God" in scripture (Micah 3:8 and 1 Cor. 1:24).

Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are said to be "the Wisdom of God" in scripture (1 Cor. 1:24 and Isa. 11:2).

Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are said to have been "poured out" in scripture (Acts 2:17 and Ps. 22:14).

If the personality of the Holy Spirit is denied based upon the above characteristics then so should the personality of Jesus be denied.

The reference to 2 Timothy 1:6, "stir up the gift of God" taken in context and together with 1 Timothy 4:14 is not speaking of stirring up the Holy Spirit but rather the gifts from the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and Romans 12: 6-8.

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus instructs the disciples, "Go ye therefore, and teach the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The Greek word name is used 228 times in the New Testament, 224 times it refers to a person.

The word name as it is used here carries the connotation of authority and power which are expressions of personality. It is unreasonable to say the word name as used here confers personality to the Father and Son, but not to the Holy Spirit.

In addition is the reference found in 2 Corinthians 13:14. "May the grace of the Lord

Here is found the trinity in fellowship with the believer. Note the clause, "and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit."

The would fellowship in Thayer's Lexicon is defined as "fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation." All of these are functions of interacting persons.

The scriptures says that men are sealed unto the day of redemption by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).

Joseph Tkach, current leader of the Worldwide Church of God stated, "The necessary ingredient to enable a human, whatever his physical heritage may be, to enter the Kingdom of God is the Holy Spirit," (Worldwide News, 28 January 1991, p. 6).

A person better be sure they have the correct spirit if their eternal life is at stake.

It is one thing to ignorantly follow the false teachings of men and deny the person of the Holy Spirit. It is quite another matter to grieve the Holy Spirit after study has revealed His personality so clearly.

The Worldwide Church's Good News article ended with the question which now is placed before the leadership and every person of the Worldwide Church of God - "What will you believe?"