Category: Personhood Of God

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 3 - His Works

4/10/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 3 - His Works

The personhood of the Holy Spirit can also be confirmed by His works. By definition, a mere force or influence cannot perform a work or action. However, Scripture proves that the Holy Spirit does work or act. These deeds are only able to be done by one who possesses personhood.

First, the Holy Spirit created the world (Genesis 1:2).

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. - Genesis 1:2

Second, He restrains sin (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he [the Holy Spirit] who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Third, the Holy Spirit teaches believers (John 14:26).

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. - John 14:26

Fourth, He testifies of Jesus (John 15:26).

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 15:26

Fifth, the Holy Spirit guides believers into truth (John 16:13).

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. - John 16:13

Sixth, He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).

And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; - John 16:8

Seventh, the Holy Spirit regenerates sinners, imparting new life to them (Titus 3:5).

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, - Titus 3:5

Eighth, He intercedes for believers in their times of weakness (Romans 8:26).

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; - Romans 8:26

Ninth, the Holy Spirit commissions individuals to service (Acts 13:2, 4).

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. […] So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. - Acts 13:2, 4

Tenth, He directs the believer’s ministry (Acts 8:29; 16:6).

Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot. - Acts 8:29
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; - Acts 16:6

0 Comments

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 2 - Intellect, Emotion, and Volition

4/7/2021

0 Comments

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 2 - Intellect, Emotion, and Volition

he Scriptures demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is indeed a person because He has intellect, emotion, and volition. That the Holy Spirit has intellect is underscored by His ability to examine and know the deep things of God and reveal them to believers.

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 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 2:10-11

Romans 8:27 refers to the mind of the Spirit.

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. - Romans 8:27

The term mind (phronema) refers to one’s way of thinking or one’s aspirations.

That the Holy Spirit can be grieved by sin denotes that He has emotions.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30

A force cannot be grieved.

The volition of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated in His forbidding of Paul to preach in Asia.

They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; - Acts 16:6

As well, regarding the distribution of spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit distributes them to believers just as He wills.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. - 1 Corinthians 12:11

0 Comments

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 1 - Personal Pronouns

4/7/2021

0 Comments

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 1 - Personal Pronouns

As a member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is a Person. Personhood dictates self-consciousness and self-determination. God is self-conscious.

I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; - Isaiah 45:5

Additionally, God is self-determined.

But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. - Job 23:13

Jehovah Witnesses and Unitarians deny the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Such a viewpoint is based on the Greek term pneuma, which is translated as spirit. The Greek term pneuma is gender neutral, neither male nor female. According to the rules of Greek grammar, any pronoun used in place of a noun must agree with said noun in gender. Thus, male gender nouns must be substituted by male gender pronouns; female pronouns for female nouns and neuter pronouns for neuter pronouns. However, the human writers of Scripture broke the rule and used masculine pronouns in reference to the Holy Spirit.

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 15:26
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. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. - John 16:13-14

By doing using the masculine pronoun, the human writers of Scripture conveyed the idea that the Holy Spirit is not a force but a person.

0 Comments

The Personhood of God: Part 3 - Volition

8/22/2020

0 Comments

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Personhood Of God: Part 3 - Voiltion

The personhood of God displays itself in intellect, emotion, and volition. God has volition or will. Volition or will is the ability to choose or determine something. God’s will is an attitude of mind that favors one alternative over other alternatives. God’s will is good, pleasing and perfect.

… prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

God’s will has three aspects — permanent, perfect, and permissive. The permanent aspect is those things in which God directly and actively brings to pass.

It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. - Daniel 2:21
…But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, What have You done? - Daniel 4:35

The perfect and permissive aspects exist within the permanent aspect of God’s decree. The permissive describes those things which God allows. The perfect describes those things that God has commanded His people to do.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2

Following the perfect will results in blessing, whereas following the permissive results in chastening.

0 Comments

The Personhood of God: Part 2 - Emotion

8/22/2020

0 Comments

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Personhood Of God: Part 2 - Emotion

God is self-conscious and self-determined, hence God has personhood. These two aspects of personhood display themselves in intellect, emotion, and volition.

God has emotion. He can be grieved.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30

He is angry with the sinner.

The Lord shall never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the Lord and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven. - Deuteronomy 29:20

God takes pleasure in the death of the saints.

Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His godly ones. - Psalm 116:15

He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? - Ezekiel 18:23

God hates evil and love that which is good.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above your fellows. - Psalm 45:7

He is pleased with a believer’s faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. - Hebrews 11:6

0 Comments

The Personhood of God: Part 1 - Intellect

8/19/2020

0 Comments

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Personhood Of God: Part 1 - Intellect

God is self-conscious and self-determined, hence God has personhood. These two aspects of personhood display themselves in intellect, emotion, and volition. Since these three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — are one God, they each have intellect, emotion, and volition.

God has intellect. He is omniscient (i.e., all-knowing). His ability to know and understand is without limit.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him... - Hebrews 4:13
Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. - Psalm 147:5

He has complete knowledge of all things.

For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect (tāmîm) in knowledge is with you. - Job 36:4

The term perfect (tāmîm) means that God’s knowledgde is complete or lacking in nothing. As well, God knows the end from the beginning.

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure; - Isaiah 46:10

He knows every detail of every person’s life, understands a person’s thoughts and scrutinizes a person’s actions.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. - Psalm 139:2-4

He knows what is done in secret.

so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:18

0 Comments

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 3 - His Works

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 2 - Intellect, Emotion, and Volition

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit: Part 1 - Personal Pronouns

The Personhood of God: Part 3 - Volition

The Personhood of God: Part 2 - Emotion

The Personhood of God: Part 1 - Intellect

WHY TWO MINUTES?

Categories