Relevant Christianity

The Holy Spirit – Who Is He?

Theology of the Holy Spirit

(Pneumatology)

Lecture One

COURSE INTRODUCTION

1. Structure of the Module

2. Learning Outcomes

3. References

4. Assessment and Participant Involvement

5 Theological and Experiential Mix

Why Study this Topic?

the Holy Spirit is a person; He is God;
He has come to reveal Jesus Christ;
He reveals God’s truth; without this revelation we are in spiritual darkness
He has come to execute God’s work in the world;
He is moving in revival power in much of the world;
Christians are commanded to “walk in the Spirit” –we need to know how to do this;
He has come to impart POWER to the church (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16)
the Bible contains extensive teaching about the person and work of the Holy Spirit (88 references in the Old Testament; 22 of 39 books; and 261 in the New Testament; 24 of 27 books, plus every author); given this emphasis, we should not be ignorant of the teaching about who He is, why He is active in human affairs and how to grow in our relationship with Him
we need to be able to correct error and misunderstanding.

In this short course, we will emphasise a mix of theology and experience. In the words of one writer:

if we have all Word and no Spirit we tend to dry up;
if we have all Spirit and no Word we can blow up;
if we have both Word and Spirit we will grow up.

PERSON AND DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Is the Holy Spirit a “power” or a Person? Called the “Holy Spirit” 90+ times in the Bible.

Unless we understand this issue we will never appreciate the Trinity. He is sometime referred to impersonally, eg breath, gift, anointing – however, these describe His operations. The Holy Spirit is really a “person”, ie he has personal attributes. And because He is a complete person, we can a person-to-person relationship with Him.

1. THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE

The Holy Spirit is a person (not an “it). He has:

a mind – Romans 8:27
a will – 1 Corinthians 12:11
feeling – Ephesians 4:30; Romans 15:30 (love)
knowledge (including self-knowledge) – 1 Corinthians 2:11

He is able to do things that only a “person” can do:

reveal – 2 Peter 1:21
teach – John 14:26; 16:14; Luke 12:12; 1 Corinthians 2:13
witness – Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 10:15
intercede – Romans 8:26
search – 1 Corinthians 2:10
speak – Acts 8:29; 10:19; 13:3; Revelation 2:7,11 (not about Himself - John 16:13)
choose – Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 11
inspire – 2 Timothy 3:16
lead – Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14
command – Acts 13:2, 4
give permission – Acts11:12
forbid – Acts16:6-7
testify – John 15:26
be jealous – James 4:5
be grieved – Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 63:10 (or “vexed”)
be insulted – Hebrews 10:29
be lied to – Acts 5:3, 4
be blasphemed – Matthew 12:31, 32
give invitations – Revelation 22:17
strive with people- Genesis 6:3
be resisted – Acts 7:51
be tested, tempted – Acts 5:9
be described as “He/Him” – John 14:16, 17; 16:7-8, 13-14 (recorded 12 times in John 16 alone).

The Holy Spirit is distinct from God the Father & Jesus Christ the Son – Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 10:38; 15:28.

Implications for Us

If the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, and we do not know it, we are effectively denying God the love and adoration owed to Him.

If the Holy Spirit is a PERSON we can approach Him knowing that He understands us, He will listen, and He will extend his love and strength to us in time of blessing or need, and that He is able to guide us throughout the Christian life. We can (and should) know Him.

This kind of relationship Involves obedience, fellowship, intimacy; guidance, responsiveness; flexibility; and listening hearts (eg Hebrews 3:7, 8).

2. HIS NAMES AND TITLES

The names and titles of the Holy Spirit describe His character and attributes.

Spirit of God – Exodus 31:3

Has the attributes and performs the works of God:

called “My Spirit” – Genesis 6:3
called God – Acts 5:3, 4; Ephesians 4:30
eternal - Hebrews 9:14
omniscient (all-knowing) –1 Corinthians 2:10, 11 – He knows our thoughts and needs
omnipotent (all-powerful) - Luke 1:35; Romans 15:19 - nothing is impossible to Him (Zechariah 4:6)
called Spirit of Glory and of God – 1 Peter 4:14
omnipresent (He is everywhere) - Psalm 139:7-13. He can be with ALL of us at the same time
creator - Genesis 1:26; Job 33:4
gives new birth - John 3:1-8
involved in Jesus’ resurrection – Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18
ranked as equal with Father and Son - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19 (in the baptismal command given by Jesus)
inspired the Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16 with 2 Peter 1:21
source of Divine power – Matthew 12:28 with Luke 11:20; Acts 19:11 with Romans 15:19
appoints, commissions and sends God’s ministers – Acts 13:2, 4 with Matthew 9:38; Acts 20:28
directs where the Gospel should be preached – Acts 16:6, 7, 10
called ”Spirit of your Father” (God) – Matthew 10:20

The Bible describes the Trinity (a term coined by the church much later): the Father is God (Romans 1:7); the Son is God (Hebrews 1:8); and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3, 4).

He proceeds from the Father – John 15:26; John 14:16; through Christ – Acts 2:33.

Implications for Us

The same Holy Spirit brings us to Christ (John 6:44); reveals the truth of Christ to us (John 16:13); lives in us, energizing, directing, empowering us as the children of God. We need to submit to His presence, authority, will and be led by Him; kept by Him (cf Jude 20, 21).

Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:9

Christ was led by Him, eg Luke 4
sent in the name of Christ – John 14:26
sent through Christ’s intercession – John 14:16
“another” comforter, like Christ (Greek has two words for another: heteros = another of a different kind; allos = another of the same kind; the latter is used in the NT)
to replace Christ when ascended – John 16:7
Christ is the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit – Matthew 3:11
came to glorify Christ – John 16:14
indwells us, as Christ living in our hearts - Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:9, 10
imparts the life of Christ to us – Romans 8:2

Spirit of Glory

Helps us glorify God. Reflects the glory of God in us individually and in the Church – 1 Peter 4:14

Comforter

Described as such in John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7. Not “comfort” but “Comforter” (person). We no longer live in fear or loneliness.

Parakletos = one who is called to come along side of us (Latin uses “Advocatus, or advocate, a term used in 1 John 2:1 in reference to Jesus Christ.)

the disciples were distressed because Jesus was leaving; the Holy Spirit came to continue the work of Christ
“alongside” Christians, to give each of us power, assurance and authority to do the work of Christ
He would give them invisibly what Jesus gave them visibly (important in the context of Jesus physically leaving human society)
He would not be restricted to one place at a time. (Jesus’ work continues, but the Holy Spirit does it on earth)
comforts the church – Acts 9:31
gives us God’s supernatural joy –Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

Teacher

He is our teacher: John 16:12, 13.

Implication for Us

We need to be teachable.

Holy Spirit, or Spirit of Holiness – Luke 11:13; Romans 1:4

Spirit of the Holy One. Spirit of God.

He is the one who “sets us apart” to God, transforms us, makes us holy.

Sanctifies the church – Romans 15:16; makes us “saints”.

Spirit of Wisdom – Exodus 28:3; Ephesians 1:17.

Wise, sensitive, imparts the wisdom of God to us.

Holy Spirit of Promise

The Holy Spirit is promised in various places in the Bible, eg

promised throughout the OT (Ezekiel 36:27; Joel 2:28)
promised by Jesus Christ (Luke 24:49; Galatians 3:14). See also Ephesians 1:13
confirms and validates God’s promises in our lives

Spirit of Truth

John 14:17, 27; 16:13 He is the personification of Truth. He:

speaks the truth;
reveals and verifies the truth of God, His Word, Jesus Christ;
opens our eyes, gives us illumination, understanding and power to implement the Truth in our experience;
does not speak of Himself, but the words and life of Christ;
jealously guards God’s truth, eg Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11

Distinguished from the “spirit of error” (1 John 4:6) in the world, inspired by Satan. Only Christians have the capacity to discern truth and error.

Spirit of Grace

Referred to in Hebrews 10:29; Zechariah 12:10. Imparts God’s grace to us:

to repent for salvation
to live for Him, in a way that pleases God
to exercise the grace of God in our lives

If we drive away the spirit of grace we arguably cut ourselves off from God’s mercy. If, as Christians, we are not led by the Spirit of Grace we end up becoming legalistic, judgmental, mean-spirited and self-centred.

Spirit of Life

Makes us free from the “law of sin and death”. Gives us abundant life. Romans 8:2; Revelation 11:11. He also gives us life as the Creator, the “breath of God”, Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 42:5.

The letter of the law “kills”, but the Spirit gives life – 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Spirit of Adoption

The “agent” of our adoption, or incorporation in the family of God as His legal heirs- Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5, 6. Confirms our sonship in our hearts.

Spirit of Burning – Isaiah 4:4

Searching out, refining, burning dross, illuminating the believer.

SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Symbols “speak” to us of the work of the Holy Spirit – John 7:38

Fire – He has come to convict, refine and purify us - Isaiah 4:4; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16

Fire:

consumes
purges (burning out dross and impurity)
purifies
warms
illuminates

Holy Spirit gives us burning zeal, boldness. Speaking of the power of our witness, someone once said, “If you are on fire for Christ, people will come to watch you burn”.

Wind – Job 33:4

Spirit means: ”breath” or “wind:” Hebrew “Ruach”; Greek “Pneuma”. Ezekiel 37:7-10; Acts 2:2 Jesus used the illustration of wind to signify the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion, moving in miraculous ways in our lives – John 3:8. He subsequently “breathed” on the disciples and imparted the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).

Water – He is living water springing up in us – cf Isaiah 44:3, 4

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (type); John 4:14; 7:38, 39.

Water in the Bible symbolizes life, renewal. The Holy Spirit is the source of life. Much of the church is like “clouds without water” (Jude), promising but not delivering. Water:

washes
purifies
quenches thirst, refreshes
makes fruitful
cleanses.

The water of the Spirit continues to flow through willing believers.

Seal - Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22

seal implies ownership and responsibility – we belong to Him (have the seal, or branding, of God in us – 2 Timothy 2:19)
security- Ephesians 1:13, cf Revelation 7:3. In Roman times, a person found tampering with official seals was judged severely. We must be careful that we do not break the seal either - Ephesians 4:30
authority – someone using the seal of another (eg a person in power, such as a Governor) acted with their authority. We have Christ’s authority for His work (Matthew 28:18-20).

Oil – Hebrews 1:9; Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38

Oil was used for anointing (priests, kings, one prophet). Jesus was anointed (Acts 10:38). Also used for food, light, balm for healing. The Holy Spirit in us produces these things.

He who anoints us is God – 2 Corinthians 1:21.

Dove

Symbolically speaks of grace, purity, peace, patience. The Holy Spirit “brooded” over the waters in Genesis 1:2. In form of a dove at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16 and the 3 other Gospels). He is gentle in our lives.

Earnest - Ephesians 1:13, 14

Down-payment, deposit, token, pledge, guarantee of balance of payment to come.

Every relationship needs to be developed. It is the same with our relationship with the Holy Spirit (cf 2 Corinthians 3:18).

COME, HOLY SPIRIT!

CORRECTING FALSE VIEWS ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

(For supplementary information read pages 34-38 and 47-48 of Holdcroft.)

Proponents

Summary

Reformation Church

Taught that denial of the Trinity was a capital offence (this stemmed from Christian Roman times).

Christian Science

The Holy Spirit is Divine Science.

Spiritualism

Denies the personality of the Holy Spirit; some believe the Holy Spirit is the spirit of a person who has died.

Jehovah’s Witness

The invisible active force of Almighty God.

For over a hundred years the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Jehovah's Witness's have misrepresented the doctrine of the Trinity with such statements as "Three God's in one person" (Zions Watch Tower, July 1882, 369), "Three God's in one" (Riches, 1936, 185), "If He is One Jehovah, then could He be three God's, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost as the Trinitarians teach?" (Watchtower, April 1, 1970, 210).

Opponents of the Trinity claim it was a pagan doctrine taken from other trinities such as the Greek triad of Zeus, Athena, and Appollo and especially the Hindu trinity of Brahama, Vishnu, and Shiva. Jehovah's Witnesses also hold to a similar conviction.

Mormonism

The influence of deity, the light of Christ, a divine liquid.

Oneness Pentecostals

Oneness Pentecostalism differs significantly from classic Pentecostalism on account of its belief in the nature of God. Oneness believers, along with groups like Jehovah's Witnesses, The Way International, and The Church of God International, rejects the Trinity and claim it is pagan in origin. Oneness Pentecostals believe that God is absolutely one in numerical value, Jesus Christ is fully God, and that there is no place for a plurality of Persons within the one God.

The Oneness movement (originally called the "New Issue" and "Jesus Only") officially broke away from the Assemblies of God and established itself in an official organisational form in 1917.

While Oneness historians criticise the doctrine of the Trinity on account of it being formulated as a doctrine in the fourth century they hold to other aspects of historic Christianity that went through a similar historical development. For example, the New Testament canon was not agreed upon until the fourth century and the doctrine of the two natures of Christ was not significantly settled until the fifth century at the council of Chalcedon in 451.

Unification Church (“Moonies”)

Holy Spirit is a female Spirit (cf Gnostics believed the Holy Spirit to be a “female principle”). Cleanses sins.

Unitarianism

Teaches the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one and the same person.

Oxford Movement

Denied the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of Scripture. Replaced the Bible’s claims of supernaturalism with theories of naturalism and humanism. Denied the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation.

Liberalism, Neo-orthodoxy

Denies the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Reduces the Holy Spirit to “an allegorical way of speaking of ‘the possibility of a new life which is opened up by faith” (Holdcroft, p. 17). The work of the Holy Spirit is replaced with “human behaviour”.

What do the Creeds Say?

1. Roman Catholic Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition)

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

683 "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit."¹ "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!"'² This knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit. He comes to meet us and kindles faith in us. By virtue of our Baptism, the first sacrament of the faith, the Holy Spirit in the Church communicates to us, intimately and personally, the life that originates in the Father and is offered to us in the Son.

Baptism gives us the grace of new birth in God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit. For those who bear God's Spirit are led to the Word, that is, to the Son, and the Son presents them to the Father, and the Father confers incorruptibility on them. And it is impossible to see God's Son without the Spirit, and no one can approach the Father without the Son, for the knowledge of the Father is the Son, and the knowledge of God's Son is obtained through the Holy Spirit.³

684 Through his grace, the Holy Spirit is the first to awaken faith in us and to communicate to us the new life, which is to "know the Father and the one whom he has sent, Jesus Christ."⁴ But the Spirit is the last of the persons of the Holy Trinity to be revealed. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, the Theologian, explains this progression in terms of the pedagogy of divine "condescension":

The Old Testament proclaimed the Father clearly, but the Son more obscurely. The New Testament revealed the Son and gave us a glimpse of the divinity of the Spirit. Now the Spirit dwells among us and grants us a clearer vision of himself. It was not prudent, when the divinity of the Father had not yet been confessed, to proclaim the Son openly and, when the divinity of the Son was not yet admitted, to add the Holy Spirit as an extra burden, to speak somewhat daringly. . . . By advancing and progressing "from glory to glory," the light of the Trinity will shine in ever more brilliant rays.⁵

685 To believe in the Holy Spirit is to profess that the Holy Spirit is one of the persons of the Holy Trinity, consubstantial with the Father and the Son: "with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified."⁶ For this reason, the divine mystery of the Holy Spirit was already treated in the context of Trinitarian "theology." Here, however, we have to do with the Holy Spirit only in the divine "economy."

686 The Holy Spirit is at work with the Father and the Son from the beginning to the completion of the plan for our salvation. But in these "end times," ushered in by the Son's redeeming Incarnation, the Spirit is revealed and given, recognized and welcomed as a person. Now can this divine plan, accomplished in Christ, the firstborn and head of the new creation, be embodied in mankind by the outpouring of the Spirit: as the Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

1 1 Cor 12:3.
2 Gal 4:6.
3 St. Irenaeus, Dem. ap. 7: SCh 62,41-42.
4 Jn 17:3.
5 St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio theol.,5,26 (= Oratio 31,26):PG 36,161-163.
6 Nicene Creed; see above, par. 465.

Apostles Creed* (187 AD

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

According to Wikipedia:

The theological specifics of this creed appear to have been originally formulated as a refutation of Gnosticism, an early heresy. This can be seen in almost every phrase. For example, the creed states that Christ, Jesus, was born, suffered, and died on the cross. This seems to be a statement directly against the heretical teaching that Christ only appeared to become man and that he did not truly suffer and die but only appeared to do so. The Apostles' Creed, as well as other baptismal creeds, is esteemed as an example of the apostles' teachings and a defense of the Gospel of Christ.

The name of the Creed comes from the probably fifth-century legend that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, each of the Twelve Apostles dictated part of it. It is traditionally divided into twelve articles.

Because of its early origin, it does not address some Christological issues defined in the later Nicene and other Christian Creeds. It thus says nothing explicitly about the divinity of either Jesus or of the Holy Spirit. This makes it acceptable to many Arians and Unitarians. Nor does it address many other theological questions that became objects of dispute centuries later.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles'_Creed)

Nicene Creed (325/381 AD)

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

Athanasian Creed (Late 5^th Century)

1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith;

2. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

3. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;

4. Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.

5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.

6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.

7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.

8. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated.

9. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.

10. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.

11. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal.

12. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensible, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible.

13. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty.

14. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.

15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God;

16. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.

17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord;

18. And yet they are not three Lords but one Lord.

19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord;

20. So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say; There are three Gods or three Lords.

21. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten.

22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.

23. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.

25. And in this Trinity none is afore or after another; none is greater or less than another.

26. But the whole three persons are coeternal, and coequal.

27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

28. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.

29. Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

30. For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man.

31. God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of substance of His mother, born in the world.

32. Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.

33. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood.

34. Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ.

35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of that manhood into God.

36. One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.

37. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ;

38. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead;

39. He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God, Almighty;

40. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

41. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies;

42. and shall give account of their own works.

43. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

44. This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.

Australian Christian Churches

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. As believers, we are encouraged to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This baptism, distinct from water baptism, is essential to effectively live a Holy Spirit empowered life. (see 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:713, 14:16,17; Acts 18; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)

Salvation Army

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

Christian City Church

There is one God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit;
In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God; we believe in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His constant intercession and in His imminent return;
In the person and work of the Holy Spirit with His fruit and gifts available in the Church;
The Bible is the word of God - authoritative and everlasting, and the foundation of all Christian doctrine;
In the existence of an evil spiritual being-the devil;
In the spiritually lost condition of all people and the essential need for the “new birth” by faith in Jesus Christ;
In the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a gift available to believers, with the normal evidence of speaking in other tongues;

Grace Christian Fellowship

The fruit and gifts of the Spirit as referred to in the Bible are all of equal importance as weapons and tools in the ministry of the kingdom to which we are called.

Baptist Union of Australia

The Holy Spirit is working within each Christian equipping, directing and encouraging.