August 24, 2003
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Part II
In coming to know and understand who the Holy Spirit is, it is essential that we draw our conclusions from the Word of God alone and in this series, we will do just that! Whenever men have departed from the authority of the Bible, invariably they end up with all kinds of strange and weird teachings regarding the Holy Spirit. Last week we saw that the Holy Spirit is a person. We shall see in this study that He is a divine person-HE IS GOD.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD
In Acts 5:1-6 Peter asked Ananias, Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? (verse 3) and goes on to say in verse 4, You have not lied to men but to God.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CHARACTERIZED AS GOD
1. He possesses supreme and infinite knowledge (I Corinthians 2:10,11; John 16:13). What do we mean by supreme knowledge? God knows Himself and all things, whether they be past, present or future. He knows all things perfectly and from all eternity. He knows things immediately, simultaneously, exhaustively and truly. He also knows the best ways to attain His desired ends. His knowledge
Is inherent not acquired as is mans.
Is immediate does not develop from a process of reasoning.
Is simultaneous He knows all things perfectly and at the same time. All things at
once and in their totality.
2. He possesses supreme and infinite power (Luke 1:35). All power means that God, the Holy Spirit is able to do whatever He wills however, His will is governed by His nature. He acts in harmony with His nature. He cannot do that which is contrary to His holy nature -
He cannot sin James 1:13
He cannot look upon sin with approval Habakkuk 1:13
He cannot lie Hebrews 6:18
He cannot deny Himself II Timothy 2:13
However, these are not really limitations of power but a revelation of His strength
and perfection.
3. He possesses supreme and infinite holiness (Luke 11:13). The fundamental idea of holiness is that of separation in terms of position or relationship and character.
He is separate from His creatures Isaiah 40:25
He is separate from sin I John 1:5; James 1:13
He is essentially, ethically, pure and perfect (I John 1:5, 1 Tim 6:15,16). Note that
light is used to symbolize truth as opposed to error and purity as opposed to impurity.
4. He possesses supreme and infinite truth (I John 4:6). Truth is the affirmation of reality. The Holy Spirit affirms the reality of God the Father, God the Son, and of the Scriptures (Exodus 3:14).
5. Other characteristics of deity
Love Romans 15:30
Eternality Hebrews 9:14
Everywhere present Psalm+ 139:7, 8
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CAPABLE AS GOD
In His work in creation Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13
In His work in inspiration II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21
In His work of incarnation Luke 1:35
In His work of regeneration John 3:3-6
In His work of conviction John 16:8
HE IS CO-EQUAL WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON
Many Scriptures show this truth - Hebrews 10:15-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians1: 4-14. In 1 Corinthians 2:11 we see that the spirit of man constitutes part of man. The Spirit constitutes God.
It is phenomenal to know that the creator of this vast universe resides in every believer. We hear sometimes that He is at our disposal. I would like to reverse that concept. Beloved, we are at His disposal AMEN?
Love to you all,