What the Bible Teaches

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Chapter 210

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210.000.000      Torrey: p225

THE PERSONHOOD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

210.010.000      Torrey: p225, T:I
Topic 10:   The Importance of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

210.010.010      Torrey: p225, T:I, P:1- 1
POINT 10:   If the Spirit is a distinct Divine Being we should worship Him. If it is simply an influence from God we should not.

It is of the highest importance from the standpoint of worship that we decide whether the Holy Spirit is a divine being worthy to receive our adoration, our faith and our love, or simply an influence emanating from God, a power that God imparts to us. If the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and we do not realize it, we are robbing a Divine Being of the love and adoration which are his due.

Let us consider a secular analogy. Americans honor George Washington the person for his characteristics and actions, e.g., his patriotism, and military and political leadership. They do not honor the characteristics and actions themselves. Medals and awards are given for bravery, not to bravery. If the Spirit is simply an influence from God, worshiping it is idolatry, just as it would be idolatry to worship God's compassion or His immortality or His anger, since they are merely things.

210.010.020      Torrey: p225, T:I, P:1- 2
POINT 20: If the Spirit is a power, we should seek to control it. If it is a divine being, we should submit to it.

It is of the highest practical importance that we decide whether the Holy Spirit is a power that we in our weakness and ignorance are somehow to get hold of and use, or whether the Holy Spirit is a personal being infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely tender, who is to get hold of and use us. The one conception is heathenish, the other Christian. The one conception leads to self-humiliation, self-emptying and self-renunciation; the other conception leads to self-exaltation.

210.010.030      Torrey: p225, T:I, P:1- 3
POINT 30: It is important to our spiritual growth to recognize the personhood of the Holy Spirit.

It is of the highest importance in our spiritual growth that we know the Holy Spirit as a person. Many can testify to the blessing that came into their lives when they came to know the Holy Spirit not merely as a gracious influence (emanating, it is true, from God), but as an ever-present loving friend and helper.

210.020.000      Torrey: p225, T:II
Topic 20:The Fact that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a Thing.

We may believe the Holy Spirit is a person in theory. Do we treat Him as a person in our real thought of Him, or in our practical attitude toward Him? Do we regard Him as indeed as real a person as Jesus Christ -- as loving, wise and strong, as worthy of our confidence and love and surrender, as Jesus is?

What Christ had been to the disciples during the days of His personal companionship with them, the Spirit later came to be. Do we know "the communion" or "fellowship" of the Holy Ghost?

210.020.002      Torrey: no
POINT 2:  The Spirit of God is not simply Jehovah.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16 New English Bible Surely you know that you are God's temple, where the Spirit of God dwells.

=== DISCUSSION ===

Since Jehovah is a spirit, it would make no sense to talk about the spirit of God if the "Spirit" is Jehovah. It would be like talking about "the wind of wind" or "the heat of heat."

210.020.004      Torrey: no
POINT 4: The Son commands the Spirit. The Son does not command the Father.

210.020.010      Torrey: p226, T:II, P:1
POINT 10: Various pronouns that clearly imply personhood are repeatedly used of the Holy Spirit.

John 15:26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

John 16:7-8, 13- 14 [7] But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

The use of these pronouns is the more remarkable from the fact that in the Greek language the word Spirit is a neuter noun, and according to Greek usage, the pronouns that refer to it should be neuter, and yet in numerous instances a masculine pronoun is used, thus bringing out very strikingly how the Bible idea of the personhood of the Holy Spirit dominates grammatical construction. There are instances, of course, where the natural grammatical usage is followed and a neuter pronoun is used, e.g., Romans 16:16, 26. But in many instances this construction is set aside and the masculine personal pronoun is used to refer to the neuter noun.

210.020.020      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:2
POINT 20: Many characteristics that only a person can possess are ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

210.020.020a      Torrey: p226, T:II, P:2(1)
POINT 20a: Knowledge is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:10- 11 [10] but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. [11] For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

210.020.020b      Torrey: p226, T:II, P:2(2)
POINT 20b: Will is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

210.020.020c      Torrey: p226, T:II, P:2(3)
POINT 20c: Mind is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Compare Romans 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

210.020.020d      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:2(4)
POINT 20d: Love is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

210.020.020e      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:2(5)
POINT 20e: Intelligence is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

Intelligence and goodness are ascribed to the Holy Spirit. Note that this passage is from the Old Testament, where the truth of the personality of the Holy Spirit is not as fully developed as in the New Testament.

210.020.020f      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:2(5)
POINT 20f: Goodness is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

See the previous Point for substantiation.

210.020.020g      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:2(6)
POINT 20g: Grief is ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

210.020.030      Torrey: p228, T:II, P:3
POINT 30: Many acts that only a living entity can perform are ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

210.020.030a      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:3(1)
POINT 30a: The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

210.020.030b      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:3(2)
POINT 30b: The Holy Spirit speaks.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Hebrews 3:7- 9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Note: This does not necessarily mean "speak" in the literal sense, i.e., to cause air to vibrate or to form words. In many instances when people say "the Spirit spoke to me" they mean that they had an overwhelming feeling that they knew was from God.

210.020.030c      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:3(3)
POINT 30c: The Holy Spirit calls out.

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

210.020.030d      Torrey: no
POINT 30d: The Holy Spirit hears.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

210.020.030e      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:3(4)
POINT 30e: The Holy Spirit intercedes.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

210.020.030f      Torrey: no
POINT 30f: The Holy Spirit has feelings. He "intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

Sometimes a feeling such as love, joy, sadness, sorrow, frustration, or anger is so strong that it cannot be fully expressed in words.

Romans 8:26 ... the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

210.020.030g      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:3(5)
POINT 30g: The Holy Spirit gives testimony.

John 15:26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

210.020.030h      Torrey: p227, T:II, P:3(6)
POINT 30h: The Holy Spirit teaches all things.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:13- 14 [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

210.020.030i      Torrey: p228, T:II, P:3(7)
POINT 30i: The Holy Spirit leads or directs men what to do.

Romans 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

210.020.030j      Torrey: p228, T:II, P:3(8)
POINT 30j: The Holy Spirit commands men.

Acts 16:6- 7 [6] Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. [7] When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

210.020.030k      Torrey: no
POINT 30k: The Holy Spirit prevents men from doing things.

Acts 16:6- 7 [6] Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. [7] When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

210.020.030l      Torrey: p228, T:II, P:3(9)
POINT 30l: The Holy Spirit calls men to work and appoints them to office.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

210.020.030m      Torrey: p228, T:II, P:3(10)
POINT 30m: The Holy Spirit goes forth upon the mission to which He is sent.

John 15:26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

210.020.030n      Torrey: no
POINT 30n: The Holy Spirit tells what is yet to come.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

210.020.030o      Torrey: no
POINT 30o: The Holy Spirit takes sides in disputes.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

210.020.030p      Torrey: no
POINT 30p: The Holy Spirit changes sides in disputes.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

210.020.030q      Torrey: no
POINT 30q: The Holy Spirit fights against those who rebel against Him and grieve Him.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Hebrews 3:7- 9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."

210.020.030r      Torrey: no
POINT 30r: The Holy Spirit makes decisions on the basis of events and reasoning.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

The Spirit did not change sides like the wind -- out of pure coincidence; He changed sides because they rebelled against Him. When He saw rebellion He had several choices:

    (1) ignore the rebellion and continue to support them
    (2) punish them and continue to support them
    (3) ignore them and let them fend for themselves
    (4) change sides and actively fight them

He made a conscious decision to respond in a particular way.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

210.020.030s      Torrey: no
POINT 30s: The Holy Spirit performs works.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

210.020.030t      Torrey: p229, T:II, P: General
POINT 30t: The Holy Spirit lives with believers and lives in believers.

John 14:16- 17 [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

210.020.030u      Torrey: p229, T:II, P: General
POINT 30u: The Holy Spirit fellowships with believers.

2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

210.020.040      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:4
POINT 40: An Office is predicated of the Holy Spirit that could only be predicated of a person.

John 14:16- 17 [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

It is the office of the Holy Spirit to be "another Counselor" (or paraclete) to take the place of the absent Savior. Is it possible that Jesus Christ could use such language in speaking of an impersonal influence or power?

John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

210.020.050      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:5
POINT 50: The Holy Spirit is treated in ways that only a person, not a thing, is treated.

210.020.050a      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:5(1)
POINT 50a: The Holy Spirit is rebelled against.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Hebrews 3:7- 9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."

210.020.050b      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:5(1)
POINT 50b: People cause the Holy Spirit to grieve.

See Isaiah 63:10 in the previous Point.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

210.020.050c      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:5(2)
POINT 50c: The Holy Spirit is insulted.

Hebrews 10:29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

210.020.050d      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:5(3)
POINT 50d: The Holy Spirit is lied to.

Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?"

210.020.050e      Torrey: p229, T:II, P:5(4)
POINT 50e: The Holy Spirit is blasphemed against.

Matthew 12:31- 32 [31] And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.


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