IS THE HOLY SPIRIT A FORCE OR A PERSON - THEOLOGICAL ISSUES #9

Many Christians focus on knowing the Father and the Son, but knowing the Holy Spirit is neglected. As a result, there are misconceptions, incorrect ideas, about the identity of the Holy Spirit. One of those is that the Spirit is a mystical force or an impersonal power. 

There is also an abundance of uninformed speculation and some just plain nonsense. An extreme example is the young Colton Burpo, who said the Holy Spirit is “kind of blue,” in the book Heaven Is for Real.

What does the Bible say? 

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He comes to us from the Father. 1 Corinthians 2:12 says “Now we have received not the spirit f the world, but the Spirit who its from God…”.  John 14:16 says “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever”.

The Holy Spirit also comes from Jesus, the Son. In John 15:26, Jesus said “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me”. 

The Father is the first person of the Trinity, the Son the second person, the Holy Spirit the third. He is God equally with the Father and the Son, thus the word “Holy” in his name.  He is Spirit in that He is immaterial. The Nicene Creed states: 

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the Lord, the giver of life.
      He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
      and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

Because the Holy Spirit is God, along with the Father and Son, we baptize in the name of all three persons of the Trinity. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells the disciples the make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. 

Peter asserted that the Holy Spirit is God in his declaration to Ananias and Sapphire, saying:

Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” (Acts 5:3-4)

The Holy Spirit a person, not just a force.

There is not a verse that specifically says “The Holy Spirit is a person”. However, Scripture presents the Holy Spirit as a divine person doing things a person does. Let’s look at some verses.

1 Corinthians 2:10–11

The Spirit searches and comprehends the thoughts of God the Father. He helps us understand the things of God. 

Ephesians 4:30 

The Spirit can be grieved, as this verse says “…do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God”.  

Romans 8:26-27

He intercedes for us with God the Father. Romans 8:26–27 says “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God”. 

He gives gifts or special abilities to believers. 1 Corinthians 12:7–11.

He teaches and helps the disciples to remember what Jesus said. (John 14:26)  and comforts and counsels (John 14:16, 26; 15:26). 

The Spirit appoints specific people to specific tasks (see Acts 13:2; 20:28). Barnabas & Saul for missions. (13:2) The elders in the Ephesian church. (20:28)

The Bible refers to the Spirit as a person rather than a thing. 

The above verse refers to the Spirit as “the Spirit himself”. John 14:15-17 records Jesus saying: “And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him for he dwells with you and will be in you”. Note that Jesus uses “whom” not “which”, “him” not “it”, and “he” not “it”.

Jesus also uses the words in John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me”. 

In Acts 5:3-4, Peter tells Ananias he lied to the Holy Spirit, which was a lie "not just to human beings but to God". 

In Romans 8:9, Paul wrote: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 

The Spirit did not come into existence at the death or resurrection of Jesus. He is eternal. He was active in Old Testament times also, but in different ways.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit's presence was temporary and specific to individuals, empowering them for particular tasks like leadership, prophecy, and craftsmanship. This contrasts with the New Testament, where the Holy Spirit permanently indwells all believers. The Spirit's actions in the Old Testament included creation, inspiring prophets, providing wisdom, and guiding God's people. 

Genesis 1:2 shows us the Spirit of God present at the very beginning, "hovering over the waters" bringing order out of chaos. 

Bezalel was "filled with the Spirit of God" with skill, ability, and knowledge and breath to design and construct the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5).

The Spirit enabled Moses and the seventy elders to govern Israel. (Numbers 11:17, 25)

The Spirit came upon judges like Othniel, Gideon, and Samson, empowering them to deliver the people from enemies. (Judges 3:10, 6:34, 13:25).

The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David when he was anointed king. (1 Samuel 16:13) The Spirit had come upon Saul, but departed from Saul due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 16:14). The Spirit had come upon them when they were anointed as kings, empowering them to lead Israel. 

The Holy Spirit gave messages from God to the prophets to declare. David, for instance, declared, "The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me, and His word is on my tongue" (2 Samuel 23:2).

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament: The Spirit And Jesus 

The Spirit caused Mary to conceive Jesus. (Matthew 1:18, 20)

As prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with the Spirit in the Old Testament, Jesus, who fills all three offices, was anointed by the Spirit. 

The Spirit came onto Jesus at his baptism.(Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22) He was anointed with the Spirit. The title, Christ, means anointed one. Isaiah prophesied this, saying:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus applied these words to himself when he returned to the synagogue in Nazareth after his temptation. He came in the power of the Spirit. (Luke 4:14) He read to the congregation from the scroll of Isaiah during the service and said “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. (Luke 4:21)

Luke describes Jesus this way in his gospel. He said “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days”. (Luke 4:1)

The Holy Spirit In New Covenant Believers

As Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit is also poured out into those who come to Jesus in faith. 

John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize believers with the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:12)

In Luke 11:13, Jesus promised that the heavenly Father will "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”.

In John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-14, Jesus promised the Spirit as an "Advocate" or "Helper" who will teach, be with believers, and convict the world.

In Acts 1:8: Jesus promised power to be His witnesses when the "Holy Spirit comes on you”.

In Acts 2:1-4, 38, at Pentecost, disciples were "filled with the Holy Spirit”, then Peter preached repentance and receiving the "gift of the Holy Spirit” to the crowd.

Believers are described as the temple where God's Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16).

An individual believer's body is called a temple of the Holy Spirit within them (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Believers are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a guarantee of their inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is described as dwelling within believers (2 Timothy 1:14).

The indwelling Spirit is given to believers as an assurance of their relationship with God (1 John 4:13)

As believers, we have a personal relationship with the Spirit. Paul gave a benediction to the church in Corinth saying: “..the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”. (2 Corinthians 13:14) 

This is a great thing God has done for us. He did not leave us to our own devices, our own strength, to live the Christian life. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. 

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES #8 - ARE THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNTS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS TRUE?

Statement: Biblical accounts of the physical (bodily) resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. This event actually occurred. 

45% of respondents strongly agreed. 35% disagreed or were not sure. 20% somewhat agreed. But, if you look at the age group of 18-24, the percentage that strongly agreed dropped to 34% and the number of those who disagreed or were not sure jumped to 48%. 

We agree with and accept the statement that the Bible is the highest authority for what we believe. 

We also believe the words of 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man or God may be complete, equipped for every good work”. 

So, what does the Bible say? 

All four of the gospel narratives relate the events of Jesus’ resurrection. The New Testament Passages on the Resurrection of Jesus are: Matthew 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–20; Luke 24:1–53; and John 20–21.

Matthew

Matthew tells us that Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” came to the tomb after the Sabbath and encountered an angel who told them Jesus was risen as he said he would be. (Matthew 28:6) This other Mary is likely the mother of James the Younger (James the Less), one of the Twelve, and Joseph (Joses in the older translations). She was the wife of Alphaeus, also known as Cleopas. She was also present at the crucifixion of Jesus. (John 19:25).

The angel showed them the empty tomb. Then, Jesus appeared to the them and they worshiped him. Notice that the women took hold of Jesus’ feet. (28:9) That shows us that Jesus rose bodily. He was not a spirit or a ghost or an apparition. 

The women went and told the disciples. Matthew was one of the disciples, so he heard their account straight from them and immediately after the event.

Mark

Mark identified “the other Mary” as Mary the mother of James, meaning James the Younger (or “the Less”). Mark also adds that Salome was there. She was the wife of Zebedee and mother of the apostles James and John.

Luke

Luke identified some of the other women who came to the tomb as Joanna and “the other women with them”. (Luke 24:10).

Luke’s account adds that Peter, upon hearing the report of the women, ran to the tomb and found it empty other than the linen cloths that had wrapped Jesus’s body. (Luke 24:12) 

John

John adds that, not only Peter, but another disciple ran to the tomb and saw it empty. We assume that disciple is John himself. (John 20:3-7) John actually went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths and the face cloth lying separately and “believed”. (John 20:8) 

So, we have eyewitness accounts of the empty tomb here. We have several women, named and unnamed, and the apostles Peter and John. Matthew certainly heard the accounts of the women first hand, along with Peter and John and the other disciples. 

Post Resurrection Appearances

In addition to the eyewitness accounts of the empty tomb, there are accounts of those who saw Jesus alive after his death and resurrection.

First, of course, are Mary Magdalene and the other women who saw Jesus at the tomb. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus appeared to these women first rather than the disciples? 

Then, Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples in Galilee. (Matthew 28:16) This is the Twelve minus Judas, who had betrayed Jesus and then killed himself.

Jesus also appeared to two disciples on the road to the village of Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-34) They reported this to the 11 apostles. (33-34) During the report, Jesus appeared to all of them. He had them touch him and ate a piece of fish, both to show them that he was not a spirit, but bodily resurrected. (36-43) 

John also recorded Jesus appearing specifically to Thomas the apostle who was doubting the resurrection. Thomas felt Jesus’ wounds and believed. (John 20:26-28) This was eight days after the resurrection. 

John recorded another appearance to the apostles Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two other disciples by the Sea of Tiberious. (John 21) John, in relating the appearances to the other disciples, is a witness. This is a firsthand account. 

Stephen

Stephen, while being stoned to death, saw the resurrected Jesus in heaven at the right hand of God. Luke recorded this in Acts 7:44. Since Luke traveled with Paul, it is likely he got the account from Paul, who was holding the garments of those who stoned Stephen. (Acts 7:54-58)

Paul

Paul, then, had his own encounter with the risen Lord. On his way to persecute Syrian Christian Jews, he was struck to the ground by a light from heaven. Then Jesus spoke to him and identified himself to him. (Acts 9:1-9) 

Paul recited this event twice in his ministry. First, he addressed a crowd in the temple courtyard in Jerusalem after he was arrested by the Romans. (Acts 22:3-16) Second, he related the story to King Agrippa and Festus. (Acts 26) 

Paul also wrote that Jesus appeared to more than 500 brothers at the same time, many of whom were still alive at the time Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 15:6) That means Paul offered up witnesses that could be interviewed and questioned about their encounter with the risen Christ.

James

Paul also wrote that Jesus appeared to his half brother, James, who would become the leader of the church in Jerusalem. (1 Corinthians 15:7) 

Believing, as we do, that the Bible is our authority and is true, we must believe in the resurrection of Jesus. The Bible leaves no room for questioning the issue. You cannot believe the Bible and not believe in the resurrection. 

Why is the resurrection important theologically? 

Paul wrote that it was of first importance that Jesus was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”. (1 Corinthians 15:4)

The resurrection was proof that Jesus is the Son of God. “…Christ Jesus…was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:1-4)

It is our hope for resurrection of our bodies when Christ returns. “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22) 

It is our hope for again seeing those brothers and sisters we have lost to death. “For, since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

The resurrection is God’s acceptance of Jesus’ death as a sacrifice for our sins. “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and your are still in your sins”. (1 Corinthians 15:17) Jesus was “delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification”. (Romans 4:25)