Pneumatology The Person of the Holy Spirit Fulfillment

Pneumatology The Person of the Holy Spirit

Fulfillment of Promise In the immediate context of John 14: 16 -18 our Lord was discussing His soon departure by way of the cross. In fact, John chapters 14 -17 were given just prior to our Lord's arrest in the garden. Repeatedly in those chapters, He emphasized the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (John 14: 26; 15: 26; 16: 7 -15)

An Influence or a Person Ancient heresies concerning the deity of Christ (Arianism and Socinianism) also concluded that the Holy Spirit was an impersonal influence sent by God into the world. This was vehemently opposed and denounced.

What are the elements of personhood? There at least three, intellect, emotion, and volition. The Word of God records all three elements in reference to the Holy Spirit. He has knowledge – John 14: 26; 1 Cor. 2: 10, 11, Rom. 8: 26. He has emotion in that He can be grieved – Eph. 4: 30; Rom. 15: 30 He has a will – Acts 13: 2; 1 Cor. 12: 11.

Personality is demanded by the grammar of the New Testament Greek. The word spirit (pneuma) is in the neuter gender. When Christ prophesied the coming of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, He used a pronoun (ekeinos) that is masculine as well as the masculine pronoun autos to describe third member of the Trinity. (John 14; 25, 26; 15: 26; 16: 7, 8) Further, our Lord referenced the Holy Spirit as being another Comforter. (John 14: 16 ) Christ used the word allon which means another of the same kind. Just as Christ is a distinct person, so is the Holy Spirit.

Deity It is critical to believe that the Holy Spirit is God! He is a divine person. This is apparent from the names given to Him. The Holy Spirit has the attributes of God. The Holy Spirit appears with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit performs the works of deity.

Wind – Acts 2; 1, 2 Water – Joel 2: 28; Acts 2: 16, 17

Fire – Acts 2: 3, 4 Dove – John 1: 32, 33

Oil – Luke 4: 18, 19