The Holy Spirit- An Entity All His Own

Yesterday we agreed that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth prior to His birth into flesh in Bethlehem, was SPIRIT.  God with God in the beginning, God declared to be the Son, God begotten uniquely into flesh becoming Son.

We continue with the study...

'This SPIRIT exceeds that of angels for they are only "ministering spirits." (Heb. 1:14) This SPIRIT is immortal, eternal, and indestructible.'

This Spirit, the Spirit that is God with God, the Spirit which became Flesh- exceeds that of angels-  the Spirit that is God is IMMORTAL, ETERNAL, and INDESTRUCTIBLE. Angels are NOT immortal, eternal, and indestructible.

Heb 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

'In noting each reference in the New Testament which referred to the Holy Spirit, we arranged the books of the New Testament in the chronological order in which they were written. [This review will not necessarily follow that format] This was done for two reasons:   1)   The revelation which God gives is progressive; and   2)   God in giving revelation limits Himself and the fullness of that revelation to the perceptive capacity of the human instrument who is willing to be the medium of revelation.

We asked ourselves why so little is known of the "nature" of the Holy Spirit? Then we asked ourselves why so little was perceived as to whom Jesus was until after the coming of the Holy Spirit? The answer to the second question helped us to perceive the answer to the first. Jesus came not to do His own will, but the will of God. (John 6:38)

Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

 He came to glorify the Father. (John 17:4)

Joh 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

He did not even come in His own name. (John 5:43)

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

His was a life of selfless projection of the Father's glory - grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Likewise the ministry of the Holy Spirit - He would not speak of Himself. He would glorify Jesus and the work which Jesus accomplished. (John 16:13-14)

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The very first New Testament reference written in regard to the Holy Spirit clearly declares the Holy Spirit as distinct from a "power," per se. It reads:   -   For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit. (I Thess. 1:5)

This same distinction is also seen in I Cor. 2:4.

1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power

[We shall use the word "Spirit" in place of "Ghost" in all quotes from the Bible.]

Many references in the New Testament which mention the Holy Spirit speak of His work in making effective for the believer the salvation provided alone in Jesus Christ. Examples of this can be found in II Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 6:11 and Titus 3:5.

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth

1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

Further the Holy Spirit is set forth as a Teacher who searches the deep things of God. (I Cor. 2:10, 13)

1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

He bestows "gifts" as "He wills." (I Cor. 12:4, 11)

1Co 12:4  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Co 12:11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will

He is the builder of the Church. (Eph. 2:22)

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit

 He speaks. (I Tim. 4:1)

1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils

He can be grieved. (Eph. 4:30)

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

He can be insulted. (Heb. 10:29)

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

He can be lied to. (Act, 5:3)

Act 5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

 All of these statements in regard to the Holy Spirit indicate not a power, nor a mere influence, but rather a Person.

('Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit' -- by W. H. Grotheer)

This is TRUTH!

Realizing the truth of the Holy Spirit as a REAL Person, not a mere figment, not a shadowy being, but a REAL BEING.  You can't lie, insult, grieve someone that doesn't really exist.

This is TRUTH, let us REALIZE this as TRUTH!

Please, Lord, please Father, please Holy Spirit let us have open eyes to all of the truth You All have to give to us. Bless us in YOU, Through YOU, all from YOUR LOVE!