~~INTRODUCTION
In our last teaching on this topic, we looked and explore the personality of the Holy Spirit through affirmations of His attributes and His works in the believer's life. Today, we will continue on the personality of the Holy Spirit by considering His diety.
The doctrine of the deity of the Holy Spirit has an intimate logical relation to the doctrine of the personality of the Spirit. It is clear that the Holy Spirit is God, He is also a person. In like manner therefore, if His Person be accepted, we are driven inevitably to the conclusion that He is God by the work He performs.
1. IDENTIFICATION OF JEHOVAH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
According to scriptures, the term Jehovah is a title of deity (a Supernatural/ Supreme Being thought of as holy, divine or sacred). It is of great significance therefore that this title is given to the Holy Spirit.
"I heard the voice of the sovereign master say, “Whom will I send? Who will go on our behalf?” I answered, “Here I am, send me!” He said, “Go and tell these people:
‘Listen continually, but don’t understand!
Look continually, but don’t perceive!’"
[Isaiah 6:8-9]
"So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah when he said,‘Go to this people and say,
“You will keep on hearing, but will never understand,
and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive."
[Acts 28:25-26]
A comparison of the above scriptures will reveal that the Jehovah of Isaiah is the Holy Spirit of Acts. Jehovah is used of all three Persons of the Trinity severally as well as of the Trinity corporately. Another instance of identification of Jehovah and the Holy Spirit is found in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrew 10:15-17 (our texts).
2. IDENTIFICATION OF GOD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
The term God as found in the translations of the Old and New testaments is frequently identified with the Holy Spirit. There are several instances in the bible which point to details of the confirming evidence.
The LORD’s spirit spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke, the protector of Israel spoke to me.
The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God,
[2 Samuel 23:2-3]
In this scripture, the Spirit of Jehovah and the God of Israel are identified. Both titles refer to the same entity. In like manner, the presence of the Holy Spirit is said to be the presence of God. The Christian indwelt by the Holy Spirit is indwelt by God.
"Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?"
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
[1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19]
Matthew 12:31-32 further illustrates the identification of God and the Holy Spirit by the fact that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is declared unpardonable by Christ. Blasphemy (the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously [misuse/ violation of what is sacred] about God or sacred things) in its nature is an act against deity. If the Holy Spirit were not God, it would not be possible to commit this sin.
Another clear instance where the sin against the Holy Spirit is said to be a sin against God can be found in the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-4. An inescapable conclusion of the deity of the Holy Spirit is reached from these several identifications and illustrations.
3. ASSOCIATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON ON EQUAL TERMS.
The Holy Spirit is frequently associated with the Father and the Son in equal terms in scripture, thus predicating His deity. Examples can be found in the baptisimal formula (Matthew 28:19) where the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are related on an equal basis. Worthy of note here is the use of the name in the singular. The significance of which points to the fact that the final name of God is, "Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit is essential to the Triune God.
Also, a comparison of Scriptures often reveals an association of the Persons of the Trinity in terms which infer equality of association. Inspiration of Scripture may be traced to God (Hebrews 1:1), the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) and the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11). The Holy Spirit is therefore accorded the same honor, position, and ministry as the other members of the Trinity. Another instance of this association is found in the apostolic benediction recorded in 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."
The Persons of the Trinity are displayed in all their equality, and accorded equal honor in this frequently quoted verse.
4. THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
An extensive argument for the deity of the Holy Spirit is found in His works. Three of His works may be brought forward as being distinctively in the realm of divine operation.
a) The work of the Holy Spirit in creation (Gen.1:2) by its very nature could be accomplished only by one who is God.
b) His work in regeneration (John 3:6; Rom.8:11) likewise is clearly in the realm of a work of God.
c) The ministry of the Holy Spirit in effecting the sanctification of the believer (2Thess.2:13) is another illustration. Men may influence, but only God can sanctify.
CONCLUSION
From the aforementioned therefore, we can conclusively state without any further summation of arguments that the case for the deity of the Holy Spirit is non-contestable. The apostolic benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 amongst others, without any iota of doubt, establishes the deity and the equality of the Holy Spirit with God the Father and God the son.
*Most part of this teaching is culled from "The Person of The Holy Spirit" by John F. Walvoord.
Contributor: Leye Olayiwola
