A STUDY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part One)

By Bob Myhan

T

here is much disagreement in the religious world regarding the Holy Spirit. Some teach that the Holy Spirit is not God but an impersonal force which God uses in the accomplishment of His purposes. Others teach that the Holy Spirit is God, but is not a distinct person from the Father and Son. But what does the Bible teach about the nature of the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit a person or a mere impersonal force?

There are also many who believe they have experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit either as a part of their salvation experience or as a “second work of grace” following salvation. Those who view it as part of the salvation experience, generally, do not believe they can speak in tongues, while those who view it as subsequent to salvation, generally, believe they can and do speak in tongues. But, again, what does the Bible teach? May anyone living today legitimately expect to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? And what does the Bible teach about the gift of tongues and other miraculous, spiritual gifts? What were the gifts, what was their function, how were they received and what was the intended duration of them?

There is also much misunderstanding - not only in the denominational world but in the Lord’s church, as well - concerning the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence in the lives of Christians. Does He indwell Christians indirectly or directly, non-miraculously or miraculously? Does He do so via natural or supernatural means?

The Nature of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not a mere impersonal force but a person. A person is “a being conscious of self, subsisting in individuality and identity, and endowed with intuitive reason, rational sensibility, and a free will” (H. Leo Boles: The Holy Spirit, His Personality, Nature, Works; page 33). It is here affirmed that the Holy Spirit is “conscious of self” – is aware of having a personal, independent existence; “subsisting in individuality and identity” -- exists as an individual, having his own identity, separate and distinct from all other individuals; and is “endowed with intuitive reason” -- possesses the ability to analyze and explain.

The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to warrant the conclusion that He is a person. Notice the following scriptures.

“Of all persons set Barnabas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2, NWT).

The Holy Spirit, in this place, used the first person pronoun, “I,” and is therefore “conscious of self.”

“But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name” (John 14:26, NWT).

Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as being separate and distinct from both the Father and the Son. Therefore the Holy Spirit “subsists in individuality and identity.”

“That one will teach you all things” (John 14:26, NWT).

The Holy Spirit has the ability to analyze and explain and is, therefore, “endowed with intuitive reason.”

“That one will…bring back to your minds all things I told you” (John 14:26, NWT).

Thus the Holy Spirit is in possession of mental faculties with which to retain information and impart the same to others and is “endowed with…rational sensibility.”

“However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things coming” (John 16:13, NWT).

The Holy Spirit has His own impulses, but chooses not speak of them, but to speak “what things he hears.” He is therefore “endowed with…a free will.”

[Note: We quote from the New World Translation, which was produced by the New World Bible Translation Committee, and copyrighted by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania, because those involved in the translation deny both the personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit.]

[To be continued]

A LIVING DOCUMENT?

By Terry Sanders

I

 have said many times in sermons, classes and bulletin articles that many trends and philosophies in the world are mirrored in the religious realm. Let me just make mention of one such philosophy in our country and see how the same philosophy is present among religious folks, even among us.

There are two schools of thought about the Constitution of the United States. One school of thought thinks that the Constitution stands firm, needing no new changing or "tinkering" with it. Such folks are generally called "Strict Constitutionalists." The other school of thought usually describes the Constitution as a "living and breathing document, constantly changing." Thus, these folks will interpret the Constitution as they see fit. The latter are in the majority and so we see how it is possible for such swings in the Constitutional basis of the death penalty over the years. The death penalty was at first Constitutional, later it was not, and now it is again. Yet, the document has not changed. Ah, it must be people, or we might say society, who changes. That’s right and that is why these things happen in relation to the Constitution. This will cause a certain inconsistency always to be just one step away. Now, let us understand that the Constitution is a document created by man for ruling in the affairs of man. As such it is imperfect in nature. The fact that the original document [was amended] almost instantly is eloquent proof of this. That more amendments have followed (one that actually amends another) is even more proof that this is a man-made document and will always be subject to examination and change through an amendment process. Folks, that’s the way it is with man.

Now let us consider the religious realm and the approach to the Bible. Some folks believe that the Bible stands firm. It is unalterable and fully sufficient. One can read such passages as Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 1:3; Revelation 22:18-19 and learn that this is the case. Yet, there are others who believe that the Bible is also a "living and breathing document, constantly changing." So they add creeds or ignore certain passages or re-interpret things. These constitute their “amendments” to the Bible. These additions will fluctuate according to the ebb and flow of society. This is how such sins as adultery and homosexuality are supposedly approved by the Bible now. Yes, there was a time when such things were not approved socially, but now times have changed. Thus, the Bible needs to change to fit the changes in society.

One thing I would like to point out. With the Constitution, man is the master. The Constitution was made by man for man. However, the Bible is not like that. The Bible was made by God for man. Therein is a huge difference. If the Bible changes to fit man and society, then man is the master, not God. So, we would have people who perhaps agree that God does not change. "For I am the Lord, I do not change" (Mal. 3:6). But they would not agree that His word is likewise unchanged. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My will by no means pass away" (Matt. 24:35).

In the first case of the Constitution, there is sparse room for toleration on the parts of those who come from these two different schools. They will never be able to view the Constitution as they do and have unity, though there will exist a shaky union. Likewise, those who view the Bible through these two different schools of thought pointed out in this article will never be able to co-exist or tolerate each other because of two totally divergent approaches to the Scriptures.

Where do you find yourself in regard to your view of the Bible? If you think it is a "living and breathing document, constantly changing", remember there is no stopping place and no limit as to how far this will go. Danger lurks behind such a position. Let us seek to treat the Bible as the final revelation from God. It needs no change. He has told us all we need to know and it will lead us to heaven. [Via Bible Matters] &