Citizens of the kingdom believe the biblical evidence that the Holy Spirit is God in the same way that the Father is God and the Son is God. Scripture indicates that the Holy Spirit has divine attributes and works and is spoken of in the same way that the Father and Son are. The Holy Spirit is intelligent and speaks and acts like a divine Person. This is part of the scriptural evidence that led early Christians to formulate the doctrine of the Trinity.
We invite you to read an excerpt from “The Deity of the Holy Spirit” Read the full article here.
Christianity has traditionally taught that the Holy Spirit is the third Person or Hypostasis of the Godhead. Some, however, have taught that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force used by God. Is the Holy Spirit God, or simply a power of God? Let’s examine the biblical teachings.
The deity of the Holy Spirit
Summary: Scripture speaks repeatedly of the Holy Spirit, known also as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Scripture indicates that the Holy Spirit is of the same essence as the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is ascribed with the attributes of God, is equated with God and does work that only God does.
Attributes of God
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- Holiness: In more than 90 places, the Bible calls the Spirit of God “the Holy Spirit.” Holiness is a basic characteristic of the Spirit. The Spirit is so holy that blasphemy against the Spirit cannot be forgiven, although blasphemy against Jesus could be (Matthew 12:32). Insulting the Spirit is just as sinful as trampling the Son of God under foot (Hebrews 10:29). This indicates that the Spirit is inherently holy, holy in essence, rather than having an assigned or secondary holiness such as the temple had. The Spirit also has the infinite attributes of God: unlimited in time, space, power and knowledge.
- Eternality: The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, will be with us “forever” (John 14:16). The Spirit is “eternal” (Hebrews 9:14).
- Omnipresence: David, praising God’s greatness, asked, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8). God’s Spirit, which David uses as a synonym for the presence of God, is in heaven and in sheol (verse 8), in the east and in the west (verse 9). God’s Spirit can be said to be poured out on someone, to fill a person, or to descend — yet without implying that the Spirit has moved away from or vacated some other place. Thomas Oden observes that “such statements are grounded in the premises of omnipresence and eternality — attributes ascribed properly only to God” (Life in the Spirit, page 18).
- Omnipotence: The works that God does, such as creation, are also ascribed to the Holy Spirit (Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30). Miracles of Jesus Christ were done “by the Spirit” (Matthew 12:28). In Paul’s ministry, the work that “Christ has accomplished” was done “through the power of the Spirit” (Romans 15:18-19).
- Omniscience: “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Spirit of God “knows the thoughts of God” (verse 11). The Spirit therefore knows all things and is able to teach all things (John 14:26).
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Holiness, eternality, omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience are attributes of God’s essence, that is, characteristic of the nature of divine existence. The Holy Spirit has the basic attributes of God.
By Michael Morrison, GCS President
Glendora, CA, US
I so appreciate this topic and the ìnformation given thereby. The one thing Ive been thinking about lately and wanting to know for sure is I understand a portion of the Holy Spirit is given to us at baptìsm generally speaking. You know the scripture that says you have not because you ask not . Would that scripture mean we can ask for more of the Holy Spirit as we grow spiritually? Or is that scripture refering to other things?
Thank you for your question, Linda. It is not uncommon to hear Christians say, “Give me more of your Spirit, Lord.” Perhaps this is a sincere way to request a deeper connection and awareness of the Holy Spirit. But it can be misleading because the Spirit cannot be “portioned” any more than the Father or Jesus can be. The Spirit is not a force or power but is the third Person of the Trinity. We can certainly ask the Spirit for more wisdom, discernment, guidance, etc.