“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
1 John 5:7
The Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost in the Old King James Bible) is sometimes called “the forgotten Member of the Trinity.” Maybe this is because we immediately understand terms like “father” and “son” to denote person-hood. When speaking of fathers and sons we use terms like “he” and “him.” When it comes to spirit, however, things are a bit ambiguous. The term spirit (pneuma in Greek) is a neuter noun; technically, we might speak of spirit as “it” rather than “he.” Nevertheless, the New Testament makes it crystal clear that the Holy Spirit is as much a Person as the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to Christians as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27), and acts as a witness (Acts 5:32; Hebrews 10:15-16; 1 John 5:6). He calls men into the ministry (Acts 13:2, 4) and has a definite opinion on things (Acts 16:28). The Spirit has knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). Undeniably, the Holy Spirit is a Personal Agent, with a mind, will, and emotions. What’s more, the Holy Spirit is an eternally divine Person. As the third Member of the blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit is fully God, just as the Father and Son are. In Acts the fifth chapter, the apostle Peter rebuked Ananias for lying about his contribution to the saints. “Ananias,” said Peter, “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:3-4). Here in these two verses Peter reminds us that lying to the Holy Spirit is in fact lying to God. The Holy Spirit superintended the creation (Genesis 1:3) and animated original man (Genesis 2:7). This prefigured the new birth that believers experience in the present dispensation (Titus 3:5). The Spirit’s power was responsible for the our Lord’s incarnation (1:35) God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38), “oil of gladness” (Hebrews 1:9). It was the Spirit Who led Jesus into the wilderness where our Lord resisted Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4:4-11), and it was by the Spirit that He drove out demons (Matthew 12:28). In the life of the believer, the indwelling Spirit is God’s guarantee of future glorification (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is like an engagement ring, a symbol of the promise of marriage. He is the One Who authored the Bible (2 Peter 1:21) and opens our understanding to it (1 Corinthians 2:12). He reveals Christ to us (John 15:26), in Whom we believed to the saving of our souls. May God help us hear and obey the voice of His precious Holy Spirit today.
God bless you,
Pastor John
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