PERSPECTIVE
THE TRINITY PART 4
THE TRINITY PART 4
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:24
John 4:24
PART 4: THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Unable to determine the nature of a spirit some have seen the Spirit of God as an "active force," instead of the third person of the Godhead. They see the Holy Spirit as something like an electrical force that God uses to accomplish his will. But is this what the Bible really declares?
Unable to determine the nature of a spirit some have seen the Spirit of God as an "active force," instead of the third person of the Godhead. They see the Holy Spirit as something like an electrical force that God uses to accomplish his will. But is this what the Bible really declares?
There are two terms used in the Bible for "spirit". The word "ruwach" in the Hebrew means wind, breath, mind or spirit. It is used 378 times in the Old Testament and is translated "spirit" 232 times. It is also the Hebrew word for wind and breath, it is translated as wind 92 times and as breath 27 times. It is translated 9 times in direct connection with personal actions or traits, such as mind, anger and courage. Its root word means to smell, touch, understand or accept.
The word "pneuma" in the Greek, means a spirit or being. It can also mean breath or wind. The root word "pneo" means blow or wind, or to breath. It is the Greek equivalent of the word "ruwach." But "pneuma" unlike its Hebrew equivalent of the 385 times it is used in the NT it is used in conjunction with a person or being or to refer to personality and translated as "spirit" it reefers to traits or personal action more than 360 times.
Below are just a few examples of how the word "spirit" is used. These all indicate that a spirit is not just a form of power but denotes personality. The examples from the Old Testament use the word "ruwach" for spirit, the examples from the New Testament use "pneuma". Note that many of the passages that these verses are taken from are not being written in figurative language. Those that are refer to personal feelings.
John 4:24 (Is God an active force?)
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The spirit is used to describe emotion.
Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
The word "pneuma" in the Greek, means a spirit or being. It can also mean breath or wind. The root word "pneo" means blow or wind, or to breath. It is the Greek equivalent of the word "ruwach." But "pneuma" unlike its Hebrew equivalent of the 385 times it is used in the NT it is used in conjunction with a person or being or to refer to personality and translated as "spirit" it reefers to traits or personal action more than 360 times.
Below are just a few examples of how the word "spirit" is used. These all indicate that a spirit is not just a form of power but denotes personality. The examples from the Old Testament use the word "ruwach" for spirit, the examples from the New Testament use "pneuma". Note that many of the passages that these verses are taken from are not being written in figurative language. Those that are refer to personal feelings.
John 4:24 (Is God an active force?)
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The spirit is used to describe emotion.
Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
See also: Exodus 6:9, Luke 1:47, Ephesians 4:30
A spirit is a being.
Luke 9:38-39
And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
Luke 9:38-39
And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
See also: 1 Kings 22:20-22, Acts16:17-18, Acts 19:13,15
The Spirit speaks as the Lord God.
Ezekiel 11:5
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.
Ezekiel 11:5
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.
See also: Ezekiel 3:24-27,
The Spirit speaks.
John 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.
John 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.
See also: Acts 8:29, Acts 10:19 1 Timothy 4:1, Revelation 2 & 3
A spirit testifies.
1 John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John 4:2
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
See also: Romans 8:16,
The spirit is used to describe personality.
1 Corinthians 4:21,
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
1 Corinthians 4:21,
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
See also: 1 Peter 3:4
Additional attributes ascribed to the Spirit
The Spirit intercedes. Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit teaches. 1 Corinthians 2:13
The Spirit can be lied to: Acts 5:3
You can attempt to tempt the Spirit Acts 5:9
(You can blaspheme the Holy Spirit)
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
It seems odd that God would forgive all manner of sin and blasphemy, even against his own Son, but not forgive it against an impersonal active force akin to a holy electrical charge, unless the Holy Spirit is indeed a person.
In truth there does not need to be an assumption about the personal nature of the Spirit, for many places in the Bible declare it clearly and in non-metaphorical, literal terms. In order to believe that the Spirit is not personal we have to disregard the many places where the Spirit of God and other spirits are shown to be persons, in favor of an assumption that the nature of a spirit is only a force. That is not reasonable.
The Spirit intercedes. Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit teaches. 1 Corinthians 2:13
The Spirit can be lied to: Acts 5:3
You can attempt to tempt the Spirit Acts 5:9
(You can blaspheme the Holy Spirit)
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
It seems odd that God would forgive all manner of sin and blasphemy, even against his own Son, but not forgive it against an impersonal active force akin to a holy electrical charge, unless the Holy Spirit is indeed a person.
In truth there does not need to be an assumption about the personal nature of the Spirit, for many places in the Bible declare it clearly and in non-metaphorical, literal terms. In order to believe that the Spirit is not personal we have to disregard the many places where the Spirit of God and other spirits are shown to be persons, in favor of an assumption that the nature of a spirit is only a force. That is not reasonable.
Zechariah 4:6
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Spirit of God is the third person of the Godhead; this is evident from all the inspired Word of God.
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