Pneumatology

PLUS

Pneumatology

The Holy Spirit is not merely an addendum to the Christian faith. He is at the heart and core of it. He is not merely a force or an influence but rather the third Person of the Trinity to whom we must personally relate. Therefore, if we are going to live the victorious Christian life, it is critical that we understand the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.

I. The Person of the Holy Spirit

  1. The Holy Spirit’s eternality as the Third Person of the Triune God
    1. The Holy Spirit is co-eternal and co-equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ (Matt 28:19; Acts 5:1-9; 2 Cor 13:14)
    2. The Holy Spirit is thus a person, not merely a force or influence. He displays intellect, emotion, and will—the fundamental attributes of personhood (Rom 8:27; 1 Cor 2:10-13; 12:11; Eph 4:30)
  2. The Bible’s Proof of the Holy Spirit’s Deity and Personhood
    1. Jesus used personal pronouns for the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 16:13)
    2. The Spirit refers to himself in the first person and can speak his thoughts to others, which only a person can do (Acts 13:2)
    3. The Holy Spirit expresses emotions (Eph 4:30)

II. The Work of the Holy Spirit

  1. His Ministry in the Old Testament (before the Incarnation of Christ)
    1. The Holy Spirit was the active agent in creation (Gen 1:2)
    2. The Spirit came upon believers at specific (limited) times for specific tasks, but did not permanently indwell them (Exod 31:1-11; 35:30-31; Num 11:16-17; 25-26; Judg 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14)
    3. The Spirit inspired the authors of the Old Testament to record God’s Word without error (2 Pet 1:19-21)
  2. His Ministry in the New Testament
    1. The Holy Spirit was the active agent in Christ’s virgin birth, his incarnation (Matt 1:18; Luke 1:26-35)
    2. The Spirit came in answer to Jesus’s promise to give birth to the church on the day of Pentecost (John 14:16-17; 15:26; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4)
    3. The Spirit is the active Agent in the salvation of every believer (John 3:5-8)
    4. Beginning at Pentecost, the Spirit baptizes every believer into the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13)
    5. The Spirit permanently indwells every believer in the church age (John 14:16-17; Rom 8:9-11)
    6. The Spirit is the divine teacher of God’s Word as the Spirit of truth (John 14:26; 16:12-13, 15; 1 Cor 2:10-13)
    7. The Spirit empowers Christians for service, equips them with his sovereignly given gifts, and sends them out in ministry (Acts 13:1-2; Rom 15:13; 1 Cor 12:1-11; 2 Cor 3:6)
    8. The Spirit is sent to glorify Christ (John 16:14)
    9. The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11)
    10. The Spirit inspired the authors of the New Testament to record God’s Word without error (2 Pet 1:19-21)