The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. His Person

1. The Person of the Holy Spirit.

The Godhead consists of the Persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19-20;Matt 3:16-17. The Holy Spirit exhibits all the characteristics of Personality.

A. He has a Mind.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Rom 8:27  But He that searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes on behalf of the saints according to the will of God.

MIND - φρόνημα phronēma Thayer Definition: 1) what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes

In verse 27, the first, “He” refers to the Son of God,cp. Rom 8:34; and the second, “He” refers to the Holy Spirit Himself. The Believer has the Intercession of both the Person of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Willmington’s Guide to the Bible p.641

B. He searches out the Human Mind.

1Co 2:9  But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

1Co 2:10  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  

God reveals the Things of Heaven to the believer by the Holy Spirit.

C. He has a Will.

1Co 12:8  For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

1Co 12:9  and to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

1Co 12:10  to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, and to another different kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.

1Co 12:11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

(1) The Holy Spirit is a “person.” For, he acts as a person; distributes favors, confers endowments and special mercies “as he will.” This proves that he is, in some respects, distinguished from the Father and the Son. It would be absurd to say of an “attribute” of God, that it confers favors, and distributes the various endowments of speaking with tongues, and raising the dead. And if so, then the Holy Spirit is “not” an attribute of God. Barnes.

D. He forbids

Act 16:6  Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the Galatian region, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia,

Act 16:7  having come to Mysia they attempted to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

Paul and His Evangelistic band were forbidden to go into Asia and Bithynia by the Holy Spirit.

E. He speaks.

- to Philip in the desert Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near, and join yourself to this chariot."

- To Peter on the Housetop. Act 10:19  Now while Peter pondered about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, men are seeking you. Act 10:20  Arise therefore, go down and go with them, without hesitation; for I have sent them."

- To some Elders in Antioch. Act 13:2  Now as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them."

- To the Seven Churches of Asia Minor Rev 2:7,11,29,3:6, 13, 22 Rev 2:7  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

F. He loves

Rom 15:30  Now I beg you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf,

Rom 15:31  that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

Rom 15:32  so that in joy I may come to you through the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

G. He Grieves

Eph 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

“And beware of grieving the Holy Spirit of God” WNT

This is addressed to Christians, and it proves that it is possible for them to grieve the Holy Spirit. The word used here -  λυπεῖτε  lupeite - means properly to afflict with sorrow; to make sad or sorrowful. It is rendered to make sorry, or sorrowful, Mat_14:9; Mat_17:23; Mat_18:31; Mat_19:22; Mat_26:22, Mat_26:37; Mar_14:19; Joh_16:20; 2Co_2:2; 2Co_6:10; 2Co_7:8-9, 2Co_7:11; 1Th_4:13. It is rendered “grieved,” Mar_10:22; Joh_21:17; Rom_14:15; 2Co_2:4-5; Eph_4:20; and once. “in heaviness,” 1Pe_1:6. The verb does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. The common meaning is, to treat others so as to cause grief.

H. He Prays.

Rom 8:26  In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them. But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no words,