The Personhood and Role of the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

The conversation today delves into the profound and often misunderstood subject of the Holy Spirit, exploring its personhood, role, and significance in the Christian faith. Many Christians, even those within evangelical circles, often misconceive the Holy Spirit as merely a force rather than a person. This misunderstanding can be traced back to various influences, including certain translations of the Bible and the portrayal of the Holy Spirit in media. However, the Bible consistently emphasizes the personhood of the Holy Spirit, highlighting its personal actions and divine attributes. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a divine person who guides, leads, and grieves, as seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

The discussion also touches on the historical context of the Holy Spirit's role in salvation, particularly during the Reformation. Reformers like John Calvin emphasized the Holy Spirit's essential role in applying salvation, countering the medieval church's tendency to place this power within the sacraments. The Holy Spirit unites believers with Christ, allowing them to experience the fullness of salvation. This understanding is crucial for a trinitarian view of the gospel, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in the believer's salvation journey.

Furthermore, the conversation addresses the Holy Spirit's work in the New Testament compared to the Old Testament. While the Holy Spirit was present and active in the Old Testament, the New Testament reveals a clearer and more intimate experience of the Spirit, especially post-Pentecost. This transition marks a new era of freedom and direct access to God for believers, without the need for mediators.

Lastly, the discussion explores the cessation of certain spiritual gifts, such as tongues and prophecy, in the modern church. These gifts were given during specific redemptive epochs to attest to new revelation and advance the kingdom of God. However, they were not intended to be permanent. The focus should remain on the enduring power of God's word and the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in believers' lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The Holy Spirit is a divine person, not an impersonal force. This understanding is crucial for recognizing the Spirit's personal actions and divine attributes, as emphasized throughout scripture. The Spirit guides, leads, and grieves, highlighting its personhood and active role in believers' lives. [06:19]

- The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in applying salvation, uniting believers with Christ and allowing them to experience the fullness of salvation. This trinitarian view emphasizes the collaborative work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the believer's salvation journey. [12:47]

- The New Testament reveals a clearer and more intimate experience of the Holy Spirit compared to the Old Testament. Post-Pentecost, believers enjoy direct access to God, marking a new era of freedom and spiritual intimacy without the need for mediators. [34:33]

- Certain spiritual gifts, such as tongues and prophecy, were given during specific redemptive epochs to attest to new revelation and advance the kingdom of God. These gifts were not intended to be permanent, and the focus should remain on the enduring power of God's word. [49:32]

- The Holy Spirit's work in believers is multifaceted, involving conviction, comfort, and guidance. This ongoing work assures believers of their salvation and sustains them in their spiritual journey, emphasizing the Spirit's essential role in the Christian life. [42:04]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to the Discussion
[00:31] - Understanding the Historic Christian Faith
[00:51] - Introducing the Guests
[02:01] - Common Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit
[03:17] - Is the Holy Spirit a Force or a Person?
[05:27] - The Personhood of the Holy Spirit
[08:21] - Misconceptions in Different Traditions
[10:38] - The Holy Spirit's Role in Salvation
[12:47] - Union with Christ through the Spirit
[15:10] - The Spirit's Sovereignty in Salvation
[18:22] - The Spirit's Work in Regeneration
[21:39] - The Trinity and the Holy Spirit
[25:48] - Jesus and the Holy Spirit
[29:32] - The Spirit's Work in the Old vs. New Testament
[38:46] - Relying on the Spirit vs. Our Own Strength
[44:19] - Cessation of Certain Spiritual Gifts
[54:13] - The Enduring Power of God's Word
[55:20] - Conclusion and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding the Holy Spirit

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 63:10 - "But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them."
2. John 3:5-8 - "Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.'"
3. Ephesians 1:13-14 - "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are some common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, and how do these misconceptions arise? [02:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament? [34:33]
3. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit's personhood as discussed in the sermon, and how is this reflected in scripture? [06:19]
4. How does the sermon explain the cessation of certain spiritual gifts, such as tongues and prophecy, in the modern church? [49:32]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of the Holy Spirit as a person rather than a force change the way believers interact with and rely on the Spirit in their daily lives? [05:27]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's role in salvation is essential for a trinitarian view of the gospel? [12:47]
3. How does the sermon explain the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament in terms of believers' access to God through the Holy Spirit? [34:33]
4. What are the implications of the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in believers' lives, as described in the sermon, for their spiritual growth and assurance of salvation? [42:04]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the Holy Spirit. How has this sermon challenged or affirmed your beliefs about the Spirit's personhood and role in your life? [03:17]
2. The sermon emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in uniting believers with Christ. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this union in your daily spiritual practices? [12:47]
3. Consider the sermon’s discussion on the cessation of certain spiritual gifts. How does this perspective influence your view of spiritual gifts and their role in the church today? [49:32]
4. The sermon highlights the Holy Spirit's work in convicting and comforting believers. Can you identify a recent experience where you felt the Spirit's conviction or comfort? How did it impact your faith journey? [42:04]
5. How can you ensure that your understanding of the Holy Spirit is rooted in scripture rather than influenced by external sources, such as media portrayals or cultural misconceptions? [08:08]
6. The sermon discusses the freedom and direct access to God that believers have post-Pentecost. How can you make the most of this access in your personal prayer and worship life? [34:33]
7. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength rather than the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take to depend more on the Spirit's guidance and power in similar situations in the future? [39:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit as a Divine Person
The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood as merely a force or an abstract power, but scripture consistently affirms the Spirit's personhood. The Holy Spirit possesses personal attributes and engages in personal actions such as guiding, leading, and grieving. Recognizing the Holy Spirit as a divine person is crucial for understanding its active role in the lives of believers. This understanding helps Christians appreciate the Spirit's guidance and presence in their daily walk with God. [06:19]

Ephesians 4:30 (ESV): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's personal presence and guidance in your daily life?


Day 2: The Holy Spirit's Role in Salvation
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the application of salvation, uniting believers with Christ and allowing them to experience the fullness of salvation. This trinitarian view emphasizes the collaborative work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the believer's salvation journey. The Reformers, like John Calvin, highlighted the Spirit's essential role in applying salvation, countering the medieval church's focus on sacraments. Understanding this role is crucial for a holistic view of the gospel. [12:47]

Titus 3:5-6 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Reflection: How does recognizing the Holy Spirit's role in your salvation change the way you view your relationship with God today?


Day 3: New Testament Experience of the Holy Spirit
The New Testament reveals a clearer and more intimate experience of the Holy Spirit compared to the Old Testament. Post-Pentecost, believers enjoy direct access to God, marking a new era of freedom and spiritual intimacy without the need for mediators. This transition signifies a profound shift in how believers relate to God, emphasizing the Spirit's role in providing direct guidance and empowerment. [34:33]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your personal experience of the Holy Spirit's presence and freedom in your life?


Day 4: The Cessation of Certain Spiritual Gifts
Certain spiritual gifts, such as tongues and prophecy, were given during specific redemptive epochs to attest to new revelation and advance the kingdom of God. These gifts were not intended to be permanent, and the focus should remain on the enduring power of God's word. Understanding this helps believers prioritize the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in their lives over the pursuit of temporary manifestations. [49:32]

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (ESV): "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."

Reflection: How can you focus on the enduring power of God's word and the Holy Spirit's work in your life today, rather than seeking temporary spiritual experiences?


Day 5: The Multifaceted Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work in believers is multifaceted, involving conviction, comfort, and guidance. This ongoing work assures believers of their salvation and sustains them in their spiritual journey, emphasizing the Spirit's essential role in the Christian life. Recognizing the Spirit's diverse roles can help believers rely more fully on God's presence and power in their daily lives. [42:04]

John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite the Holy Spirit's guidance and comfort today? How can you actively seek the Spirit's help in these areas?

Quotes


I think the reason probably is a couple of things, one is that today, my guess is many Christians, perhaps the majority of Christians, tend to think of the ministry of the spirit in terms of power things, often what they see on television, some televangelists as they used to be called, who is able to do apparently remarkable things because of some power that has come upon him. [00:04:17]

Whereas in the scriptures, what really dominates is the personhood of the spirit, and the way in which that's brought out in both Testaments of the Bible is by the Bible's emphasis on the fact that the Holy Spirit does personal things. So one thinks, for example, in the Acts of the Apostles, how he leads the people, how he guides the people. [00:05:27]

And the sad result was that they grieved him, and you don't grieve it, you know, you don't grieve a banana by eating it, you don't grieve a door by bumping into it. Grievous language that belongs to personal relationships, and so right there in the Old Testament, it's abundantly clear that the Old Testament thought of the spirit of God as a person. [00:06:19]

And then when we turn to the New Testament again and again and again, we see two things. One is that he has personal qualities and characteristics, and the other is that with those characteristics, he does divine things. So he is actually a Divine person, and I think like many other things in the Bible, once you see that just once, you begin to see it everywhere. [00:06:42]

And one of the things that Calvin did, sometimes actually he's referred to as the Theologian of the Holy Spirit, was to recognize that all of our Salvation is found in Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness, he is our sanctification, he is our Redemption, as Paul says at the end of first Corinthians chapter one. [00:10:58]

What is needed for the application of Salvation is that the spirit brings us into Union and communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, and when we go back to Jesus on teaching on the spirit, I think that's one of the great emphasis that we find there, that when the spirit comes, the spirit's going to take what belongs to Christ and show it to us. [00:12:09]

And you find then when you move on to the apostolic teaching outside of the gospels, for example, to the teaching of the Apostle Paul, he emphasizes this in a wide variety of different places, but if our Salvation has been accomplished by Christ, is embodied in Christ, if Christ is our Redemption, then our great need is to be United to him. [00:12:35]

And when we're United to him by the spirit, brought into Union and communion with him, then all of the blessings of Salvation, all of the elements of the application of redemption, become ours in that Christ grounded and christ-centered way. And one of the places Paul obviously teaches this is in Ephesians 1 in the first 14 verses. [00:13:01]

The sovereignty of the spirit and our Salvation then of course you understand if he needs to be Sovereign in Salvation, that means as Paul says in Ephesians 2, I am dead and trespasses and sins, that if Jesus as was often said when I was a young teenager, if Jesus was outside the door in Revelation chapter 3 verse 20 and knocking. [00:20:31]

And seeking entry then I was inside on the other side of the door lying dead on the floor and I couldn't get up to open the door unless he did a sovereign work of regeneration in me. So simultaneously, I think as a teenager, I was learning both the depravity of my own heart and the wonderful sovereignty of the spirit in bringing me into the kingdom of God. [00:20:57]

So our New Covenant experience of the ministry of the holy spirit is parallel to our new covenant experience of the saving Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. These two things belong together in one of the same Revelation. So, a way I think I've found it helpful to try to express this, in Galatians 3 and 4, Paul speaks about the transition from the old Covenant to the New Covenant. [00:34:33]

The spirit is working within us, convicting us, comforting us, helping us to consecrate ourselves to a way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way of acting, a new way of speaking, and it's the comforting work of the spirit that really does help to keep us focused in the right direction, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, keep our eyes fixed on the race that God has set for us. [00:42:04]

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Transcript
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