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Bible Basics
For Smart People
Who Do Not Want To Be Dummies
About God and the Bible
(Parts I, II, III)
By J. George Cover
Lesson 4 - What About the Holy Spirit? (Cont'd.) (Text Version)
The Trinity Illustrated:
Although many illustrations have been used to help us understand this, yet none of them illustrate this perfectly. Some illustrations that have been used are:
- It takes three angles to make one triangle.
- We have one national or state government but there are three branches of government, each with its own functions - legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Water is in three forms: liquid, vapor, and solid (ice) -- just one kind of water.
- Fire produces energy, heat, and light -- just one kind of fire.
The Holy Spirit Is A Person -- Not An "It" And Not Just The Impersonal Influence Or Power Of God.
- The Holy Spirit exercises the attributes of personality:
- Mind - Romans 8:27
- Will - 1 Corinthians 12:11
- Feelings - Ephesians 4:30
- His activities are personal; He:
- Reveals - 2 Peter 1:21
- Teaches- John 14:26
- Speaks- Revelation 2:7
- Testifies - John 15:26
- May be lied to - Acts 5:3
- Witnesses - Galatians 4:6
- Intercedes - Romans 8:26
- Commands - Acts 16:6-7
- May be grieved - Ephesians 4:30
- May be blasphemed- Matthew 12:31-32
- Personality is indicated by manifestation in visible form of a dove (Matthew 3:16).
- He is distinguished from his gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11).
- Personality possesses intelligence, feeling, and wit.
It Seems More Difficult To Form A Conception Of The Holy Spirit Than It Is Of The Father And The Son Because:
- Throughout Scripture His operations are invisible, secret and internal.
- The Holy Spirit never speaks of himself. (See John 16:13.) He comes in the name of and represents another. He does not call attention to Himself but to the will of God and the saving work of Christ (John 16:13).
- He is hidden behind the Lord Jesus Christ and in the depths of the inner man.
- He is not independent from God the Father and God the Son, but always represents the one God, acting in the sphere of thought, will, activity.
There Are Various Names For The Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Is The Same):
The Spirit of Christ, The Comforter, The Spirit of Promise. The Spirit of Truth, The Spirit of Grace, The Spirit of Life, The Spirit of Adoption (John 16:14; Romans 8:9; John 15:26; John 20:22; Revelation 11:11; Genesis 2:7; Romans 8:15; Galatians 3:14; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Ezekiel 37:27; Joel 2:28; 1 John 4:6; 5:6; Hebrews 10:29; Zechariah 12:10).
"Please tell me more."
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