The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

I. The Holy Spirit as a Person
A person is characterized by consciousness, rationality, moral and ethical qualities.
A. (Lk. 12:12) He is a teacher
B. (Ac. 8:29) He speaks
C. (Ac. 5:32) He is a witness
D. (Rom. 8:26) He is a helper and intercessor
E. (Ac. 15:28) He determines the value of decisions
F. (1 Cor. 2:11) He is constantly in touch with the mind of God
G. (Ac. 20:28) He chooses church leaders
H. (Ac. 5:3) He can be lied to

II. Symbols/Figures of Speech used of the Holy Spirit
A. Clothing (clothed with power) Lk. 24:49
B. Dove Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; Jn. 1:32
C. Fire Ex. 3:2; Lev. 9:24; 1 Kgs. 18:38; 2 Chron. 7:1; Zech. 2:5; Mal. 3:3; Ac. 2:3; Heb. 12:29; 1Pet. 1:7; Rev. 1:4
D. Oil Matt. 25:3-8; cf. Ps. 45:7 with Heb. 1:9
E. Seal 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30
F. Water Jn. 4:14; 7:37-39
G. Wind Jn. 3:8; Ac. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:21
H. Mouth/Word of God Isa. 34:16; Ezek. 1:3
I. Breath of God Gen. 2:7; Job 27:3; 33:4; 34:14-15; Ps. 33:6; Jn. 20:22
J. Finger of God Lk. 11:20, cf. with Matt. 12:28
K. Hand of God Ezek. 1:3
L. Earnest 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14
M. Seven Eyes Rev. 5:6

III. The Deity of the Holy Spirit
A. Divine Attributes:
1. Omnipresence Ps. 139:7
2. Omniscience Isa. 40:13-14; 1 Cor. 2:10
3. Omnipotence Isa. 11:2; Jn. 3:6
4. Eternality Heb. 9:14
5. Holiness Rom. 1:4
6. Transcendence Ps. 51:12
7. Agent of Salvation Heb. 10:29: Zech. 12:10
8. Perfection Rev. 1:4; 3:1
9. Unity of Spirit Eph. 4:4
10. Divinity of Spirit 2 Cor. 3:3
B. Various references to the Holy Spirit are interchangeable with references to God:
1. Ac. 5:3-4
2. 1 Cor. 3:16-17, see also 6:19-20
C. Holy Spirit performs certain works which are commonly ascribed to God:
1. Creation Gen. 1:1, 3; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30
2. His work with humansa. Regeneration Jn. 3:5-8; Titus 3:5b. Resurrection Rom. 8:11

D. The Holy Spirit’s association with the Father and the Son: ( Mat. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2)
1. He is called both the Spirit of Yahweh (Isa. 61:1) and the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:11)
2. Jesus ascribes the working of the Holy Spirit to both the Father and Himself (Jn. 14:16; 15:26)
3. The Holy Spirit is sent by both the Father (Jn. 14:16, 26) and Christ (Jn. 16:7).
4. The Son is the revealer of the Father by incarnation (Jn. 14:7-10), while the Holy Spirit is the revealer of the Father by inspiration (Eph. 1:17, NIV).

IV. Titles Attached to the Holy Spirit
1. Spirit of God Gen. 1:2; Mat. 3:16
2. Spirit of the Lord Lk. 4:18
3. Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6:11
4. His Spirit Num. 11:29
5. Spirit of Yahweh Judges 3:10
6. Thy Spirit Ps. 139:7
7. Spirit of the Lord Isa. 61:1
8. Spirit of your Father Mat. 10:20
9. Spirit of the Living God 2 Cor. 3:3
10. My Spirit Gen. 6:3
11. Spirit of Him Rom. 8:11
12. Spirit of Christ Rom. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:11
13. Spirit of Jesus Christ Phil. 1:19
14. Spirit of Jesus Ac. 16:7
15. Spirit of His Son Gal. 4:6
16. Spirit of the Lord Ac. 5:9; 8:39
17. One Spirit Eph. 4:4
18. Seven Spirits Rev. 1:4; 3:1
19. The Lord the Spirit 2 Cor. 3:18
20. Eternal Spirit Heb. 9:14
21. Spirit of Glory 1 Pet. 4:14
22. Spirit of Life Rom. 8:2
23. Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1:4
24. Holy Spirit Ps. 51:11; Mat. 1:20; Lk. 11:13; Jn. 14:26
25. Holy One 1 Jn. 2:20
26. Spirit of Wisdom Ex. 28:13; Eph. 1:17
27. Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding Isa. 11:2
28. Spirit of Counsel and Might Isa. 11:2
29. Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord Isa. 11:2
30. Spirit of Truth Jn. 14:17
31. Free Spirit Ps. 51:12
32. Spirit of Grace Heb. 10:29
33. Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zech. 12:10
34. Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4:13
35. Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8:15
36. Paracletos Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7
37. Spirit of Judgment Isa. 4:4; 28:6
38. Spirit of Burning Isa. 4:4
39. Holy Spirit of Promise Eph. 1:13
40. Power of the Almighty Lk. 1:35
41. Promise of my Father Lk. 24:49
42. Promise of the Father Ac. 1:4

V. Works Attributed to the Holy Spirit
1. Perfecting of the Saints 1 Pet. 4:14
2. Agent of Regeneration Rom. 8:2; Jn. 3:5-8
3. Sanctifier Rom. 1:4
4. Gives Wisdom Jn. 2:20; Eph. 1:7
5. Agent of Application of Grace Heb. 10:29
6. Reveals our Adoption Rom. 8:15
7. Helper Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7
8. Executes Judgment Isa. 63:10; Ac. 5:3-9
9. Ordains Ac. 13:2-4
10. Directs Christian Witness Ac. 10:19; 16:6
11. Guides the Church in Decisions Ac. 15:28
12. Distributes Spiritual Gifts 1 Cor. 12:11
13. Reveals the Lordship of Christ 1 Cor. 12:3
14. Provides Gifts of Ministry 1 Cor. 12:27-29
15. Provides Access to the Father Eph. 2:18
16. Agent of Incarnation Mat. 1:18-20; Lk. 1:35
17. Agent of Inscripturation 2 Tim. 3:16
18. Teaches Jn. 14:26
19. Intercedes Rom 8:26
20. Bears Witness Jn. 15:26
21. Convicts Jn. 16:7-8
22. Strives/Judges Gen. 6:3
23. Anointed the Anointed One Lk. 3:21-22; Ac. 10:38
24. Has a Role in the Resurrection 1 Pet. 3:18-19
25. Agent for Justification 1 Cor. 6:11
26. Enlightens the Believer Jn. 16:12-13
27. Glorifies Jesus Jn. 16:14-15
28. Enables/Empowers the Believer Ac. 1:8
29. Baptizes the Believer into the Body 1 Cor. 12:13

[from SOMETHING TO CONSIDER by Phil Hoover]