16:7-15 What scriptural proof is there that the Holy Spirit is a person and not a force or influence, as some teach?

When Jesus' earthly ministry was nearing completion and He was about to die, He promised to send His disciples "another comforter" to take His place on earth when He returned to the Father (CP Jn 14:1-3, 16-17; 16:7-15). Jesus said the Holy Spirit was the other comforter He would send (CP Jn 14:26).

Another in this context means another of the same kind. Thus the Holy Spirit is the same kind as Jesus - a person, and like Jesus also, equally God (CP Ac 5:3-4; 2Cor 3:17-18; 1Jn 5:7). Both Jesus and Paul referred to the Holy spirit as He, further signifying a person (CP Jn 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-15; Ro 8:26-27). Like any other person the Holy Spirit can be blasphemed (CP Mt 12:31-32 (also Mk 3:28-29)),

He can be lied to (CP Ac 5:3-4), resisted (CP Ac 7:51), grieved (CP Eph 4:30), insulted (CP He 10:29). The Holy Spirit teaches (CP Jn 14:26); He bears witness of Christ (CP Jn 15:26); He convicts sinners of their need of a Saviour (CP Jn 16:7-18; 1Cor 12:3);

He guides Christians into all truth etc (CP Jn 16:13-14), and He intercedes for believers with the Father (CP Ro 8:26-27). These scriptures all testify to the fact that the Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or influence as some teach. The Holy Spirit has taken over Jesus' role on earth and it is only in and through Him that Jesus is made known to the believer (CP Jn 14:16-18; 15:26; 16:7-15; Ro 8:9-14; 1Cor 12:3; Eph 3:14-19; 1Jn 5:5-6).

The Holy Spirit's purpose is to glorify Jesus (Cp Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-15).See also comments on Mt 3:16-17, and Ro 8:26-27, and author's studies The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Church and The Doctrine of the Trinity in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).

John:-