PNEUMATOLOGY

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Pneumatology is derived from the Greek word pneuma, meaning spirit, wind, or breath. Thus, pneumatology is the doctrine of the Spirit, or breath of God: the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is indeed a Bible doctrine. The Bible is the only source from whence we can secure any information concerning Him. The Christian religion alone has the Holy Spirit.

As we study the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, let us keep in mind that Christ is the center of the Book, the theme of the entire secret writings. If we put someone in His place, confusion will result. The Holy Spirit cannot displace the Son of God. The Holy Spirit did not come to speak of (or from) Himself, but of Christ. One who speaks continually about the Spirit and omits the Son shows evidence that he really does not have the Spirit.

I. PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Here is one word of caution: Do not call the Holy Spirit “It.” We sometimes confuse personality with visibility. Personality is not an attribute of a body; it is the attribute of a spirit. You yourself have never been seen; you are not a body, but a spirit having a body.

A. Personal Property.

1. He Possesses Intelligence.

“To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit” (I Cor. 12:8). See also Isaiah 11:2, 3; Nehemiah 9:20; I Peter 1:11; II Peter 1:21; I Corinthians 2:10, 11.

2. He Possesses a Will.

“All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (I Cor. 12:11).

3. He Possesses Power.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. . . . through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Rom. 15:13, 19). See also Zechariah 4:6; Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 3:16. 91

4. He Possesses Knowledge.

“God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Cor. 2:10-12).

5. He Possesses Love.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me” (Rom. 15:30).

B. Personal Pronouns.

The personal name of the Holy Spirit is unknown. The title “Holy Spirit” is a designation — what He is; it is not His name. The silence of the Scriptures concerning His personal name is very significant. He withholds His own name, that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may he exalted. The title “Holy Spirit” is a neuter noun in the Greek, but whenever a pronoun is in its place, the pronoun used is always masculine. “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. . . . But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:16, 17, 26). See also John 16:7, 8, 13-15; Romans 8:16, 26, R.V.

C. Personal Acts.

Why do we act like human beings? Because we are human. Why does the Holy Spirit act like a person? Because He is a person.

1. He Speaks.

“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2).

2. He Intercedes.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26).

3. He Testifies.

“When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

4. He Commands.

“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16:6, 7).

5. He Oversees.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

6. He Guides.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

7. He Teaches.

“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

D. Personal Reactions.

Acts can he committed against the Spirit that can only be committed against a person. The Holy Spirit has feelings.

1. He May Be Grieved.

“Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).

2. He May Be Vexed.

“They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them” (Is. 63:10).

3. He May Be Tested.

“Then Peter said unto her, how is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out” (Acts 5:9).

4. He May Be Resisted.

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcized in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:51).

5. He May Be Blasphemed.

“He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: because they said, He hath an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:29, 30).

E. Personal Relationships.

1. With the Father.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19).

2. With Christ.

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:14).

3. With the Christians.

“It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” (Acts 15:28).

F. Personal Designations.

1. The Name Paraclete.

This is the Greek word meaning Comforter: one who is called to help. “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

2. Other Specifications.

a. Spirit of Promise.

“After that ye believed [in Christ], ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).

b. Spirit of Might.

“The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, and the spirit of wisdom and understanding. the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Is. 11:2).

c. Spirit of Truth.

“He shall give you another Comforter... even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16, 17).