The Third Person of the Trinity - Triune Godhead: The Role of the Holy Spirit
by Teresa(1,457)
Freelance writer/Speaker
As this third part in this series of the roles of the Godhead concludes, I would like to point out that these are merely introductions. I recognize there are many attributes that will not be mentioned in this lesson. It is my prayer that it will stir an interest to dig deeper, and to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.
The third person of the Godhead is technically not a person. Scripture is clear that the Holy Spirit is just that-a Spirit. Nevertheless, the spirit of God is defined as a person when it comes to its "personality", and because it is the Spirit of God, He can be grieved. In simplest terms, the Spirit of God acts as the heart of Christ. Therefore, for the sake of understanding and following the pattern of the Scriptures that teach on this subject, I will refer to the Spirit of God as a "He".
The Spirit as Teacher and Helper/Comforter
"But the Helper [comforter], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you." John 14:26
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the heart knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit as the one who Convicts
"But now I [Jesus] go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, "Where are you going?" "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." John 16:5-13
The Spirit as the one who Seals/Guarantees Salvation
"In Him [the Son] you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14
"For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God [the Father], who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." 2 Corinthians 5:4-5
Summary and Conclusion
When we combine each of the persons of the Godhead, we see how they work together as one to accomplish one goal, the restoration of sinful man to a holy God.
What a beautiful work-The Father uses His Spirit to draw us to Himself by showing us our need for Him. In this, The Spirit testifies to our hearts that Jesus is indeed the son of God.
I am especially encouraged to know that the Spirit of God will never leave me and that it is because of Him that I have full assurance of my salvation as I remain in Christ Jesus even when I stumble.
As mentioned earlier, the Spirit of God plays many other roles in the world and in the body of Christ. Here are a few more – baptizes, sanctifies, empowers, and gives gifts. Use your concordance to search for the related passages. Remember, context is always the key, so follow the guideline of reading at least eight verses before and after the quoted text-in this and all other studies.
I recommend www.blueletterbible.org for a great on-line concordance. It has everything you need and it is simple to navigate.
I would love to hear your perspective and welcome questions or comments. It is important for us to grow together in the unity and fullness of Christ.
© Teresa Ortiz – In Season Ministries 2009
Article submitted Sunday, March 22, 2009 & read 752 times.
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» left by Veckser Nesmith from 4448 Brooks St. (1 year 107 days ago.)
God the Father is the Holy Spirit and his Spirit he shares is called the Holy SpiritWhen eleven disciples were given the command by Jesus, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, " (Mathew 28:19) did the disciples understand this to be three separate Deities as the Trinity theory like you to believe? In Acts 2, was it not these same eleven disciples who went to Jerusalem? They just received the Holy Spirit. And Peter speaking by the Holy Spirit explained it to the thousands of Jews who had just gathered in Jerusalem. He quoted the book of Joel:"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ” This is how the eleven disciple understood the Holy Spirit as being poured out from the Father and not a separate God the Holy Spirit. In the same speech Peter also states at Acts 2:33 “he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” These statements are direct and there are no interpretations that have to be made. From reading these statements God is a witness and the eleven disciples. And the three thousand people who were baptized that day believed in this fact. (Act 2:40) Also I like to draw your attention to fact the Peter also calls God the Father at Acts 2:33 which backs up his belief of saying to Jesus “You are Christ the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:14-16) Jesus called God his Father. ( John 8:54-55. John 17:3) Paul did likewise. (1 Cor 8:4-6, Gal 1:1-5) In fact every book that the apostle Paul has written in his introductions proclaims God as the Father. You have to understand that God is the Father before you can understand the Holy Spirit. At Acts 5:3-4 Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." If Jesus believed that God is the Father, and Paul believed that God is the Father and finally Peter believed that God is the Father at Act 2:33, so if Peter here said that “you have lied to the Holy Spirit” and then said “You have not lied to men but to God.” I like to proclaim that the Father is the Holy Spirit and his spirit he poured out is called the Holy Spirit. This is not a third Deity.Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa(1,457)
Hello Veckser, thank you for sharing these passages.
You mis understand my writing. I did not call the Holy Spirit a third diety. I believe you may need to go back and read my introduction to this series. One God -called Elohim in the first chapter of Genesis. God the Father, Jesus the Son and The Holy Spirit - who is the spirit of God are activity present.
The role of the Spirit of God is distinct and Jesus laid this out very clearly in the book of John. I agree with your assessment of the Acts passage.
Peter is acknowledging the power of God's Spirit in him and in what happened at pentacost.
As believers, the holy spirit dwells within us and seals us for redemption. It is not God the Father who literally dwells in our hearts, for the Father and Jesus are seated on the thrown, but as Jesus told us, he and the Father would send the the Holy Spirit to be their guide.
Again. If you read this entire series you will see that I am not proclaiming three Gods, I am sharing what I believe the bible teaches througout about the Godhead which is God the Father eternally existent in three persons. Remember stephen said he saw Jesus seated at the right hand of God?
I hope this helps to clarify. I think its just a matter of wording.
Blessings to you!
Teresa
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» left by Veckser Nesmith from Fairmount Heights (1 year 107 days ago.)
Yes very good point about Stephen. I apologize for my comments. I should have read and understood the entire contents.
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» left by Teresa(1,457)
Hello Veckser,
Thank you, but no apology is necessary. It was good you stated your thoughts. If you hadn't you would have been left with a misunderstanding. This way, I was able to respond. This is good for believers to do. It is how we learn and grow.
If more people did this, in all areas, there would be fewer misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
Lord bless you. I hope you come back to read and comment often on all of the lessons posted here.
God bless you! Teresa
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