A. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS...
1. He "expressly says" that some will depart from the faith - 1 Ti 4:1
2. The Spirit spoke and gave directions to Philip - Ac 8:29
3. He spoke to Peter and gave him charge concerning the Gentiles - Ac 10:19-20
4. He spoke to the brethren at Antioch concerning Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:1-4
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES...
1. He was to teach the apostles all things - Jn 14:26
2. Please note that Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as "He", not "it" (implying a personal being, not an impersonal force) - cf. Jn 14:16-17
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS...
1. He was to testify of Jesus - Jn 15:26-27
1. He would carry on and complete the work started by Jesus - Jn 16:12-13
2. Notice again that Jesus consistently refers to the Holy Spirit as "He"
1. He prevented Paul and his companions from going into certain areas of Asia - Ac 16:6-7
2. This He did by "forbidding" them, and "not permitting" them, despite their initial efforts
1. The "Spirit Himself (note Paul's use of the personal pronoun) makes intercession for us" - Ro 8:26
2. Just as Christ "also makes intercession for us" - Ro 8:34 [All these works of the Holy Spirit manifest personality. But there is more...]
1. "the mind of the Spirit" - Ro 8:27
2. This suggests thinking on His own
1. He "knows the things of God" - 1 Co 2:11
2. Just as the "spirit of man" (a personal being) knows certain things
1. Paul speaks of "the love of the Spirit" - Ro 15:30
2. When have you known of an "impersonal force" that could love?
1. "the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills" - 1 Co 12:11
2. It was the Holy Spirit Who decided what person received which gift [Again, these are all characteristics of a being possessing intelligence and personality. Finally, consider how...]
1. "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God" - Ep 4:30
2. He can be made sorrowful through our willful neglect
1. That is, to be spoken evil of
2. As in attributing His deeds to the works of Satan, the "unforgivable sin" - Mt 12:31-32
1. One who has "trampled the Son of God underfoot" has also "insulted the Spirit of grace" - He 10:29
2. This is done by sinning "willfully" - He 10:26
1. As Ananias and his wife Sapphira were guilty of doing
2. "...why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit...?" - Ac 5:3
1. As Stephen charged the Jewish leaders of doing - Ac 7:51
2. This they did by resisting the message and persecuting the messengers who were inspired by the Holy Spirit - cf. Ac 7: 52-53
1. A mere principle or influence cannot sustain these slights, only a personal being; so it is clear...
2. But is this personal being also a supreme being?
3. For now, have you considered your personal relationship to the Holy Spirit...?
4. Might you even be guilty of "resisting the Holy Spirit"...?
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES, HEARS, SPEAKS, TELLS...
E. THE HOLY SPIRIT FORBIDS...
F. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES...
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT POSSESSES PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
A. HE HAS A MIND...
B. HE HAS KNOWLEDGE...
C. HE POSSESSES AFFECTION...
D. HE HAS A WILL...
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT SUFFERS PERSONAL SLIGHTS AND INJURIES
A. HE CAN BE GRIEVED...
B. HE CAN BE BLASPHEMED...
C. HE CAN BE INSULTED...
D. HE CAN BE LIED TO...
E. HE CAN BE RESISTED...
CONCLUSION
a. The Bible presents the Holy Spirit as a personal being
b. We should regard the Holy Spirit as a "He", not an "it"!
a. Angels are personal beings, but not supreme beings
b. What does the Bible say about the Holy Spirit? -- We will next study the deity of the Holy Spirit, and how it relates to the concept of God
a. How He feels for you?
b. What He has done, and is doing, for you in God's scheme of redemption?
c. How He reacts to your reception or rejection of the Word He has revealed?
a. By resisting the commands of the apostles and prophets?
b. "Who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven"? - 1 Pe 1:12; cf. Ac 2:36-38
