The holy spirit has no name. It is God's active force to accomplish his will. That's the problem with people who think that the holy spirit is a person. NO where in the scriptures does it indicate a personal force.
2007-12-12 15:49:19 · 27 answers · asked by REGGIE 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
VARIOUS sources acknowledge that the Bible does not support the idea that the holy spirit is the third person of a Trinity. For example:
The Catholic Encyclopedia: “Nowhere in the Old Testament do we find any clear indication of a Third Person.”
Catholic theologian Fortman: “The Jews never regarded the spirit as a person; nor is there any solid evidence that any Old Testament writer held this view, The Holy Spirit is usually presented in the Synoptics [Gospels] and in Acts as a divine force or power.”
The New Catholic Encyclopedia: “The O[ld] T[estament] clearly does not envisage God’s spirit as a person, God’s spirit is simply God’s power. If it is sometimes represented as being distinct from God, it is because the breath of Yahweh acts exteriorly.” It also says: “The majority of N[ew] T[estament] texts reveal God’s spirit as something, not someone; this is especially seen in the parallelism between the spirit and the power of God.”.
A Catholic Dictionary: “On the whole, the New Testament, like the Old, speaks of the spirit as a divine energy or power.”
Hence, neither the Jews nor the early Christians viewed the holy spirit as part of a Trinity. That teaching came centuries later. As A Catholic Dictionary notes: “The third Person was asserted at a Council of Alexandria in 362, and finally by the Council of Constantinople of 381”, some three and a half centuries after holy spirit filled the disciples at Pentecost!
No, the holy spirit is not a person and it is not part of a Trinity. The holy spirit is God’s active force that he uses to accomplish his will. It is not equal to God but is always at his disposition and subordinate to him.
“On the whole, the New Testament, like the Old, speaks of the spirit as a divine energy or power.” A Catholic Dictionary
On one occasion the holy spirit appeared as a dove. On another occasion it appeared as tongues of fire, never as a person
The word “spirit” is also used in the Bible in another sense. Addressing God in prayer, the psalmist said: “If you send forth your spirit, they are created.” (Psalm 104:30) This spirit is not God himself but a force that God sends forth, or uses, to accomplish whatever he wishes. By means of it, God created the physical heavens, the earth, and all living things.
Holy spirit pours forth from Jehovah in limitless supply. It is God’s power in action. In fact, at Genesis 1:2, the Bible refers to it as God’s “active force.” The original Hebrew and Greek words that are rendered “spirit” may, in other contexts, be translated “wind,” “breath,” and “blast.” According to lexicographers, the original-language words suggest an invisible force in action. Like wind, God’s spirit is invisible to our eyes, but its effects are real and discernible.
A comparison of Bible texts that refer to the holy spirit shows that it is spoken of as ‘filling’ people; they can be ‘baptized’ with it; and they can be “anointed” with it. None of these expressions would be appropriate if the holy spirit were a person.
The correct identification of the holy spirit must fit all the scriptures that refer to that spirit. With this viewpoint, it is logical to conclude that the holy spirit is the active force of God. It is not a person but is a powerful force that God causes to emanate from himself to accomplish his holy will.
2007-12-12 17:25:45 · answer #1 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. He is fully God. He is eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, has a will, and can speak. He is alive. He is a person. He is not particularly visible in the Bible because His ministry is to bear witness of Jesus (John 15:26).
Some cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses say that the Holy Spirit is nothing more than a force (Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 406-407). This is false. If the Holy Spirit were merely a force, then He could not speak (Acts 13:2); He could not be grieved (Eph. 4:30); and He would not have a will (1 Cor. 12:11).
Read More: http://carm.org/holy-spirit
2014-11-13 17:19:22 · answer #2 · answered by The Lightning Strikes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
good questions. Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost means the same undertaking. The Holy Spirit is there once you repent of your sins & ask Jesus to grow to be Lord of your existence & you ask the Holy Spirit in. i'm uncertain the way you tell if a Christian is crammed with the Holy Spirit different than in the event that they're following the Lord (in the event that they have the end results of the spirit). The Holy Spirit would not dictate what Christians do, it enables them make best alternatives, the alternative even with the incontrovertible fact that remains the persons (it relatively is why sin nevertheless happens) The Holy Spirit doesnt tell people to transform to different religions.The writers of the Gospels (or any area of the Bible) didnt make errors because of the fact God made the universe and all it relatively is in it and made effective that His observe became best. i think of many do ask which version of the Bible to examine, many variations are best, only distinctive wordings. i'm effective I didnt get all your questions replied yet i desire this allows some :)
2016-12-11 03:09:34 · answer #3 · answered by giallombardo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God Almighty. Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. He is holy. Trust me there is holy. The Holy SPirit is called several names: The Comforter, The SPirit of Truth, The SPirit of Christ, The Spirit of Wisdom and REvelation, THe Counselor, He has many names. He is considered as a person because He is so personal. He can be grieved, He can be quenched, He has personality and works in cooperation with God and Jesus. In the Greek He is called the "Paraklete" Which means One called alongside. He is for believers in Christ a comforter for those who have not yet receieved Christ He is a Convictor of Sin (Not people just sin). He's really good and I'm thankful for Him. He helps me pray, He comforts me and I can feel His presence. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would take from what was His and make it know to Christ's followers. You should really get to know Him. I promise you won't be disappointed. :)
2007-12-12 15:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by zetty 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit was sent when Jesus went back to the Father. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit--or Comforter-- would teach the disciples all things. If the Holy Spirit is not a person He could not teach anyone anything.
2007-12-12 15:54:42 · answer #5 · answered by zoril 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When a person is sealed of the Holy Spirit, then they are anointed with the Spirit of Truth who leads into all truth & isn't a liar, 1Jn2:27.
The Name of the Holy Spirit is Lord also. The LORD God is One LORD. God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit is One LORD. Also, El Shaddai is the Name of the Holy Spirit.
And the Holy Spirit convicts our spirit when we sin. We have to decide to die to the lust of the flesh (not react by cussing, yelling, etc...) But choose to follow after the Spirit (faith, hope, love, joy, peace, patience, honesty, truth, etc...) The Holy Spirit wont force us. But will discipline us.
The Holy Spirit is very personal. And has promised to never leave or forsake us. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise until the day of redemption.
2007-12-12 15:56:33 · answer #6 · answered by LottaLou 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Spirit is the third "person" of The Holy Trinity.
2007-12-12 19:07:41 · answer #7 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Spirit is the part of God whom Jesus sent to reside in his believers. The Holy Spirit is a teacher and comforter sent to a believer the moment they accept Christ as their Savior. Once it resides in the believer it starts to work to conform the believer into the image of Christ. However, the believer retains complete free-will, and must allow the Holy Spirit to work. Otherwise the Spirit is eventually silenced.
2007-12-12 16:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by Toni 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. When He spoke to His Disciples, He told them : "I will leave you but I will send A Comforter to you when I ascend to My Fathers house, to build a place for you." And I will return. For He is Holy.
This is a summary of what I remember, so the words may be a little different in His word.
2007-12-12 16:00:13 · answer #9 · answered by NJ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No where does it say in the bible it is a person-its not! The holy spirit is a comforter sent by God.
Just clicked on #1's link he provided. I got the worst feeling ever-would stay far from that site!!
2007-12-12 15:52:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋