The deity of the Holy Spirit

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on June 4, 2012 at 11:42am

I haven't read all of this but when I began the first thought that came to me is How in the world could a mere creation explain anything ANYTHING done by God. If we knew His thoughts, wouldn't that make us God as well? I personally like the fact that Someone (Upper Case)  is over me that controls all of this universe. I'm not wanting all that knowledge. With great knowledge comes great responsibility. I have enough responsibility. Tell them to stop trying to figure it out & just go with it. Geesh. I've never seen a religion so dead set on proving everyone wrong only to "maybe" get to heaven themselves - their words not mine.

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Permalink Reply by feet breath on June 4, 2012 at 12:19pm

They don't believe the Holy Spirit is a creation. They believe He's only like mere electricity or wind. They believe He's God's "active force"...

 

Sister, actually the JW's are probably considered part of henotheism...they worship one God but consider the likes of many gods...they think angels are gods, people are gods and Jesus is "a god"...

 

I like what you said about responsiblity. I totally agree with you.

 

Sad thing is they're not sure they'll get to enjoy the "new earth" as well. They're terified if they do one wrong thing they'll get destroyed at Armmagedon. f they get disfellowshipped and Armaggedon comes before they get back in the Kingdom Hall they'll think they'll have no chance for eternal life. That's why it's called woking for their salvation and even something like a blood transfusion could get a person destroyed. That's how controled they are... They don't think Grace is possible.

 

 

 

I can't tell them that sister...they'll think I'm opposing them and think I'm persecuting them...They'll think such opposing words would be a threat.

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Permalink Reply by Apologetics UK on June 13, 2012 at 11:50am

One very clear reference to the deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit occurs in Acts 5:1-10, in which Ananias and Sapphira are charged with lying to the Holy Spirit and struck down dead as a consequence. Peter rebukes Ananias, saying, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit...You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” Here, not only does the personhood of the Holy Spirit become apparent (one cannot lie to an impersonal entity), but the Holy Spirit is also equated with God Himself.

Another example lies in Acts 13:1-2, in which the Holy Spirit speaks and calls out Paul and Barnabas, sending them out for the work ordained for them. In this passage, the Holy Spirit clearly assumes divine authority. We read,

¹ Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

A further passage we might look to is Ephesians 4:30, in which we are instructed "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Here, the Holy Spirit displays attributes of personhood -- one cannot grieve an impersonal force.

The Holy Spirit is endowed with a will in 1 Corinthians 12:11: "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 also ascribes knowledge to the Holy Spirit:

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Mark 3:29 indicates that it is even possible to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit! Only God is able to be blasphemed.

Psalm 139:7-10 also indicates that the Spirit of God is omnipresent:

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

We also learn in Hebrews 9:14 that the Holy Spirit is eternal ("Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God").

Hope this helps.

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