Who Is The Holy Spirit?

by Micky Galloway

This question has presented some controversy among some brethren. In defining the issue, it has been suggested, “to the exclusion of all other controversies, the issue is just this: is the Holy Spirit a distinct character from God [the Father, mg] and Christ [the Son, mg] or is the Holy Spirit the very Spirit of God and Christ?”

Please consider that each is individually called God. The Father is called God (I Corinthians 8:6). The Son is called God (Titus 2:13). The Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4). The three were present in the beginning (Genesis 1:1,2; cf John 1:1-2). The three were present at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17). Baptism is to be administered in the name of the three (Matthew 28:18-20). Paul's entreaty to God involved the three (Romans 15:30). The closing remarks of Paul to the Corinthians was in the name of the three (II Corinthians 13:14). Yet, the Father is not the Son. John 8:16 says, “Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.” If the Father sent the Son, they must be separate and distinct beings. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 affirms, “But the Comforter, (even) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.” If the Father sent the Holy Spirit, why are they any less separate? Did the Father send the Holy Spirit by sending an integral part of Himself? No! The Father sent the Son, the Father sent the Holy Spirit. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 says, “(even) Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” The Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Did the Father anoint Jesus with an integral part of himself that Jesus already shared with the Father from eternity? In John 16:7 Jesus indicated it was necessary for him to go away in order for the Father to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away ; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.” Was it necessary that Jesus go away so that the Father could send an integral part of Jesus and the Father to be the Comforter?

Some have explained that the Holy Spirit is “the power of the Highest” (Luke 1:35). While this is true, can we say that the Holy Spirit is just a power of God? Acts 10:38 says that God anointed Jesus with “the Holy Spirit and with power …” Was it that He was anointed with the holy power and with power? No. Romans 15:13 says that “ye may abound in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Did they abound in the power of the holy power? That is a terrible redundancy. Romans 15:18 says “by the power of the Spirit of God.” Was it by the power of the power of God? No. I Corinthians 2:4 speaks of the “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Was it demonstration of the power and of power? No. The Bible is not guilty of such nonsense. It is true that in some passages power is highlighted when the Spirit of God is mentioned, but that is due to the fact that the Spirit uses as well as imparts power.

Let us return again to the issue …, “to the exclusion of all other controversies, the issue is just this: is the Holy Spirit a distinct character from God [the Father, mg] and Christ [the Son, mg]?” In addition to passages that speak of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there are numerous scriptures that show two of the three with equal status. Some show the Father and the Holy Spirit and others Jesus and the Holy Spirit and others the Father and Jesus. In John 14:16, Jesus said, “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter.” Jesus told His disciples that He would send another comforter “the spirit of truth” (John 15:26). The word, another, is from “allos” in Greek. By definition, it means another numerically, but can mean another of the same kind. Indeed, I John 2:1 says that Jesus is “an Advocate with the Father” for us. “Advocate” is translated from the same word, “parakletos,” as is “Comforter.” Jesus is our “Comforter” and He would pray that the Father send another“Comforter,” the Holy Spirit. That is, a Comforter just like Jesus, but another person than Jesus. The Greek word, “heteros,” means another of a different kind and is often translated as “different.” In Galatians 1, Paul writes about “another gospel (heteros another of a different kind), which is not another (allos another numerically, or the same kind ).” What the Galatians had turned to was another gospel in that it was a different one (heteros) from what Paul preached. It was not another gospel of the same kind (allos) as what Paul preached. Paul told Timothy, in I Timothy 1:3, that he was to remain in Ephesus to instruct certain ones not to teach a different doctrine, (hetero) “didaskaleo.” That was a doctrine different from the one Paul had preached to them, just like in Galatia. The Holy Spirit could not be “another” (allos another numerically, or the same kind) Comforter if he was Jesus or an integral part of Jesus. By definition the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth would be a distinct, individual being/personality of the Godhead.