IS THE HOLY SPIRIT REALLY GOD?

1. His Deity

a) Is the Holy Spirit really God? In the Bible angels are called spirits, and some of them are "holy" spirits. It is plain, however, that the Holy Spirit has the characteristics of God just as the Son has.

b) The very words, "Holy Spirit", Luke 11:13, teach us three things: His is Spirit, and He is Holy. Since a spirit is invisible, we have at once three of the attributes of God.

c) He is eternal, Hebrews 9:14. Every creature has a beginning. Only God is eternal.

d) He is over everything, linked in an equal way with God the Father and God the Son, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14. It would be very wrong to link up a creature with God in an equal way.

e) The Holy Spirit comes from the Father and is sent by the Son, John 15:26; 16:7. Yet if a person speaks against Christ, he will be forgiven, but if he speaks against the Holy Spirit he shall not be forgiven, Matthew 12:32. These verses might by themselves seem to show that the Holy Spirit is more or less important than God the Son. But taking all Scriptures together, we see that the Holy Spirit is equal to God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit work perfectly together.

f) He is all powerful. The Spirit also had a part in the work of creation. Christ did miracles by the Spirit of God, John 3:34; Matthew 12:28.

g) He knows all things. See 1 Corinthians 2:10.

h) He is everywhere at once. In Psalms 139:7-10 we see that it is not possible to go anywhere and get away from the Spirit of God.

i) He is righteous. He proves all who do not believe in Christ are sinners, John 16:8-11.

j) He is gracious. He is called the Spirit of grace, Hebrews 10:29.

k) These verses show that ten of the twelve attributes of God are attributes Holy Spirit. They are more than enough to prove the Spirit of God. The Spirit also reveals Himself. Actually, all we know about God is revealed through the Spirit. He is called the Spirit of Truth, John 14:17. He does reveal Himself (through Scripture), but His main work is to glorify Christ, John 16:13-14. The Spirit is also like God, always the same.

l) So we see the Holy Spirit is a Person equal in every way to God. The Bible teaches the Spirit of God is God.