PNEUMATOLOGY
1B. The Definition of Pneumatology
The study of the
third person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit.
2B. The Importance of Pneumatology
1C. John 14:1-3,
16-17, 25-26.
2C. John 16:5-15.
3C. Galatians
5:15-26.
1B. The Problem: Some Christians feel that the
Spirit is an Influence, not a Person
1C. Reasons why some
Christians believe this:
1D. The word pneuma [Gk. pneuma](“Spirit”) means “breath”
or “wind.” which imply an impersonal force, not a person.
2D. The Holy Spirit is
symbolized as being impersonal objects such as wind, water, fire, oil, or a
seal.
3D. The Holy
Spirit's work is not very “visible,” but tends to be secret or mystical. Some
Christians therefore tend to ignore Him and view Him as working behind the
scenes as some unseen force.
4D. The Holy Spirit as a
divine title seems harder for believers to relate to than the terms “Father,”
or “Son.” The later terms have more human feelings attached to them, than the
term “Spirit” or “Ghost.” The King James Version translators purposely used the
term “Ghost” rather than “Spirit” as they sought to communicate the idea of
personhood, rather than some unseen force.
2C. Reasons why
Christians should not consider the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force:
1D. It is contrary
to the teachings of Scripture.
2D. It will hinder
true worship
3D. It does not give
proper reverence to God.
4D. It hinders the
proper development of our relationship with God.
2B. The Holy Spirit demonstrates the Attributes
of Personality
1C. Intellect
(thinking, rationality) - 1 Cor. 2:10-11.
2C. Emotion - Eph.
4:30; Rom. 8:27; 15:30.
3C. Volition (will)
- 1 Cor. 12:11.
3B. The Holy Spirit performs Actions of
Personality.
1C. Speaks - Acts
13:2; Rev. 2:7
2C. Teaches - John
14:26
3C. Prays and makes
intercession - Rom. 8:26
4C. Works - 1 Cor.
12:11
5C. Reproves - John
16:8-11
6C. Guides into the
truth - John 16:13
7C. Regenerates -
John 3:5
8C. Searches - 1
Cor. 2:10
9C. Testifies - John
14:26
10C. Glorifies Christ - John 16:14
11C. Calls into Service - Acts 16:6-7
12C. Directs in service - Acts 16:6-7
13C. Bears witness - 1 John 5:6
14C. Strives with men - Gen. 6:3
15C. Instructs - Neh. 9:20
16C. Leads - Matt. 4:1
17C. Convicts - John 6:8
18C. Sends messengers from God - Isa. 48:16
19C. Imparts spiritual gifts - 1 Cor. 12:7-11
4B. The Holy Spirit is Treated as a Personality
1C. Tempted - Acts
5:9
2C. Lied to - Acts
5:3
3C. Grieved - Eph.
4:30
4C. Outraged,
insulted - Heb. 10:29
5C. Blasphemed -
Matt. 12:31-32
6C. Resisted - Acts
7:51
7C. Vexed - Isa.
63:10
8C. Quenched - 1
Thess. 5:19
5B. The Holy Spirit is given Personal Pronouns
in Scripture
1C. The Greek word pneuma is of the neuter gender and therefore should
take a neuter pronoun to describe it. But throughout Scripture relative
pronouns are used to describe the Spirit of God.
2C. The Lord Jesus
Christ used personal pronouns when describing the Holy Spirit. The pronouns “He,”
“Him” and “Himself” are used a number of times in John's Gospel when speaking
of the Spirit. These pronouns are in the masculine gender (John 14:15, 16, 26;
15:26-27; 16:7-14).
3C. In the Epistles,
the same principle holds true. Eph. 1:14 describes the Holy Spirit with the
word “who” instead of “which.”
6B. Therefore:
1C. The Holy Spirit
is a person, not just some exerted force or energy.
2C. As Christians we
must not ignore the personhood of the Holy Spirit as we sometimes do through
our thoughts and actions.
1B. The Holy Spirit is called God
1C. Acts 5:3-4, 9
2C. 2 Cor. 3:17-18
3C. Acts 28:25-27;
cf. Isa. 6:1-13
4C. Acts 7:51
5C. Heb. 3:7-11; cf.
Ps. 95:7-11
2B. The Holy Spirit manifests the Attributes of
God
1C. Sovereignty -
John 3:8
2C. Eternity - Heb.
9:14
3C. Omniscience - 1
Cor. 2:10; John 14:26; 16:12-13
4C. Omnipotence -
Luke 1:35; Zech. 4:6; Job. 14:17
5C. Omnipresence -
Ps. 139:7-10; John 14:17
6C. Veracity - 1
John 5:6
7C. Truth - John
16:13
8C. Love - Rom.
15:30
9C. Holiness - Rom.
1:4
3B. The Holy Spirit performs the Works and
Activities of God
1C. Creation - Ps.
104:30; Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; 26:13
2C. Regeneration - John 3:5-6
3C. Sanctification -
1 Pet. 1:2
4C. Inspiration - 2
Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 12, 13; 2 Sam. 23:2-3
5C. Impartation of
life - John 3:5; Tit. 3:5
6C. Resurrection of
the dead - Rom. 8:11
4B. The Holy Spirit is associated as an Equal
with the Father and the Son
1C. Baptismal
formula - Matt. 28:19
2C. Benediction
formula - 2 Cor. 13:14
3C. Hymn of Praise -
Eph. 1
5B. The Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father
and the Son
1C. The Son is sent
by the Father and the Holy Spirit - Isa. 48:12, 16.
2C. The Spirit descended upon
the Son as a dove, while the Father spoke from heaven - John 1:33; Luke
3:21-22.
3C The listing of
the Trinity in the various formulas - Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 1.
4C. The Son prays to
the Father to send the Spirit - John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13.
5C. The believer has
access to the Father through the Son, by the Spirit - Eph. 2:18.
6C. The Holy Spirit
proceeds from the Father through the Son - John 14:26; 15:26.
6B. Therefore:
1C. The deity of the
Holy Spirit is an essential doctrine of the Christian Faith.
2C. The descriptive
adjective “Holy” is used to distinguish Him from the spirits which are created.
This is only a preview of the lesson. The complete lesson is made available only for members.