Many times the church settles for a concept and experience of the Holy Spirit that falls short of the biblical testimony and is at odds with what has been the church’s position for centuries. In today’s Seven Minute Seminary, Dr. Steve Seamands probes our mistaken notions of the Holy Spirit and then points us to the powerful way the Spirit empowers us for holiness and mission in the context of relationship.
The Bible often ascribes to the Holy Spirit attributes or activities that are reserved for God. For example: eternality, holiness, omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, creation, sanctification, speaking as God. Scripture passages supporting the divinity of the Holy Spirit: Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30; Psalm 139:7-8; John 14:6; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3; 1 Corinthians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:15-17.
Rather than being an impersonal force, the Bible describe the Holy Spirit as someone with personality. Scripture passages supporting the personality of the Holy Spirit: Isaiah 63:10; John 14:26; Romans 8:27; Acts 15:28; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30.
The Nicene Creed describes the Holy Spirit thus: And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
[DOWNLOAD] Come Holy Spirit is a free ebook written by Carolyn Moore; [PURCHASE] Encounter the Holy Spirit is a group study on the person of the Holy Spirit in our lives—video available; [PURCHASE] The Tongue of Fire by William Arthur is a 19th century Methodist exposition of the work of the Holy Spirit before even the burst and spread of pentecostalism in the early 20th century; [WATCH] Bishop James Swanson encourages the church to invite the Holy Spirit back to church in this Seven Minute Seminary; [READ] TMS Global shares 6 fresh stories of the work of God’s Spirit straight from the mission field; [READ] All of Seedbed’s resources on the Holy Spirit.