Christ and the Holy Spirit
Among the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit’s nature is the least revealed in the Scriptures. The Lord reveals only that which we need to know and could understand. Seeing that there is not much information about the Holy Ghost available, we will not speculate on what the relation between the Son of God and the Holy Spirit is. But we will rather stick to what the scriptures tell us.
Jesus said of the Holy Ghost: “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 depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7). In His incarnate body, Jesus could not be present everywhere. But through the Holy Ghost, Jesus could be with each one of His followers at all times and in all places (Matthew 28:20).
It was at the day of Pentecost when the gift of the Holy Ghost was bestowed upon Christ’s followers. The Spirit filled the disciples with power that they previously did not have. This was seen in Peter’s address where those who heard were “pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:37).
Right now the Son of God is ministering in the Heavenly Sanctuary on our behalf. “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:1,2).
As Christ does His divine work, the Holy Ghost is ministering in the hearts of men. Thus, the Spirit convicts men of their sin, points them to the salvation and righteousness that is in Christ. And He warns them of the consequences of continuing in their sins and of neglecting the salvation freely proffered.
The Functions of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Ghost is plainly portrayed in the Bible as the One who speaks (Acts 8:29), guides (John 16:13), witnesses (Hebrews 10:15), comforts (John 14:16), helps (John 16:7, 8), and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). In fact, the scriptures were written by inspiration from the Holy Ghost. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit in relation to the Father and the Son
Paul revealed the relationship of the Holy Spirit to that of the Father and the Son, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The Father, Son, and Spirit always point away from themselves and towards the other two. The Father lives to glorify the Son, the Son lives to glorify the Father, and the Spirit lives to glorify the Father and the Son (John 17:1, 5; John 16:14; John 13:31, 32).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
