A Neglected Teaching about the Holy Spirit
Author: Robert E. Coleman
The Holy Spirit is a Person.
Personal names and pronouns relate to the Spirit. Likewise, personal acts are ascribed to Him such as speaking (Acts 1:16), teaching (1 Corinthians 12:29), comforting (Acts 9:31), guiding (Romans 8:14), working (1 Corinthians 12:11), giving (Acts 5:9), interceding (Rom. 8:27, NIV), and worshiping (John 4:23-24).
As a Person, too, He can be tested (Acts 5:9), lied to (Acts 5:3), quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19), grieved (Ephesians 4:30), resisted (Acts 7:51), and blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32).
Above all, one can have communion with the Spirit in prayer and ministry. Ultimately the whole realm of personal salvation falls within His operation.
The Third Person of the Godhead
The Holy Spirit completed the revelation of God, unveiling the glory of Christ, Who in turn glorifies the Father (John 17:1-5). Jesus told His disciples, "When the Helper comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, Who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me" (John 15:26).
As God the Helper, the Spirit derives His being from the self-giving love of the Father, and the Son, in which the unified Personality of God has expression in three distinct ways.
Again we are overwhelmed with the limits of our human ability to comprehend the inner being of God. Yet it can be observed that God acts in His Spirit. What the Father plans, and the Spirit reveals, the Spirit effects. Within the Godhead, the Spirit completes the personalty of the Father, and the Son; outside of God, in the world and in mankind, He communicates the divine will.
Though the three Persons of the Godhead are equal in glory and superiority, when acting in power, the Holy Spirit comes into prominence.
[Editor's comment: By the authority and permission of Dr. Robert E Coleman, my professor of Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary, I have copied word for word this information about the Holy Spirit in his book entitled, The Heart of the Gospel, The Theology Behind The Master Plan of Evangelism, published by Baker Books, 2011, page 128.
We are honored to have Dr. Robert E. Coleman as one of our distinguished Contributing Writers for Hugh's News.]
Author: Robert E. Coleman
The Holy Spirit is a Person.
Personal names and pronouns relate to the Spirit. Likewise, personal acts are ascribed to Him such as speaking (Acts 1:16), teaching (1 Corinthians 12:29), comforting (Acts 9:31), guiding (Romans 8:14), working (1 Corinthians 12:11), giving (Acts 5:9), interceding (Rom. 8:27, NIV), and worshiping (John 4:23-24).
As a Person, too, He can be tested (Acts 5:9), lied to (Acts 5:3), quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19), grieved (Ephesians 4:30), resisted (Acts 7:51), and blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32).
Above all, one can have communion with the Spirit in prayer and ministry. Ultimately the whole realm of personal salvation falls within His operation.
The Third Person of the Godhead
The Holy Spirit completed the revelation of God, unveiling the glory of Christ, Who in turn glorifies the Father (John 17:1-5). Jesus told His disciples, "When the Helper comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, Who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me" (John 15:26).
As God the Helper, the Spirit derives His being from the self-giving love of the Father, and the Son, in which the unified Personality of God has expression in three distinct ways.
Again we are overwhelmed with the limits of our human ability to comprehend the inner being of God. Yet it can be observed that God acts in His Spirit. What the Father plans, and the Spirit reveals, the Spirit effects. Within the Godhead, the Spirit completes the personalty of the Father, and the Son; outside of God, in the world and in mankind, He communicates the divine will.
Though the three Persons of the Godhead are equal in glory and superiority, when acting in power, the Holy Spirit comes into prominence.
[Editor's comment: By the authority and permission of Dr. Robert E Coleman, my professor of Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary, I have copied word for word this information about the Holy Spirit in his book entitled, The Heart of the Gospel, The Theology Behind The Master Plan of Evangelism, published by Baker Books, 2011, page 128.
We are honored to have Dr. Robert E. Coleman as one of our distinguished Contributing Writers for Hugh's News.]