The Christian belief is that the Holy Spirit is not only a person but He is God. He is co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent with the other two Persons of Trinity. The Scripture affirms this truth in many places.
1. The Association of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son
The association of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son is found in the baptismal command (Matt. 28:19); in the apostolic blessing (2 Cor. 13:14) and in the greetings to the churches (Rev. 1:4-6). The Holy Spirit is given an equal status with the Father and the Son. At the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ, the three Persons of Trinity were involved equally (Matt. 3:16, 17).
2. The Interaction of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
The Bible describes that the divine Persons in Godhead interact on the same level and work uniquely as the triune God. It is recorded that the Holy Spirit and
the Father sent the Son into the world (Is. 45.16). It also says that the Son prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26, 15:26) and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 14:26; 15:26). We also have access to the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18). We pray to the Father, through the Son and the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Heb. 7:25)
3. The Divine Attributes Present in the Holy Spirit
All the moral attributes of the Father and the Son are present in the Holy Spirit, which shows that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person.
a. Omnipresence
One cannot flee from the Spirit because of His omnipresence (Ps. 139:7)
b. Omniscience
The Holy Spirit knows everything (Is. 40:13; John 14:26; 16:12, 13; 1 Cor. 2:10
Rom. 11:34).
c. Omnipotence
The Holy Spirit is all-powerful (Luke 1:35) and God did miracles by the Spirit
(Matt. 12:28).
d. Eternal
The Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb. 9:14).
e. Creator
He was involved in creation (Gen. 1:2; 2:7; Job 33:4).
f. Sovereign
He was above all (1 Cor. 12:6, 11).
g. Other attributes
The Holy Spirit has been given names which also ascribe His attributes. He is the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2), the Spirit of love (2 Tim. 1:7) and the Spirit of sound
judgment (2 Tim. 1:7). 4. The Other Divine Works of the Holy Spirit
He was involved in the creation (Job 33:4; Ps. 104:30), impartation of life (John 6:63; Rom. 8:11; Gen. 2:7) and in the authorship of divine prophecies (2 Sam. 23:2; 2 Pet. 1:21). He was involved in the incarnation (Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:35) of Jesus Christ and in the regeneration and renewal of man (John 3:5, 6; Titus 3:5) as well as their resurrection (Rom. 8:11).
5. The Holy Spirit is Called as God
In Acts 5:3,4, ‘the lying to the Holy Spirit’ (v. 3) is written equivalent to ‘lying to God’ (v. 4) making the Holy Spirit, God.
In the same manner, the ‘inspiration of God’ written in 2 Timothy 3:16 is similar to ‘moved by the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 1:21 implying that the Holy Spirit is God.
6. The Holy Spirit can be Blasphemed Against
Jesus said that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will incur the wrath of God and severe penalty (Matt. 12:31). So the Holy Spirit cannot be less than the Father.
7. The Holy Spirit is Referred to as God
When the Old Testament pam ages were quoted in the New Testament, the name ‘the Holy Spirit is used in the place of God of the Old Testament.
a. ‘I heard the voice of the Lord… of Isaiah 6c 8-10 is quoted as The Holy Spirit spoke rightly… in Acts 28:25-27.
b. This is the covenant that I will make…says the Lord of Jeremiah 31:33, 34 is quoted in Hebrews 10:15-17 as ‘the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us…
So the third Person of Trinity in the Godhead is God the Holy Spirit, who is equal to the Father and the Son. Since the Holy Spirit is God, it is very important for believers to acknowledge Him as God and praise and worship Him.
