Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Personality of the Holy Spirit in Scripture

"The Spirit is said to do that which is possible only for a person to do. a) He reproves the world (John 16:8), b) He teaches (John 14:26), c) the Spirit speaks (Gal. 4:6), d) the Spirit intercedes (Rom. 8:26), e) the Spirit leads (Gal. 5:18), f) the Spirit appoints men to specific service (Acts 13:2; cf. Acts 20:28), g) the Spirit is Himself subject to appointment (John 15:26), h) the Spirit ministers: He regenerates (John 3:6), He seals (Eph. 4:30), He baptizes (1 Cor. 12:13), He fills (Eph. 5:18). He is affected as a person by other beings. a) The Father sends Him into the world (John 14:16, 26), and the Son sends Him into the world (John 16:7). b) Men may vex the Spirit (Isa. 63:10), they may grieve Him (Eph. 4:30), they may quench (resist) Him (1 Thess. 5:19), they may blaspheme Him (Matt. 12:31), they may lie to Him (Acts 5:3), they may disrespect Him (Heb. 10:29), they may speak against Him (Matt. 12:32). All Bible terms related to the Spirit imply His personality. a) He is called “another Comforter” (Advocate), which indicates that He is as much a person as Christ (John 14:16-17; 26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1-2), b) He is called a Spirit in the same personal sense as God is called a Spirit (John 4:24), c) the pronouns used of the Spirit imply His personality. In the Greek language the word “spirit” is a neuter noun which would naturally call for a neuter pronoun, and in a few instances the neuter pronoun is used (Rom. 8:16, 26); but often the masculine form of the pronoun is used, thus emphasizing the fact of the personality of the Spirit (John 14:16-17; 16:7-15)."[1]

God the Holy Spirit Is Co-equal with the Father and the Son

He is called God. This fact will be seen by comparing Isaiah 6:8-9 with Acts 28:25-26; Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17. (Note also 2 Cor. 3:18 ASV, and Acts 5:3, 4—“Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?… thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God”.)

He has the attributes of God (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 1 Cor. 2:9-11; Heb. 9:14).

The Holy Spirit performs the works of God (Ps. 104:30; Luke 12:11-12; Acts 1:5; 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2:8-11; 2 Pet. 1:21).

The Holy Spirit is presented in Scripture as a personal object of faith (Ps. 51:11; Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:19-21). As an object of faith, He is also One to be obeyed. The believer in Christ, walking in fellowship with the Spirit, experiences His power, His guidance, His instruction, and His sufficiency, and confirms experientially the great doctrines concerning the personality of the Spirit which are revealed in Scripture.[2]

[1] Lewis Sperry Chafer; John F. Walvoord; Major Bible Themes (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 2010), 88-89.

[2] Ibid., 89-90.

The Second Coming of Christ to establish His kingdom on earth (Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14; 2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:3-4, 34-37; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6; Luke 1:31-33; cf. Matt. 6:9-10; 19:28; 25:31; Rev. 19:11-16; Rev. 20:4-6) is distinguished from the Rapture of the Church where He takes Christians to heaven (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; cf. 1 Cor. 15:51-53).

Important Events Preceding the Second Coming of Christ

A period of preparation will follow the rapture in which ten nations will be formed into a confederacy in a revival of the ancient Roman Empire. Out of this will emerge a dictator who will control first three then all ten of the nations.

A period of peace will be brought about by the dictator in the Mediterranean area, beginning with a covenant with Israel planned for seven years (Dan. 9:27).

A time of persecution for Israel and for all believers in Christ will be brought about when the dictator breaks his covenant after the first three and one half years.[1]

Vital Facts Related to the Second Coming

The Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to the earth (Zech. 14:4), personally (Matt. 25:31; Rev. 19:11-16), and on the clouds of heaven (Matt. 24:30; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7). According to all biblical passages, it will be a glorious event which the entire world will see (Rev. 1:7).

According to the revelation given by Christ Himself recorded in Matthew 24:26-29, His glorious appearing will be like lightning shining from the East to the West.

In His second coming to the earth, Christ is accompanied by saints and angels in a dramatic procession (Rev. 19:11-16).

At His coming, Christ will first judge the armies of the world deployed in battle (Rev. 19:15-21). As He sets up His kingdom, He will regather Israel and judge them (Ezek. 20:34-38) relative to their worthiness to enter the millennial kingdom. In a similar way He will gather the Gentiles or “the nations” and judge them (Matt. 25:31-46).[2]

[1] Lewis Sperry Chafer; John F. Walvoord; Major Bible Themes (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 2010), 82.

[2] Ibid., 83-84.

     There is Bible prophecy concerning Jesus’ return to earth. However, a distinction must be drawn between Jesus coming for His saints at the Rapture, and Jesus coming with His saints at His Second Coming to reign for a thousand years (Dan. 7:13-14; Matt. 19:28; 25:31; Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus is now in heaven preparing a place for us to be with Him there (John 14:1-3). Paul describes Jesus’ return for the church in which we shall be caught up (Grk. ἁρπάζω harpazo; Lat. Rapturo - to seize, catch up) to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Paul explains to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 15:51-53) that the changing of our bodies at the Lord’s return is a mystery (μυστήριον musterion – something not revealed in the OT, but is revealed here for the first time). Below are the various views on the rapture of the church:

Pre-Tribulation Rapture: The church is taken out of the world before the Tribulation begins (1 Thess. 1:9-10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10).

Partial Rapture: Only believers who faithfully watch for the Lord’s return will be raptured out of the world before the Tribulation (Matt. 24:40-44). This view confuses the Second Coming of Christ with the Rapture of the Church.

Mid-Tribulation Rapture: The church is taken out of the world in the middle of the Tribulation (Rev. 11:1-15). This view—and the Pre-Wrath Rapture view— ignores the biblical passages that teach God will spare the church from wrath and tribulation (1 Thess. 1:9-10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10).

Pre-Wrath Rapture: The church is taken out of the world just before God’s wrath is greatest (Rev. 14:10; 16:1).

Post-Tribulation Rapture: The church is raptured up as Christ is returning to earth at His Second Coming (John 16:33). This view seeks to merge the rapture of the church with the Second Coming of Christ.

 

     After His resurrection, Jesus ascended bodily to heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11). The biblical record is that Jesus is now in heaven (Acts 2:32-35; 7:55-56; Eph. 1:20-22; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 1:9-10; 4:16). Jesus went up to heaven bodily and will return the same way when He comes back to establish His kingdom on earth (Rev. 19:11-21).

     The ascension of Jesus into heaven signaled the end of His ministry on earth. Jesus had come to earth to offer the Davidic kingdom to Israel (2 Sam. 7:12-13; Ps. 89:3-4, 34-36; Luke 1:30-33; Matt. 4:17; 10:5-7), but after they rejected Him, the Davidic kingdom was postponed until His Second Coming (read pages 71-72). The prominent work of Christ in heaven is that of High Priest in which He accomplishes the following:

As High Priest over the true tabernacle on high, the Lord Jesus Christ has entered into heaven itself there to minister as Priest in behalf of those who are His own in the world (Heb. 8:1-6).[1]

As our High Priest Christ is the bestower of spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:7-11).

The ascended Christ as Priest ever lives to make intercession for His own (Heb. 7:25).

Christ now appears for His own in the presence of God (Heb. 9:24; 1 John 2:1).

     Jesus Christ is currently at work on earth both with and in believers (Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:20; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27). He is the One who imparts life to those who believe in Him (John 10:10; 1 John 5:12). He also strengthens us to do His will (Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13).

[1] These four points are taken directly from Major Bible Themes, pages 72-74.

     The Bible speaks of a general resurrection (Job 19:25-27; Dan. 12:2), as well as the resurrection of Christ (Ps. 16:9-10; cf. Acts 2:24-31; 13:34-37). Jesus predicts both His own death and His resurrection (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 26:12, 28-29, 31-32; Mark 9:30-32; 14:28; Luke 9:22; 18:31-34; John 2:19-22; 10:17-18).

     Jesus’ resurrection is an essential part of the gospel message (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  If Jesus is not raised from the dead, then His death on the cross was not effective, and we have believed in a false Messiah (1 Cor. 15:17).  However, the Scriptural testimony is very clear: Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion and forty days later ascended to heaven.  Here are several biblical facts about Jesus resurrection:

It was predicted by Jesus (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19).

It showed Jesus overcame death (Acts 2:23-24).

It was central to the gospel message (Acts 26:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:3-4).

It had many eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8).

It was argued as true against those who disbelieved (1 Cor. 15:12-19).

It reveals Jesus as the first among many to be resurrected (1 Cor. 15:20).

It reveals Jesus as the Son of God (Rom. 1:3-4).

It is the basis for our new life (1 Pet. 1:3).

Resurrected believers will not know the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:6).

     Jesus’ resurrection from the dead guarantees our future. His life is our life, and His victory is our victory. We will be raised because He has been raised. In the resurrection, our new bodies will be like Jesus’ new body, which will never know sin or decay (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2).

     The death of Jesus is an important doctrine in Scripture. At a point in time, God the Son came into the world and added humanity to himself, becoming fully God and man at the same time (John 1:1, 14). Scripture reveals Jesus was born under the Mosaic Law (Gal. 4:4), fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matt. 5:17-19), and committed no sin during His life on earth (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5). His sinless life qualified Him to die a substitutionary death in our place, “the just for [ὑπὲρ huper] the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18; cf. Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Jesus died to redeem us who are marked by sin and death (Mark 10:45), for “In Him we have redemption [ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrosis – the payment that frees a captive] through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7; cf. Col. 1:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). His death on the cross forever satisfied [ἱλαστήριον hilasterion – an acceptable sacrifice that satisfies] every righteous demand God had toward our sin (Rom. 3:24-25; Heb. 10:10-14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), and is the basis for forgiveness [ἄφεσις aphesis – forgiveness, dismissal, release] and reconciliation [καταλλάσσω katallasso – to reconcile ] to God (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:13-14; 20-22). The death of Christ was sufficient for everyone (Heb. 2:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), but is effectual only for those who believe (John 3:16, 20:31; Acts 4:12; Eph. 1:7).

     Salvation is a work of God alone. It is never accomplished by what we do for God, but rather, what God has accomplished for us through the Person and work of Jesus Christ who died for our sins (John 3:16), and who freely gives us eternal life and the gift of righteousness (John 10:28; Phil. 3:9).

God the Son: His Incarnation

"When considering the Incarnation, two important truths should be realized: (1) Christ became at the same time and in the absolute sense very God and very man, and (2) in becoming flesh He, though laying aside His glory, in no sense laid aside His deity. In His incarnation He retained every essential attribute of deity. His full deity and complete humanity are essential to His work on the cross. If He were not man, He could not die; if He were not God, His death would not have had infinite value."[1]

The Son, Who was with God and is God, took upon Himself humanity (John 1:1; 14; Phil. 2:6-7; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:3, 8).

The Fact of Christ’s Humanity

The humanity of Christ was purposed before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-7; 3:11; Rev. 13:8).[2]

Every type of prophecy of the Old Testament concerning Christ was an anticipation of the incarnate Son of God (i.e. Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:21-23 & Isa. 53:6; John 1:29 & Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:1-5).

The fact of the humanity of Christ is seen in His annunciation and birth (Luke 1:31-35).

His life on earth revealed His humanity. “(1) by His human names: “The Son of man,” “The man Christ Jesus,” “The Son of David,” and the like; (2) by His human parentage: He is mentioned as “the fruit of the loins,” “her firstborn,” “of this man’s seed,” “seed of David,” “seed of Abraham,” “made of a woman,” “sprang from Judah”; (3) by the fact that He possessed a human body, soul, and spirit (Matt. 26: 38; John 13: 21; 1 John 4: 2, 9); and (4) by His self-imposed human limitations.”[3]

The humanity of Christ is seen in His death and resurrection. It was His humanity that suffered and died on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24), and resurrected bodily from the grave (Luke 24:39; John 20:27).

The fact of the humanity of Christ is seen in that He ascended to heaven and is now, in His human glorified body, ministering for His own (Acts 1:9; Heb. 7:25).

When He comes again it will be the “same Jesus” coming as He went, in the same body (though glorified) in which He became incarnate (Acts 1:11).

Reasons for the Incarnation

He came to reveal God to men (Matt. 11:27; John 1:18; 14:9; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16). By the incarnation the incomprehensible God is translated into terms of human understanding.[4]

He came to reveal man. He is God’s ideal man and as such is an example to believers (1 Pet. 2:21); but He is never an example to the unsaved, since God is not now seeking to reform the unsaved, but rather to save them.

He came to provide a sacrifice for sin. For this reason He is seen thanking God for His human body and this in relation to true sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:1-10).

He came in the flesh that He might destroy the works of the Devil (John 12:31; 16:11; Col. 2:13-15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8).

He came into the world that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God (Heb. 2:16-17; 8:1; 9: 11-12, 24).

He came in the flesh that He might fulfill the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:16; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:30, 31, 36; Rom. 15:8). In His glorified human body He will appear and reign as “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS,” and will sit on the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32; Rev. 19:16).

As incarnate, He becomes Head over all things to the church, which is the new creation, the new humanity (Eph. 1:22).

 

[1] Lewis Sperry Chafer; John F. Walvoord; Major Bible Themes (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 2010), 56.

[2] These seven points are taken directly from

Direct Statements of the Eternity and Deity of the Son of God

God the Son exists eternally (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2; 5:18; 8:58; 10:33; 17:5; 20:28; Phil. 2:5-7; Heb. 1:1-3, 8; 13:8).

Implications that the Son of God is Eternal

The works of creation are ascribed to Jesus (John 1:3; Col. 1:16). He must, therefore, exist before all creation.

Jesus is the Angel of Jehovah that appears in the Old Testament. “Though He appears at times as an angel or even as a man, He bears the unmistakable marks of deity. He appeared to Hagar (Gen. 16:7), to Abraham (Gen. 18:1; 22:11-12; 11-12; note John 8:58), to Jacob (Gen. 48:15-16; note also Gen. 31:11-13; 32:24-32), to Moses (Exod. 3:2, 14), to Joshua (Josh. 5:13-14), and to Manoah (Judg. 13:19-22). He it is who fights for, and defends, His own (2 Kings 19:35; 1 Chron. 21:15-16; Ps. 34:7; Zech. 14:1-4).”[1]

Jesus holds titles of deity. “The titles of the Lord Jesus Christ indicate His eternal being. He is precisely what His names imply. He is ‘The Son of God,’ ‘The Only Begotten Son,’ ‘The First and the Last,’ ‘The Alpha and Omega,’ ‘The Lord,’ ‘Lord of All,’ ‘Lord of Glory,’ ‘The Christ,’ ‘Wonderful,’ ‘Counsellor,’ ‘The Mighty God,’ ‘The Father of Eternity,’ ‘God,’ ‘God With Us,’ ‘Our Great God.’ These titles relate Him to the Old Testament revelation of Jehovah-God (cp. Matt. 1:23 with Isa. 7:14; Matt. 4:7 with Deut. 6:16; Mark 5:19 with Ps. 66:16; and Matt. 22:42-45; with Ps. 110:1).”[2]

Jesus possesses the attributes of God. “The preexistence and eternity of the Son of God are implied in the fact that He has the attributes of God— life (John 1:4), self-existence (John 5:26), immutability (Heb. 13:8), truth (John 14:6), love (1 John 3:16), holiness (Heb. 7:26), eternity (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:11), omnipresence (Matt. 28:20), omniscience (1 Cor. 4:5; Col. 2:3), and omnipotence (Matt. 28:18; Rev. 1:8).”[3]

Jesus is worshipped as God. “In like manner the preexistence and eternity of Christ are implied in the fact that He is worshiped as God (John 20:28; Acts 7:59-60; Heb. 1:6). It follows that since the Lord Jesus Christ is God, He is from everlasting to everlasting.”[4]

 

[1] Lewis Sperry Chafer; John F. Walvoord; Major Bible Themes (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 2010), 54.

[2] Ibid., 54.

[3] Ibid., 54-55.

[4] Ibid., 55.

The Trinity is observed in the Old Testament, and clearly seen in the New Testament. God the Father is presented as the first Person among the members of the Trinity. Each Person is observed in Scripture as having certain characteristics and activities. “The Father is presented as electing, loving, and bestowing. The Son is presented as suffering, redeeming, and upholding the universe. The Holy Spirit is presented as regenerating, indwelling, baptizing, energizing, and sanctifying.”[1]

In a general sense, the first Person of the Godhead is the Father of all creation ( 2:10; Acts 17:24-29; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:14-15; Heb. 12:9). This is not to be confused with universal salvation, which teaches that everyone goes to heaven.

The first Person of the Godhead is Father by intimate relationship ( 4:22; 2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 103:13).

The first Person of the Godhead is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ( 9:6; Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 1:14; 3:16; 17:1; Eph. 1:3). “Obviously the terms “father” and “son” are used of God to describe the intimate relationship of the First and Second Persons without necessarily fulfilling all the aspects that would be true in a human relationship of father and son. This is especially evident in the fact that both the Father and the Son are eternal.”[2]

The Father of all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:12-13; Gal. 3:26). In contrast, those who are not children of God belong to Satan (Matt. 13:38; John 8:44).

 

[1] Lewis Sperry Chafer; John F. Walvoord; Major Bible Themes (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan Publishing, 2010), 45.

[2] Ibid., 47.

     The doctrine of the Trinity simply teaches that there is one God, who exists as three Persons who are co-equal (they share the same attributes), co-infinite (not bound by time or space), and co-eternal (have eternally existed).  The Bible does not teach tritheism (three absolutely separate gods), nor does it teach modalism (that there is one person who manifests himself in three forms as Father, Son, and Spirit).  Though there are difficulties in understanding the Trinity, the Biblical evidence is clear that God exists as thee distinct Persons.

     The three Persons of the God-head are one in essence (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6-8; John 10:30; 17:11). The use of the Hebrew numeral dx’(a, echad reveals, in some contexts, the idea of a complex one (cf. Gen. 2:24; Ezra 3:1; Ezek. 37:17). There is one God who exists as three distinct Persons within the Trinity (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2): God the Father (Gal. 1:1; Eph. 6:23; Phil. 2:11), God the Son (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; John 1:1, 8:58; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:8), and God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:11-12; 2 Cor. 13:14).

     The primary names of God are: Yahweh (hw

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