The Biblical Concept of the “Spirit”
We read in Genesis 1:1-2,
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. [2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God (Strong’s H7307 Ruwach) moved upon the face of the waters.”
It is believed by many that the Holy Spirit is a separate, distinct, personal being not unlike God the Father and His Son. The reason being, that the Scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit as “He” and is said to be displaying all the attributes of a “person” and is seemingly doing things that a real person would do. And with that understanding, most view the “Spirit of God” which “moved upon the face of the waters” recorded for us in creation account, to be a separate, formless individual God Being.
But let’s consider for a moment how the Bible actually defines what the “spirit” is.
If you look up the Hebrew word, “spirit” in the Strong’s Concordance, he/it is described as the wind, breath, mind, spirit (Strong’s H7307 Ruwach)
1. “Spirit” is the breath of God, His spoken word and the creative, life-giving power:
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (H5397 nĕshamah); and man became a living soul.
“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth (H7307 ruwach).” (Psalms 33:6)
“For he spake, and it was done, he commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalms 33:9)
Compare this with
“He divideth the sea with His power, and by His understanding He smiteth through the proud. 13 By His spirit (Strong’s H7307 ruwach) He hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” (Job 26:12-13)
“The spirit (ruwach) of God hath made me, and the breath (H5397 nĕshamah) of the Almighty hath given me life.” (Job 33:4)
“Thou sendest forth thy spirit (ruwach) , they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:30)
We are told here that it was by the “breath of his mouth” that the heavens were made and yet the Scripture synonymously describe the Spirit of God doing the same. Please note that the “breath of his mouth” mentioned in Psalms 33:6 is the very same word translated as the “spirit” in Genesis 1:2, Job 33:4 and Psalm 104:30.
Similarly, we see the Spirit of Jesus proceeding forth from Him as He “breathed” on His disciples:
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” John 20:22
The word, “moved” in Gen 1:2 is described as shake, move, flutter (Strong’s H7363 Rachaph; raw-khaf)
Hebrew 12:26 “Whose voice then shook the earth: but not hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.”
The spirit of a person is manifested by the words spoken by the person:
“To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?” (Job 26:4)
“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34)
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE.” John 6:63
Jesus plainly taught that His words are two things: spirit and life and that this spirit/life is in His words. Words express our thoughts/mind. God’s words express His divine mind.
“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” (Proverbs 1:23)
“The Lord will take these poor souls if they will come and stand under His banner in loyalty. “A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] This is the divine breath of God to the soul of the true seeker. God will give you His healing power. We will rely upon Him, for He is our great Physician of the body as well as of the soul.” {Lt74b-1897.5}
“All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls. Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence.” {DA 827.3}
“Every soul into whose heart the truth has found access must wage a warfare against the powers of darkness and fight inch by inch as he advances in the Christian pathway. The converted one may live in a family where he, like the other members, was once worldly and selfish, robbing God of the talents entrusted to all for service; but as soon as he is convicted and converted, he begins to use his talents in behalf of righteousness; and he is filled with the breath of life, the Spirit of God. Collision and strife often result.” {Ms169-1903 (October 12, 1903) par. 26}
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Only thus can human beings prevail against Satanic agencies. Without God’s aid, human might and strength have no more power than the wind that blows to impress aright the souls of men. The breath of God must be breathed into the soul before it can be filled with power. {CentralAdvance April 8, 1903, Art. B, par. 4}
“Truth is refining, cleansing, sanctifying in its work, and those who believe the truth will not be like a steam engine working at low pressure. The breath of God, the Holy Spirit, will be upon the workers.” {Lt209-1899.14}
Concerning the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 the Ellen White says:
“It is not the human agent that is to ins
pire with life. The Lord God of Israel will do that part, quickening the lifeless spiritual nature into activity. The breath of the Lord of hosts must enter into the lifeless bodies. In the judgment, when all secrets are laid bare, it will be known that the voice of God spoke through the human agent, and aroused the torpid conscience, and stirred the lifeless faculties, and moved sinners to repentance and contrition, and forsaking of sins. It will then be clearly seen that through the human agent faith in Jesus Christ was imparted to the soul, and spiritual life from heaven was breathed upon one who was dead in trespasses and sins, and he was quickened with spiritual life. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 7}
But not only does this simile of the dry bones apply to the world, but also to those who have been blessed with great light; for they also are like the skeletons of the valley. They have the form of men, the framework of the body; but they have not spiritual life. But the parable does not leave the dry bones merely knit together into the forms of men; for it is not enough that there is symmetry of limb and feature. The breath of life must vivify the bodies, that they may stand upright, and spring into activity. These bones represent the house of Israel, the church of God, and the hope of the church is the vivifying influence of the Holy Spirit. The Lord must breathe upon the dry bones, that they may live. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 8}
The Spirit of God, with its vivifying power, must be in every human agent, that every spiritual muscle and sinew may be in exercise. Without the Holy Spirit, without the breath of God, there is torpidity of conscience, loss of spiritual life. Many who are without spiritual life have their names on the church records, but they are not written in the Lamb’s book of life. They may be joined to the church, but they are not united to the Lord. They may be diligent in the performance of a certain set of duties, and may be regarded as living men; but many are among those who “have a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Unless there is genuine conversion of the soul to God; unless the vital breath of God quickens the soul to spiritual life; unless the professors of truth are actuated by heaven-born principle, they are not born of the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth forever. Unless they trust in the righteousness of Christ as their only security; unless they copy his character, labor in his spirit, they are naked, they have not on the robe of his righteousness. The dead are often made to pass for the living; for those who are working out what they term salvation after their own ideas, have not God working in them to will and to do of his good pleasure. {RH January 17, 1893, par. 9}
Thus, what we are seeing here is that the the “Spirit of God” which “moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2) was not another individual God being (aka “God the Holy Spirit” as trinitarians would have you believe) but it was actually the breath/spirit of God-the same breath/spirit that gave life to Adam and Eve, “shook the earth” and also commanded the world into existence.
Moreover when we utter words, we are revealing which spirit we have. We either have the spirit of the world, or the spirit of God. When God’s Word is spoken, His words are “spirit, and they are “life” to those who believe and accept it.
Now let’s look at the destruction God’s Spirit can cause:
“The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. 15And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. 16And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast (neshamah) of the breath (ruwach) of his nostrils.” (2 Sam 22:14-16)
Also:
“By the blast (neshamah) of God they perish, and by the breath (ruwach) of his nostrils are they consumed.” (Job 4:9)
Notice in Revelation what happens to the wicked at the second coming:
“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. ²¹And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Rev 19:20-21)
In a parallel verse from Paul we see what this “sword” is:
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:” (2 Thess. 2:8)
Now notice how Sister White clearly identifies this as the Spirit of God:
‘“I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance,’ said John; ‘but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.’ Matthew 3:11, R. V., margin. The prophet Isaiah had declared that the Lord would cleanse His people from their iniquities “by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” The word of the Lord to Israel was, “I will turn My hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin.” Isaiah 4:4; 1:25. To sin, wherever found, “our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them. Jacob, after his night of wrestling with the Angel, exclaimed, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Genesis 32:30. Jacob had been guilty of a great sin in his conduct toward Esau; but he had repented. His transgression had been forgiven, and his sin purged; therefore he could endure the revelation of God’s presence. But wherever men came before God while willfully cherishing evil, they were destroyed. At the second advent of Christ the wicked shall be consumed ‘with the Spirit of His mouth,’ and destroyed ‘with the brightness of His coming.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:8. The light of the glory of God, which imparts life to the righteous, will slay the wicked.” {DA 107.4}
In the above we see how the Holy Spirit consumes sin and if we cling to sin the glory of God (the Holy Spirit) will destroy us. The “Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
2. Holy Spirit-the omnipresence of God; it is His own Spirit
“The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Psalm 33:13-14)
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalms 51:11)
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalms 139: 7-10)
“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord?” (Jeremiah 23:23, 24)
“The Lord’s throne is in heaven” (Psalm 11:4); YET BY HIS SPIRIT HE IS EVERYWHERE PRESENT. He has an intimate knowledge of, and a personal interest in, all the works of His hand. ” — E. G. White, Education , p. 132
“The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men.” Ministry of Healing {MH 417.2}
Nothing can happen in any part of the universe without the knowledge of Him who is omnipresent. Not a single event of human life is unknown to our Maker. While Satan is constantly devising evil, the Lord our God overrules all, so that it will not harm his obedient, trusting children. The same power that controls the boisterous waves of the ocean can hold in check all the power of rebellion and of crime. God says to one as to the other, “Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.” {ST July 14, 1881, par. 8}
Note: The inspired evidence seems to suggest that the omnipresence (being present anywhere and everywhere) of God is closely related to His omniscience (all knowing and all seeing). God can be thought of as being everywhere present because He knows and sees everything.
3. Spirit is the mind
“And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit [Strongs G4151: pneuma] that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?” (Mark 2:8)
Jesus perceived [Strong’s G1921: epiginwskw – epiginosko “to know, that is to understand”] in His Spirit. The Spirit of Jesus is where He knew and understood things. The Spirit of Jesus is the mind of Jesus.
“And the Spirit [ruwach H7307] of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind [ruwach H7307], every one of them.” (Ezekiel 11:5)
In this passage, the Hebrew word, ruwach was translated as “spirit” in one place, and “mind” in another.
Clearly you can see that the spirit of an individual is the mind or thinking of that individual. Spirit of God is the very mind of God. (See Gen 41:8, Psalm 77:3, Daniel 2:1-3; 7:15, John11:33, John 13:21, Isaiah 40:13, Romans 11:34)
Who or what is the “Spirit of the Lord” in Isaiah 40:13-14
“Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?” ( Isa 40:13-14 )
For those who believe that the Holy Spirit is a separate being, they conclude that the “Spirit of the Lord” mentioned in Isa 40:13-14 is another being, distinguished from Father’s own spirit, who has his own independent mind and cognition, etc.
But Let’s compare Isa 40:13-14 with Roman 11:33-36
33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For WHO HATH KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO HATH BEEN HIS COUNSELLOR?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 FOR OF HIM, AND THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM, ARE ALL THINGS: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Roman 11:33-36-KJV)
Amplified version bares this out a little more clearly:
33 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways!
34 FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO HAS BEEN HIS COUNSELOR?
35 Or who has first given to Him that it would be paid back to him?
36 For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36-AMP)
Note: It is evident that Roman 11:33-36 is echoing Isaiah 40:13-14 and also defines for us who or what the “Spirit of the Lord” is in Isaiah 40:13-14… It is the “MIND OF THE LORD” where the wisdom and knowledge of God resides.
Hence, what the passage in Isa 40:13-14 is saying is that God’s mind (not another being) is “unsearchable” and “his judgments, and his ways past finding out”. “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” In other words, no one has taught nor counseled him His “knowledge, nor “shewed to him the way of understanding;” His Wisdom and knowledge does not come from anyone or anywhere else but that God Himself is the source. “FOR OF HIM, AND THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM, ARE ALL THINGS.” (Rom 11:36)
God’s Spirit/Mind vs. Man’s Spirit/Mind
God’s spirit and man’s spirit are comparable to each other in certain respects, although not all aspect of their respective spirits are equally similar for we are dealing with a divine being vs. a mere created man. Nevertheless, since man was made in the image and the likeness of God, we can learn something about the Spirit of God by looking at the spirit of man.
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: FOR THE SPIRIT SEARCHETH ALL THINGS. YEA, THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the SPIRIT OF MAN WHICH IS IN HIM? EVEN SO THE THINGS OF GOD KNOWETH NO MAN, BUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD. (1Co 2:10, 11)
Some (trinitarians) regard this passage as another example to prove and to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit has his own mind and therefore conclude that he is an independent individual not unlike God the Father and the Son.
Question #1: What does Paul mean when he stated, “for the spirit searchesth all things, yea, the deep things of God”? Is Paul saying that the Holy Spirit is a separate being who
is searching God’s mind, who is another being altogether?
Question #2: What does Paul mean when he stated, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him”?
More questions: Can a man’s own spirit search his own mind? And how does the spirit of a man know the things of a man?
Let’s take a look at how David’s own spirit “MADE DILIGENT SEARCH” OF HIS OWN MIND, as he pondered the “works of the Lord”:
“I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and MY SPIRIT MADE DILIGENT SEARCH. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I WILL REMEMBER THE WORKS OF THE LORD: SURELY I WILL REMEMBER THY WONDERS OF OLD.” (Psalm 77:6-11)
Here we find that David communed with his own heart in that David’s own spirit “made diligent search” of his own heart/mind.
Is David’s spirit a separate individual to himself, searching deep things of his own mind? Obviously not! We can agree then that the spirit of a man belongs to the man and is an integral part of his personhood and yet can search his own mind, seemingly independent of the person himself.
Therefore, what Paul is saying in 1Cor. 2:11 (“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him”) is that, a person’s spirit knows its owner and it searches and remembers his own thoughts and knows what is in his own mind; a person’s “spirit” therefore knows of himself better than anyone else.
Now let’s examine how Paul draws a comparison between God’s Spirit and man’s spirit when he stated, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, SAVE THE SPIRIT OF MAN WHICH IS IN HIM? EVEN SO the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit.” (1Cor 2:11)
Paul says, “EVEN SO,” which is to say, IN THE SAME WAY that the man’s spirit knows the things of a man, God’s OWN Spirit also searches His own thoughts and knows what is in His mind. No one else knows, except God Himself (unless it is shared)…the Spirit, therefore is not another person but rather it is God’s own Spirit.
“But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” (Job 32:8)
While there are similarities, we are reminded that there are differences. After all we are comparing God’s Spirit with man’s. The main difference is that the spirit of man is said to be “in him”, whereas God’s Spirit is not limited locally. God can indeed extend His Spirit outside of Himself as His own presence/influence/power and can actuate change beyond His locality.
So we need to further look at what the Bible says about man’s spirit, to see what our spirit is.
Our spirit is spoken of in the Bible as:
Our mind (Ephesians 4:23; Philippians 1:27) our heart (Psalms 34:18; 51:10, 17; 77:6; 78:8; Ezekiel 36:26) and our life/breath (Isaiah 38:16; see also Job 27:3; Revelation 11:11). Indeed, from what the Bible says, the spirit of man is the personality, character and life essence of the man.
God’s Spirit is also spoken of as:
His mind (compare Isaiah 40:13 with where Paul quotes it in Romans 11:34 and 1 Corinthians 2:16) and as life (Genesis 2:7; Job 27:3; 33:4; John 6:63; Romans 8:10; Revelation 11:11). So we see that so far the hypothesis is holding up. People often say that the Holy Spirit HAS personality, however, man’s spirit and God’s ARE personality. Just as man’s spirit is a part of him, and not a separate entity, God’s Spirit must be the same. However, there is a main difference in the Bible between man’s and God’s spirits – God’s Spirit is not “in him” as with man’s spirit… God’s Spirit can be present apart from His corporeal body. Thus God’s Spirit is also synonymous with His presence.
Psalm 139:7 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?”
The Bible says that both God’s Spirit and God’s glory fill the earth (2 Chronicles 2:6 and Jeremiah 23:24 compared with Isaiah 6:3).
So from the Bible evidence, God’s Spirit is His mind, life, presence and glory. The evidence points to the fact that God’s Spirit is a part of God – the personality and character of God, able to manifest itself in various ways apart from God’s bodily form. Because it “proceeds from the Father” (John 15:26), it is most commonly called the “Spirit OF God” or “Spirit OF Christ”, and as opposed to our spirit, it is “Holy”.
While we cannot know all the ways or workings of the Spirit, the Bible makes it clear that it is a part of God, the mysterious part of God that can be present everywhere, working like the wind, in mostly unseen ways.
Troubled Spirit?
Again, Is the spirit of man a different individual to the man?
“And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” (Daniel 2:1)
Question: Who was troubled here? Is it the king himself or someone else? It is certainly the king. It was his own spirit, which is his mind, that was troubled. Obviously the spirit of the king Nebuchadnezzar is not an entirely different individual than Nebuchadnezzar himself!
What about us being created in the “image of God” teaches us about God’s Spirit?
This is a classic Seventh-day Adventist ‘State of the Dead’ teaching regarding man:
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7
Body + Spirit = Living Soul/Being
So if God made man in His (and His Son’s) image, and we know that God and Christ both have a form/body and no one would dispute that there is a Spirit of God. we could conclude therefore that:
Divine Body/Form + Divine Spirit = Divine Being (whole Person)
Further Comparison between God and Man’s Spirit
God’s Spirit:
Can talk and direct (Acts 8:29; 10:19,20; 13:2-4), can forbid (Acts 16:6,7), can teach (John 14:26; 16:13), can comfort (John 14:16,18), can author prophecy (2 Pet 1:21), has a will (1 Cor 12:11), has a mind (Romans 8:27), has intellect (1 Cor 2:11), can love (Rom 15:30), can be grieved/vexed (Eph 4:30, Isa 63:10), can be tempted (Acts 5:9), can be lied to (Acts 5:4,5).
While we had already come to the view that the Spirit is the mind of God/Christ, let’s furth
er look at what the Bible says about man’s spirit and how it correlates with God’s Spirit:
Can have joy (Col 2:5, Luke 10:21; 1:47), can behold (Col 2:5), can be troubled (2 Cor 2:13, John 13:21, Dan 2:1, 3, Psa 143:7, Job 21:4, Gen 41:8), can be refreshed (1 Cor 16:18, 2 Cor 7:13, Luke 8:55, 1 Sam 30:12, Jdg 15:19, Gen 45:27), can bless (1 Cor 14:16), prays (1 Cor 14:14), judges (1 Cor 5:3), can be fervent (Rom 12:11, Acts 18:25), serves God (Rom 1:9), purposes/makes decisions (Acts 19:21), can be stirred (Acts 17:16, Hag 1:14, 2 Chron 36:22, 1 Chron 5:26), can groan (John 11:33), has will (Mark 14:38, Matt 26:41, Exo 35:21), can be poor (Matt 5:3), can be grieved/vexed (Dan 7:15, Isa 65:14; 54:6, Eccl 1:14,17 etc), can faint (Eze 21:7), can be haughty/prideful or humble/patient (Isa 66:2; 57:15, Eccl 7:8, Pro 29:23, 16:18-19, Psa 34:18), can err (Isa 29:24), can search (Isa 26:9, Psa 77:6), can be hasty (Eccl 8:8, Pro 14:29), can be controlled (Pro 25:28, 16:32), can be broken/wounded (Pro 18:14; 17:22; 15:13, Psa 51:17), can be faithful (Pro 11:13), can be overwhelmed (Psa 142:3, 143:4), can be steadfast (Psa 78:8), can have anguish (Job 7:11, Exo 6:9), can be sorrowful (1 Kings 21:5, 1 Sam 1:15)
Now… This further supports the earlier notes thus far that what man’s spirit is to man, God’s Spirit is to God – with the exception that God’s Spirit is not confined to His body. Therefore, God’s Spirit presents itself and is spoken of as a third manifestation (or a “third person”).
Salient point here is that each respective spirit (man or God’s) both convey a sense of having its own individual, personal attributes and yet we know that the man’s spirit or God’s Spirit respectively are not another separate individual beings.
See below this article for links to further study.
Christ and the Spirit in Revelation – When the Spirit speaks..
So far, we have shown the Spirit to be a part of God and Christ which manifests their words/mind/heart/life/power apart from their bodily forms. As such, it is spoken of as economically distinct from them, but not as a separate individual identity.
Below we shall see this further and note how when the Spirit speaks, it is really Christ speaking.
The Spirit is first mentioned in Revelation 1:4 as “the seven spirits” or “Seven-fold Spirit” which is before the Father’s throne. Later, this is identified in chapter 5:
“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6
Here, the “seven spirits” are the “seven eyes” and “seven horns” of the Lamb.
-Horns represent power (Daniel 8:7, Habakkuk 3:4)
–Eyes represent knowledge (Genesis 3:5, Psalms 11:4, Psalms 139, Habakkuk 2:20; Psalm 102:19, 1 Peter 3:12, Psalm 80:1, Psalm 99:1, Isaiah 37:16)
–Seven represents completion (1 Kings 6:38, Leviticus 23:15, Genesis 2:2,3)
So the Lamb has all-power and all-knowledge and these two attributes constitute the omnipresence of the Lamb (seven Spirits).
So then, let us look at some instances of the Spirit speaking in Revelation.
Each letter to each of the seven churches starts with a description of Christ as the one speaking to that church. For example:
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands…” Revelation 2:1
Please note that the person speaking is described as one “who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands”. And who is this person? It is none other than Christ Himself (“And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man…”-Rev 1:13) As with all the other letters, the description of Christ draws from the full description of Christ in the first chapter. So it is clear at the start of each letter that it is Christ speaking. Yet, look who it says is speaking by the end of the letters: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
So each letter is said to be spoken by Christ through a description and the Spirit at the close of the letters. This fits with them being one and the same in identity, as we have established through aforementioned passages. So the Spirit is here a title for Christ in the economy of His omnipresent manifestation.
Christ is represented as walking in the midst of the candlesticks. And the candlesticks are the churches. The seven churches of Revelation all simultaneously existed in Asia Minor during the first century and the promise of Christ that He would be with them is depicted in the vision as Christ walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, but these also symbolize the entire Christian Era beginning with Ephesus, and ends with Laodicea, and in each period, the presence of Christ continued with His church, hence the seven spirits.
If Christ is bodily in heaven in the sanctuary, yet is walking amongst the churches, how is this occurring? Through the manifestation of His Spirit!
Moreover, in Rev.22:17. We read, “And the Spirit and the bride say , Come, And let him that heareth say, Come. And him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
John 7:37-39. “If any man thirst, let him come to Me and drink….out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water….(But this spake He of the SPIRIT, ..for the Holy Ghost was not yet given.)”
We can draw similar connections here between the “living water” that flows out from Christ and the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost.
Understanding the Holy Spirit through the Spirit of Prophecy.
“WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO FOR THE RECEIVER? IT GIVES HIM THE MIND OF CHRIST. Study the first chapters of Hebrews and Colossians. It makes him a faithful worker for his Lord. The man who has caught the Spirit of God does not pet his own ideas, and make strong his own natural tendencies. He takes himself in hand, and brings “I” into subjection. He will not go forward in any false way, but represses the evil inclination. He will not excuse his faults, but in faith and much prayer will cut away the evil, whatever may be its character. When the Holy Spirit sees this determined effort, man is not left to struggle alone for the mastery.” Ellen White {Lt107-1898.9}
The pen of inspiration tells us that “the nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery; it is not clearly revealed, and you will never be able to explain it to others, because the Lord has not revealed it to you… {Lt7-1891.13} and the continuation that “it is not essential for you to know and be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is…. {Lt7-1891.14}
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.’ Deuteronomy 29:29. The revelation of Himself that God has given in His word is for our study. This we may seek to understand. But beyond this we are not to penetrate. The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in conjectures regarding the nature of God, but the effort will be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. No human mind can comprehend God. None are to indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above discussion.” {Ministry of Healing p. 429}
These statements of inspiration suggest that the nature or the workings of the holy Spirit
cannot be explained precisely. No human reasoning, even of the most learned man, can define the operation of the Holy Spirit upon human minds and characters.
Ellen White tells us not to penetrate beyond which God has not reveal to us, namely, not to indulge in speculating the nature of God. But she also stated, “The revelation of Himself that God has given in His word is for our study. This we may seek to understand.”
Moreover the Bible says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Rom 1:20
Sister White agrees with the Scripture: “The Scriptures clearly indicate the relation between God and Christ, and they bring to view as clearly the personality and individuality of each.” (8T 268.1)
Again, just to be clear, the evidence on this topic is not to explain the nature of the Holy Spirit which is a mystery but rather the identity of the Holy Spirit. Who or what is the Holy Spirit?
Some questions about the Holy Spirit (If you were to assume the Holy Spirit as a separate “divine Being” not unlike how Father and the Son are separate individual divine Beings):
1. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where God speaks to and/or expresses His love for the Holy Spirit, as He often does to His only begotten Son?
2. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where God’s only begotten Son speaks to and/or expresses His love for the Holy Spirit, as He often does to His God and Father?
3. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where the Holy Spirit speaks to and/or expresses His love for either God or the Son of God, as God and His Son often do towards one another?
4. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where the Holy Spirit expresses His love toward us as does the Father and the Son?
5. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where we are told that we will ever see and/or meet the Holy Spirit?
6. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where the Holy Spirit is spoken of as sitting on a throne in heaven?
7. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where “one divine being” (which trinity claims) is said to be three persons?
8. Is there one verse, anywhere in Scripture, where we find any of these terms mentioned: trinity, triune or God the Holy Spirit?
9. Why does the Scripture almost always mention the Holy Spirit as a possessive pronoun/noun, as in ‘His Spirit’, His Holy Spirit’, ‘Spirit OF God’ or ‘Spirit OF Christ’?
10. According to Matthew 1:20, we read, “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Question: If the Holy Spirit is a separate being as the trinity doctrine claims, then how is it that, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and yet Christ continually prayed to and addressed God the Father, not the Holy Spirit, as His father (Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 11:25-27; Matthew 12:50; Matthew 15:13; Matthew 16:17; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 18:10; Matthew 18:35). Never did Christ refer to the Holy Spirit as His father.
11. Galatians 4:4-6 says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, GOD HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, CRYING, ABBA, FATHER.”
Question: If the Holy Spirit is another deity other than Christ’s own spirit, then why would he call God the Father “Abba”? Are there two sons in the Godhead?
12. Speaking of Jesus’ Second Coming, Matthew 24:36 (and Mark 13:32) tells us, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but ONLY THE FATHER.” When asked, “If Jesus was God (being omniscient), why did He not know when He would return? A Trinitarian may answer, “When Christ became a man, He voluntarily restricted the use of certain divine attributes… His omniscience, omnipresence, etc.”
Question still remains: Holy Spirit, according to Seventh-day Adventist 28 Fundamental Beliefs No. 2 is “all-knowing.” Then why doesn’t the Holy Spirit know, isn’t the Holy Spirit also a divine being who is omniscient as the Father? Why ONLY does the Father know?
13. In Matthew 11:27 it says, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, BUT THE FATHER; neither knoweth any man the Father, SAVE THE SON, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”
Question: How is it that only the Father knows the Son and vice a versa but the Holy Spirit is excluded? It also says, “and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Does this mean then that the Holy Spirit is also dependent on the Son to get to know the Father?
14. In John 1:18 it says, “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
Question: How is it that “no one hath seen God at any time” except the Son? Surely, if the Holy Spirit was a being and was present during the creation week as the trinity doctrine claims, then He would have certainly seen the Father.
15. How is it that the Holy Spirit doesn’t have a name, as does the Father and the Son?
The name “Jesus” comes from the Greek name “Iesous”, a rendition of the Hebrew Yeshua (ישוע) but if you look up Iēsous in the Strong’s Concordance, it has its origin in Hebrew which is, יְהוֹשׁוּעַ Yĕhowshuwa` (yeh·hō·shü’·ah; Strong’s H3091). So the Messiah’s original name in Hebrew is Yĕhowshuwa. (“and thou shalt call his name JESUS” Matthew 1:21).
According to Strong’s Bible Concordance, the Father’s name (translated as LORD in KJV) given in Hebrew is Yĕhovah, pronounced, “yeh·hō·vä”. This is a vocalization of the Tetragrammaton, more commonly referred to as Jehovah which is an anglicized representation of Hebrew יְהֹוָה-YHWH).
Strong’s Number H3068 matches the Hebrew יְהֹוָה (Yĕhovah), which occurs 6519 times in 5521 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the KJV.
16. If the Holy Spirit is a divine person like the Father and the Son then why does the Scripture refer to the Holy Spirit as an IT? Father and the Son were never referred as IT.
Romans 8:16 (KJV) says, “The Spirit itself [not himself] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of G
od.” Similarly, Romans 8:26 says “the Spirit itself [again, not himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Lastly consider a few statements from Inspiration:
“Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” — Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34
“none but Christ, the Only Begotten of God, could fully enter into His purposes, and to Him it was committed to execute the mighty counsels of His will.” — ibid p. 36
“In all the universe THERE WAS BUT ONE WHO COULD, in behalf of man, satisfy its claims. Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, ONLY ONE EQUAL WITH GOD could make atonement for its transgression. NONE BUT CHRIST COULD redeem fallen man from the curse of the law and bring him again into harmony with Heaven.”— ibid p. 63
If, Christ is the “only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God” and He is the “ONLY ONE EQUAL WITH GOD” Who “could make atonement for its transgression.” And if “NONE BUT CHRIST COULD redeem fallen man…” Then, Christ is the only one equal with God…This excludes anyone else.
“The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan’s deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work ONLY ONE BEING IN ALL THE UNIVERSE COULD DO. ONLY HE WHO KNEW THE HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF THE LOVE OF GOD COULD MAKE IT KNOWN. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2. — DA 22.1
According to the above statement (from The Desire of Ages), Christ (the Sun of Righteousness) is the only being who could “MAKE IT KNOWN” to us the Father’s love because He is the “ONLY ONE BEING IN ALL THE UNIVERSE ….WHO KNEW THE HEIGHT AND DEPTH OF THE LOVE OF GOD.”
Question: According to SDA 28 fundamental Belief #2, “God” is defined as “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, ALL KNOWING…” which indicates that each member of the three persons of the the godhead are omniscient. Then why is it that only Christ “knew the height and depth of the love of God? What about the other divine “being”, the Holy Spirit (who is supposed to be omniscient according to trinity)?
“Christ the Word, the only-begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,—one in nature, in character, and in purpose,—the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” — The Great Controversy, 493
“In order that the human family might have no excuse because of temptation, Christ became one with them. The only being who was one with God lived the law in humanity…” — ST October 14, 1897, par. 3
These statements (and there are more examples that can be given) denote only two “beings.” If the Holy Spirit was a “being” in the same sense as Christ, then why was the Holy Spirit not able to enter into all the “counsels and purposes of God”? or why is Christ the “only being who was one with God?” The conspicuous absence of the Spirit in these narratives should give us pause in that respect.
Qualifications of a Mediator between God and Man
1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Let us consider a few more statements of Inspiration below:
“Why Only One Mediator – Jesus alone could give security to God; for He was equal to God. HE ALONE COULD BE A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN; FOR HE POSSESSED DIVINITY AND HUMANITY.” (The Review and Herald, April 3, 1894). 7BC 914.7
“ONLY THROUGH A MEDIATOR WHO WAS EQUAL WITH GOD, possessed of attributes that would dignify, and declare him worthy to treat with the infinite God in man’s behalf, and also represent God to a fallen world. MAN’S SUBSTITUTE AND SURETY MUST HAVE MAN’S NATURE, A CONNECTION WITH HUMAN FAMILY WHOM HE WAS TO REPRESENT, AND AS GOD’S AMBASSADOR, HE MUST PARTAKE OF THE DIVINE NATURE, HAVE A CONNECTION WITH THE INFINITE, in order to manifest God to the world, and be a mediator between God and man. {1SM 257.1}
“THIS QUALIFICATIONS WERE FOUND ALONE IN CHRIST. CLOTHING HIS DIVINITY WITH HUMANITY, He came to earth to be called the Son of man and the Son of God. He was the surety for man, the ambassador for God—the surety for man to satisfy by His righteousness in man’s behalf the demands of the law, and the representative of God to make manifest His character to a fallen race. {1SM 257.2}
“No middle-man comes between the sinner and Christ.” — Signs of the Times, June 28, 1899
Note: According to the Pen of Inspiration, in order for anyone to qualify as a Mediator (or an intercessor) between God and man, special conditions must be met. The “mediator” must be “equal with God” but also must possess divinity as well as humanity, in order to link humanity with God; Mediator had “to be equal with God” and be “made in the likeness of men:” (Phil 2:6) “THAT He might be a merciful and faithful high priest…” (Hebrew 2:17); and we are told that these qualifications “were found alone in Christ;” Jesus, being equal with God earned His right to become our mediator by having bound Himself to humanity. These qualifications precludes anyone else to assume the role of a mediator. If this is the case, then one must answer the question, how does “God the Holy Spirit” (if we are to believe that He is an entirely separate individual) fits into this narrative? How can “God the Holy Spirit” (who is wholly divine and have not partaken humanity-according to trinitarian teaching) mediate or intercede on behalf of man, when He does not meet the qualifications?
“Up to the time of man’s rebellion against the government of God, there had been free communion between God and man. But the sin of Adam and Eve separated earth from heaven, so that man could not have communion with his Maker. Yet the world was not left in s
olitary hopelessness. THE LADDER REPRESENTS JESUS, THE APPOINTED MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION. HAD HE NOT WITH HIS OWN MERITS BRIDGE THE GULF THAT SIN HAD MADE, THE MINISTERING ANGELS COULD HAVE HELD NO COMMUNION WITH FALLEN MAN. Christ connects man in his weakness and helplessness with the source of infinite power.” PP 184.2 [emphasis added]
If Jesus is the “appointed medium of communication,” along with the help of angels, why would another divine being (aka God the Holy Spirit according to trinity dogma), without any merit, take the place of Jesus? Suffice to say, “No middle-man comes between the sinner and Christ.” Jesus is the ladder that connects man to heaven, not someone else. Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of Christ!
Articles on the Holy Spirit
Christ and the Holy Spirit — General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
For “through Him…by one Spirit”
Who was present at creation?
Has Christ Forever Forfeited His Omnipresence?
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ
Is “Another Comforter” another Being?
Is the Holy Spirit “Christ’s Representative” or “Christ Himself”? An Interesting Comparison.
The Personality of the Spirit — An excerpt from “Questions and Answers, Vol. 2,” pgs. 36 – 40
Separate Worship for the Spirit?
Statements from the spirit of prophecy that refer to the HolySpirit as ‘it ’— compiled by Terry Hill
The Holy Spirit — Excerpt from “Questions and Answers Vol. I
The Holy Spirit is a Distinct Personality
The Spirit that represents Christ is His own Spirit
Where is the Holy Spirit?
Who is the Comforter in John Chapter 14
Who is the Spirit of Truth of John Chapter 16?
Who is the “Third Person of the Godhead?”
Who or what is the “Spirit of the Lord” in Isaiah Chapter 40:13-14
Who or What was the dovelike symbol that came upon Christ during His baptism?
Who is the Holy Spirit? Identifying Jesus as the omnipresent Holy Spirit/Comforter — Ellen White compilation by Paul Chung
Is this possible?
Is it possible that Satan has created a counterfeit holy spirit so as to receive worship and most of christendom is unaware or is content to believe the lie?
Many people believe that the Holy Spirit is an entirely separate individual, an independent, self-originated, divine being with mind of his own, distinctly external from the Father and Son and yet occupies his position as one of the divine persons or beings of the trinity. But is this consistent with Scripture?
Curious quote from an occultist Helena Patrovna Blavatsky:
“Lucifer is divine and terrestrial light, the ‘Holy Ghost’ and ‘Satan,’ at one and the same time… And now it stands proven that Satan, or the Red Fiery Dragon… and Lucifer, or ‘Light-Bearer,’ is in us: it is our Mind — our tempter and Redeemer, our intelligent liberator and Saviour…” (The Secret Doctrine II; pg. 513)
Compare this with the following passage,
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Interesting to note that this occultist Helena Patrovna Blavatsky refers to Lucifer as “divine and terrestrial light, the ‘Holy Ghost’ and ‘Satan’” that dwells in “us”. Suffice it to say that Helena Patrovna Blavatsky’s conception of the “Holy Ghost” is terribly misplaced, but it does bring up an important issue of the danger associated with having a false conception of God and His attributes. Let’s take a look at what Ellen White has said concerning what may constitute idolatry.
“No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, YET WE MAY BE PRACTICING IDOLATRY . . . Thousands have A FALSE CONCEPTION OF GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES. They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal. Are we worshipping the true God as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, in nature, or ARE WE ADORING SOME PHILOSOPHICAL IDOL ENSHRINED IN HIS PLACE?” Testimonies for the Church vol. 5, p. 173-174.
“It is as easy to make an idol of FALSE DOCTRINES and THEORIES as to fashion an idol of wood or stone” {GC 583}
“There will be, even among us, hirelings and wolves in sheep’s clothing who will persuade [some of] the flock of God to sacrifice unto other gods before the Lord…. Youth who are not established, rooted and grounded in the truth, will be corrupted and drawn away by the blind leaders of the blind; and the ungodly, the despisers that wonder and perish, who despise the sovereignty of the Ancient of Days, AND PLACE ON THE THRONE A FALSE GOD, A BEING OF THEIR OWN DEFINING, a being altogether such an one as themselves—these agents will be in Satan’s hands to corrupt the faith of the unwary.” {3SM 398.1}
The inspired Testimonies reveals that to have a “A FALSE CONCEPTION OF GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES“ or to “PLACE ON THE THRONE A FALSE GOD, A BEING OF THEIR OWN DEFINING” is tantamount to committing an idolatry. Thus, when we erroneously define the personality of God, in this case, as it refers to His Holy Spirit and assign false attributes, we are in essence “ADORING SOME PHILOSOPHICAL IDOL ENSHRINED IN HIS PLACE” rather than a true God as it is revealed in Scripture. Moreover, notice what else Ellen White has said concerning an idol worship:
“To bow down when in prayer to God is the proper attitude to occupy…. But such an act was homage to be rendered to God alone …, the Ruler of the universe; and these three Hebrews refused to give such honor to any idol even though composed of pure gold. In doing so, they would, to all intents and purposes, be bowing to the king of Babylon.” (AG 44.3)
Are you catching this, if we bow down to any false god, then to all intents and purposes, we would be bowing down to the king that enshrined that false image of God. That being the case, we ought to ask ourselves, who are we really worshipping if we have “a false conception of God” and are “adoring some philosophical idol” contrary to the Word of God?
How can a being who has never experienced temptations and trials, truly empathize and comfort someone in the very temptations and trials he is facing?
When a person has a problem that they cannot figure out, who do they seek advice from? You seek advice from someone who has been through the same experience.
The Greek word (παράκλητος paraklētos) translated “Comforter,” is used 5 times in the Bible-all by the same author (John).
Four times the word is translated “Comforter” (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7)
The other time it is used it is translated as “Advocate.” (1 John 2:1)
In 1John 2:1 clearly states WHO the Comforter is:
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE [parakletos = Comforter] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
God has plainly revealed that Jesus Christ is our Comforter. Now if the holy spirit is a separate being from the Father and Son, how can “he” be our advocate when “he” didn’t experience our trials?
Christ is our Advocate and our Comforter. It is His Spirit (imbued with His human experience-His victorious life) that comforts us in our trials because He has experienced them Himself and gained the victory.
