PERSONALITY OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT
--A. Ralph Johnson
WATCHTOWER CLAIMS:
“Holy Spirit is God’s Active Force, Not a Person.”
See: Make Sure of All Things, p.487, 1965; p.389,
1953; Truth p.24, 1968.
INTRODUCTION:
There is no place in either the Old or New Testament
where Holy Spirit is ever said to BE a “power,” or “force.” God HAS power (Lk.
1:35) and the Holy Spirit HAS power (Mica 3:8; Luke 4:14). However, the Holy Spirit is always distinguished
from power (Acts 10:38, 1Thes. 1:5).
“Power of the Spirit” (Lk. 4:14) does not mean the Holy Spirit is a
power any more than “Power of God” (Lk. 22:69) means God is only a power.
EVIDENCES OF PERSONALITY OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT
I.
Matt. 28:19. Baptizing them
into the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.
“Name,” 3686 “onoma” K.J.V.
-is translated “name” 194 times, “named” 28, “called” 4, “surname” + #2007 2,
“named” + #2564 1, not trans. 1; Total: 230 times.
Nine times, in the Greek New Testament, the phrase,
“eis ton onoma” (into the name) is used, always of the authority of persons.
(Jn. 1:12; 2:23; 3:18; Ac. 8:16; 19:5; I Co. 1:13; Heb. 6:10; I Jo. 5:13).
The fact that the “Holy Spirit” is here placed, with
the Father and the son, in one “name,” strongly suggests that He is a person.
Some claim the Holy Spirit is only attributed
personality as representing the personality of the Father. However, since the
Father is mentioned separately, the Holy Spirit cannot be identical to the
Father any more than the Son is identical to the Father.
In some versions “Holy Spirit” is capitalized and in
others not, but this has nothing to do with personality so far as the original
is concerned. Greek used no upper case to distinguish names. Hudson’s Greek
Grammar says, “Greek was originally written in capitals, and the earliest
manuscripts of the New Testament are all in capitals.”[1]
“Holy Spirit” was not the “name” any more than
“Father” or “Son” were names. Before Jesus came to earth that was not his name.
John simply calls Him “the Word” (John 1:1). The Holy Spirit is called “the
Comforter” (Greek: parakleetos) (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). Angels and demons
are also referred to without giving them personal names. Lack of specifying a
personal name does not indicate lack of personality.
OBJECTION: I Jn.
5:6-8.
“For there are
three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three
agree in one.”
Here we have two non-personal things (water and
blood) listed with “spirit.” Does this not indicate that “spirit” is not a
person?
Note it also says they “bear witness.” Thus, “bear
witness” is not necessarily a characteristic of personality.
ANSWER:
Three persons or things may “bear witness” but that
is not the same as sharing a name with two other
persons. We are baptized into
the name of the father, son, and Holy Spirit.
Some inanimate things were said to “bear witness”
(Jn. 5:39 - #3140 “martureo” from 3144). Context and usage must confirm whether
it is speaking of personality or not.
Persons also bore witness (Jesus: Jn. 3:31-32).
Therefore, it was perfectly proper to include things said to bear witness with
a person who did the same.
The phrase, “in (or “into”) the name” (eis to onoma) is used many times
in the New Testament and in not one instance is applied to impersonal things.
#3140 “Bear Witness”
“matuero” KJV: “bear witness” 25 times, “testify” 19, “bear record” 13,
“witness” 5, “be a witness” 2, “give testimony” 2, “have a good report” 2,
misc. 11, total: 79.
Thayer: 1) to
be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or
experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation
or inspiration 1a) to give (not to keep back) testimony 1b) to utter honourable
testimony, give a good report 1c) conjure, implore.
II. Throughout the New Testament, “spirit” overwhelmingly refers to
personality.
The term “spirit” (#4151 pneuma) is commonly used of
persons.
Lk. 24:37. But they were terrified and affrighted, and
supposed that they beheld a spirit.
Lk. 24:39. See my hands and my feet, that it is I
myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold
me having.
Ac. 23:9. some of the scribes of the Pharisees part
stood up, and strove, Saying, what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?
( see also I Jn. 4:1, 2, 3; 2Thes. 2:2; Rev. 2:7,
11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 14:13; 22:17).
Gal. 6:1. “spirit of gentleness”
Eph. 1:17. “spirit of wisdom”
2 Cor. 7:13. A person’s
spirit can be “refreshed.”
Mk. 14:38. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
LK. 1:46. “My spirit hath rejoiced.”
-Demon “spirits” are persons
(Mt. 8:16; 10:1; 12:43; Lk. 11:24-26; Mk. 3:11; Rev. 18:2).
-God is a spirit. (Jn. 4:24)
-Jesus is spoken of as a
spirit when not in the body (I Cor. 15:45; II Cor. 3:17,18; I Pet. 3:18).
-Angels are spirits (Heb.
1:7,14).
-In reference to the human
spirit it indicates characteristics of personality.
#4151 pneuma, from #4154;
AV - Spirit 111 times, Holy Ghost 89 times, Spirit
(of God) 13 times, Spirit (of the Lord) 5 times, (My) Spirit 3, Spirit (of
truth) 3, Spirit (of Christ) 2, human (spirit) 49, (evil) spirit 47, spirit
(general) 26, spirit 8, (Jesus’ own) spirit 6, (Jesus’ own) ghost 2, misc 21;
385
1) a movement of air (a gentle blast 1a) of the
wind, hence the wind itself
1b) breath of nostrils or mouth
2) the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the
body is animated
2a) the rational spirit, the power by which the
human being feels, thinks, decides
2b) the soul
3) a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or
at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring,
deciding, and acting
3a) a life giving spirit
3b) a human soul that has left the body
3c) a spirit higher than man but lower than God,
i.e. an angel
3c1) used of demons, or evil spirits, who were
conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men
3c2) the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the
highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ
4) of God
4a) God’s power and agency distinguishable in
thought from his essence in itself considered
4a1) manifest in the course of affairs
4a2) by its influence upon the souls productive in
the theocratic body (the church) of all the higher spiritual gifts and
blessings
4a3) the third person of the trinity, the God the
Holy Spirit
5) the disposition or influence which fills and
governs the soul of any one
5a) the efficient source of any power, affection,
emotion, desire, etc.
III. Personality characteristics are commonly attributed to The Holy Spirit.
John 14:16. And I will pray the Father,
|
And |
I will pray |
the |
Father |
|
Kagoo |
erooteesoo |
ton |
Patera |
|
2504 |
2065 |
3588 |
3962 |
and he shall give you
another Comforter ,
|
and |
another |
Comforter |
he shall give |
to you, |
|
kai |
allon |
Parakleeton |
doosei |
humin |
|
2532 |
243 |
3875 |
1325 |
5213 |
that he may abide with you
for ever;
|
that |
with |
you |
unto |
the |
forever |
may abide. |
|
hina |
meth |
humoon |
eis |
ton |
aioona |
ee |
|
2443 |
3326 |
5216 |
1519 |
3588 |
165 |
1510 |
|
for |
with |
you |
it dwells |
and |
in |
you |
shall be. |
|
hoti |
par |
humin |
menei |
kai |
en |
humin |
estai |
|
3754 |
3844 |
5213 |
3306 |
2532 |
1722 |
5213 |
2071 |
18 I will not leave you
comfortless: I will come to you.
|
not |
I will leave |
you |
comfortless, |
I will come |
to |
you. |
|
Ouk |
afeesoo |
humas |
orfanous |
erchomai |
pros |
humas |
|
3756 |
863 |
5209 |
3737 |
2065 |
4314 |
5209 |
John 14:26. But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost,
|
the |
But |
Comforter, |
the |
Spirit |
the |
Holy, |
|
Ho |
de |
Parakleetos |
to |
Pneuma |
to |
hagion |
|
3588 |
1161 |
3875 |
3588 |
4151 |
3588 |
40 |
whom [neuter] the Father will send in my name,
|
which |
will send |
the |
Father |
in |
the |
name |
of me, |
|
ho |
pempsei |
ho |
Pateer |
en |
too |
onomati |
mou |
|
3739 |
3992 |
3588 |
3962 |
1722 |
3588 |
3686 |
3450 |
he [neuter] shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
|
which |
you |
shall teach |
all things |
and |
bring remembrance |
or you |
all things |
|
ekeinos |
humas |
didaxei |
panta |
kai |
hupomneesei |
humas |
panata |
|
1565 |
5209 |
1321 |
3956 |
2532 |
5279 |
5209 |
3956 |
whatsoever I have said unto
you.
|
whatsoever |
have said |
unto you |
I |
|
ha |
eipon |
humin |
egoo |
|
3739 |
2036 |
5213 |
1473 |
John 15:26. But when the Comforter is come,
|
when |
is come |
the |
Comforter |
|
Hotan |
elthee |
no |
Parakleetos |
|
|
3752 |
2064 |
3588 |
whom I will send unto you
from the Father,
|
whom |
I |
will send |
unto you |
from |
the |
Father |
|
hon |
egoo |
pempsoo |
humin |
para |
tou |
Patros |
|
3739 |
1473 |
3992 |
5213 |
3844 |
3588 |
3962 |
[even] the Spirit of truth,
which proceedeth from the Father,
|
the |
Spirit |
of truth |
which |
from |
the |
Father |
proceeds, |
|
Pneuma |
tees |
aleetheias |
ho |
para |
tou |
Patros |
ekporeuetai |
|
4151 |
3588 |
225 |
3739 |
3844 |
3588 |
3962 |
1607 |
he shall testify of me:
|
he |
shall testify |
about |
me. |
|
ekeinos |
martureesei |
peri |
emou |
|
1565 |
3140 |
4012 |
1700 |
27 And ye also shall testify
|
also |
ye |
and |
shall bear witness, |
|
Kai |
humeis |
de |
martureite |
|
2532 |
5210 |
1161 |
3140 |
because ye have been with me
from the beginning.
|
because |
from |
beginning |
with |
me |
ye have been |
|
hoti |
ap |
archees |
met |
emou |
este |
|
3754 |
575 |
746 |
3326 |
1700 |
2075 |
John 16:7. Nevertheless I Tell you the truth;
|
Nevertheless |
I |
the |
truth |
tell |
you |
|
All |
edoo |
teen |
aleetheian |
legoo |
humin |
|
235 |
1473 |
3588 |
225 |
3004 |
5213 |
It is expedient for you that
I go away:
|
it is expedient |
for you |
that |
I |
go away. |
|
sumferei |
humin |
hina |
egoo |
apeithoo |
|
4851 |
5213 |
2443 |
1473 |
464 |
for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you;
|
if |
for |
not |
I go away, |
the |
Comforter |
not |
will come |
unto |
you. |
|
Ean |
gar |
mee |
apeilthoo |
ho |
Parakleetos |
ouk |
eleusetai |
pros |
humas |
|
1437 |
1063 |
3361 |
565 |
3588 |
3875 |
3756 |
2064 |
4314 |
5209 |
but if I depart, I will send
him unto you.
|
if |
but |
I depart, |
I will send |
him |
unto |
you. |
|
Ean |
de |
poreuthoo |
pempsoo |
auton |
pros |
humas |
|
1437 |
1161 |
4198 |
3992 |
846 |
4314 |
5209 |
8 And when he is come, he
will reprove the world
|
And |
when comes |
he |
will reprove |
the |
world |
|
Kai |
elthoon |
ekeino |
elengxei |
ton |
kosmon |
|
2532 |
2064 |
1565 |
1651 |
3588 |
2889 |
of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment:
|
about |
sin |
and |
about |
righteousness |
and |
about |
judgment |
|
peri |
hamartias |
kai |
peri |
dikaiosunees |
kai |
peri |
kriseoos |
|
4012 |
266 |
2532 |
4012 |
1343 |
2532 |
4012 |
2920 |
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
|
when |
Howbeit |
comes |
he, |
the |
Spirit |
of the |
truth, |
|
Hotan |
de |
elthee |
ekeinos |
to |
Pneuma |
tees |
aleetheias |
|
3752 |
1161 |
2064 |
1565 |
3588 |
4151 |
3588 |
225 |
he will guide you into all
truth:
|
he will |
guide you |
into |
the |
truth |
all. |
|
hodeegeesei |
humas |
en |
tee |
aleetheia |
pasee |
|
3594 |
5209 |
1722 |
3588 |
225 |
3956 |
for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak:
|
not |
for |
he shall speak |
of |
himself, |
but |
whatsoever |
he shall hear |
shall he speak |
|
Ou |
gar |
laleesei |
af |
heatou |
all |
hosa |
akousei |
laleesei |
|
3756 |
1063 |
2980 |
575 |
1438 |
235 |
3745 |
191 |
2980 |
and he will shew you things
to come.
|
and |
things |
to come |
he will show |
you., |
|
||||
|
kai |
ta |
erchomena |
anangelei |
humin |
|
||||
|
2532 |
3588 |
2064 |
312 |
5213 |
|||||
14 He shall glorify me:
|
He |
me |
shall glorify, |
|
Ekeinos |
eme |
doxasei |
|
1565 |
1691 |
1392 |
for he shall receive of
mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
|
for |
of |
(the) |
mine |
he shall receive |
and |
shall show |
unto you. |
|
hoti |
ek |
tou |
emou |
leempsetai |
kai |
anangelei |
humin |
|
3754 |
1537 |
3588 |
1700 |
2983 |
2532 |
312 |
5213 |
A.
“Comforter” (Greek: #3875 “Parakletos”)
Always refers to personality.
It has reference to a legal assistant or advocate
and then to one who gives help. It is used of the Holy Spirit in Jn. 14:16-26;
16:7; 15:26. It is used of Jesus in Jn. 14:16; 1Jn. 2:1. The fact that Jn.
14:16 speaks of the Holy Spirit as being “another helper” indicates his
parallel role with Jesus, also a person.
#3875 parakletos, a root word. Masculine, noun,
AV - comforter 4, advocate 1; 5
1) summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to
one’s aid
1a) one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel
for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
1b) one who pleads another’s cause with one, an
intercessor
1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right
hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider,
assistant
1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place
of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them
to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed
to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine
kingdom.
B.
He “teaches” [#1321 “didasko”]
John 14:26. But the Comforter, (even) the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. Luke 12:12 for the Holy
Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.
Persons “teach”
John 8:2 and
all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
Luke 11:1 one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach
us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples.
#1321 didasko a prolonged
(causative) form of a primary verb dao (to learn) Verb
AV - teach 93, taught + 2258 4; 97 times
1) to teach 1a) to hold discourse with others
in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses 1b) to be a teacher 1c)
to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one’s self as a teacher 2) to
teach one 2a) to impart instruction 2b) instill doctrine into one 2c) the thing
taught or enjoined 2d) to explain or expound a thing 2f) to teach one
something.
C.
He “bears witness.” [#3140 martureo]
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will
send unto you from the Father, (even) the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth
from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:
Persons “bear
witness”
Jn.15:27 “Ye
also shall bear witness.”
#3140
martureo from 3144, Verb
AV - bear witness 25, testify 19, bear record 13,
witness 5, be a witness
2, give testimony 2, have a good report 2, misc 11;
79 times.1) to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen
or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine
revelation or inspiration 1a) to give (not to keep back) testimony b) to utter
honourable testimony, give a good report 1c) conjure, implore
D.
He “comes” [#2064 “erchomai”]
John 16:7. if I go not away, the Comforter will not come
unto you
John 16:8. And he, when he is come, will convict
the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he shall guide you into all the truth:
Persons “come.”
John 14:18. I
will not leave you desolate: I come unto you.
John 14:23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my word: and my father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 14:28. Ye
heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you.
#2064 erchomai, middle voice
of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others
being supplied by a kindred [middle voice] eleuthomai {el-yoo’-thom-ahee}, or
[active] eltho {el’-tho}, which do not otherwise occur) Verb
AV - come 616, go 13, misc
13, vr come 1; 643
1) to come 1a) of persons 1a1) to come from one
place to another, and used both of persons arriving 1a2) to appear, make one’s
appearance, come before the public 2) metaph. 2a) to come into being, arise,
come forth, show itself, find place or influence 2b) be established, become
known, to come (fall) into or unto 3) to go, to follow one
E.
He is “sent” [#3992 “pempo”]
John 15:26. But
when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father
John 16:7. if
I go, I will send him unto you.
Persons are “sent”
John 15:21. But all these things will they do unto you
for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
John 16:5. But now I go unto him that sent me
Luke 20:13. And the lord of the vineyard said, What
shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will reverence
him.
#3992 pempo, apparently a root word; Verb
AV - send 77, thrust in 2, again send 2; 81
1) to send 1a) to bid a thing to be carried to one
1b) to send (thrust or insert) a thing into another
F.
He “reproves” [#1651 “elegcho”]
John 16:8. And he, when he is come, will convict
the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Persons “reprove” [#1651 elegcho]
Rev 3:19. Those
whom I love, I reprove and chasten;
#1651 elegcho, of uncertain
affinity; verb
AV - reprove 6, rebuke 5, convince 4, tell (one’s)
fault 1, convict 1; 17
1) to convict, refute, confute 1a) generally with a
suggestion of shame of the person convicted 1b) by conviction to bring to the
light, to expose 2) to find fault with, correct 2a) by word 2a1) to reprehend
severely, chide, admonish, reprove 2a2) to call to account, show one his fault,
demand an explanation 2b) by deed 2b1) to chasten, to punish
G.
He “guides” [#3594 “hodegeo”]
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is
come, he shall guide you into all the truth:
Matt 15:14. Let them alone: they are blind