In the Bible, sometimes the Holy Spirit seems to be described as a “thing” or an “it.”

Full Answer Section

         

• • The Spirit speaks (Acts 13:2, Acts 1:16, John 16:13): "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" Speaking is a personal act.
  • The Spirit teaches (John 14:26): "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Teaching is an act of a person.
  • The Spirit guides (Romans 8:14, John 16:13): "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Guidance implies volition and direction.
  • The Spirit intercedes (Romans 8:26): "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Intercession is a personal act.
  • The Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Grief is an emotion experienced by a person.
  • The Spirit distributes gifts as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11): "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." This shows personal will and agency.
  • The Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3): "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land?'" Lying implies a relationship with a conscious being.
• Interactions within the Trinity: The Spirit is referred to with personal pronouns (He/Him) in many passages, especially in John's Gospel where Jesus promises the "Helper" or "Advocate" (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14). Jesus describes the Spirit as being "sent" by the Father and the Son, suggesting distinct personhood within the Godhead.

The Holy Spirit as a "Power" or "Thing" (Impersonal Descriptions): Despite the clear personal attributes, the Bible also uses language that describes the Spirit as something that can be poured out, filled, or given. This often highlights the effect or manifestation of the Spirit's presence and work, rather than denying His personhood.

• "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33): John the Baptist's prophecy signifies an immersion in the Spirit's power and presence. It's akin to being immersed in water – the water isn't a person, but the baptism is a personal act performed by someone, resulting in a state of being "with" or "in" something. In this context, the Spirit is the medium of a transformative experience.
• "Filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Ephesians 5:18): Being "filled" implies being permeated or controlled by the Spirit's influence and power. Just as a cup can be filled with water, a person can be filled with the Spirit's presence, leading to divine empowerment and manifestation of gifts.
• "The power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14, Romans 15:13, 19): These phrases emphasize the divine energy and capability that the Spirit brings, enabling believers to perform miraculous deeds, live righteously, and witness effectively. This power is the action of the person of the Spirit.
• "Poured out" (Acts 2:17, 33): This imagery denotes a superabundant giving and manifestation of the Spirit's presence and gifts, particularly on the day of Pentecost. It speaks to the abundant supply and widespread distribution of the Spirit's work.
• "The Spirit of Christ" or "The Spirit of God" (Romans 8:9): These phrases highlight the Spirit's intimate connection and identity with God the Father and God the Son, emphasizing His divine nature and shared essence within the Trinity.

Making Sense of the Dual Description: The perceived tension is resolved by understanding that these descriptions are not mutually exclusive but complementary, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the Holy Spirit's reality and work.

1. Divine Personhood with Manifested Power: The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, just as God the Father and God the Son are persons. However, this divine Person exercises divine power. When the Bible describes being "baptized by" or "filled with" the Spirit, it speaks of experiencing the effect of the Spirit's personal presence and power. It's like being filled with joy – joy is an abstract concept, but it's a personal experience brought about by various factors. Similarly, the Spirit, as a person, fills individuals with His divine attributes and capabilities.
2. Focus on Function vs. Essence: The "impersonal" language often focuses on the Spirit's function or effect in the world and in believers' lives. The "personal" language emphasizes the Spirit's essence as a distinct member of the Godhead. Just as sunlight is a "thing" (energy, light) but is an emanation from the sun (a distinct entity), the power of the Spirit is an emanation from the person of the Spirit.

Sample Answer

          The apparent tension between descriptions of the Holy Spirit as a "thing" or "power" and as a "person" in the Bible is a significant theological point that has been central to Christian understanding of the Trinity. The resolution lies in understanding that the Holy Spirit is both a divine person and a divine power that can be experienced and imparted. This dual portrayal reflects the Spirit's unique role within the Godhead and in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit as a Divine Person: Many biblical passages clearly attribute personal characteristics and actions to the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that the Spirit is not merely an impersonal force.

• Intellect, Emotion, and Will:
  • The Spirit searches (1 Corinthians 2:10-11): "For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." This implies intellect.
  • The Spirit knows (1 Corinthians 2:11): "For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." This speaks of cognitive faculty.