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We continue our discussion of the personhood of the Holy Spirit with a very important recap of the concept of “essentials” and “non-essentials” in Christian doctrine. We then begin the discussion of the Divinity of the Holy Spirit.
Key Scriptures covered in this lesson:
Acts 15:28, John 16:13–14, 2 Corinthians 13:13, Luke 4:14, Acts 10:38, 1 Corinthians 2:4, Acts 8:9-24, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:7, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Isaiah 63:10, Matthew 28:19, Hebrews 9:14
Quotes from the Episode:
“If we think of the Holy Spirit as a mysterious power, our thoughts will be, ‘How can I get more of the Holy Spirit?’ If we think of the Holy Spirit as a person, we will ask, ‘How can the Holy Spirit have more of me?’ The first thought is nonbiblical, pagan. The second is New Testament Christianity.”
– James Montgomery Boice
The conception of the Holy Spirit as a divine influence or power that we are somehow to get hold of and use, leads to self-exaltation and self-sufficiency. One who so thinks of the Holy Spirit and who at the same time imagines that he has received the Holy Spirit will almost inevitably be full of spiritual pride and strut about as if he belonged to some superior order of Christians. One frequently hears such persons say, “I am a Holy Ghost man,” or “I am a Holy Ghost woman.” But if we once grasp the thought that the Holy Spirit is a divine person of infinite majesty and glory and holiness and power, who in marvellous condescension has come into our hearts to make his abode there and take possession of our lives and make use of them, it will put us in the dust and keep us in the dust. I can think of no thought more humbling or more overwhelming than the thought that a person of divine majesty and glory dwells in my heart and is ready to use even me.”
– R.A. Torrey