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(Some of the Bible verses quoted in this study have had comments added in brackets. The sole purpose of this study technique is to emphasise or introduce a line of thought. All verses KJV unless otherwise stated).
The purpose of this study is to investigate what or who is the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), and what is its role in the Godhead.
Subsequently, this study will also reveal the entities, which collectively make up what is known as the Godhead;
(Col 2:9) For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Many Christians today use the Trinity doctrine to express their understanding of the Godhead. Some might ask; which Trinity?
For those of you who are not aware, there are many differing beliefs of how the Trinity is made up.
The more common ones are:
Trinitarianism, Modalism, Unitarianism and Tritheism.
These many and varied beliefs range from;
- one God manifesting himself to us in three different ways, to
- three separate Gods playing differing roles within the Godhead.
At the most, how many of these differing understandings can be correct? .............................ONE.
And if your belief is ONE of the above, by what authority do you claim you have the correct ONE?
Does it really matter if we have a correct understanding of the Godhead? Does eternal life depend on it?
Notice what Jesus said;
(Joh 17:3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
And what about believing in the 'role playing' version of the Trinity doctrine?
Is there a danger in denying that Jesus is the true Son of God?;
(1Jo 2:22) Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
And who are you actually praying to, when you pray to the Holy Ghost?;
(Jud 1:20) ....praying in the Holy Ghost,
This topic is actually more important than what most Christians give it credit for; so tighten your seat belts and we'll investigate what the Bible actually says on this matter.
As we progress through this study, you should begin to see from Scripture that none of the above Trinity beliefs are an accurate representation of the true Godhead.
The word 'Trinity' is not actually found in the Bible. This is rather convenient for today's Christian, because if you can't find a 'Trinity' belief that accurately expresses your views; you have the freedom to simply make up another ONE, to add to the ever-growing list of options!
If you go to any reputable encyclopedia, you will find that the Trinity teaching only became a part of Christianity, at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Prior to that, many of the pagan religions adopted varying forms of the Trinity to describe their pagan gods. Many pre-Christian artefacts have been found, depicting these pagan Trinitarian gods.
Let's begin with the Holy Spirit:
As we investigate this subject, it is important to remember that there is no conflict within Scripture.
If something appears to be in conflict, it is either because our understanding of certain verses is wrong; or because we are looking at a faulty Bible translation. The Bible always has total harmony within itself; and it is through reaching this harmony, that confirms we are closer to Bible truth.
What is the Bible definition for 'spirit'?
(Isa 40:13) Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
Notice Paul's inspired words as he quoted the above verse from Isaiah the prophet;
(Rom 11:34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
This reveals that the 'Spirit of the Lord' can be likened to the 'mind of the Lord'.
The following verse confirms that the mind or knowledge of God does come through His Spirit.
Notice how the relationship between man's knowledge and man's spirit; is the same as God's knowledge to His Spirit;
(1 Cor 2:11) 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.
Again we see the 'Spirit of the Lord' is associated to the intellect;
(Isa 11:2) And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
(Act 6:10) And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
When Jesus came to earth as a man, He was anointed with the Holy Ghost;
(Act 10:38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:...
Notice how the Spirit which was in Jesus, is again related to the mind;
(Phi 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
The Spirit is 'the vessel' through which God's words are given to man;
(2Sa 23:2) The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue.
The above and following verses verify that the 'Spirit of the Lord' is just another title for 'Holy Ghost' or 'Holy Spirit'.
(2Pe 1:21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
So what was this Spirit which was in the prophets, to move them to speak God's words;
(1Pe 1:10-11) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,...
To maintain harmony, this would mean that Christ's Spirit is also known as the Holy Ghost. This is harmonious with other Scripture;
(Act 28:25-27) ...Well spake the Holy Ghost (Spirit of Christ) by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:....lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I (Jesus) should heal them.
The following verse confirms this statement was referring to words from Jesus;
(Mat 13:15) For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
It is the same Holy Spirit speaking to the prophets, which later spoke to the Apostles;
(Act 13:2) As they ministered to the Lord (Jesus), and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
We saw earlier that the 'Holy Spirit' is another title for the 'Spirit of the Lord'. So if this 'Spirit' is Christ's, in essence it would mean that the 'Spirit of Christ' is the same as the 'Spirit of the LORD'.
The Hebrew word for 'LORD' is commonly known as 'Yahweh'.
'Spirit of the LORD' is actually saying the 'Spirit of Yahweh'.
So to maintain harmony, it would mean that Jesus and Yahweh are the same entity.
Some Christians conclude that Yahweh of the Old Testament refers to God the Father.
However, Jesus tells us that no one has seen the Father;
(Joh 6:46) Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he (Jesus) which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
(Joh 1:18) No man hath seen God (the Father) at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
And because no man has seen the Father, based on the following verses, Yahweh can't be the Father;
(Gen 12:7) And the LORD (Yahweh) appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar unto the LORD (Yahweh), who appeared unto him.
(Gen 18:1) And the LORD (Yahweh) appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre...
In fact, if you read all of Genesis 18, you will see that the LORD (Yahweh) spent some time with Abraham in bodily form (this was not a vision), eating and drinking with them; telling Abraham he would have a son, and also discussing the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
So who appeared to Abraham?
Notice how Yahweh identified himself to Moses;
(Exo 3:13) And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
(Exo 3:14) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Notice how Jesus later claims that same title;
(Joh 8:58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
(Joh 8:24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.
(Joh 13:19) Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am.
We know that Jesus existed long before the creation of the world;
(Joh 17:5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
So what was Jesus doing all this time, before He came to earth as a man?
[Read full study with more Biblical evidence of this concept here: Creation ].
Is it possible that before Jesus was born of Mary, that His divine name was Yahweh, and that He was already active in the affairs of man? Many do believe this to be so, but let us continue investigating 'the Spirit' further, to see if any other evidence supports this.
We know that God is Spirit;
(John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
And how many 'Spirits of God' are there?
(1Co 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...
(Eph 2:18) For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
(Ehp 4:4) There is one body, and one Spirit,....
Three God's???
As mentioned earlier, one of the Trinity beliefs suggests that the Holy Spirit is a separate God in its own right. So is the 'one Spirit' in the above verses 'a God' in its own right? Is it an independent entity; one of three Gods which make up the Godhead? We will now spend a bit of time dealing with this particular belief.
As well as 'Trinity' not being found in Scripture, another phrase found nowhere in the Bible is 'God the Holy Spirit'. The title of 'God' is ONLY ever given to the Father and/or the Son;
(Tit 1:4) ...Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
(Rev 21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I (Jesus) will be his God, and he shall be my son.
(Rev 22:3) ...the throne of God (the Father) and of the Lamb (Jesus) shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Keep in mind, that there is not a single verse in the Bible referring to 'God the Holy Spirit'.
As we have already seen, it was the 'Spirit of Christ' who was active among the prophets.
Is it possible therefore that the Father and the Son share one Spirit?
Is the Holy Spirit a third God, or simply the Spirit of the Father and His only begotten Son?
The Father is Holy, so His Spirit would also be Holy.
The Son is Holy, so His Spirit would also be Holy.
With this thought in mind, let us see if we can find confirmation, that rather than 3 God's, there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him (1Co 8:6).
We have already seen from previous verses that the 'Holy Spirit' often refers to the 'Spirit of Christ'.
However, comparing the following verses, reveals that the 'Holy Spirit' is also the 'Spirit of the Father';
(Mar 13:11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
(Mat 10:19-20) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Next we will look at who raised Jesus from the dead;
(Gal 1:1) Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
(1Pe 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,...being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive) by the Spirit:
Based on the above verses, either the 'Spirit of the Father' raised Jesus from the dead, or otherwise two separate God's, (the Father and the Holy Spirit) both raised Jesus.
The following verse confirms it was actually the Spirit of the Father;
(Rom 8:11) But if the Spirit of him (the Father) that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
You will also notice from the above verse, that the Spirit of the Father dwells in us. And again;
(Eph 4:6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
However, we are also told that the Holy Spirit dwells in us;
(2Ti 1:14) That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
And we are also told that the Spirit of Christ dwells in us;
(Rom 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
According to the '3 God' Trinity doctrine, the above three verses would mean that we have the Spirits of three distinct God's dwelling in us! However, we saw earlier that there is only one spirit, so it appears more logical that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father and His Son.
We see this clearly demonstrated in the following verses;
(Rom 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(Rom 8:10) And if Christ be in you, (so the Spirit of Christ dwells in us) the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(Rom 8:11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and the Spirit of the Father dwells in us), he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
As seen above, it is simply the common shared Spirit of these two, which dwells in us;
(John 14:23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we (ie, two) will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The 'we' in the above verse refers to the Father and Son.
Again this is verified;
(2Jo 1:9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son (both = 2).
And according to the Bible, these are the two we must honour;
(Joh 5:23) That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.
And these two were present at creation;
(Gen 1:26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...
And these two can be witnesses;
(Joh 8:17) It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
(Joh 8:18) I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
We looked at a verse earlier which told us God is a Spirit;
(John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
So who is this 'God' who is a Spirit?
Jesus tells us in the previous verse;
(Joh 4:23) ...the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
So this 'God' who is a Spirit, refers to God the Father.
We have seen so far that the Father and Son share the same Spirit;
(1Co 6:17) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
(Joh 10:30) I and my Father are one.
The Father and Son are one, because they share one Spirit. The Spirit of the Father also dwells in Jesus;
(Joh 14:10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
When Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth as a man, He received the Holy Spirit from the Father;
(Act 10:38) How God (the Father) anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Before His death, Jesus promised a comforter to abide with us;
(Joh 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
The comforter is the Holy Spirit;
(Joh 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,...
Notice however, that the Holy Spirit couldn't be sent in this form, until Jesus had returned to the Father;
(Joh 16:7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Jesus could not send His Spirit until He returned sinless to the Father;
(Joh 7:38-39) He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
And after Jesus resurrection, before He returned to heaven; Jesus reassured the apostles about this promise of receiving the Holy Spirit;
(Luk 24:49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
(ie, the Holy Spirit).
And Jesus' eternal Spirit was found to be without spot;
(Heb 9:14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,...
When Jesus returned to the Father, His sinless Holy Spirit was made available to us;
(Act 2:32-33) This Jesus hath God (the Father) raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father (now that He is raised up) the promise of the Holy Ghost, he (Jesus) hath shed forth this (Holy Spirit to us), which ye now see and hear.
John the Baptist had spoken of this coming 'baptism' of the Holy Ghost, which would be made available to us;
(Mat 3:11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he (Jesus) shall (in the not to distant future) baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
The indwelling of Christ's Spirit is referred to as the baptism of the Holy Spirit;
(1Co 12:12-13) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body (ie, Christ's), whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
And indeed, according to "the promise of the Holy Ghost", Jesus' Holy Spirit was sent to dwell in us;
(Gal 4:6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,...
(Rom 8:9-10) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit (of Christ) is life because of righteousness.
(2Co 13:5) ...Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you,...
(Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:...
(Eph 3:16-17) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his (Christ's) glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;...
(Col 1:27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(Col 3:11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,......bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Jesus can not dwell in us physically, so He sends us 'His Spirit' to dwell in us.
More evidence supporting that the Holy Spirit is not a 'third God'.
1/ Compare the following verses, which confirm the 'Holy Spirit' is 'Christ's Spirit';
(Rom 5:5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
(Gal 4:6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,...
(Eph 3:17) ...That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;...
2/ Notice our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit;
(1Cor 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,...
Now compare the next two verses to verify 'which spirit' it is referring to;
(1Co 3:16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwell in you?
(Rom 8:9-10) ...are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his....
3/ These next two verses conform to the harmony we have just seen in the previous two verses;
(2Co 6:16) ...for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I (Jesus) will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(Rev 21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I (Jesus) will be his God, and he shall be my son.
4/ Notice Christ's Spirit writes the law on our hearts;
(2Co 3:3) Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart...
(2Co 3:17) Now (Christ) the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Notice this also conforms to what we saw earlier; that the Spirit of the LORD in the Old Testament, simply refers to 'the Spirit of Christ'.
5/ If the Holy Spirit is 'a third God', then according to the following verses, we are sanctified by Jesus, AND 'a God' called the Holy Spirit;
(Rom 15:16) That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
(1Co 1:2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,...
6/ If the Holy Spirit is 'a third God', then according to the following verse, 'a God' called the Holy Spirit purchased us with his blood;
(Act 20:28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Let's now take a closer look at 'the Comforter', to see if it is Jesus' Spirit.
As we analyse these following verses step by step, remember this is Jesus speaking;
(Joh 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
(Joh 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter...
[The Greek word translated as 'Comforter' is 'Parakletos'. Here is another verse using 'Parakletos':
(1Jo 2:1) ...if any man sin, we have 'Parakletos' with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: Notice 'Parakletos' is identified as Jesus].
Let's continue;
...another Comforter that he may abide with you forever; (Compare this with Jesus words in Mat 28:20 ....lo, I am with you always,...).
(Joh 14:17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you (ie. Jesus was dwelling with them), and shall be in you. (Compare Col 1:27 ...mystery....which is Christ in you).
(Joh 14:18) I will not leave you comfortless: I (Jesus) will come to you. (Compare Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I (Jesus) will come in to him,...).
(Joh 14:19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
(Joh 14:20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I (the comforter) in you.
As you can see, the above verses show the comforter is simply the 'Spirit of Christ' sent to dwell in us. After all, who is more qualified to comfort us?
Jesus, who lived on earth, who was tempted as we are; or a 'third God', a separate entity, called the Holy Spirit, who has not personally lived as a man or suffered as Jesus did?
Jesus repeats to the disciples that He will come to them;
(Joh 14:28) Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come unto you...
But where had they heard Jesus say that He would come to them?
Well, a few verses earlier in reference to the comforter;
(Joh 14:18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Jesus also says that the comforter will give us understanding;
(Joh 14:26) ...the Comforter... shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,...
Scripture confirms this understanding comes through Jesus;
(1Jn 5:20) We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, ...(NIV).
Only the 'Spirit of Christ' is equipped to strengthen us through our trials and temptations;
(Heb 4:15) ....but (Jesus) was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(Phi 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Our supply of strength comes to us through Jesus' spirit;
(Phi 1:19) For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
So why in John 14, is the Spirit referred to as 'another' comforter?
Because 'Jesus; the Word', ie, the written word is also a comforter to us:
(Psa 119:50) This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
(1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Therefore 'Jesus Spirit' is referred to as 'another' comforter.
It is actually 'another form' of the 'same truth':
(1Th 1:5) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,...
...more on that soon.
Problem?
Doesn't the following verse indicate that the Holy Spirit is able to speak for Himself, and is therefore a separate entity?;
(Joh 16:13-14) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
This verse does not say that the Spirit CAN speak of himself; it says the Spirit WILL NOT speak of himself. Saying the Spirit CAN speak of himself, based on this verse, is only an assumption.
Let us give you an example.
Let's say we are describing the latest technology with regard to emails. This technology will change the way we send emails. No more time consuming typing. Simply click 'create mail', then click 'record', and then just speak your message, then 'send'. The receiver simply opens the email, and it plays the recorded message to you. What a quick and reliable system. We could actually describe it's reliability like this; for it shall not speak of itself; but whatsoever it shall hear, that shall it speak.
Does this statement say that it CAN speak for itself?
No.
We believe Jesus described the working of the Spirit in this way, to indicate the dependability, trustworthiness and reliability of what His Spirit relays to us. His Spirit relays to us, exactly that which He speaks from heaven.
Problem??
It is believed that the 'four living creatures' before the throne of God, represent the Holy Spirit. Doesn't that indicate that the Spirit is therefore a separate entity?
It is quite possible that the four living creatures are a pictorial representation of the working of the Holy Spirit. God's Word describes these creatures in various places in the Bible, to help us understand the work done by something we can't actually see. The four living creatures bow down before the throne of God, because the Spirit is subject to God, ie, it only proceeds from God;
(Joh 15:26) ...the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
This same Spirit dwells in Jesus;
(Joh 14:10) ...the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Their Spirit only relays to us what the Father and the Son command in heaven. Remember there are only two seated on thrones in heaven; the Father and the Son. Their Spirit is subject to them, hence this is possibly represented by the four living creatures, bowing before the throne. The four different faces on the living creatures teach us about the character of the Spirit;
Face of Man - represents - Intelligence (although not always obvious in man in some cases!!!)
Lion - represents - Fearlessness
Ox - represents - Strength
Eagle - represents - Swiftness
These creatures are covered with eyes and can move in any direction at once; again signifying characteristics of God's Spirit.
In other places in Scripture, four horses (ie, 4 messengers), also represent the Spirit, (see Rev 6).
Similar language is also seen in Zechariah;
(Zec 6:1) And I turned,...and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains;...
(Zec 6:2) In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
(Zec 6:3) And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled and bay horses.
(Zec 6:4) Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?
(Zec 6:5) And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
You will notice from Revelation 6, that each of the 4 beasts (4 living creatures), dispatches one of the 4 horses (a messenger) from heavens temple.
So just because the Spirit is sometimes represented by 'visible entities'; that does not make the Spirit a 'separate entity' to Jesus and the Father.
Problem???
Does not the following verse tell us that three bear witness in heaven;
(1Jo 5:7) For there are three that are God's in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Whoops!!!!!!!!, the verse actually says;
(1Jo 5:7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Is a witness a God?
This verse tells us there are three that bear witness, not that there are three Gods.
The very next verse tells us that there are three that bear witness on earth; the spirit, the water and the blood.
Does that mean 'blood' is a God?
NO.
A witness is quite different to a God.
An example may be helpful:
Let us consider the event of a lightning strike. There are two main effects of such an event, which 'bear witness' to us that a lightning strike has occurred. One is seeing the flash of the lightning; the other is hearing the thunder. These two 'effects' are not from two different 'sources'. They both witness to us that one event, a lightning strike has occurred.
There is no dispute that the Father is God (and also a witness, in heaven), so lets look at the other 2 witnesses mentioned in 1John 5:7 in more detail.
The Word (Jesus) and the Spirit are two distinct witnesses; but that does not make them two separate Gods.
The Word is the written word, ie, the Bible.
The Spirit gives light and understanding to what we are reading, and works through our conscience;
(Rom 9:1) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
When we study God's written word, it is only His Spirit that can give us understanding.
These two different FORMS, of the SAME truth, work together as witnesses;
(1Th 1:5) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, BUT ALSO in power, and in the Holy Ghost,...
Notice that the knowledge of God doesn't come to us in written word only, but also to our conscience through the Spirit.
As seen with the lightning; these are two different FORMS, confirming the one truth. They are from the SAME source, being Christ.
We have already seen how the prophets received the written word by the Spirit of Christ;
(1Pe 1:10-11) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,...
Some may ask, so why does God give us two different forms of the same truth?
Well, what good would God's written Word be, if His Spirit didn't give us understanding of it?
OR what good would a conscious understanding be, if we didn't have the written Word to confirm it?
There is no disputing that the Word and the Spirit are two witnesses; but that does not make them two God's.
[You can read a full study on the Two Witnesses here: Two Witnesses ].
So what's the problem?
Why is it important to understand this?
What difference does it make if the Holy Spirit is another God, or just the Spirit of the Father and the Son?
Well, for a start, it is important to know WHO intercedes between you and God;
(2Co 13:14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion (communication) of the Holy Ghost, be with you all....
(Rom 8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
(Jud 1:20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
So do you have 'a third God' called the Holy Spirit making intercession for you; or do you have the Spirit of Jesus making intercession;
(Rom 8:34) ...It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Jesus is the ONLY mediator making intercession for us, through His Spirit;
(1Ti 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
(Heb 12:24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,...
(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(Heb 7:25) Wherefore he (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
The Danger
It is dangerous to direct your prayers and intercession to a Spirit, which in your mind is something other than Christ's. This can easily happen with those believing in a 'separate God' called the Holy Spirit. There is another Spirit out there, wanting to intercede for us, which you need to be aware of. If you are directing your prayer to 'the Spirit' which in your mind is not Jesus, there is a danger that 'the Spirit of the deceiver' may take advantage of the situation.
You may have seen some of the strange activities performed by many of today's Christians. For example, getting up on stage to be 'slain by the Spirit'.
Such people are being led by 'a Spirit', which they truly believe is of God. Making Jesus your only intercessor could be your only safeguard from such deception.
You might say, "Well, I would never fall for that, so my belief in a Trinity does not affect my salvation".
This is not the only danger of believing in the Trinity doctrine.
Another of the Trinity beliefs is based on 'role playing'. That is, Jesus is not really the literal Son of God, but rather plays the role of the son.
And yet another Trinity belief teaches that the one true God can manifest Himself to us in 3 different forms, (as the Father, as the Son or as the Holy Spirit).
So, is eternal life based on having a correct knowledge of this relationship?
Notice what John says about it;
(Joh 17:3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God (the Father), and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
This is not role-playing. As you know from Scripture, the Father rarely speaks audibly to the general population. When He does, do you not think it is for something very important?
Notice what issue His only recorded words in the New Testament are about;
(Mat 3:17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
(Mat 17:5) ... behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
The reality is, that Jesus existed and was 'brought forth' before the foundation of the world;
(Joh 17:5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
So, did God the Father so love the world that He came to earth as a man; calling Himself the Son of God?
Or, did God so love the world that He gave up another God who was willing to play the role of the Son?
Or, did God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son?
Which reveals a greater love?
There is a danger in denying that Jesus is the true Son of God;
(1Jo 2:22) Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Jesus is not a created being; He is begotten of the Father. Now although we may not exactly understand what it means to be begotten of the Father, we know it resulted in Jesus inheriting the same divine characteristics of the Father;
(Joh 8:42) Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Jesus has sent us His Spirit as a 'down payment' of the promised possession, ie, the earth;
(Gal 4:6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,...
(2Co 1:22) ....sealed us, and given the earnest (down payment) of the Spirit in our hearts.
(Eph 1:13-14) ....after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (Jesus purchased back with His blood, that which Adam had lost), unto the praise of his glory.
(Eph 4:30) And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
So we see that Christ's Spirit is given to us as a down payment, until the day of redemption.
Those who obey God are eligible to receive the down payment of His Spirit;
(Act 5:32) ...the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus' Holy Spirit knocks on all hearts;
(Rev 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door (of our hearts), and knock: if any man hear my voice (of His Spirit), and open the door, I will come in to him (ie, Jesus Spirit will dwell in us), and will sup with him, and he with me.
He won't knock forever,........ be sure to let Jesus in.
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