The Holy Spirit: Part 1 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Some Christ-followers believe that the Holy Spirit is not a separate person from the Father, but is merely God the Father. This teaching does not support the teaching that the Holy Spirit as a separate Person within the Trinity. The rationale for this teaching is that phrases like the ‘Spirit of the Father,’ ‘the Spirit,’ and ‘the Holy Spirit,’ are just different examples of God the Father. He has chosen to use the title of ‘Holy Spirit’ to refer to His actions while in this manifestation.

So, how would you answer someone who holds to this belief? The plain answer is that the Holy Spirit is not God the Father. He is a separate person within the Trinity, who was sent from God the Father. This is in agreement with the accepted teaching of the historical church belief. Scripture speaks of the three separate persons of the Trinity present at the same time e.g.

¹⁶ “After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. ¹⁷ Then a voice from heaven said (the Father’s voice), ‘This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy’” (Matt 3:16:17; cf. also Rom 8:26-28; 2 Cor 13:14).

The Holy Spirit is understood to be completely co-equal, co-eternal, separate, and the third divine Person of the Trinity. He is more than just a manifestation or mode of the Father. He is not just the Spirit of the Father. He is God the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, the Father is never called the Holy Spirit, nor the Holy Spirit ever called the Father.

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…