The Holy Spirit: Part 2 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Some Christ-followers claim that there is no separate third person of the Trinity, known as God the Holy Spirit. Instead, there is only the one God who is a spirit. This teaching comes from the idea that there is no such thing as the Trinity in the Bible, only the one God. So, any use of the term ‘person’ when dealing with the Holy Spirit is unacceptable, wrong and unbiblical. The Spirit is not a separate person from God since there is only one God. Consequently, any use of the term ‘person’ just describes the mode of the Father’s work as He works in the spiritual realm.

So, how would you answer someone who holds to this belief? The plain answer is that the Bible upholds the teaching regarding the Holy Spirit as a person of the Trinity. The biblical truth is that there is a separate third person in the Trinity known as God the Holy Spirit. He is not just a manifestation of the Father as the spirit. The use of the term ‘person’ when dealing with the Holy Spirit is acceptable, right and biblical. The Holy Spirit is referred to as a person who could be lied to and also called God in the Bible,

³ “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.’ ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it” (Acts 5:3-5; see also Lk 11:9-13).

Such terms as the ‘Holy Spirit,’ ‘Spirit of God,’ and ‘The Spirit,’ refers to the person of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity who is separate from the Father and the Son. So, there is, in fact, a separate third Person known as the Holy Spirit of God within the Trinity. He is not just the manifestation of the Father as the spirit. The Father and the Holy Spirit are separate persons within the Trinity. Rest assured that any use of the term ‘person’ is biblical.

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