In preparation for the release my next book (June 2009), An Exposé of the Holy Spirit, I decided that this was an opportunity to provide a brief introduction to the book by looking at the word Pheuma and its meaning and then who He is in relationship to the other members of the Godhead as He is the third person that make up the Trinity.
The study of the Pheuma is Pheumatology which is the study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Pheuma is a Greek word for spirit which is sometimes translated as ghost, but it simply means spirit (Foundational Doctrine Dr. Harry E. Carr). The Holy Spirit is a deity just as the Father, and the Son as the three makes up the Godhead. Upon closer examination of the Holy Spirit, He is cop-equal with God the Father and God the Son as there is but one God operating as three distinct persons. In 1 Corinthians 3:16 referrers to Him as the Spirit of God and in Philippians 1:19 He is referred to as the Spirit of Christ. In Ephesians 4:4 He is referred to as the one Spirit as this scripture talks about unity in the Spirit as each of us has one body but many members that make-up the body as we are one in the Spirit.
Often times the Holy Spirit is referred to as “it” as this can be contributed to false teaching or the lack of understanding of the Trinity, but the Holy Spirit is a person with an intellect, a will and emotions.
For a brief moment let us look at the intellect of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10 states that “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.” With that being said, then the Holy Spirit has the ability to think, reason, plan and know as He is God as this is how He can teach all things to mankind. If a person has a will he or she has the power to choose and the power to act on that choice; in Acts 13: we see a choice being made and acted upon with the separation of Barnabas and Saul as they were to preach the gospel of Christ to other nations. Lastly, what are emotions; they are feeling and the ability to respond to those feeling. Therefore, just as humanity has feeling so does the Holy Spirit, as He can be grieved over humanity’s unconfessed sins and we are encouraged not to grieve the Holy Spirit. (See Ephesians 4:30).
In my book I look at the many titles/names, emblem, ministries and works of the Holy Spirit that is associated with Him and supports each with scripture references. In next week’s blog I will provide more insight from the book as it takes an in-depth look at the Holy Spirit in an effort to give a better understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and His interaction in man’s life from creation to the end as the book is designed for good reading, to enlighten, to gain a better understanding about the Holy Spirit, as well as it can be used as study guide, but more importantly it designed for both believers and non-believers.
Author’s contact:
Emails: white3285@sbcglobal.net
wwhite@goodshepherdwritigandpublishing.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
Blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
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