God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

d. The Spirit testifies.

(1) John 15.26

(2) 1 John 5.6.

e. The Spirit intercedes for Christians in prayer, Rom 8.26 (cf. Jude 1.20).

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4. The Spirit in Scripture is responded to as a person.

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a. He can be grieved and insulted.

(1) Isa. 63.10

(2) Eph. 4.30

(3) Heb. 10.29

There are also passages in which the Holy Spirit is distinguished from his own power. Luke 1.35; 4.14; Acts 10.38; Rom. 15.13; 1 Cor. 2.4. Such passages would become tautological, meaningless, and even absurd, if they were interpreted on the principle that the Holy Spirit is merely a power. This can be shown by substituting for the name “Holy Spirit” such a word as “power” or “influence.” ~ L. Berkhof. Systematic Theology . Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1941. p. 96.

b. He can be lied to, Acts 5.3.

5. The Spirit’s personality is distinguishable from his power.

a. Acts 10.38 - . . . how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

b. 1 Cor. 2.4 - . . . and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.