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V e r s e b y V e r s e
Holy Spirit A Person, Not A Force
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This Rock
Volume 5, Number 4
 April 1994 
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Jehovah's Witnesses and certain other groups,
such the Iglesia ni Cristo, claim that the Holy Spirit is not a Person
but merely a force (for example, "the power of God").
The following verses demonstrate that the Holy Spirit
is indeed personal--after all, he knows, wills, speaks,
teaches, intercedes, and has a mind. These are attributes of a person
(in this case, a divine Person), not of a mere force. In the Bible
we find nothing that might be termed "Luke Skywalker theology."
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John
14:26).
"And the Spirit said to Philip, `Go up and
join this chariot'" (Acts 8:29).
"While they were worshiping the Lord and
fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them'" (Acts 13:2).
"And he who searches the hearts of men knows
what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for
the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. 8:27).
"[N]o one comprehends the thoughts of God
except the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 2:11).
"All these are inspired by one and the same
Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills"
(1 Cor. 12:11).
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).
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