The Personality of the Holy Spirit
In the book of Acts there are four different ways Luke refers to the Holy Spirit, depending on which aspect of His ministry Luke wanted to emphasise:
(1) the Spirit
(2) Holy Spirit
(3) the Holy Spirit
(4) the Spirit, the Holy
When using the term ‘the Spirit’ the emphasis is on the Holy Spirit’s personality. Here are some examples.
All of them … began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4b)
The ability to speak separates us from every other part of creation. The Holy Spirit here specifically enabled the disciples to speak in tongues (as a manifestation of Himself cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7,10)
The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it” (Acts 8:29)
Not only does the Holy Spirit speak to Philip but gives him clear guidance so he can minister to the Ethiopian official.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them (Acts 10:19,20)
The Holy Spirit speaks to Peter to direct him into a ministry breakthrough situation (Acts 11:1-18 noting Peter’s repeating in verse 12 that the Holy Spirit spoke to him).
Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4)
The Christians in Tyre urge Paul “through the Spirit” not to proceed to Jerusalem. Paul interprets the words as the Holy Spirit giving information and warning, while the Tyre believers saw it as a prohibition. Either way, the Holy Spirit was clearly speaking a warning of the dangers of the ministry direction Paul was undertaking.
Do you know the Holy Spirit as a Person?
Have you made a friend of the Holy Spirit or is He just clinically the third Person of the Trinity to you and no more?
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