A Consideration of the Holy Spirit’s Name and Personality

The name “Holy Ghost” or “Holy Spirit” occurs in 93 times in the New Testament. In Acts alone He is mentioned over 50 times, and in Romans 8 there are 17 references. It would seem that the Holy Spirit, who occupies such a conspicuous place in this present dispensation, is an important part of our lives as believers. In the Gospels we read of the ministry of Jesus; in Acts we read of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. But today, which is a remarkable day indeed according to 2 Corinthians 3:8, does the Holy Spirit receive prominence in the work of the Church? How often we hear of “the Church’s work,” or “the Church’s mission,” but how little we hear of “the Spirit’s work.”

His Name reveals His actual relationship to redeemed man. In the name “Father,” we see the loving parent from whom we have wandered so far. In the name “Jesus” we see the Savior through whom we are reconciled. In the name “Holy Spirit” we see the atmosphere in which our spirits are to live and move have have our being, Acts 17:28. He, like the air we breath, comes into continual and personal contact with our inner man, giving to our souls the abundant live that was Christ’s (Ezekiel 37:5-10).

The name “Holy Spirit” has the idea of a holy, moving, vitalizing breeze. At Pentecost this mighty wind came down and delivered the very “presence of God” to the waiting disciples, Acts 2:1-4. It is the same today when this same Holy Spirit comes into our lives; He allows us to know and experience the reality of things yet unseen and unknown. Through the hope He alone can give, we are able to have our every spiritual need satisfied in our new nature, and we can experience a glimpse of heaven on earth.

In this connection, let’s examine Paul’s benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14:

1. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This suggests “humiliation and death.”

2. The love of God. “Justification and life.”

3. The communion of the Holy Ghost. “Assimilation and fellowship.”

4. Be with you all. “Privilege and responsibility.”

The Holy Spirit is essential if we are to have communion or fellowship with God. 2 Corinthians 6:15 tells us that there is no harmony or communion between Christ and Belial (a false God). And verse 14 tells us that light and darkness cannot have fellowship together. The reason is simple: Because there is no likeness between them; there is no common ground. But by the Holy Ghost we are made like the Father, for we are changed into the same image by the Spirit of God, 2 Corinthians 3:18. And so it is not an exaggeration to say the the Holy Ghost is as necessary to our spiritual well being as air is to our physical well being. Without His presence in our lives, we can no more rejoice in the love of God than we could rejoice in the warmth of the sun without the medium of the atmosphere.

Concerning the Holy Spirit’s personality. While most believers will concede that the Holy Ghost is indeed a Person, many of us are not fully aware of what that means. Time and time again in the Bible personal pronouns are used to describe the Holy Spirit. John 16:13, 14 is a good example of this.

Even though it may be hard to understand, the fact is that this mighty, holy Being, whose presence is as a spiritual soul-moving breath, is a Person, and that Person is called God, Acts 5:3, 4. His individuality should be recognized as that of the Father and the Son.

The Devil knows that so long as this truth is neglected the Kingdom of Christ will grow at a snail’s pace since He, the Holy Ghost, is the direct agent between Christ and the sinful souls of man. As a Person, then, what kind of treatment is He receiving at the hand of men?

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.” Acts 7:51-53

Next time, “The Sufferings of the Holy Spirit”