Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCharles Buck Theological Dictionary: HOLY GHOST
Subjects in this Topic:
The third person in the Trinity. I. The Holy Ghost is a real and distinct person in the Godhead.
1. Personal powers of rational understanding and will are ascribed to him, 1Co_2:10-11. 1Co_12:11. Eph_4:3.
2. He is joined with the other two divine persons, as the object of worship and fountain of blessings, Mat_28:19. 2Co_13:14. 1Jn_5:7.
3. In the Greek, a masculine article or epithet is joined to his name Pneuma, which is naturally of the neuter gender, Joh_14:26; Joh_15:26; Joh_16:13. Eph_1:13.
4. He appeared under the emblem of a dove, and of cloven tongues of fire, Mat_3:1-17 : Act_2:1-47 :
5. Personal offices of an intercessor belong to him, Rom_8:26.
6. He is represented as performing a multitude of personal acts; as teaching, speaking, witnessing, &c. Mar_13:11. Act_20:23. Rom_8:15-16. 1Co_6:19. Act_15:28; Act_16:6-7. &c. &c. &c. II. It is no less evident that the Holy Ghost is a divine person equal in power and glory with the Father and Son_1:1-17. Names proper only to the Most High God are ascribed to him; as Jehovah, Act_28:25, with Is. 6: 9. and Heb_3:7; Heb_3:9. with Exo_17:7. Jer_31:31; Jer_31:34. Heb_10:15-16. God, Act_5:3-4. Lord, 2 Cor 3: 17, 19. "The Lord, the Spirit."
2. Attributes proper only to the Most High God are ascribed to him; as Omniscience, Psa_139:7. Eph_2:17-18. Rom_8:26-27. Omnipotence, Luk_1:35. Eternity, Heb_9:14.
3. Divine works are evidently ascribed to him, Gen_1:2. Job_26:13. Psa_33:6. Psa_104:30.
4. Worship, proper only to God, is required and ascribed to him, Is. 6: 3. Act_28:25. Rom_9:1. Rev_1:4. 2Co_13:14. Mat_28:19. III. The agency or work of the Holy Ghost is divided by some into extraordinary and ordinary. The former by immediate inspiration, making men prophets, the latter by his regenerating and sanctifying influences making men saints. It is only the latter which is now to be expected. This is more particularly displayed in,
1. Conviction of sin, Joh_16:8; Joh_9:1-41 :
2. Conversion, 1Co_12:1-31 : Eph_1:17-18. 1Co_2:10; 1Co_2:12. Joh_3:5; Joh_6:1-71 :
3. Sanctification, 2Th_2:13. 1Co_6:11. Rom_15:16.
4. Consolation, Joh_14:1-31
5. Direction, Joh_14:17. Rom_8:14.
6. Confirmation, Rom_8:16; Rom_8:26. 1Jn_2:24. Eph_1:13-14. As to the gift of the Holy Spirit, says a good writer, it is not expected to be bestowed in answer to our prayers, to inform us immediately, as by a whisper, when either awake or asleep, that we are the children of God; or in any other way, than by enabling us to exercise repentance and faith and love to God and our neighbour.
2. We are not to suppose that he reveals any thing contrary to the written word, or more than is contained in it, or through any other medium.
3. We are not so led by, or operated upon by the Spirit as to neglect the means of grace.
4. The Holy Spirit is not promised nor given to render us infallible.
5. Nor is the Holy Spirit given in order that we may do any thing, which was not before our duty.
See TRINITY, and Scott's Four Sermons on Repentance, the Evil of Sin, Love to God, and the Promise of the Holy Spirit, p. 86-89; Hawker's Sermons on the Holy ghost; Pearson on the Creed, 8th article; Dr. Owen on the Spirit; Hurrion's 16 Sermons on the Spirit.