The Personality of the Holy Spirit Research Paper

The Personality of the Holy Spirit - Research Paper Example The Holy Spirit has a Will    B. The Holy Spirit has a Mind C. The Holy Spirit has Emotions      IV.  The Holy Spirits Work in the Individual Believer (3 pages)      A. The Holy Spirit’s Work at Creation (ruah) B. The Holy Spirit’s Work at Salvation (Regeneration)    B. The Holy Spirit as parakletos      V.  The Holy Spirit and the Church (3 pages)    A.  Power to Witness    B.  Agent of Unity      VI.  Conclusion: (1 page) INTRODUCTION â€Å"An understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is basic to Christian living†¦who He is, is foundational to what He does, and a knowledge of both His person and work is basic to Christian devotion and living.†1 It is not surprising therefore that the subject of the personality of the Holy Spirit remains one of the most controversial issues in Christian academic circles. The topic comes with varying views and opinions on who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit stands for. Rig ht from the beginning of reading scriptures, the Christian is given an idea about the fact that the Holy Spirit is very instrumental in the personality of humankind2. For instance in the book of Genesis, the presence of a third person, whom most scholars argue to be the Holy Spirit is consulted when God says â€Å"let us make man in Our image†. ... In the early openings of the New Testament, Jesus Christ also gives an indication on what the actual personality of the Holy Spirit is. For example, there was the kind of divine relationship that exists between the Father and the Holy Spirit was exhibited when at the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit manifested its presence in the form of a dove after the Father spoke from heaven4. In Ephesians 4:4-6, we read 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.5 The Bible affirms the Holy Spirit as a fully divine, volitional and personal being whose works and attributes bear witness to the same. This thesis sets the pace for this paper, which seeks to confirm the assertion that â€Å"In dealing with the Spirit we are dealing with none other than the personal presence of God.†6 THE DIETY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit i s God Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, third member of the Trinity, equal with the Father and Son. â€Å"In Christian theology, the term trinity means that there are three eternal distinctions in the one divine essence, known respectively as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.†7 Although the Doctrine of the Trinity has long divided theologians, scholars, pastors, teachers and even laity in the ancient and modern church, the first general council of the church affirmed and clarified the position and Deity of the Holy Spirit in relationship to the other two members, God the Father and God the Son. The most difficult and far-reaching issue the Council at Nicea (325 A.D.) addressed was the attack on the Trinity by a small group known as Arians led by a Presbyter from