In this regard, ferguson observes that the apologists more explicitly state a preexistent t rinity of god, the logos. It evidenced itself in a desire for the restoration of light, life and holiness by the holy spirit. Not only is the father the same god in the old and new covenants, but also the spirit of god is the same spirit. The holy spirit is mentioned over 100 times in the old testament. The christian church today needs to heed pauls exhortation. Im basing my blog post off of the evangelical free church of americas statement of faith the holy spirit. Some cults, as well as some biblicallyilliterate christians often refer to the holy spirit as some impersonal force or divine power that comes from god. The doctrine of the holy spirit trinity baptist church.
This study will focus upon the third person of the godhead or trinity. The doctrine of the holy spirit there is no doubt whatsoever that a knowledge of what the holy scriptures teach concerning the holy spirit is of supremeimportance. The altar of incense sat directly before the veil separating the holy place from the most holy place heaven, telling us that in phase 2 holy place we priests offer prayers incense through christ veil to the throne of grace trillions of light years away heb. View assignment theology paper the doctrine of the holy spirit. This area of theology is often called pneumatology considered under the topic of trinitarianism. The disciple will understand that the holy spirit is a person related to the godheadhe is god. Christian doctrine the holy spirit conclusion an appreciation for the holy spirits work as we have seen, the holy spirit has been at work throughout history, just as he is today. Doctrine of the holy spirit by george smeaton banner of. Doves are representative of gentleness and peace, illustrating the fact that the holy spirit does not possess people as evil spirits do. The hebrew word ruach means wind, breath, spirit 2. There are about one hundred references to the spirit of god in the old testament. Christian doctrine the holy spirit conclusion an appreciation for the holy spirit s work as we have seen, the holy spirit has been at work throughout history, just as he is today.
He is mentioned 56 times in the gospels, 57 times in. I am sure, in speaking to an audience such as this, that i do not have to say to you that history is of tremendous value to us. Now concerning spiritual gifts or, perhaps better, matters pertaining to the spirit, i would not have. According to the bible, the holy spirit is a divine person. The need to get a bible based view of the holy spirit becomes more and more evident as various charismatic movements appear on the scene. The other two sisters may have gone to the theological ball. God the father, god the son, and god the holy spirit 2 cor. The procession of the holy spirit in orthodox trinitarian.
The doctrine of the holy spirit bibleunderstanding ministry. Origens doctrine of the holy spirit part 1 transformed. The holy spirit is the third person of the trinity. The greek word for spirit pneuma is the same word used for breath or wind. The nine gifts of the holy spirit 1 corinthians 12. Ficek trinity theological seminary the doctrine once described by david friedrich strauss as the achilles heel of protestant theological systems is increasingly attracting the attention of leading theologians today.
Stopping the power of the holy spirit and failing to regulate prophecy in the church 1 thessalonians 5. Theology from the viewpoint of the doctrine of the holy spirit, than as an exhaustive exposition of any single topic. The doctrine of the holy spirit the personhood of the holy spirit. Yet how ignorant is the average christian concerning matters pertaining to the spirit. The holy spirit is the same spirit in both the old and new testaments origen is not to be confused with a marcionite or a gnostic. Secondly, he gives detailed attention to six subjects. The biblical demonstration of the personality of the holy spirit can be developed along several lines. Been further equipped so that through their evangelizing, proclaiming, teaching, caring, and leading they will be able to communicate. Let us believe that no sinful soul could be saved without the work of all three persons in the blessed trinity, and let us rejoice that father, son, and holy spirit, who cooperated to make man, do always cooperate. A summary of the doctrine of the holy spirit christopher. The holy spirit has long been the cinderella of the trinity.
A technical theological word that designates god as one in essence but three coequal, coinfinite, and coeternal persons. General outline 1 the doctrine of the holy spirit 2. The holy spirit inspires the holy scriptures and gives us the proper understanding of them the. Pneumatology the doctrine of the holy spirit heritage baptist. Pdf the historical development of the doctrine of trinity. Hence, pneumatology is the doctrine of the holy spirit, the third person of the trinity. The doctrine of the holy spirit westminster bookstore. A summary of the doctrine of the holy spirit by dr. It should be obvious that both matthew and the apostle paul place the same emphasis on the holy spirit as they do on the father and the lord jesus christ. The distinctive feature of christianity, as it addresses itself to mans experience, is the work of the. Holy spirit were clearly identified relative to divinity in operation. The doctrine of god the holy spirit fellowship bible church. The personality of the holy spirit the holy spirit, the 3rd person of the trinity, has a personality as much as the father and son does.
Pneumatology a study of the doctrine of the holy spirit. The greek word pneuma means spirit, ghost, or breath, wind 3. Please read volumes 8, 9 and 10 of the foundational truth series as a background to understanding the anointing of the holy spirit. The word holy is often used as an adjective describing the spirit of god. All matters pertaining to the doctrine of the holy spirit should, therefore, be of special interest to us who live in this age of special privilege. But for christians, for believers of pauls gospel, the holy spirit is the baptizer. The doctrine of the holy spirit formed the capstone of george smeatons teaching.
Wherever christianity has become a living power, the doctrine of the holy spirit has uniformly been regarded, equally with the atonement and justification by faith, as the article of the standing or falling church george smeaton the doctrine of the holy spirit formed the capstone of. Pneumatology the doctrine of the person and work of the holy spirit two extremes. I found it necessary in the preparation of this course of lectures to travel over a field of vast extent, and the subject has on this account taken shape in my hands rather as a general survey of theology from the viewpoint of the doctrine of the holy spirit, than as an exhaustive exposition of any single topic. As ones breath breathes out from him so the spirit proceeds out of the father and the son. The doctrine of the holy spirit bibleunderstanding. This baptism is different from the baptism with the holy spirit at pentecost. Grasped the main elements of the doctrine of the holy spirit and its importance for christian theology and the life of the church. The holy spirit exists without a body and without all the limitations of a body. The purpose of this session is to introduce the disciple to the biblical doctrine of the holy spirit, and to see clearly what the ministry of the spirit is in his life. In this book he touches on all the most important points in a readable and easytograsp manner. The history of the doctrine of the holy spirit, part i. Pdf this article firstly investigates in what way various main theological figures in the first centuries of the christian era spoke about the trinity.
The word pneumatology comes from two greek words, pneuma, meaning spirit, and logos, meaning doctrine. The holy spirit as presented in the bible as the same essential deity as god the father and the son. The student will do well to carefully study what the. He laid stress on the doctrine of the holy spirit and wrote very acceptably on grace and free will. The name holy spirit owes its origin to his mode of existence 1. He baptizes us into christ and his body 1 corinthians 12. One other image for the holy spirit is a dove, which is the form in which the spirit descended on christ at his baptism in all four gospel accounts.
I know that henry ford said history is the succession of one damn thing after another, and i agree that that is a pithy pointer to historys disasters. His current ministry in the lives of believers is one that gives us new life and the ability. The holy spirit the spirit is called holy because he is the spirit of the holy one and because of the work he does. Paper on pneumatology for the second semester of systematic theology in my seminary studies. Pdf the doctrine of the holy spirit olanrewaju sodipe. Matthew mcmahon articles on the christian walk, systematic theology and practical theology today, many christians are turning back to the puritans to, walk in the old paths, of gods word, and to continue to proclaim old truth that glorifies jesus christ. Todays post looks at a few elements of the doctrine of the holy spirit. The disciple will understand that he is indwelt by the holy spirit. Holy spirit of god is a person, as much as the father and the son are persons. The best all around introduction to the doctrine of the holy spirit is r. It will presuppose the biblical doctrine of the trinity.
Smeatons doctrine of the holy spirit is a true classic on the subject, and a volume that will benefit all who take the time to read it. The doctrine of the holy spirit introduction during one of his missionary trips, the apostle paul questioned a group of ephesian church members actually, they were disciples of john the baptist about the doctrine of the holy spirit. The spirit is not an impersonal it or simply an influence. His current ministry in the lives of believers is one that gives us new life and the ability to live that life for god. Thus, pneumatology is the doctrine of the holy spirit, or breath of god. Handling his subject under three divisions, smeaton treats first the testimony to the holy spirit as it is progressively revealed in scripture. The holy spirit is a personal being just as the father and the son. The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints in history. One of the most misunderstood doctrines of the bible is the doctrine of the holy spirit. The holy spirit in the old testament by mike stallard the possibility of producing clear doctrine on the holy spirit of god based upon the old testament has been ruled out by some scholars. The spirit is not an impersonal it or simply an influence, he is the third person of the trinity. May the holy spirit, whose personality arid work this treatise is intended to exhibit, condescend to accept and bless it to the glory of a threeone god. Therefore, he is to be worshipped, adored, loved, and obeyed as god. In the new testament alone there are some 261 passages that refer to the holy spirit.
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