PERSONAL
ATTRIBUTES
OF  THE
HOLY  SPIRIT

MANY  CHARACTERISTICS  THAT ONLY A PERSON
CAN POSSESS ARE ASCRIBED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Holy Spirit has knowledge.

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 [10] but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. [11] For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

"Doesn't a computer have 'knowledge'?  That's a thing, not a person."

The concept of 'knowledge' must not be confused with the concept of 'information' or 'data'. 'Knowledge' is a concept that requires a living being. A book may contain 'data' or 'information', but the book doesn't 'know' the information.

Admittedly, at least in theory, man might some day produce computers so advanced that we would consider them 'alive', but nothing like that currently exists. Even the most advanced computers simply store and retrieve characters, do mathematical operations and logical comparisons such as determining whether one quantity is greater than, less than, or equal to another quantity.
 

The Holy Spirit has will -- He makes determinations.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
 

The Holy Spirit has a mind.

Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

The word here translated "mind" is a comprehensive word including the ideas of thought, feeling and purpose.

Compare Romans 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
 

The Holy Spirit has love.

Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
 

The Holy Spirit is intelligent.

The Holy Spirit is sentient.

Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Obviously, intelligence and sentience are needed to instruct and to call for particular work. 'Sentience' is not the same as intellect or intelligence. A sentient being understands that there is a 'big picture'. It understands abstract concepts such as honesty, loyalty, community, and honor. It can conceive of events in the distant future, e.g., retirement or graduation from college.

A sentient being is alive and has intelligence, but a creature can be alive and intelligent yet not be sentient. Cats, dogs, and horses are intelligent, but probably not sentient.

Compare Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will ....
 

The Holy Spirit is described as (morally) good.

Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

Rain is 'good' because it allows crops to grow; when 'good' is used in that sense it simply means 'beneficial'. When the Spirit is described as 'good' it means good in the moral sense, i.e., good as distinguished from evil.
 

The Holy Spirit is able to grieve.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
 

The Holy Spirit is blessed.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Compare Psalms 118:26a Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
 

MANY ACTS THAT ONLY A LIVING ENTITY CAN
PERFORM ARE ASCRIBED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
 

The Holy Spirit speaks.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Hebrews 3:7-9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Note: This does not necessarily mean "speak" in the literal sense, i.e., to cause air to vibrate or to form words. In many instances when people say "the Spirit spoke to me" they mean that they had an overwhelming feeling that they knew was from God. Most often, this will be after they have been praying specifically for an answer regarding a specific problem, e.g. "Should I take the job I'm being offered?"

This terminology can be particularly confusing and intimidating to children and new believers, who think that they have not "heard from God" unless they heard a voice. Since they never hear a voice, they think, "God doesn't speak to me." This can be taken a step further as, "Since God never speaks to me, I must not be saved." It is especially important for those who are more mature in the faith to take the initiative and explain the terminology without being asked.

The Holy Spirit calls out.

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
 

The Holy Spirit hears.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
 

The Holy Spirit intercedes.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
 

The Holy Spirit has feelings. He "intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

Sometimes a feeling such as love, joy, sadness, sorrow, frustration, or anger is so strong that it cannot be fully expressed in words.

Romans 8:26 ... the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
 

The Holy Spirit gives testimony.

John 15:26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
 

The Holy Spirit teaches all things.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:13-14 [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.
 

The Holy Spirit reveals.

1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
 

The Holy Spirit reminds men of things past.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
 

The Holy Spirit leads or directs men what to do.

Romans 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
 

The Holy Spirit commands men.

Acts 16:6-7 [6] Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. [7] When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
 

The Holy Spirit prevents men from doing things.

Acts 16:6-7 [6] Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. [7] When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
 

The Holy Spirit calls men to work and appoints them to office.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
 

The Holy Spirit goes forth upon the mission to which He is sent.

John 15:26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

Psalms 104:30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
 

The Holy Spirit tells what is yet to come.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
 

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin.

John 16:8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

In biblical usage, "to convict" does not mean a criminal conviction.  It means the Spirit will make men realize their sinfulness and feel guilt for their misdeeds.
 

The Holy Spirit takes sides in disputes.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
 

The Holy Spirit sometimes changes sides in disputes.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
 

The Holy Spirit fights against those who rebel against Him and grieve Him.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Hebrews 3:7-9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."
 

The Holy Spirit chastises, disciplines, rebukes.

Hebrews 3:7-9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."

Compare Proverbs 3:11-12 [11] My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, [12] because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
 

The Holy Spirit makes decisions on the basis of events and reasoning.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

The Spirit did not change sides like the wind -- out of pure coincidence; He changed sides because they rebelled against Him. When He saw rebellion He had several choices:

1. ignore the rebellion and continue to support them 

2. punish them and continue to support them 

3. ignore them and let them fend for themselves 

4. change sides and actively fight them

He made a conscious decision to respond in a particular way.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
 

The Holy Spirit performs works.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

This is not talking about work in the sense of physical movement, such as a truck might do. It is along the lines of the Jewish concept of mitzvot, i.e., "good works" such as charity. This Chapter begins with a discussion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit lives with believers and lives in believers.

John 14:16-17 [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
 

The Holy Spirit fellowships with believers.

2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

To "fellowship" means to commune, to join together, to socialize, to "hang out with" someone.
 

The Holy Spirit takes direction.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
 

The Holy Spirit creates.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Psalms 104:30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
 

The Holy Spirit dwells.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16 New English Bible Surely you know that you are God's temple, where the Spirit of God dwells.
 

An Office is predicated of the Holy Spirit that could only be predicated of a person.

John 14:16-17 [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

It is the office of the Holy Spirit to be "another Counselor" (or paraclete) to take the place of the absent Savior. Is it possible that Jesus Christ could use such language in speaking of an impersonal influence or power?

John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
 

The Holy Spirit is treated in ways that only a person, not a thing, is treated.

The Holy Spirit is rebelled against.

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Hebrews 3:7-9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."
 

People cause the Holy Spirit to grieve.

See Isaiah 63:10 in the previous point.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
 

The Holy Spirit can be insulted.

Hebrews 10:29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
 

The Holy Spirit is lied to.

Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?"
 

The Holy Spirit is blasphemed against.

Matthew 12:31-32 [31] And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

"To blaspheme" means to slander a celestial being.

Note: God deals with man in a series of 'ages'. Each age has a different set of rules. For instance, the Garden was one age, the Law, ushered in by Moses, was another age, the age of grace, ushered in by Jesus, is another age, and the Millennial Kingdom, during which Satan will be bound and Christ will physically preside over the nations, is another age, "the age yet to come." The Tribulation will actually be the final seven years of the age of the Law.