Every person who reads the Bible and meditates on its message becomes a theologian. When you read Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” – you automatically either believe that some God exists, or you think that this book is just a bunch of fairy tales. Even if you believe that “a” God exists, you then have to meditate on what type of God exists. What is His nature? What is His character? Just who is God?
In this series of studies, I am helping us answer that question, as God reveals Himself and describes Himself in the Bible.
Before we go further, let me define the word “person” for us: It means someone who has: 1) Feelings; 2) Intellect, and; 3) Will. When we look at the three persons who are Jehovah, we see each person with divine feelings, divine intellect, and divine will.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS JEHOVAH:
We start with the Holy Spirit because the Israelites were introduced to the second member of the “Godhead” immediately in Genesis 1:2.
The phrase “Spirit of God” is used 12 times in the Old Testament. The phrase “Spirit of the Lord” is used 24 times. But He is mentioned by just the word “Spirit” or “Spirit of holiness” or other similar expressions between 75 and 85 times, perhaps even more.
We can’t spend much time going through every verse that mentions the Holy Spirit, but He did empower the judges to lead God’s people to freedom. The Spirit inspired God’s kings to lead God’s people as well. But what is most significant is that the Spirit guided men in the OT times to speak the word of God so that Israel would know what God wanted Israel to know (2 Sam. 23:2).
THE WORD IS JEHOVAH:
Isaiah 40:3 predicted a messenger who would prepare the way before the “Lord” (which is “Jehovah” in Hebrew). John the baptizer was the messenger and Jesus Christ is “Jehovah” for whom John prepared the way.
Staying in Isaiah, we see in Isaiah 7:14 that the prophet predicted a virgin would give birth to a child and His nature, His name, would be “Emmanuel” which translates as “God – who would be Jehovah – with us.” The Messiah would be “Jehovah God in the flesh.”
Let’s use two more examples from the OT, first Psalm 110:1, 4. The Jews understood David to be speaking of his descendant, which was correct, but how could Jehovah God say to David’s son that He has the right to sit at Jehovah God’s right hand and reign over His enemies? The Jews debated that question. Additionally, if you look at verse 4, Jehovah swears an oath that this “Son of David” will be a priest forever. Yes, the Jewish rabbis debated who exactly this Messiah would be. Jesus will tell them in John 10:34-38.
One more example is found in Psalm 45:6. Here, Jehovah God is speaking to the Son and says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” I know the Father is speaking to the Son and referring to Him as “God” because the Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 1:8!
THE NEW TESTAMENT CLARIFIES THE GODHEAD:
First, the NT teaches that One member of the Godhead is identified as “Father:” John 6:27; Rom. 1:7 Gal. 1:1.
Secondly, the NT teaches that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. I really just want to point this out from Acts 5:3-4.
Thirdly, the NT teaches that One member of the Godhead is identified, once He came to earth, as the “Son:” For example, please observe John 1:18: “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” This “only begotten God” was in the beginning with God and He was God (John 1:1).
Now, take a look at these passages:
Romans 9:5 – “whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”
Titus 2:13 – “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”
Colossians 2:9 – “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form”
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD:
First, let’s talk about our response to the Holy Spirit. Specifically, His role in the plan of salvation is to reveal God’s will to us, which He has done through the inspired apostles and prophets. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:10-13.
Second, let’s talk about our response to Jesus Christ. Specifically, Paul uses the deity / humanity of Jesus to illustrate humility and he calls on us to imitate that humility. Let’s look at Philippians 2:1-11.
The Father is God. The Holy Spirit is God and Jesus is God. Let’s listen / obey Him!
Paul Holland
