 
# AN ARMCHAIR SCHOLAR ANSWERS  
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES...  
THE HOLY SPIRIT

by

Karen Clark

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Karen Clark on Smashwords

An Armchair Scholar Answers Jehovah's Witnesses...The Problem of Evil

Copyright 2011 by Karen Clark

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright ® 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Xondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the NEW WORLD TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, Copyright 1961, 1981, 1984 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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# AN ARMCHAIR SCHOLAR ANSWERS  
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES...THE HOLY SPIRIT

# Preface

This book contains results of the extensive study I began while studying with a Jehovah's Witness in the book, _KNOWLEDGE that Leads to Everlasting Life_ in 2004-2005. For future reference, throughout the book, I use the following abbreviations:

**JWs** = Jehovah's Witnesses  
**WTS** = Watchtower Bible and Tract Society  
**KNOWLEDGE** = _KNOWLEDGE that Leads to Everlasting Life_  
**BIBLE TEACH** = _WHAT DOES THE BIBLE_ Really _TEACH?  
_ **SYBT** = "Should You Believe in the Trinity?"  
**NWT** = _New World Translation with References_

I refer to multiple translations of any given verse in my Bible studies (KJV, NAS and NIV) and I have continued this practice here by adding the NWT to the list. For primary verses, however, I typically check all translations available to me to give me an overall understanding of how various translators treated the verse.

I highly recommend the following on-line resources, which have been invaluable in my studies:

http://www.e-sword.com \--Free download of Bible software. Many translations plus original Hebrew and Greek texts, commentaries, dictionaries, various books and devotionals are also available as free add-ons. Great for off-line studying.

http://www.studylight.org \--40+ Translations, many resources not available through E-sword and SWORD. Simply outstanding.

http://www.crosswalk.com \--A few resources not available in E-sword, SWORD, or Studylight.

http://www.biblegateway.com \--A few more resources not available in E-sword, SWORD, or Studylight.

<http://preceptaustin.org/summary_of_references.htm> \--Links to Vine's Expository Dictionary, sermon searches, etc.

I provide my research here for all Christians who begin a study with JWs in the KNOWLEDGE in prayerful hope that this material may be helpful to you.

### A few preliminary guidelines and tips...  
Witnessing to the Witnesses

**1. PRAY!** I prayed right before the JW I studied with was due to arrive, after our study time had concluded and every night during my regular prayer time. I prayed not only for the Holy Spirit's guidance, but also for the JW with whom I studied. Never, ever forget to pray! Prayer is essential!

**2. Approach the witness with love.** Smile. Offer him/her a drink before each study session. Ask how he/she is. Show an interest in the witness as a person. Also, as a matter of respect, if you have a dog, make sure the dog is penned or its movements suitably restricted before the JW arrives. (The JW I studied with often recounted tales of dogs biting, jumping on or otherwise threatening JWs.) If you have children at home, make sure they're occupied during your study time, too, so you will be interrupted as little as possible.

**3. Make sure you understand what the JW perspective is before pursuing the argument.** Ask the JW outright, "This is what I read. I understand it to mean xyz. Is that correct?" Don't assume you know what the JW position is. Be sure.

**4. Present material that differs from JW doctrine in the form of a question.** It's less threatening to the JW and does not encroach on their presumed role as teacher to you, his or her student. It also opens up areas for discussion as to why JWs believe as they do.

**5. Know your stuff.** Anticipate objections and arguments the JW may make and have your argument, backed up by Scripture, ready for those objections. Using written helps is perfectly fine. The JW I studied with, for instance, knew I'd probably have a 3-ring folder of source material for every subject I disagreed with prepared.

**6. If you don't know, admit it.** Tell the JW you'll study the subject further and please, _do_ study it further. Research it yourself, ask your pastor. Have an answer ready by your next meeting, if possible, and if that simply isn't possible, inform the witness that you are still studying and will be prepared to discuss that subject when your research is finished.

**7. Let the JW save face when you "win" an argument.** The JW I studied with often fell back by saying "We have to take into account what the _whole_ Bible says, not just these few verses." To which I invariably replied, "Yes, that's true. But you must understand that I will not believe xyz until and unless you give me a reason from Scripture to do so." More often than not, the JW would come to our next meeting with more reasons to argue. The point is we don't want to force the JW into a defensive position. We want the focus to be on _what_ was said, not how he or she can shore up WTS defenses.

Please note: Even though I clearly told the JW I studied with that I would not believe a certain point until and unless the JW doctrine was proven from Scripture, the JW often made remarks that presumed the position to which I'd said I disagreed. For instance, the JW I studied with never proved to me from Scripture that Jesus is created. Yet, this JW continued to say things like "Just think. Jesus was with Jehovah thousands, maybe millions of years before coming to earth." My position is Jesus is eternal and was therefore with Yahweh eternally, not "millions" of years, but the JW continued making comments that presupposed Jesus as a created being. Be aware that, even when you win an argument, more likely than not, the JW will proceed as though you hadn't. Be alert to these remarks and gently remind the JW that you disagree.

**8. Don't be surprised if the JW postpones issues you've prepared to argue to some undetermined future time.** The JW I studied with often told me that I'd understand the issue better once we reached a certain chapter or section in our study, then proceeded as though I agreed with the JW position (see note above). More often than not, the JW returned to our next meeting with material arguing the very issue the JW wished to postpone. If the JW brings you extra materials, thank them and review the material later, at your leisure. Prepare your counter-arguments and discuss them at your next meeting.

**9. Don't try to give the JW your study materials until/unless the JW asks for them.** JWs consider anything that doesn't come from the WTS as suspect and pushing your study materials on them might offend and encroach on their presumed role as teacher. Certainly, you can show them your material. I showed the JW I studied with entries from Thayers, etc, many times. But I did not offer to let the JW take anything I'd prepared home until the JW seemed amendable (and at that point, eager) at the idea.

**10. JWs are taught that traditional churches are the Babylon referred to in Revelation.** JWs can be disfellowshipped (shunned) for visiting your church so unless the JW seems ready to take that step, don't invite them. However, there's no reason why you can't talk about your church. The JW I studied with was well aware that I taught at my church, that my church works in conjunction with other area churches in various outreach programs for the needy, etc. It's a lot more difficult for JWs to proclaim Christian churches as evil Babylon if you speak humbly but often of your church's witness and outreach in the community, church missions, and the love and Christian fellowship in your congregation.

**11. Be prepared for the JW to invite you to the Kingdom Hall.** Yes, it's ironic. JWs repeatedly ask us to attend a study or worship service at the KH, but JWs can't visit our churches without risking disciplinary action. But them's the breaks. If you don't want to go, don't. Explain that you are quite happy in your church home when you're invited. Use whatever reason or excuse you like--but have that excuse prepared. Repeat as necessary. If you decide to visit the KH, know that you'll be warmly welcomed (within an inch of your life), but more importantly, remember that there's a literature area at the KH--a veritable treasure trove of WTS literature for further research into JW doctrine. Since 1990, this material has been provided on a donation only basis, but you shouldn't just help yourself. Donate a reasonable amount for whatever you take. Remember at all times that you are witnessing _to_ the witnesses. Taking books and materials without making the appropriate donation to cover the cost of the materials is not a good witness.

**12. Mark your primary study Bible's key JW verses.** For instance, I marked my Bible's margin of Colossians 1:15 (the JW "firstborn" verse) with a reference to Psalms 89:27, in which King David (the youngest son) was referred to as "firstborn" as well as Jeremiah 31:9 in which Ephraim (Joseph's younger son) is also referred to as "firstborn." Marking your Bible removes anxiety about remembering specific Scripture in your arguments.

**13. If the JW becomes rude, belligerent, sarcastic or offensive, keep your cool.** Remember -- you are witnessing _to_ the witness. Above all else, show the JW Christian love, patience and kindness. Do not respond in kind to abusive remarks and unchristian attitudes.

**14. Don't neglect your relationship with God and with fellow Christians while you study with the JWs.** Continue reading and studying the Bible--not in search of Scripture to bolster positions against JW doctrine but to edify and encourage yourself. Continue praying. If you are a church member, don't opt against fellowshipping with other believers to give yourself more study time. Our time with God and other believers uplifts and encourages us. Don't rob yourself!

### A NOTE ABOUT MY SELF-ASSUMED TITLE, ARMCHAIR SCHOLAR:

For those of you who are not football fans, an armchair quarterback can loosely be defined as someone who watches football on TV, yet without ever having at any time played the game himself, knows exactly what the players and coaches should be doing, usually better than the coaches and the players (all professionals) know themselves. Yes, I know what it means. And yes, Armchair Scholar is derived from armchair quarterback.

Why?

Because I _am_ an armchair scholar.

I lack any and all formal training in matters of faith, yet I present the material on this site as scholarly treatise.

I lack formal training, very true, woefully true.

I do not, however, lack a sense of humor, particularly at my own expense.

Please see Works Cited for recommended print and online resources written by formally trained scholars and apologists.

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# TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

The Problem

Section One: The Holy Spirit Fills, Etc

Section Two: The Holy Spirit is Associated with Inanimate Objects, Etc

Section Three: The Holy Spirit and Personification

Section Four: Baptized in the Name Of...

Section Five: No Personal Name?

Section Six: The Holy Spirit and Neuter Pronouns

Section Seven: Holy Spirit or THE Holy Spirit?

Section Eight: The Holy Spirit Speaks...Or Does He?

Section Nine: Stephen's Glimpse of Heaven

Section Ten: Why Believe in the Personhood of the Holy Spirit?

Section Eleven: Why Believe in the Deity of the Holy Spirit?

Section Twelve: Pneuma and the NWT

Appendix A: Ephesians 3:19

Appendix B: The Holy Spirit and Water

Appendix C: Pneuma Variants

Scripture Index

Works Cited

Who is the Armchair Scholar?

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# The Problem

Paragraph 16 of Chapter 2 in the KNOWLEDGE book states:

"...The Bible itself says that "prophecy was at no time brought by man's will, but men spoke from God as they were born along by holy spirit," or God's active force..."

The KNOWLEDGE book states the Holy Spirit is God's active force as fact, but does not elaborate further so we must turn to other WTS sources for more information.

Reasoning from the Scriptures states:

"The correct identification of the holy spirit must fit all the scriptures that refer to that spirit. With this viewpoint, it is logical to conclude that the holy spirit is the active force of God. It is not a person but a powerful force that God causes to emanate from himself to accomplish his holy will. – Ps. 104:30; 2 Pet. 1:21; Acts 4:31." (WTS 380-381)

The WTS book _Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ also has this to say about the Holy Spirit:

"It may thus be compared to radio waves that can transmit a message from a person speaking into a microphone and cause his voice to be heard by persons a distance away, in effect, 'speaking' the message by a radio loudspeaker. God, by his spirit, transmits his messages and communicates his will to the minds and hearts of his servants on earth, who, in turn, may convey that message to yet others." (WTS 1020)

The WTS booklet, "Should You Believe in the Trinity?" further states:

"The Bible's use of 'holy spirit' indicates that it is a controlled force that Jehovah God uses to accomplish a variety of his purposes. To a certain extent, it can be likened to electricity, a force that can be adapted to perform a great variety of operations." (WTS 20)

Why does the WTS believe as noted above? And what objections do JWs raise against Christianity's doctrine of the Holy Spirit as a divine person?

Table of Contents

# Section One: The Holy Spirit Fills, Etc.

_Reasoning from the Scriptures_ states:

"A comparison of Bible texts that refer to the holy spirit shows that it is spoken of as 'filling' people; they can be 'baptized' with it; and they can be "anointed" with it. (Luke 1:41; Matt. 3:11; Acts 10:38) None of these expressions would be appropriate if the holy spirit were a person." (WTS 380)

The WTS booklet, "Should You Believe in the Trinity?" elaborates further, stating:

"In harmony with this is the Bible's general usage of "holy spirit" in an impersonal way, such as paralleling it with water and fire. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8) People are urged to become filled with holy spirit instead of with wine. (Ephesians 5:18) They are spoken of as being filled with holy spirit in the same way they are filled with such qualities as wisdom, faith, and joy. (Acts 6:3; 11:24; 13:52) And at 2 Corinthians 6:6 holy spirit is included among a number of qualities. Such expressions would not be so common if the holy spirit were actually a person." (WTS 22)

_Insights on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ notes:

"Christians are spoken of as being baptized 'in holy spirit.' (Ac 1:5; 11:16)...It is most unlikely that such expressions would be made if the holy spirit were a divine person." (WTS 1020)

Finally, the 9/1/84 edition of _The Watchtower_ also states:

"On the other hand, the Bible speaks of the spirit as being 'poured out,' and of people being "filled with holy spirit," receiving the spirit as a "free gift," and being 'baptized in holy spirit,' none of which would make sense if the holy spirit were a person. – Acts 2:4, 17, 38; 4:31; John 1:33" (WTS, "We Worship What We Know")

The objections, so stated above, are that it is inappropriate to say that a person (or persons) may be filled, anointed or baptized with the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit can be poured out and that the Holy Spirit can be a free gift if the Holy Spirit is a person.

The Holy Spirit Fills

WTS citation:

Luke 1:41

_And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:_ (KJV)

_When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit._ (NASB)

_When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit._ (NIV)

_Well, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant in her womb leaped; and Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit,_ (NWT)

Yes, the Holy Spirit fills us and we should seek to be filled by him, as noted in the verses cited by _Reasoning from the Scriptures_. But God also fills us:

Ephesians 3:17,19

_That_ _Christ may dwell in your hearts_ _by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God._ (KJV)

_so that_ _Christ may dwell in your hearts_ _through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God._ (NASB)

_so that_ _Christ may dwell in your hearts_ _through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God._ (NIV)

_to have the_ _Christ dwell through [YOUR] faith in YOUR hearts_ _with love; that YOU may be rooted and established on the foundation, and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge, that YOU may be_ _filled with all the fullness that God gives_ _._ (NWT)

We are not only filled with God, but we are filled with all the fullness of God. Please note as well that, according to Ephesians 3:17 above, Jesus also dwells in our hearts (underlined emphasis in the verses above mine). Jesus is certainly a person. God is certainly a person.

Please note the NWT's "filled with all the fullness that God gives" (bold emphasis in the verse above mine) in Ephesians 3:19. The word "gives" does not appear in the original Greek. This can be easily verified with the WTS Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures. (WTS 852, see Appendix A: Ephesians 3:19 for more information.)

Ephesians 4:10

_He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)_ (KJV)

_He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)_ (NASB)

_He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)_ (NIV)

_The very one that descended is also the one that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might give fullness to all things._ (NWT)

Jesus (who descended and ascended) fills everything, or as the NIV renders it, Jesus fills "the whole universe." Jesus is certainly a person.

Also, on the other side of the coin:

Acts 5:3

_But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?_ (KJV)

_But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?_ (NASB)

_Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is 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?"_ (NIV)

_But Peter said: "An·a·ni'as, why has Satan emboldened you to play false to the holy spirit and to hold back secretly some of the price of the field?"_ (NWT)

Although the NWT does not render this verse as so, Acts 5:3 clearly contains the Greek words _plēroō_ ("fill") and _kardia_ ("heart") in the Greek text. I consulted 72 Bibles and New Testaments. 56 indicated that Satan filled the heart of Ananias and it should be noted that the majority of the 16 translations that differed are versions given to paraphrase rather than the more literal, word-for-word or thought-for-thought translations. Also note that the NWT translation of _pseudomai_ as "play false to," when "lie" is quite sufficient and "lie" is clearly indicated as the definition of _pseudomai_ by both Strong's and Thayer's and translated as such in 64 of the 72 translations I consulted.

In any event, the Greek tells us Satan filled the heart of the Ananias and according to the WTS, Satan is a person.

The fact that a subject is said to fill people does not demand that the subject is an impersonal force rather than a personal being.

Baptized with the Holy Spirit

The WTS citation:

**Matthew 3:11** (parallel passage Mark 1:8)

_I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:_ (KJV)

_"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire._ (NASB)

_"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire._ (NIV)

_I, for my part, baptize YOU with water because of YOUR repentance; but the one coming after me is stronger than I am, whose sandals I am not fit to take off. That one will baptize YOU people with holy spirit and with fire._ (NWT)

Acts 1:5

_For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence_ (KJV)

_for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now"_ (NASB)

_For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."_ (NIV)

_because John, indeed, baptized with water, but YOU will be baptized in holy spirit not many days after this."_ (NWT)

Acts 11:16

_Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost._ (KJV)

_"And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, `John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'_ (NASB)

_Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'_ (NIV)

_At this I called to mind the saying of the Lord, how he used to say, 'John, for his part, baptized with water, but YOU will be baptized in holy spirit.'_ (NWT)

Yes, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. But we are also baptized into Jesus Christ:

Romans 6:3

_Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?_ (KJV)

_Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?_ (NASB)

_Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?_ (NIV)

_Or do YOU not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?_ (NWT)

We are baptized into Christ (who is a person) so being baptized with the Holy Spirit would hardly demand impersonality. The fact that we are baptized with Holy Spirit does not, therefore, demand that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force rather than a personal being.

The Holy Spirit & Fire

John the Baptist also tells us that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Holy Spirit is also described as tongues of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3,4). Since fire isn't a personal being, JWs argue the Holy Spirit isn't a personal being, either. But God is also said to be fire, and associated with fire, in the Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 4:24

_For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God._ (KJV)

_"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God._ (NASB)

_For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God._ (NIV)

_For Jehovah your God is a consuming fire, a God exacting exclusive devotion._ (NWT)

Exodus 13:21

_And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:_ (KJV)

_The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night._ (NASB)

_By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night._ (NIV)

_And Jehovah was going ahead of them in the daytime in a pillar of cloud to lead them by the way, and in the nighttime in a pillar of fire to give them light to go in the daytime and nighttime._ (NWT)

God is certainly a person, though Yahweh has been said to be fire and associated with fire. Nor is the Holy Spirit devoid of personality because he has been said to be and/or associated with fire. The fact that a subject is said to be fire or associated with fire does not demand that the subject is an impersonal force rather than a personal being.

The Holy Spirit & Water

The WTS also contends that Bible writers drew a parallel with water baptism and baptism with the Holy Spirit in verses cited in Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16. Please note the word "but" in each of these verses. A parallel involves illustrating similarity between two subjects. A contrast involves illustrating differences between two subjects. The word "but" indicates that water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit are being contrasted against each other.

John Gill states:

"John's baptism was water baptism, an immersion of persons in water: he was the first administrator of it, and therefore is here mentioned by name; and his, and the baptism of the Spirit, are opposed..."

They are "opposed," or set in contrast to one other.

In fact, all the commentaries I consulted for both Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16 indicated these verses contrasted the lesser baptism of water against the greater baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not one indicated water baptism was a parallel for baptism with the Holy Spirit. Contrary to the insistence of the WTS, a parallel is not demanded for the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit.

Even if the Holy Spirit were parallel to water, God is also spoken of as and associated with water.

Jeremiah 2:13

_For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water._ (KJV)

_"For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water._ (NASB)

_"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water._ (NIV)

_'because there are two bad things that my people have done: They have left even me, the source of living water, in order to hew out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that cannot contain the water.'_ (NWT)

Jeremiah 17:13

_O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters._ (KJV)

_O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD._ (NASB)

_O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water._ (NIV)

_O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all those who are leaving you will be put to shame. Those apostatizing from me will be written down even in the earth, because they have left the source of living water, Jehovah._ (NWT)

God is called water and he is definitely a person.

Psalms 36:8, 9

_They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light._ (KJV)

_They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light._ (NASB)

_They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light._ (NIV)

_They drink their fill of the fatness of your house; And of the torrent of your pleasures you cause them to drink. For with you is the source of life; By light from you we can see light._ (NWT)

We shall also drink from God, as a river and he is called the fountain of life. (Also note: the NWT translates _mâqôr_ as source whereas the KJV, NASB and NIV translate _mâqôr_ as fountain. _Mâqôr_ is translated as fountain, spring or well in 41 out of 43 Old Testament translations I looked at or in the correct translation is indicated in a footnote. The definitions indicated by Strong's and BDB define _mâqôr_ as a fountain, the word is consistently translated as "fountain" by the KJV throughout the Bible...The NWT's variation is, in my opinion, completely unwarranted and unnecessary.)

John 7:37, 38

_In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water._ (KJV)

_Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' "_ (NASB)

_On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."_ (NIV)

_Now on the last day, the great day of the festival, Jesus was standing up and he cried out, saying: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He that puts faith in me, just as the Scripture has said, 'Out from his inmost part streams of living water will flow.'"_ (NWT)

We should come to Jesus and drink. Jesus is a person. Also, note that in John 7:38, whoever believes in Jesus Christ will become a source of living water. Christian believers are certainly people.

The fact that a subject is said to be water or associated with water does not demand that the subject is an active force rather than a personal being.

Anointed with the Holy Spirit

The WTS citation:

Acts 10:38

_How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him._ (KJV)

_"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him._ (NASB)

_how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him._ (NIV)

_namely, Jesus who was from Naz´a·reth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him._ (NWT)

The language of Romans 6:3 in the Baptized with the Holy Spirit sub-section is very near that of Acts 10:38. We're baptized into Jesus Christ, into his death. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, with power. Jesus, in Romans 6:3, is paired with death, but this certainly does not remove personality from Jesus. Similarly, in Acts 10:38, the Holy Spirit is paired with power, but this doesn't remove personality from the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, for more information on Jesus' anointing we should look to:

Luke 4:18

_The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,_ (KJV)

_"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,_ (NASB)

_"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,_ (NIV)

_With that they called them and charged them, nowhere to make any utterance or to teach upon the basis of the name of Jesus._ (NWT)

In Luke 4:18, Jesus quotes from:

Isaiah 61:1

_The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;_ (KJV)

_The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;_ (NASB)

_The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,_ (NIV)

_The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those taken captive and the wide opening [of the eyes] even to the prisoners;_ (NWT)

Jesus also quotes from Isaiah 42:7, adding to the list of offices, tasks he was appointed to perform. Isaiah clearly elucidates that God had anointed the Messiah to achieve certain purposes set forth by God.

_Vincent Word Studies_ also expounds on anointing:

"Anointing was applied to kings (1Sa 9:16; 1Sa 10:1), to prophets (1Ki 19:16), and to priests (Exo 29:29; Exo 40:15; Lev 16:32) at their inauguration. "The Lord's anointed" was a common title of the king (1Sa 12:3, 1Sa 12:5; 2Sa 1:14, 2Sa 1:16). Prophets are called "Messiahs," or anointed ones (1Ch 16:22; Psa 105:15)...Hence the word" Christ" was representative of our Lord, who united in himself the offices of king, prophet, and priest." (Vincent, "Commentary on Matthew 1:1")

In his commentary on Luke 4:18, Albert Barnes wrote:

"Anciently kings and prophets and the high priest were set apart to their work by anointing with oil...Hence, those who were set apart to the work of God as king, prophet, or priest, were called the Lord's anointed, 1Sa 16:6; Psa 84:9; Isa 45:1. Hence, the Son of God is called the 'Messiah,' a Hebrew word signifying the 'Anointed,' or the 'Christ,' a Greek word signifying the same thing. **And by his being 'anointed' is not meant that he was literally anointed, for he was never set apart in that manner, but that 'God had set him apart' for this work; that 'he' had constituted or appointed him to be the prophet, priest, and king of his people**." (Bold emphasis mine)

John Gill agreed with Barnes, saying "...for it was with the Holy Ghost he was anointed, as to be king and priest, so likewise to be a prophet: hence he has the name Messiah, which signifies anointed..." So, in saying the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus or Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit (and power), we should understand that Jesus was set apart, was appointed or assigned to the tasks God had set for him. The focus here is not on the physical ritual and oil used in the Old Testament to anoint with. Rather, the focus is that God assigned Jesus, appointed him as the Christ. This is demonstrated by the Greek word used for anoint in Acts 10:38, _chriô_. _Chriô_ is used in the New Testament 5 times and never refers to oil and physical anointing. _Chriô_ speaks of appointing, assigning or consecrating. For instance:

2 Corinthians 1:21

_Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;_ (KJV)

_Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,_ (NASB)

_Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,_ (NIV)

_But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God._ (NWT)

Christians are anointed by God, according to 2 Corinthians 1:21, but we are not physically anointed with oil. We are appointed, assigned to God's service.

Another word altogether, _aleiphô,_ is used in the New Testament (9 times) to refer to physical anointing with oil. For example:

Mark 16:1

_And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him._ (KJV)

_When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him._ (NASB)

_When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body._ (NIV)

_So when the sabbath had passed, Mary Mag´da·lene, and Mary the mother of James, and Sa·lo´me bought spices in order to come and grease him._ (NWT)

So _aleiphô_ refers to literal, physical anointing with oil, but that word is not used in reference to the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:38 cited by the WTS or Acts 4:18. _Chriô_ , which refers to assigning or appointing, is used instead. _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ states, " _chriô_ is more limited in its use than _aleiphô_ ; it is confined to 'sacred and symbolical anointings;' of Christ as the 'Anointed' of God..." (Vine, "Entry for 'Anoint, Anointing'") and the _International Standard Bible Encyclopedia_ states, "The thought is to appoint, or qualify for a special dignity, function or privilege." (Kapp, "Entry for 'Anoint, Anointed'") As such, we should not consider the anointing spoken of in Acts 10:38 as a literal, physical anointing.

The fact that people can be anointed with a subject as well as impersonal abstracts such as power does not demand that the subject is an impersonal force rather than a personal being.

The Holy Spirit is Poured Out

The WTS cites:

**Acts 2:17** (quoting from Joel 2:28-32)

_And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:_ (KJV)

_'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;_ (NASB)

_"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams._ (NIV)

_"And in the last days," God says, "I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and YOUR sons and YOUR daughters will prophesy and YOUR young men will see visions and YOUR old men will dream dreams;_ (NWT)

So the Holy Spirit is said to be poured out.

Philippians 2:17

_Yea, and if I be offeredF9 upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all._ (KJV) (Footnote: offered: Gr. poured forth)

_But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all._ (NASB)

_But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you._ (NIV)

_Notwithstanding, even if I am being poured out like a drink offering upon the sacrifice and public service to which faith has led YOU, I am glad and I rejoice with all of YOU._ (NWT)

2 Timothy 4:6

_For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand._ (KJV)

_For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come._ (NASB)

_For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure._ (NIV)

_For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the due time for my releasing is imminent._ (NWT)

Paul was poured out, too. Paul's a person.

Psalm 22:14

_I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels._ (KJV)

_I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me._ (NASB)

_I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me._ (NIV)

_Like water I have been poured out, And all my bones have been separated from one another. My heart has become like wax; It has melted deep in my inward parts._ (NWT)

David, speaking prophetically of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, saying he will be poured out.

Isaiah 53:12

_Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors._ (KJV)

_Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors._ (NASB)

_Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors._ (NIV)

_For that reason I shall deal him a portion among the many, and it will be with the mighty ones that he will apportion the spoil, due to the fact that he poured out his soul to the very death, and it was with the transgressors that he was counted in; and he himself carried the very sin of many people, and for the transgressors he proceeded to interpose._ (NWT)

Again, Jesus is spoken of prophetically as being poured out. Jesus is certainly a person.

In his commentary on Acts 10:45, A.T. Robertson says "poured out" is "used metaphorically of the Holy Spirit also in Act 2:17 (from Joe 2:28.), Act 2:33." Metaphorical. As in not literal.

Since Jesus and Paul were said to be poured out, the fact that the Holy Spirit is said to be poured out does not demand that he is an active force instead of a personal being.

The Holy Spirit is a Free Gift

The WTS cites:

Acts 2:38

_Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost._ (KJV)

_Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit._ (NASB)

_Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit._ (NIV)

_Peter [said] to them: "Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit._ (NWT)

So the Holy Spirit is a gift. But...

John 3:16

_For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life._ (KJV)

_"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life._ (NASB)

_"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life._ (NIV)

_"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life._ (NWT)

God also gave his son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is definitely a person.

**SUMMARY: The above arguments (and perhaps others) are based on figurative language applied to the Holy Spirit. One must demand a literal interpretation of the figurative language in order to object to the personality of the Holy Spirit. As shown above, however, similar figurative language is used and applied to both Jesus and Yahweh God. As such, a literal interpretation is neither required, nor does such figurative language demand that the Holy Spirit is not a personal being**.

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# Section Two: The Holy Spirit is Associated  
with Inanimate Objects, Etc.

As noted in prior sections, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of wine. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit as well as joy, wisdom and other qualities. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, whereas anointing was done with oil in the Old Testament. The WTS also asserts that a parallel of water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit demands impersonality of the Holy Spirit.

Oil. Wine. Water and blood. Joy. Wisdom. The rushing wind at Pentecost. Descending like a dove at Jesus' baptism. These are all inanimate objects or abstract qualities and the Holy Spirit is sometimes compared, contrasted or otherwise associated with them. Does being associated with or said to be impersonal objects/qualities, however, demand that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force?

No.

In regards to the Holy Spirit being listed among qualities we should seek to be filled with, one need only look to:

1 John 4:8

_He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love._ (KJV)

_The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love._ (NASB)

_Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love._ (NIV)

_He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love._ (NWT)

God is love and one certainly wouldn't argue, simply because God is said to be an abstract emotion, that God isn't a person. God was often associated with impersonal objects/qualities, etc. He revealed himself in smoke at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:18), the pillar of smoke and fire in the Wilderness (Exodus 13:21), a burning bush to Moses (Exodus 3:2), thunder (2 Samuel 22:14), the Shekhinah glory in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-12). Yet, God is definitely a person.

Jesus was also frequently associated with impersonal objects in the Gospels: bread (John 6:35), a rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), a vine (John 15:1), a door (John 10:7), and light (John 8:12), just to name a few. Jesus is certainly a person.

The fact that a subject is associated with impersonal objects or qualities does not demand that the subject is an impersonal force rather than a personal being.

(See Appendix B: The Holy Spirit And Water for further reading.)

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# Section Three: The Holy Spirit and Personification

_Reasoning from the Scriptures_ states:

"Jesus also referred to the holy spirit as a 'helper' (Greek, pa·ra-kle·tos), and he said that this helper would 'teach,' 'bear witness,' 'speak,' and 'hear.' (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:13) It is not unusual in the Scriptures for something to be personified. For example, wisdom is said to have 'children.' (Luke 7:35) Sin and death are spoken of as being kings. (Rom. 5:14, 21) While some texts say that the spirit 'spoke,' other passages make clear that this was done through angels or humans. (Acts 4:24, 25; 28:25; Matt. 10:19, 20; compare Acts 20:23 with 21:10, 11.) At 1 John 5:6-8, not only the spirit but also 'the water and the blood' are said to 'bear witness.' So, none of the expressions found in these texts in themselves prove that the holy spirit is a person." (Watchtower 380-381)

Later, _Reasoning from the Scriptures_ continues by saying:

"Some individual texts that refer to the holy spirit ('Holy Ghost,' KJ) might seem to indicate personality. For example, the holy spirit is referred to as a helper (Greek, pa·ra'kle·tos; 'Comforter,' KJ; 'Advocate,' JB, NE) that 'teaches,' 'bears witness,' 'speaks' and 'hears.' (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:13)... texts cited here employ a figure of speech personifying wisdom, sin, death, water, and blood." (Watchtower 406-407)

What is personification?

In, _Figures of Speech Used in the Bible Explained and Illustated_ , E.W. Bullinger defined it as:

"A figure by which things are represented or spoken of as persons; or, by which we attribute intelligence, by words or actions, to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.  
The figure is employed...when anything (e.g., a country) is addressed as a person." (861)

As indicated by the WTS, personifications are used in the Bible of wisdom, sin, death, water and blood. None are personal beings, yet all of the aforementioned are given human attributes or behaviors. Do these personifications indicate that verses that identify the personality of the Holy Spirit are personifications as well? A deeper study of the personifications listed by the WTS sheds light on the question.

A careful examination of each occurrence of wisdom, sin, death, water, blood and Jerusalem in the Bible reveals a pattern of literal versus figurative usage in the Bible that differs significantly from that which would be demanded of the Holy Spirit should those verses that indicate his personality denote personification only. For instance, death is spoken of figuratively (inclusive of other major figures of speech) once out of every five references approximately in the Old and New Testaments. Sin is spoken of figuratively once out of every four references approximately. The literal usages obviously and overwhelmingly dominate the figurative language in each of the cited examples. One finds a far larger pool of references to blood, water, sin, death, wisdom and Jerusalem spoken of literally rather than the minority of figurative references. This far greater preponderance of literal usage bears out with all instances of personification. **All.**

How does this bear on our consideration of the WTS claim of personification of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is spoken of figuratively in the New Testament as noted in previous sections. He fills, anoints. We are baptized with him, etc. Generally speaking, figurative language is used in a ratio of approximately one to every four or five references (if not more) when referring to water, sin, death, etc. The figurative language used to describe the Holy Spirit as filling, etc., also occurs once to every four literal references approximately and therefore adheres to the general pattern established above. The pattern, however, becomes distorted beyond all reasonable proportions when one adds instances of alleged personification of the Holy Spirit to the figurative language pool. Instead of an overwhelming preponderance of literal usage--as seen in **every** personification in the Bible--the figurative usage of the Holy Spirit becomes approximately a one to one pattern, meaning the Scriptures would speak of the Holy Spirit equally in both figurative and literal terms.

Crunching the numbers, the WTS position of a personified Holy Spirit simply does not bear out.

Furthermore, if we limit our focus to the distribution of figurative language alone, unsurprisingly, we find the bulk of figurative references in divisions of the Bible in which one can reasonably expect to find a concentration of figurative language: the poetic books (Job - Song of Songs) and the prophetic books (Isaiah - Malachi). Of all figurative references in our pool of examples, nearly half occur in those two divisions of books. Does figurative language carry over into the New Testament? Yes. Taking all figurative uses of our examples as an aggregate, roughly 10% are found in the Gospels and Acts while roughly 13% are found in the Pauline Epistles. However, breaking figurative language distribution down by Bible division, one finds a general pattern wherein the majority of figurative language lies within the poetic and prophetic books. Figurative language, of course, is found in the New Testament. These references, however, are lightly salted throughout the New Testament books.

Again, crunching the numbers, the WTS demand of personification of the Holy Spirit does not bear out.

There are, of course, many other arguments against the personification of the Holy Spirit.

1. Personification has a purpose. Abstract concepts are personified to stir the emotions, to create empathy, to illustrate a greater truth. (Bullinger vii) Why is Jerusalem personified as an adulterous woman? Jerusalem (or rather, its inhabitants) betrayed God in idolatry. Adultery stirs immediate emotion in us: hurt and revulsion, outrage, perhaps fury. The personification helps us understand God's righteous and just anger at the faithlessness of Israel, his bride. The personification helps us grasp the greater concept.

Since personification has a purpose...What purpose does the alleged personifications of the Holy Spirit serve? What greater truth is being illustrated? For instance, the Holy Spirit is said to teach us (John 14:26). Human teachers are people who have a greater breadth of knowledge about a particular subject and instruct us on that subject. So...God's active force has a great breadth of knowledge? The Holy Spirit is also called our Comforter/Helper (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). A human being who would comfort us offers support, empathy and understanding, compassion. A human helper guides, teaches, and mentors us. How can these roles reflect on the Holy Spirit as a personification? God's active force is compassionate? An active force, described as radio waves by the WTS, mentors us? The Holy Spirit is also said to intercede for us (Romans 8:26). What can the greater truth to this alleged personification possibly be? God's active force, likened to electricity by the WTS, is from God and intercedes for us with God without a shred of personality attributed to the purported force? So God is sending this impersonal force out of himself...to himself?

Makes no sense.

2. The subjects of personification are easily discernible as impersonal. No one, to my knowledge, has ever confused sin or death with an actual person. No one has ever thought Jerusalem was a literal woman. The subjects personified are obviously and explicitly impersonal. Not so the Holy Spirit. One must first presume impersonality.

3. In the examples listed by the WTS, none of the subjects of personification is said to possess all of the necessary attributes of personality and certainly not with the frequency of which all of those attributes of personality are ascribed to the Holy Spirit. Sin is said to reign, but does the Bible say sin has an independent will, intelligence, emotion? Does sin speak? Is sin quoted? Does sin speak of itself using personal pronouns like "I" and "me" (see The Holy Spirit Speaks...Or Does He? sub-section for more information)? What about blood? Blood is said to bear witness, but does Scripture show that blood has intelligence, too? Is blood quoted as speaking? Is blood shown to have its own will? The answers to these questions are a resounding no. The subjects listed by the WTS are personified, true, but they are not given all of the essential attributes of personality, certainly not with the same frequency those attributes are evident for the Holy Spirit in Scripture.

4. According to the WTS both wisdom and the Holy Spirit are personified and lack personality. The WTS also insists that wisdom personified in Proverbs 8:22-31 is none other than our Lord, Jesus Christ. According to the WTS personification demands a lack of personality, yet Jesus (who _is_ a person) is personified wisdom in Proverbs 8. Again, makes no sense.

5. What is the theme to the alleged personification of the Holy Spirit? Personifications, in my experience, can be concisely defined. Jerusalem is an adulterous woman. Wisdom is a woman. Sin and death are kings. Of course, sin is said to reign and elsewhere is described as crouching at the door (Genesis 4:7), but even then, in the same verse, God cautions Cain to not let sin be his master so the basic theme remains. If the Holy Spirit is being personified, what is the theme? He is a teacher, a comforter, he guides us, he intercedes for us...The list could go on and on. But is there a concise theme? No.

6. If the Holy Spirit isn't a person and the many, many references to his personality merely a figure of speech, the early church fathers must've been in on it because they spoke of him in personal terms and as a personal being without once indicating the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force. Ignatius lived 30 – 107 A.D. Justin Martyr lived 110 – 165 A.D. Irenaeus lived 120 – 202 A.D. They, among the other Ante-Nicene fathers, give us the best approximation of the beliefs of the Post-Apostolic church, of what had been passed down to them from the disciples of Jesus. If Jesus had taught that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force rather than a person, we would expect to see that in the early church writings. We do not.

The early church fathers spoke of the Holy Spirit in personal terms and as a personal being. In the Ante-Nicene writings, the Holy Spirit proclaims/preaches (Ignatius, _Epistle to the Philadelphians_ , VII), reproaches (Justin Martyr, _Dialogue with Trypho_ , CXXIV), designates both Father and Son as God (Irenaeus, _Against Heresies Book III_ , VI, paragraph 1), answers men (Irenaeus, _Against Heresies, Book III_ , VII, paragraph 2) and foreknew the doctrine of evil teachers (Irenaeus, _Against Heresies, Book III_ , XXI, paragraph 9).[9] These statements, of course, all indicate personality.

Justin, in _Dialogue with Trypho_ (Chapter XXXVI), further states:

"...And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or **from His own person** , answers them..." (Roberts, Volume 1; bold emphasis mine.)

Justin Martyr very obviously believed the Holy Spirit is a person.

Tertullian, who lived 145 – 220 A.D., was even more precise in speaking of the Holy Spirit's personality:

"...Thus the connection of the Father in the Son, and of the Son in the Paraclete, produces three coherent Persons, who are yet distinct One from Another." (Roberts, Volume 3, 621)

The above examples are only a few among many statements in the early church writings that indicate the personality of the Holy Spirit. One cannot realistically expect a figure of speech to consistently, without fail, carry over such a wide variety of writers in such wildly different circumstances and diverse times – from Old Testament times into the end of the third century. Yet, that is precisely what the WTS insists: every writer who spoke of the Holy Spirit in personal terms or as a personal being, from the Old Testament through the end of the third century used the same exact figure of speech (personification) without ever even once making a single declarative statement that the Holy Spirit is not a person at all. Yet, dozens of writers over many centuries did write of the Holy Spirit in personal terms, as a personal being, and directly stated that the Holy Spirit is a person.

_Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ states:

"Not until the fourth century C.E. did the teaching that the holy spirit was a person and part of the 'Godhead' become official church dogma. Early church 'fathers' did not so teach; Justin Martyr of the second century C.E. taught that the holy spirit was an 'influence or mode of operation of the Deity'; Hippolytus likewise ascribed no personality to the holy spirit." (1019)

One wonders if the WTS has read or studied the writings of the Ante-Nicene fathers at all. Having read – and studied – the writings of Justin Martyr, I can unequivocally state that the partial quotation attributed to Justin in _Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ above does not exist in the body of his work.

The WTS summation of Hippolytus' writings remains a complete mystery to me as well. I've certainly never found any hint or indication of the WTS assertion in Hippolytus. Hippolytus speaks of heretical beliefs in regards to the Holy Spirit, to be sure (see _Refutation, Book 7_ , Ch X for an example of Hippolytus' description of heretical beliefs that include the Holy Spirit), but I've found no assertion of such beliefs by Hippolytus himself. Hippolytus frequently speaks of the Holy Spirit in personal terms and as a personal being. In his writings, the Holy Spirit refutes ( _Refutation, Book 1, The Prooemium_ , paragraph 2); can be insulted ( _Refutation, Book 7_ , IV); Hippolytus proposes that Rachel is a type of the Holy Spirit ( _Fragments from Commentaries, On Genesis_ , Chapter III) which makes no sense if the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force (Rachel, very much a person, prefigured a force?); indicated the Holy Spirit should be worshipped ( _Fragments – Dogmatic and Historical, Against the Heresy of One Noetus_ , paragraph 12); speaks of the Holy Spirit with masculine pronouns...

Another example:

"For the Father indeed is One, but there are two Persons, because there is also the Son; and then there is **the third, the Holy Spirit**." (Roberts, Volume 5, _Fragments – Dogmatic and Historical, Against the Heresy of One Noetus_ , paragraph 14; bold emphasis mine.)

The Father and the Son are "two Persons" according to Hippolytus and he indicates the Holy Spirit is the third. The third what? The third person.

How the WTS can claim that Hippolytus ascribed no personality to the Holy Spirit boggles the mind since it completely contradicts what Hippolytus wrote. Nor can one begin to fathom why the WTS reached its baffling conclusion because the WTS fails to cite so much as a single reference (or even an unreferenced fragment of a quote as seen in the WTS' alleged Justin Martry quotation) as supporting evidence to its claim.

Whatever the case may be, the Ante-Nicene fathers definitely spoke of the Holy Spirit in personal terms, as a personal being and spoke directly of his personhood. The WTS claim that the personhood of the Holy Spirit was not taught by the early church fathers is absolutely without merit. Demanding consistent personification by writers who spoke of the Holy Spirit in personal terms as a personal being from Old Testament times through the time of the Ante-Nicene fathers is also without foundation and patently ridiculous.

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# Section Four: Baptized in the Name of...

_Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ states:

"At Matthew 28:19 reference is made to 'the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.' A 'name' can mean something other than a personal name. When, in English, we say, 'in the name of the law,' or 'in the name of common sense,' we have no reference to a person as such. By 'name' in these expressions we mean 'what the law stands for or its authority' and 'what common sense represents or calls for.' The Greek term for 'name' (o'no·ma) also can have this sense. Thus, while some translations (KJ, AS) follow the Greek text at Matthew 10:41 literally and say that the one that 'receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward,' more modern translations say, 'receives a prophet because he is a prophet' and 'receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man,' or similar. (RS, AT, JB, NW) Thus, _Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament_ (1930, Vol. I, p. 245) says on Matthew 28:19: 'The use of name (onoma) here is a common one in the Septuagint and the papyri for power and authority.' Hence baptism 'in the name of the holy spirit' implies recognition of that spirit as having its source in God and as exercising its function according to the divine will." (1019-1020)

The Greek word, _onoma_ (name), is used 229 times in the New Testament. _Onoma_ refers to the name of a place four times. Barring these place names and one reference in Revelation, in every other instance, onoma refers to a person. While not proof of personality (there is the one instance of _onoma_ referring to an inanimate object in Revelation 11:13), the fact that _onoma_ refers to a person or persons by a factor of 98% is highly indicative of how _onoma_ should be considered here.

A study of the phrase "in the name of" ( _eis/en/epi onoma_ ) in Scriptures, however, is even more significant. The phrase occurs 29 times in the New Testament and 36 times in the Old Testament, for a grand total of 65 occurrences in the entire Bible. In all of these occurrences, "in the name of" refers to a person, never an object, abstract concept or impersonal force/being. A person. Always. At no time do we find, "in the name of the law," "in the name of common sense," or any such similar phrase in the Bible. These are modern idioms foreign to the times and cultures in which the books of the Bible were written. The meaning the WTS suggests simply did not exist in those cultures at those times. The phrase "in the name of" always refers to a person. _Always_.

The WTS cites:

Matthew 10:41

_He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward._ (KJV)

_"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward._ (NASB)

_Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward._ (NIV)

_He that receives a prophet because he is a prophet will get a prophet's reward, and he that receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will get a righteous man's reward._ (NWT)

_Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ contends that "more modern translations" replace the phrase "in the name of" with the phrase "because he is a" to reflect the power and authority represented (instead of a personal name) and quotes A.T. Robertson to support the WTS position. One must, however, note that the power and authority represented in Matthew 10:41 as well as in every other occurrence of the phrase (regardless of how it's translated) is _attributed to a person_. Not an object, not an abstract quality or concept, not an impersonal being or force. A person. Always.

But what is the name? Some believe "the name" refers to one, single personal name. Needles to say, if "the name" refers to a single personal name, the Holy Spirit is most assuredly a personal being. Others claim "the name" is a title. Isaiah 9:6 and Matthew 1:23 are cited as cases in which "the name" is used as a title.

Isaiah 9:6

_For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace._ (KJV)

_For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace._ (NASB)

_For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace._ (NIV)

_For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace._ (NWT)

Matthew 1:23

_Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us._ (KJV)

_"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."_ (NASB)

_"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."_ (NIV)

_"Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Im·man´u·el," which means, when translated, "With Us Is God."_ (NWT)

Please note in the above Scriptures that the title represents a person, not an inanimate object or active force. If "the name" represents a title only, that title still does not demand that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal being. If anything, the fact that this "title" consistently refers to a person identifies the Holy Spirit as a person as well.

Yet others (such as the WTS) believe "the name" refers to power and authority only. As indicated above, the phrase "in the name of" always refers to a person or persons in both the Old and New Testaments.

If "the name" denotes power/authority and since the power/authority represented by the phrase "in the name of" always refers to a person or persons, referring to the Holy Spirit with "the name" as representing power/authority strongly identifies the Holy Spirit as a person.

SUMMARY: Regardless of whether "the name" that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit share in Matthew 28:19 signifies a personal name, a title, or represents power/authority, none of these meanings demand that the Holy Spirit is an active force. All of these meanings, in fact, identify the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

_Onoma_ in Matthew 28:19 is also singular. _In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit_. The three are grouped together to share **one** name, not three names. The Father (who is a person) shares the name with the Son (who is also a person) and the Holy Spirit. The most natural reading of the text indicates the Holy Spirit as is person as well. The reading becomes unnecessarily and unnaturally awkward only when insisting the Holy Spirit is impersonal: in the name (singular) of the Father (a person), and of the Son (a person), and of the Holy Spirit (an active force)? The most natural reading of Matthew 28:19 indicates the Holy Spirit is a person.

We also read in The Watchtower article entitled "One God in Three?":

"Does the fact that God, his Son and the holy spirit are mentioned together prove that they share divinity, eternity and equality, as the Trinity[9] dogma claims? If so, then it might equally be asserted that the Trinitarian "Godhead" is made up of God, Christ and the angels! (See Mark 13:32; 1 Timothy 5:21.)"

Mark 13:32

_But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father._ (KJV)

_"But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone._ (NASB)

_"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father._ (NIV)

_"Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father._ (NWT)

1 Timothy 5:21

_I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality._ (KJV)

_I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality._ (NASB)

_I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism._ (NIV)

_I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels to keep these things without prejudgment, doing nothing according to a biased leaning._ (NWT)

Yes, the Scriptures cited by the WTS list three persons (more actually – angels is plural), but isn't that the point? This hardly supports the WTS position that the Holy Spirit is not a person. Also, please note that none of the persons listed in either of the verses cited by the WTS are said to be united in sharing one singular name. Whether the name represents a single personal name, a single title or singular authority, the fact remains that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are united so that all share that single name. None of the Scriptures cited by the WTS above indicate that the persons are united to share a single anything.

The June 15, 1987 _Watchtower_ article, "The Blessed Trinity--Is It in the Bible?," also states:

"A Biblical statement that church teachers often use to support the Trinity is Jesus' command that his followers make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit." (Matthew 28:19) This passage certainly mentions three entities, but it does not say that they are three persons or that they are all one."

I beg to differ. As noted above, the use of the phrase, "in the name of," which always applies to a person or persons in the Bible, very clearly identifies the Holy Spirit as a person and none of the three meanings for "the name" suggested above demand that the Holy Spirit is devoid of personality. In fact, each of the three meanings proposed for "the name" strongly identify the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all three united in sharing the one single name in Matthew 28:19.

Adam Clarke states:

"Is it possible for words to convey a plainer sense than these do? And do they not direct every reader to consider the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons?"

I agree.

SUMMARY: Contrary to the WTS assertion to the contrary, absolutely nothing in the text of Matthew 28:19 demands or even implies that the Holy Spirit is an active force. In fact, Matthew 28:19 strongly identifies the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

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# Section Five: No Personal Name?

_Reasoning from the Scriptures_ states:

"The Holy Scriptures tell us the personal name of the Father – Jehovah. They inform us that the Son is Jesus Christ. But nowhere in the Scriptures is a personal name applied to the holy spirit." (Watchtower 407)

Following this logic, the angels Michael and Gabriel must be pretty busy fellows. They are the only angels specifically named in the Bible and since, according to the WTS, a personal name is required for personality, no other angels exist as personal beings. One must also conclude that since the vast majority of unclean spirits mentioned in the Bible are not specifically named, they aren't personal beings, either.

But wait! There's more.

Following Hebrew custom, John the Baptist wasn't named until his circumcision eight days after his birth:

Luke 1:59, 60

_And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John._ (KJV)

_And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home._ (NASB)

_On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home._ (NIV)

_And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the young child, and they were going to call it by the name of its father, Zech·a·ri´ah. But its mother answered and said: "No, indeed! but he shall be called John."_ (NWT)

Since he wasn't named until he was eight days old, following WTS logic, John the Baptist wasn't a person until his eighth day. Nor was any Hebrew male a person until the eighth day after his birth, for that matter. Which is, of course, ridiculous. This argument is not only fallacious, but just plain silly.

The fact that the Bible does not indicate a personal name for the Holy Spirit does not demand that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal being. Also, please note that the fact that the Bible does not reveal a personal name for the Holy Spirit does NOT demand that the Holy Spirit has no personal name. It means only that God, in the inspired Scriptures, chose not to reveal a personal name to us. Absence of evidence does not demand that evidence does not exist, only that the evidence has not been revealed to us.

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# Section Six: The Holy Spirit and Neuter Pronouns

_Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ states:

"Jesus personalized the holy spirit when speaking of that spirit as a 'helper' (which in Greek is the masculine substantive pa·ra'kle·tos). Properly, therefore, John presents Jesus' words as referring to that 'helper' aspect of the spirit with masculine personal pronouns. On the other hand, in the same context, when the Greek pneu'ma is used, John employs a neuter pronoun to refer to the holy spirit, pneu'ma itself being neuter. Hence, we have in John's use of the masculine personal pronoun in association with pa·ra'kle·tos an example of conformity to grammatical rules, not an expression of doctrine. – Joh 14:16, 17; 16:7, 8." (Watchtower 1019)

In Greek, nouns can be masculine, feminine or neuter and pronouns referring to these nouns are masculine, feminine or neuter as well. The Greek word for demon, _daimonion_ , is neuter, as is the Greek word for child, _paidion_. According to the WTS, demons and children are personal beings. Yet, the Greek text uses neuter personal pronouns to refer to them. Why? Proper grammar in the Greek demands that pronouns agree in gender with the noun the pronouns refer to. Jesus is referred to with a neuter pronoun in Matthew 2:8, 11, 13, 14, 20, and 21 because in those verses, Jesus is identified as a "young child" (KJV) and in Greek, child is a neuter noun. That does not, however, demand that Jesus is an impersonal being, nor does the use of neuter pronouns referencing the Holy Spirit demand he is an impersonal being.

As the WTS indicated, the noun _pneuma_ is neuter. As such, the pronouns referring to _pneuma_ are also neuter. Point of fact, _pneuma_ is referred to with _autos_ , a neuter pronoun, in:

John 4:24

_God is a Spirit: and they that worship him [autos] must worship him in spirit and in truth._ (KJV)

_"God is spirit, and those who worship Him [autos] must worship in spirit and truth."_ (NASB)

_"God is spirit, and his [autos] worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."_ (NIV)

_"God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him [autos] must worship with spirit and truth."_ (NWT)

One certainly wouldn't argue that God isn't a person simply because, following proper grammar, the pronoun referring to him is neuter. The use of neuter pronouns referring to _pneuma_ , which is a neuter noun, does not demand that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal being.

As noted by the WTS, the Greek refers to the Holy Spirit with masculine pronouns in the book of John, chapters 14 and 16. The WTS asserts that the masculine pronouns in John refer to Comforter ( _paraklētos_ ), which is also masculine, not _pneuma_ , which is neuter.

A.T. Robertson, in his commentary of John 14:26 and again in his commentary on 16:8, states that the personal pronoun he, _ekeinos_ , is an emphatic demonstrative masculine pronoun. The WTS asserts that this emphatic demonstrative pronoun refers back to _paraklētos_ so we should seek to understand all that we can about _paraklētos_. Strong's defines it as:

G3875  
παράκλητος  
paraklētos  
par-ak'-lay-tos  
An intercessor, consoler: - advocate, comforter.

And Thayer's:

G3875  
παράκλητος  
paraklētos  
Thayer Definition:  
1) summoned, called to one's side, especially called to one's aid  
1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate  
1b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor  
...1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins  
...1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant  
...1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom  
Part of Speech: noun masculine

_Paraklētos_ is used only 5 times in the New Testament: of the Holy Spirit in the verses noted above by the WTS and in **1 John 2:1** (underlined below):

_My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an_ _advocate_ _with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:_ (KJV)

_My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an_ _Advocate_ _with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;_ (NASB)

_My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have_ _one who speaks_ _to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One._ (NIV)

_My little children, I am writing YOU these things that YOU may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a_ _helper_ _with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one._ (NWT)

The only other time the Bible uses _paraklētos_ when not speaking of the Holy Spirit, the text is referring to a person, Jesus Christ. In his commentary of John 14:16, John Gill stated, "One of the names of the Messiah, with the Jews, is מנחם, 'a Comforter'; such an one Jesus had been to his disciples..." Matthew Henry confirmed this in his commentary of the John 14, stating, "One of the names of the Messiah among the Jews was Menahem - the Comforter."

More significantly, **John 14:16** tells us that the Holy Spirit is **another** Comforter:

_And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;_ (KJV)

_"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;_ (NASB)

_And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -_ (NIV)

_and I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper to be with YOU forever,_ (NWT)

In his commentary on John 14:16, A.T. Robertson described "another comforter" as:

"Another of like kind ( _allon_ , not _heteron_ ), besides Jesus who becomes our Paraclete, Helper, Advocate, with the Father..."

Of John 14:16, _Vincent's Word Studies_ also stated:

"Note also that the word _another_ is ἄλλον, and not ἕτερον, which means different. The advocate who is to be sent is not different from Christ, but _another_ similar to Himself."

The word "another", _allon_ , means one of like kind. Jesus is called the _paraklētos_ and indicates he will pray to the Father to send one of like kind. Jesus is a person. To be of like kind, the Holy Spirit must also be a person.

Furthermore, the WTS cites John 14:16, 17 and John 16:7, 8 while discussing personal pronouns in _Insights on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_. The book, however, fails to mention or discuss the personal pronouns used in

John 16:13, 14

_Howbeit when he [ekeinos], the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He [ekeinos] shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you._ (KJV)

_"But when He [ekeinos], the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He [ekeinos] will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you._ (NASB)

_But when he [ekeinos], 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. He [ekeinos] will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you._ (NIV)

_However, when that one [ekeinos] arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming. That one [ekeinos] will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to YOU._ (NWT)

The personal pronoun "he" ( _ekenios_ ) is a masculine pronoun. Commenting on John 16:13, A.T. Robertson stated:

"Note _ekeinos_ (masculine demonstrative pronoun, though followed by neuter _pneuma_ in apposition."

The pronoun "he" should agree with Spirit of truth, the neuter _pneuma_ in John 16:13. But this is not the case. Contrary to proper Greek grammar, John uses the masculine pronoun _ekeinos_ instead of the neuter _autos_ , with nary a masculine noun such as _paraklētos_ /Comforter to refer back to in sight (see John 16:7 for the last reference to _paraklētos_ /Comforter prior to John 16:13).

_Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ comments on masculine pronouns applied to the Holy Spirit in John:

"The personality of the Spirit is emphasized at the expense of strict grammatical procedure in John 14:26; 15:26; 16:8, 13, 14, where the emphatic pronoun _ekeinos_ , "He," is used of Him in the masculine, whereas the noun _pneuma_ is neuter in Greek..."

John uses the masculine personal pronoun _ekeinos_ of the Holy Spirit in John 16:13, 14 without referring to the masculine noun, _paraklētos_ /Comforter. As such, John identified the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

Charles Hodge sums it up nicely:

He [the Holy Spirit] is introduced as a person so often, not merely in poetic and excited discourse, but in simple narrative, and in didactic instructions; and his personality is sustained by so many collateral proofs, that to explain the use of the personal pronouns in relation to Him on the principle of personification, is to do violence to all the rules of interpretation." (Hodge, Chapter VIII The Holy Spirit)

I agree.

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# Section Seven: Holy Spirit or THE Holy Spirit?

_Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ states:

"Since God himself is a Spirit and is holy and since all his faithful angelic sons are spirits and are holy, it is evident that if the 'holy spirit' were a person, there should reasonably be given some means in the Scriptures to distinguish and identify such spirit person from all these other 'holy spirits.' It would be expected that, at the very least, the definite article would be used with it in all cases where it is not called 'God's holy spirit' or is not modified by some similar expression. This would at least distinguish it as THE Holy Spirit. But, on the contrary, in a large number of cases the expression, 'holy spirit' appears in the original Greek without the article, thus indicating its lack of personality. – Compare Ac 6:3, 5: 7:55; 8:15, 17, 19: 9:17; 11:24; 13:9, 52; 19:2; Ro 9:1; 14:17; 15:13, 16, 19; 1Co 12:3; Heb 2:4; 6:4; 2Pe 1:21; Jude 20, Int and other interlinear translations." (1019)

The WTS contends that the lack of a definite article ("the") in all references to the Holy Spirit in Scripture demands impersonality.

At best, the WTS is disgracefully ignorant of Greek grammar.

Commenting on the lack of a definite article in John 1:1c, which is generally translated as "the Word was God" (KJV), _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ stated:

"Moreover, that 'the Word' is the subject of the sentence, exemplifies the rule that the subject is to be determined by its having the article when the predicate is anarthrous (without the article)."

So, in Greek, the definite article sometimes identifies the subject in sentences that include a direct object. Needless to say, in John 1:1 ( _In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God_. KJV), where the definite article is absent when referring to _theos_ (God) both the Word (Jesus) and God refer to personal beings.

Again, according to _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ :

"Sometimes the absence [of the definite article] is to be accounted for by the fact that _Pneuma_ (like _Theos_ ) is substantially a proper name, e.g., in John 7:39."

So a definite article isn't required when a noun is used as a proper name either, much as _Theos_ ("God") is used as a proper name for God.

And yet again, _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ states:

"In Rom. 7:22, in the phrase 'the law of God,' both nouns have the [definite] article; in v. 25 neither has the [definite] article. This is in accordance with a general rule that if two nouns are united by the genitive case (the "of" case), either both have the [definite] article, or both are without."

The reference to God lacks a definite article in Romans 7:25 and God is certainly a personal being.

Again:

"Where two or more epithets are applied to the same person or thing, one [definite] article usually serves for both..."

The above examples were found with only a cursory glance through a basic Bible dictionary. I shudder to think of the rules a proper Greek grammar text would provide to refute the WTS position demanding a definite article for every reference of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, but the simple fact remains that using a definite article in every reference to the Holy Spirit is not grammatically proper or correct.

Furthermore, the WTS contends that unclean spirits are personal beings. According to WTS logic, any and all references to unclean spirits that do not specifically describe them as unclean must include a definite article in order to differentiate them from other spirits. This, however, is not the case. References to unclean spirits that do not describe them as unclean lack a definite article in the Scriptures. Yet, the WTS asserts that unclean spirits are personal beings.

According to the WTS, there is also only one true God (with an uppercase 'G'), but Jesus is a god (with a lowercase 'g'). According to the WTS, men can be called gods as well, which says nothing of false gods named in the Bible (for example: Baal, Judges 6:31, 8:33).

That's quite a few gods.

Since the New Testament manuscripts were written with no distinction between upper- and lowercase letters, we cannot distinguish "God" from "god" by grammar alone. According to WTS logic then, since we must differentiate Jehovah "God" from "god" grammatically as well as contextually, _theos_ must include a definite article in every instance in which _theos_ refers to God. This, however, is not the case. _Theos_ refers to God and lacks the definite article 4 times in the first chapter of the Gospel of John alone. That's four times in one chapter. There are many, many instances in the Bible in which God is referred to as _theos_ without a definite article. Obviously, we can (and do) determine if the text is referring to Yahweh, the true God, or some other false god by the surrounding context, but that is precisely my point. The definite article alone does not identify God.

Since Jehovah God is repeatedly referred to without a definite article, the fact that the Holy Spirit is referred to without a definite article does not demand that the Holy Spirit is an active force rather than a personal being.

Furthermore, there are many, many instances in which the Holy Spirit is referred to with definite articles--not just one definite article, but two, such as in the construct THE Spirit THE Holy. Once again, _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ refers to this, stating:

The full title with the article before both _pneuma_ and _haigos_ (the "resumptive" use of the article), lit., "the Spirit the Holy," **stresses the character of the Person** , e.g., Matt. 12:32; Mark 3:29; 12:36; 13:11; Luke 2:26; 10:21 (RV); John 14:26; Acts 1:16; 5:3; 7:51; 10:44, 47; 13:2; 15:28; 19:6; 20:23, 28; 21:11; 28:25; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 3:7; 9:8; 10:15." (Bold emphasis mine.)

Daniel Wallace also speaks of definite articles in his _Basics of New Testament Syntax_ :

"It is not necessary for a noun to have the article in order for it to be definite. But conversely, a noun cannot be indefinite when it has the article. Thus it may be definite without the article, and it must be definite with the article." (108)

So when _pneuma haigos_ has the definite article, _pneuma haigos_ must be definite. Definite, meaning that _ho pneuma ho haigos_ identifies a specific member of the _pneuma haigos_ /holy spirit class. THE Spirit THE Holy, the articular _pneuma haigos_ narrows the focus from this class of holy spirits to one particular Holy Spirit, to ensure the reader understands that a specific holy spirit is being identified – a unique, individual member of this class. Who are the other members of this holy spirit class? The WTS indicates in the quotation above that God – who is a person – and angels – who are people – are holy spirits. The other members of this class are personal beings. To belong to this class, the Holy Spirit must also be a personal being as well.

Two definite articles specifically and emphatically distinguish and identify the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. While I don't propose this as a sole means of identifying personality per se, since grammatical considerations very much come into play, neither does the lack of definite articles in some cases indicate a lack of personality. The lack simply displays an adherence to simple grammatical rules and conventions.

Therefore, the WTS assertion that the lack of a definite article is an indication of the alleged impersonality of the Holy Spirit is fallacious and completely without merit. The inclusion of the definite article, in many cases two definite articles (the resumptive use), however, indicates that the Holy Spirit belongs to a holy spirit class which is made up of personal beings, and that the Holy Spirit is, in fact, a personal being.

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# Section Eight: The Holy Spirit Speaks...Or Does He?

_Reasoning from the Scriptures_ states:

"While some texts say that the spirit "spoke," other passages make clear that this was done through angels or humans. (Acts 4:24, 25; 28:25; Matt. 10:19, 20; compare Acts 20:23 with 21:10, 11.)" (Watchtower 380)

_Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ elaborates further:

"While some texts refer to the spirit as 'witnessing,' 'speaking,' or 'saying' things, other texts make clear that it spoke through persons, having no personal voice of its own. (Compare Heb 3:7; 10:15-17; Ps 95:7; Jer 31:33, 34; Ac 19:2-6; 21:4; 28:25.) (Watchtower 1019)

What do the Scriptures cited say?

Acts 4:24, 25

_And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?_ (KJV)

_And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, `WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?_ (NASB)

_When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?_ (NIV)

_Upon hearing this they with one accord raised their voices to God and said: "Sovereign Lord, you are the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all things in them, and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, 'Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate upon empty things?_ (NWT)

Note: the Holy Spirit spoke through David.

Acts 28:25

_And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,_ (KJV)

_And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,_ (NASB)

_They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:_ (NIV)

_So, because they were at disagreement with one another, they began to depart, while Paul made this one comment: "The holy spirit aptly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to YOUR forefathers,_ (NWT)

Note: the Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah.

Matthew 10:19, 20

_But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you._ (KJV)

_"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you._ (NASB)

_But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you._ (NIV)

_However, when they deliver YOU up, do not become anxious about how or what YOU are to speak; for what YOU are to speak will be given YOU in that hour; for the one speaking are not just YOU, but it is the spirit of YOUR Father that speaks by YOU._ (NWT)

Note: the Holy Spirit speaks through us.

Acts 20:23

_Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me._ (KJV)

_except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me._ (NASB)

_I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me._ (NIV)

_except that from city to city the holy spirit repeatedly bears witness to me as it says that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me._ (NWT)

Note: The Holy Spirit tells Paul that he faces imprisonment.

Acts 21:10, 11

_And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles._ (KJV)

_As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: `In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' "_ (NASB)

_After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"_ (NIV)

_But while we were remaining quite a number of days, a certain prophet name Ag'a·bus came down for Ju·de'a, and he came to us and took up the girdle of Paul, bound his own feet and hands and said: "Thus says the holy spirit, 'The man to whom this girdle belongs the Jews will bind in this manner in Jerusalem and deliver into the hands of people of the nations.'"_ (NWT)

Note: the Holy Spirit spoke through Agabus, saying Paul would be arrested and given up to the Romans. But also please note in Acts 20:23 above that Paul said that the Holy Spirit had told him he would be imprisoned in every city. Agabus is only one instance in one city that the Holy Spirit spoke through a human being. This neither proves nor disproves that the Holy Spirit spoke through a human being every time, in every city. It only proves the Holy Spirit spoke through a person, Agabus, on this single occasion. The Holy Spirit may very well have spoken through human beings in the other cities. Or not. I do not know, for the Scriptures do not say. This, therefore, is a matter we cannot be dogmatic about. The WTS cannot demand the Holy Spirit spoke through human beings in every other city any more or less than I can demand that the Holy Spirit did not.

For brevity's sake, Hebrews 3:7 (cited by _Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2_ ) indicates the Holy Spirit as speaking yet quotes Psalms 95:7-11 and again Hebrews 10:15-17 (also cited) indicates the Holy Spirit as speaking yet quotes Jeremiah 31:33, 34.

Basically, since the Holy Spirit is indicated to speak, yet quotes the Old Testament, the WTS asserts that the Holy Spirit is not speaking at all. In other cases, the WTS asserts that since the Holy Spirit is indicated to speak through people, the Holy Spirit isn't speaking with a personal voice, either. Since, according to the WTS, the Holy Spirit is speaking through people, the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks is not to be understood as an indication of personality.

Does the Holy Spirit speak through people?

Yes.

Does that demand that the Holy Spirit isn't a personal being?

No.

God also spoke through the prophets:

**Matthew 1:22** (see Isaiah 7:14)

_Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,_ (KJV)

_Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:_ (NASB)

_All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:_ (NIV)

_All this actually came about for that to be fulfilled which was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying:_ (NWT)

**Matthew 2:15** (see Hosea 11:1)

_And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son._ (KJV)

_He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON."_ (NASB)

_where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."_ (NIV)

_and he stayed there until the decease of Herod for that to be fulfilled which was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying: "Out of Egypt I called my son."_ (NWT)

Luke 1:67-70

_And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:_ (KJV)

_And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant-- As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old--_ (NASB)

_His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),_ (NIV)

_And Zech·a·ri'ah its father was filled with holy spirit, and he prophesied, saying: "Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, because he has turned his attention and performed deliverance toward his people. And he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant, just as he, through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, has spoken_ (NWT)

One would hardly deny God's personal voice simply because he chose to speak through human beings (prophets) and neither should we deny the Holy Spirit a personal voice attesting to his personality for the same reason. The fact that the Holy Spirit speaks through prophets does not indicate that the Holy Spirit has no personal voice and does not demand that the Holy Spirit is an active force rather than a personal being.

Unclean spirits are also personal beings according to the WTS, but they speak through people as well:

**Mark 1:23-25** (parallel passage: Luke 4:33-35)

_And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him._ (KJV)

_Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"_ (NASB)

_Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"_ (NIV)

_Also, at that immediate time there was in their synagogue a man under the power of an unclean spirit, and he shouted, saying: "What have we to do with you, Jesus you Naz·a·rene'? Did you come to destroy us? I know exactly who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked it, saying: "Be silent, and come on out of him!"_ (NWT)

And again,

**Mark 5:8, 9** (parallel passage: Luke 8:29, 30)

_For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many._ (KJV)

_For He had been saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he said to Him, "My name is Legion; for we are many."_ (NASB)

_For Jesus had said to him, "Come of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."_ (NIV)

_For he had been telling it: "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit." But he began to ask him: "What is your name?" And he said to him: "My name is Legion, because there are many of us."_ (NWT)

The WTS does not deny that unclean spirits are personal beings. Yet, in the two events noted, unclean spirits spoke through men. Since unclean spirits speak through human beings and are considered personal beings by the WTS, speaking through human beings does not demand the subject is an impersonal force rather than a personal being.

There are also many instances in which the Holy Spirit speaks in the New Testament when his speech is not attributed to human beings, but to himself, the Holy Spirit, alone:

Acts 8:29

_Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot._ (KJV)

_Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."_ (NASB)

_The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."_ (NIV)

_So the spirit said to Philip: "Approach and join yourself to this chariot."_ (NWT)

The WTS may argue that an angel speaks here because an angel is said to speak to Philip in Acts 8:26, sending Philip down the road upon which he meets the Ethopian eunuch. But Scripture does not state that the angel speaking in Acts 8:26 is also speaking in Acts 8:29 and there is nothing in the text to indicate this is so. The text does not indicate in any manner whatsoever that the angel and the Spirit are the same speaker and the fact that they speak in different locations and at different times further supports (if only by implication) different speakers.

John Gill agreed, "...Not the angel, a ministering Spirit, as in Act_8:26 but the Holy Spirit, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read..." Adam Clarke also differentiates the angel in 8:26 from the Spirit in Acts 8:29.

Acts 10:19, 20

_While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them."_ (KJV)

_While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. "But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself."_ (NASB)

_While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."_ (NIV)

_As Peter was going over in his mind about the vision, the spirit said: "Look! Three men are seeking you. However, rise, go downstairs and be on your way with them, not doubting at all because I have dispatched them."_ (NWT)

JW apologists propose that an angel is speaking here rather than the Holy Spirit. In Acts 11:11-14, Peter retells the events of Acts 10:19, 20. Peter was puzzling over his vision of the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:10-16, 11:5-10) when men arrived to invite him to the home of Cornelius in Caesarea. An angel had directed Cornelius to send the men to Joppa for Peter. JW apologists contend that since an angel directed Cornelius, an angel must have directed Peter, too.

The fact that an angel directed Cornelius does not demand nor imply that an angel spoke to Peter, too. At no point does the text indicate or imply that an angel spoke to Peter. The text clearly states that the Holy Spirit spoke. That's it.

JW apologists also point to Peter's vision as a support to their assertion that an angel spoke to Peter rather than the Holy Spirit. A voice from Heaven spoke to Peter during his vision of the clean and unclean animals. (See Acts 10:9-16 and Acts 11:5-10 for full accounts of Peter's vision.) Peter identified the person speaking as "Lord" only. At no time is the voice from Heaven inferred, implied or in any way identified as belonging to an angel.

If an angel _did_ speak during Peter's vision (to which I strongly disagree), it would still be irrelevant because this event (his vision) is independent of the subsequent event (the arrival of Cornelius' men). The men's arrival is not part of the vision. Acts 10:16 and Acts 11:10 wrap up the vision. The accounts of the arrival of the men begin in Acts 10:17 and Acts 11:11. Peter was thinking about the vision when the men arrive (Acts 10:17) and the Holy Spirit told him to go with them to Caesarea. Demanding that an angel is speaking in Acts 10:19, 20 instead of the Holy Spirit is, therefore, unwarranted.

Acts 13:2

_As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them._ (KJV)

_While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."_ (NASB)

_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."_ (NIV)

_As they were publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting, the holy spirit said: "Of all persons set Bar'na·bas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them."_ (NWT)

Revelation 14:13

_And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them._ (KJV)

_And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, `Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."_ (NASB)

_Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."_ (NIV)

_And I heard a voice out of heaven say: "Write: Happy are the dead who die in union with [the] Lord from this time onward. Yes, says the spirit, let them rest from their labors, for the things they did go right with them."_ (NWT)

Revelation 22:17

_And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely._ (KJV)

_The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost._ (NASB)

_The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life._ (NIV)

_And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: "Come!" And let anyone hearing say: "Come!" And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free._ (NWT)

The Holy Spirit was not speaking through angels or human beings in any of the preceding Scriptures. He spoke, with his own personal voice, using personal pronouns such as "I" and "me." The WTS assertion that the Holy Spirit spoke only through angels and human beings is without merit. The Holy Spirit is indicated, in Scripture, to speak with a personal voice, and as such, provides evidence that the Holy Spirit is a personal being.

The WTS and JW apologists claim that the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks independent of human beings or angels does not, however, indicate personality because impersonal beings/inanimate objects are also said to speak in the Bible. For instance, in Genesis 4:10, Abel's blood is said to cry out and in Hebrews 12:24, Jesus' blood is said to speak better than Abel's blood. Wages are also said to cry out in James 5:4. But please note that in none of these verses are blood or wages quoted.

Quotations from impersonal beings, inanimate objects and abstract concepts are available in other passages, however. In Galatians 3:8, the Scriptures spoke to Abraham and is quoted, as is wisdom, crying in the streets in Proverbs 1:22. In Revelation 16:7, the altar in Heaven is also quoted, as is Balaam's ass in Numbers 22:28-30 – including the use of the personal pronouns "I" and "me."

Does this nullify the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks with his own personal voice?

No.

The altar speaks, yes, but does the altar evidence emotions, intelligence, and will? What about Balaam's ass? It spoke but does the Bible also give it the essential attributes of personality? Is Balaam's ass also spoken of in personal terms and as a personal being throughout the Bible? Has anyone ever believed Balaam's ass, the altar in Heaven, wisdom and the Scriptures were personal beings? Did the Ante-Nicene fathers speak of the altar, wisdom, the Scriptures and Balaam's ass in personal terms, as a personal being and directly state that any of these things are a person?

No.

On the surface, WTS and JW apologist objections seem logical, but only on the surface. A deeper analysis of each of the subjects offered for comparison with the Holy Spirit reveals that these subjects, while perhaps exhibiting one behavior (speech) attributed to the Holy Spirit, lack in every other respect. The comparisons the WTS demands are shallow and do not at all reflect the broad scope of the argument. The issue is not narrowly limited to a consideration of whether personal beings speak in Scripture. The issue is whether or not a behavior (speech) can indicate personality and as such, speech must be considered within the context of personality. Yes, Balaam's ass speaks using the personal pronouns "I" and "me," but the comparison is superficial unless we also consider Balaam's ass in the broader context of personality. If the WTS could also show that any of the above examples also exhibited a wide variety of behaviors that indicate personality throughout Scriptures, possess the same essential attributes of personality as the Holy Spirit does, and possesses further support of personality in any way matching that of the Holy Spirit, the comparisons would be suitable, insightful and lead us to a greater understanding of the overall issue. As is, these comparisons are weak and frivolous.

Since examples cited by the WTS and JW apologists of impersonal beings/inanimate objects speaking in the Bible are not considered against the broader context of personality (the issue in question), the fact that impersonal being, etc. are quoted as speaking in Scripture does not nullify the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks and that his speech should be considered as evidence supporting the personhood of the Holy Spirit.

Table of Contents

# Section Nine: Stephen's Glimpse of Heaven

_Reasoning from the Scriptures_ states:

"Acts 7:55, 56 report that Stephen was given a vision of heaven in which he saw "Jesus standing at God's right hand." But he made no mention of seeing the holy spirit. (See also Revelation 7:10; 22:1, 3.)" (Watchtower 407)

Acts 7:55, 56

_But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God._ (KJV)

_But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."_ (NASB)

_But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."_ (NIV)

_But he, being full of holy spirit, gazed into heaven and caught sight of God's glory and of Jesus standing at God's right hand, and he said: "Look! I behold the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at God's right hand."_ (NWT)

Stephen was given a glimpse of Heaven when he was martyred. He sees Jesus standing at God's right hand. Because Stephen does not specifically name the Holy Spirit as well, the WTS asserts that the Holy Spirit is not a person.

Please see the No Personal Name section. Absence of evidence does not demand that evidence does not exist, only that God chose not to reveal it to us. Stephen mentions the Father and the Son, yes. The fact that Stephen does not specifically mention the Holy Spirit does not demand nor require that the Holy Spirit was not present. It means only that Stephen did not specifically mention him.

The fact is, the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are mentioned together quite frequently in the Bible. For example:

2 Corinthians 13:14

_The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen._ (KJV)

_The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all._ (NASB)

_May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all._ (NIV)

_The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the sharing in the holy spirit be with all of YOU._ (NWT)

1 Peter 1:2

_Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied._ (KJV)

_according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure._ (NASB)

_who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance._ (NIV)

_according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, with sanctification by the spirit, for the purpose of their being obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to YOU._ (NWT)

There are many other verses that include Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

But the Bible also speaks often of Jesus and the Holy Spirit without mentioning God the Father. For example:

Matthew 4:1

_Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil._ (KJV)

_Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil._ (NASB)

_Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil._ (NIV)

_Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil._ (NWT)

Acts 2:38

_Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost._ (KJV)

_Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit._ (NASB)

_Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit._ (NIV)

_Peter [said] to them: "Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit._ (NWT)

God the Father is not mentioned in the above Scriptures, but that does not demand that God the Father isn't a personal being.

Jesus is not specifically named as Jesus in the Old Testament (though he appears in the Old Testament, another avenue of study which will likely be covered at some point). God the Father and the Spirit of God are spoken of together, though. For example:

2 Chronicles 24:20

_And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you._ (KJV)

_Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, "Thus God has said, `Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.' "_ (NASB)

_Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.'"_ (NIV)

_And God's spirit itself enveloped Zech·a·ri´ah the son of Je·hoi´a·da the priest, so that he stood up above the people and said to them: "This is what the [true] God has said, 'Why are YOU overstepping the commandments of Jehovah, so that YOU cannot prove successful? Because YOU have left Jehovah, he will, in turn, leave YOU.'"_ (NWT)

God the Father and the Holy Spirit are also named together in the New Testament without naming Jesus as well. For example:

1 Corinthians 2:10

_But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God._ (KJV)

_For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God._ (NASB)

_but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God._ (NIV)

_For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God._ (NWT)

Jesus is not mentioned by name in either of the two verses above, but that does not demand that Jesus is not a personal being.

God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not required to be named collectively every time one or two are named in Scripture. They can exist as personal beings whether they are specifically named together or not.

The fact that Stephen does not specifically name the Holy Spirit in Acts 7:55, 56 does not demand that the Holy Spirit is an active force rather than a personal being.

Table of Contents

# Section Ten: Why Believe in the Personhood of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit possesses all the essential attributes of personality.

1. Intelligence:

John 14:26

_But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you._ (KJV)

_"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you._ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_John answered them, saying: "I baptize in water. In the midst of YOU one is standing whom YOU do not know,_ (NWT)

1 Corinthians 2:13

_Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual._ (KJV)

_which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words._ (NASB)

_This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words._ (NIV)

_These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by [the] spirit, as we combine spiritual [matters] with spiritual [words]._ (NWT)

Nehemiah 9:20

_Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst._ (KJV)

_"You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, And You gave them water for their thirst._ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_And your good spirit you gave to make them prudent, and your manna you did not hold back from their mouth, and water you gave them for their thirst._ (NWT)

NOTE: Teaching requires intelligence.

2. Emotion:

Romans 15:30

_Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;_ (KJV)

_Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,_ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_Now I exhort YOU, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the spirit, that YOU exert yourselves with me in prayers to God for me,_ (NWT)

NOTE: The Holy Spirit loves.

Ephesians 4:30

_And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption._ (KJV)

_Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption._ (NASB)

_And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption._ (NIV)

_Also, do not be grieving God's holy spirit, with which YOU have been sealed for a day of releasing by ransom._ (NWT)

NOTE: The Holy Spirit can be grieved. The word translated as "grieve" (KJV) above is _lupeo_. It occurs 26 times in the New Testament and always refers to a person. As such, applying _lupeo_ to the Holy Spirit identifies the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

Hebrews 10:29

_Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?_ (KJV)

_How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?_ (NASB)

_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?_ (NIV)

_Of how much more severe a punishment, do YOU think, will the man be counted worthy who has trampled upon the Son of God and who has esteemed as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt?_ (NWT)

NOTE: The Holy Spirit can be insulted. (NASB)

3. Will:

1 Corinthians 12:11

_But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will._ (KJV)

_But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills._ (NASB)

_All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines._ (NIV)

_But all these operations the one and the same spirit performs, making a distribution to each one respectively just as it wills._ (NWT)

Acts 13:2

_As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them._ (KJV)

_While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."_ (NASB)

_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."_ (NIV)

_As they were publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting, the holy spirit said: "Of all persons set Bar´na·bas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them."_ (NWT)

The Holy Spirit is spoken of in personal terms and as a personal being throughout the Scriptures.

1. He guides us:

John 16:13

_Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come._ (KJV)

_"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come._ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming._ (NWT)

The word translated as "guide" (KJV) above is _hodegeo_. It occurs 5 times in the New Testament and always refers to a person. As such, the application of _hodegeo_ to the Holy Spirit identifies the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

2. He calls us for service:

Acts 13:2

_As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them._ (KJV)

_While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."_ (NASB)

_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."_ (NIV)

_As they were publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting, the holy spirit said: "Of all persons set Bar´na·bas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them."_ (NWT)

The word translated above as "called" (KJV) is _proskaleomai_. It occurs 17 times in the New Testament and the one who calls is always a person. As such, the application of _proskaleomai_ to the Holy Spirit identifies the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

The remainder of this section discusses personal actions attributed to the Holy Spirit and a statistical analysis of how the very same terms are otherwise applied in the New Testament. The above-considered examples indicate that all occurrences of a given word attributed to the Holy Spirit are personal and identifies the Holy Spirit as a personal being. Those considered below, however, include impersonal references. As such, the terminology considered below is not proof of the personality of the Holy Spirit. The remainder of this section indicates probability, not proof.

In each instance, the terms are predominantly applied to personal beings. Yes, there are instances of each term referring to an impersonal being. There is, therefore, a possibility that the reference to the Holy Spirit is not personal. That assessment, however, limits our study to only one term. When assessing the aggregate of results as a whole, however, the preponderance of personal references becomes highly indicative of the personality of the Holy Spirit. True, it is possible that all of these terms are impersonal. But possibility is not proof, especially when cumulative probability of personal applications increases with each term whose primary reference is personal rather than impersonal.

3. He glorifies Jesus:

John 16:14

_He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you._ (KJV)

_"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you._ (NASB)

_He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you._ (NIV)

_That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to YOU._ (NWT)

The word translated above as "glorify" (KJV) is _doxazo_ . It occurs 62 times in the New Testament. In 7 of those occurrences, the subject who is doing the glorifying is not explicitly stated and these references are therefore considered ambiguous and removed from our pool of references. In 1 occurrence, the subject who is glorifying may be considered impersonal. In every other occurrence, 54 total occurrences, the subject who is doing the glorifying is a person. The subject is explicitly stated to be a person by a factor of 98%. _Doxazo_ is used predominantly in reference to personal beings and is highly indicative as to how _doxazo_ should be considered as applied to the Holy Spirit in John 16:14.

4. He hears:

John 16:13

_Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come._ (KJV)

_"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come._ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming._ (NWT)

The word translated "hear" (KJV) is _akouo_ and is used 438 times in the New Testament. In 4 occurrences, the subject hearing isn't directly identified and is therefore considered ambiguous and removed from our pool of references. Only once is _akouo_ applied to an impersonal being and it should be noted that this application is in the negative sense. Revelation 9:20 states that idols (impersonal objects) cannot hear. The term is applied to impersonal objects (idols) only to the extent that it is stated that the impersonal objects cannot perform the action the term identifies. As such, does the term truly refer to an impersonal object? No. A negative application indicates the absence, not the presence of the specified action. If anything, the application of _akouo_ to idols in Revelation 9:20 emphasizes that no impersonal beings can hear, that only personal beings can and that the Holy Spirit (who hears) is a personal being. Even if _akouo_ is said to refer to impersonal beings (idols) in Revelation 9:20, to which I strongly disagree as the context clearly indicates, _akouo_ refers to personal beings by an overwhelming factor of 99.8% and is highly indicative of how _akouo_ should be considered when applied to the Holy Spirit in John 16:13.

5. He speaks:

Matthew 10:20

_For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you._ (KJV)

_"For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you._ (NASB)

_for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you._ (NIV)

_for the ones speaking are not just YOU, but it is the spirit of YOUR Father that speaks by YOU._ (NWT)

(See also Mark 13:11, John 16:13 and Acts 28:25.)

The word translated as "speaks" (NAS) above is _laleo_. It occurs 295 times in the New Testament. 6 occurrences are ambiguous in that they do not specifically state who (or whom) is speaking and are therefore removed from the pool of references. In 3 references, the subjects indicated to be speaking are impersonal. _Laleo_ refers to personal beings 280 times in the New Testament, however, and refers to personal beings by a factor of 99%. _Laleo_ is predominantly applied to personal beings and is highly indicative of how _laleo_ should be considered when applied to the Holy Spirit.

6. He teaches:

Luke 12:12

_For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say._ (KJV)

_for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."_ (NASB)

_for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."_ (NIV)

_for the holy spirit will teach YOU in that very hour the things YOU ought to say."_ (NWT)

(See also John 14:26, 1 John 2:27.)

The word translated as "teach" (KJV) is _didasko_. It occurs 97 times in the New Testament. 1 occurrence is impersonal. _Didasko_ refers to a personal being by a factor of 99% and is highly indicative of personality in its application to the Holy Spirit.

7. He forbids:

Acts 16:6

_Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,_ (KJV)

_They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;_ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_Moreover, they went through Phryg´i·a and the country of Ga·la´ti·a, because they were forbidden by the holy spirit to speak the word in the [district of] Asia_ (NWT)

The word translated as "forbidden" (KJV) is _kaluo_. It occurs 23 times in the New Testament. One occurrence does not directly state the subject who is forbidding and is therefore considered ambiguous and removed from our pool of references. 2 of the remaining occurrences are impersonal. The 20 remaining occurrences refer to personal beings. _Kaluo_ refers to personal beings by a factor of 90% and is indicative of personality in its application to the Holy Spirit.

8. He witnesses:

Hebrews 10:15

_Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,_ (KJV)

_And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,_ (NASB)

_The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:_ (NIV)

_Moreover, the holy spirit also bears witness to us, for after it has said:_ (NWT)

(See also John 15:26, 1 John 5:6.)

The word translated above as "witness" (KJV) is _martureo_. It occurs 79 times in the New Testament. 2 of these occurrences are impersonal. _Martureo_ refers to personal beings by a factor of 97.5%.

9. He reproves:

John 16:8

_And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:_ (KJV)

_"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;_ (NASB)

_When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:_ (NIV)

_And when that one arrives he will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment:_ (NWT)

The word translated as "reprove" is _elegcho_. It is used 17 times in the New Testament. 2 references are ambiguous in that the subject performing the action (reproving) is not directly identified and is therefore removed from our pool of references. 1 occurrence is impersonal. _Elegcho_ is applied to personal beings by a factor of 93%.

As noted, the predominance of personal references to each of these words does not prove that each word's reference to the Holy Spirit is personal as well. Each word is applied to impersonal beings and there is, therefore, the possibility that the various references may be impersonal when applied to the Holy Spirit. Taking each term on an individual basis, the possibility of impersonal reference seems plausible. However, when we consider each of these seven terms as an aggregate...The WTS demands of impersonality of the Holy Spirit requires that all these applications must all be impersonal, term after term, after term. In spite of the fact that New Testament usage for several of these terms indicates that impersonal usage is a rare 1-2%. Is it possible that these terms all have impersonal applications? Yes. Is it probable? Given the vast preponderance of New Testament evidence of personal applications, coupled with terms listed above that have a personal application in every instance and the fact that the Holy Spirit possesses the essential attributes of personality...The probability that these references are personal far outweighs the comparatively remote possibility that they are not.

Other evidences have been discusses in detail in prior sections. To consider how the Anti-Nicene Fathers spoke of the Holy Spirit, see Section Three: The Holy Spirit & Personification. To consider personal pronouns indicating the personality of the Holy Spirit, see Section Six: The Holy Spirit & Neuter Pronouns. To review the evidence of personality illustrated by Matthew 28:19, please see Section Four: Baptized in the Name of...

Overwhelming evidence identifies the Holy Spirit as a personal being.

The WTS assertion to the contrary completely lacks merit.

Table of Content

# Section Eleven: Why Believe in the Deity of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is called God:

Acts 5:3, 4

_But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God._ (KJV)

_But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."_ (NASB)

_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? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."_ (NIV)

_But Peter said: "An·a·ni´as, why has Satan emboldened you to play false to the holy spirit and to hold back secretly some of the price of the field? As long as it remained with you did it not remain yours, and after it was sold did it not continue in your control? Why was it that you purposed such a deed as this in your heart? You have played false, not to men, but to God."_ (NWT)

In Acts 5:3, Peter says that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and in Acts 5:4, he says that Ananias lied to God, i.e. the Holy Spirit is God.

In all fairness, Jehovah's Witnesses United has posted a rather good rebuttal to the Holy Spirit's deity as revealed in Acts 5, "The Doctrine of the Trinity and Acts 5:3, 4" by Harold L. Flemings, available on-line at: <http://www.jehovah.to/exe/general/acts534.htm> (Accessed April 2011). Basically, Mr. Fleming asserts that parallels exist, in which Samuel sets a king over Israel in 1 Samuel 12:1 while God sets a king over Israel in 1 Samuel 12:17. Samuel and God the Father are said to be performing the same action. Mr. Fleming goes on to list a couple other Old Testament examples. We would not, of course, say that Samuel is God and so goes Mr. Fleming's argument.

If Acts 5:3, 4 were the only evidence of the divinity of the Holy Spirit, Mr. Fleming would have a point. That, however, is not the case. If Mr. Fleming were to show, for instance, that Samuel was also involved in the work of Creation or that Samuel inspired the writers of the Scriptures – all works attributed to God as well as the Holy Spirit – the comparison would be insightful. In summary, Mr. Fleming's examples fail once considered within the broader context of divinity.

The Holy Spirit is equally associated with God:

1. Compare:

1 Corinthians 3:16

_Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?_ (KJV)

_Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?_ (NASB)

_Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?_ (NIV)

_Do YOU not know that YOU people are God's temple, and that the spirit of God dwells in YOU?_ (NWT)

We are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit lives in us.

1 Corinthians 6:19

_What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?_ (KJV)

_Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?_ (NASB)

_Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;_ (NIV)

_What! Do YOU not know that the body of YOU people is [the] temple of the holy spirit within YOU, which YOU have from God? Also, YOU do not belong to yourselves,_ (NWT)

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:16

_And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people._ (KJV)

_Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE._ (NASB)

_What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."_ (NIV)

_And what agreement does God's temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: "I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people."_ (NWT)

Again, we are the temple of God.

We are the temple of God and of the Holy Spirit. God and the Holy Spirit are equally associated here.

2. Compare:

Isaiah 6:8, 9

_Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not._ (KJV)

_Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.'_ (NASB)

_Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'_ (NIV)

_And he went on to say: "Go, and you must say to this people, 'Hear again and again, O men, but do not understand; and see again and again, but do not get any knowledge.'_ (NWT)

God spoke.

Acts 28:25-27

_And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them._ (KJV)

_And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, `GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'_ (NASB)

_They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: " 'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'_ (NIV)

_So, because they were at disagreement with one another, they began to depart, while Paul made this one comment: "The holy spirit aptly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to YOUR forefathers, saying, 'Go to this people and say: "By hearing, YOU will hear but by no means understand; and, looking, YOU will look but by no means see. For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes; that they should never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn back, and I should heal them."'_ (NWT)

Paul attributes what God spoke to the Holy Spirit.

3. Compare:

Psalms 95:8-11

_Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest._ (KJV)

_Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, "When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. "For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. "Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest."_ (NASB)

_do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did. For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways." So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."_ (NIV)

_Do not harden YOUR heart as at Mer´i·bah, As in the day of Mas´sah in the wilderness, When YOUR forefathers put me to the proof; They examined me, they also saw my activity. For forty years I kept feeling a loathing toward [that] generation, And I proceeded to say: "They are a people wayward at heart, And they themselves have not come to know my ways"; Concerning whom I swore in my anger: "They shall not enter into my resting-place."_ (NWT)

To identify who is speaking, we turn to:

Exodus 17:7

_And he called the name of the place Massah, F49 and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?_ (KJV)

_He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us, or not?"_ (NASB)

_And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"_ (NIV)

_So he called the name of the place Mas´sah and Mer´i·bah, because of the quarreling of the sons of Israel and because of their putting Jehovah to the test, saying: "Is Jehovah in our midst or not?"_ (NWT)

God was tested at Massah and Meribah and therefore is speaking here.

Hebrews 3:7-11

_Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)_ (KJV)

_Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, `THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS'; AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, `THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.' "_ (NASB)

_So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.' "_ (NIV)

_For this reason, just as the holy spirit says: "Today if YOU people listen to his own voice, do not harden YOUR hearts as on the occasion of causing bitter anger, as in the day of making the test in the wilderness, in which YOUR forefathers made a test of me with a trial, and yet they had seen my works for forty years. For this reason I became disgusted with this generation and said, 'They always go astray in their hearts, and they themselves have not come to know my ways.' So I swore in my anger, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'"_ (NWT)

Again, what God says is attributed to the Holy Spirit's speech.

4. Compare:

Psalms 78:17, 18

_And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness. And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust._ (KJV)

_Yet they still continued to sin against Him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert. And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire._ (NASB)

_But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved._ (NIV)

_And they kept sinning still more against him By rebelling against the Most High in the waterless region; And they proceeded to test God in their heart By asking for something to eat for their soul._ (NWT)

The Israelites rebelled against Jehovah in the Wilderness.

Isaiah 63:10

_But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them._ (KJV)

_But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them._ (NASB)

_Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them._ (NIV)

_But they themselves rebelled and made his holy spirit feel hurt. He now was changed into an enemy of theirs; he himself warred against them._ (NWT)

The Israelites rebelled (and grieved) the Holy Spirit in the Wilderness.

5. Compare:

Jeremiah 31:33, 34

_But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more._ (KJV)

_"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, " I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. "They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."_ (NASB)

_"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."_ (NIV)

_"For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days," is the utterance of Jehovah. "I will put my law within them, and in their heart I shall write it. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people." "And they will no more teach each one his companion and each one his brother, saying, 'KNOW Jehovah!' for they will all of them know me, from the least one of them even to the greatest one of them," is the utterance of Jehovah. "For I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more."_ (NWT)

God said it.

Hebrews 10:15-17

_Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more._ (KJV)

_And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," He then says, "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."_ (NASB)

_The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."_ (NIV)

_Moreover, the holy spirit also bears witness to us, for after it has said: "'This is the covenant that I shall covenant toward them after those days,' says Jehovah. 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I shall write them,'"[it says afterwards:] "And I shall by no means call their sins and their lawless deeds to mind anymore."_ (NWT)

Once again, the Holy Spirit is attributed with what God said.

The Holy Spirit possesses attributes only God can possess:

1. Omnipresence:

Psalms 139:7-10

_Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me._ (KJV)

_Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me._ (NASB)

_Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast._ (NIV)

_Where can I go from your spirit, And where can I run away from your face? If I should ascend to heaven, there you would be; And if I should spread out my couch in She´ol, look! you [would be there]. Were I to take the wings of the dawn, That I might reside in the most remote sea, There, also, your own hand would lead me And your right hand would lay hold of me._ (NWT)

2. Omniscience:

1 Corinthians 2:10, 11

_But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God._ (KJV)

_For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God._ (NASB)

_but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 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._ (NIV)

_For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man that is in him? So, too, no one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God._ (NWT)

John 14:26

_But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you._ (KJV)

_"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you._ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told YOU._ (NWT)

John 16:13

_Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come._ (KJV)

_"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come._ (NASB)

_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._ (NIV)

_However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming._ (NWT)

3. Omnipotence:

Luke 1:35

_And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God._ (KJV)

_The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God._ (NASB)

_The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God._ (NIV)

_In answer the angel said to her: "Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God's Son._ (NWT)

Note: the Holy Spirit is called the power of the Highest.

4. Eternal:

Hebrews 9:14

_How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?_ (KJV)

_how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?_ (NASB)

_How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!_ (NIV)

_how much more will the blood of the Christ, who through an everlasting spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works that we may render sacred service to [the] living God?_ (NWT)

The Works of the Holy Spirit are Divine

1. Creation:

Genesis 1:2

_And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters._ (KJV)

_The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters._ (NASB)

_Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters._ (NIV)

_Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of [the] watery deep; and God's active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters._ (NWT)

Job 33:4

_The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life._ (KJV)

_"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life._ (NASB)

_The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life._ (NIV)

_God's own spirit made me, And the Almighty's own breath proceeded to bring me to life._ (NWT)

Psalms 104:30

_Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth._ (KJV)

_You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground._ (NASB)

_When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth._ (NIV)

_If you send forth your spirit, they are created; And you make the face of the ground new._ (NWT)

So the Holy Spirit was involved in Creation. Please note the following verses:

Isaiah 44:24

_Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;_ (KJV)

_Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,_ (NASB)

_"This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,_ (NIV)

_This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly: "I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth. Who was with me?_ (NWT)

Job 9:8

_Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea._ (KJV)

_Who alone stretches out the heavens And tramples down the waves of the sea;_ (NASB)

_He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea._ (NIV)

_Stretching out the heavens by himself And treading upon the high waves of the sea;_ (NWT)

Both Isaiah 44:24 and Job 9:8 state that God created by himself. Alone. Yet, Genesis 1:2, Job 33:4 and Psalms 104:30 say the Holy Spirit was involved in Creation. The Holy Spirit, therefore, is God.

2. Inspiration:

2 Timothy 3:16

_All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:_ (KJV)

_All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;_ (NASB)

_All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,_ (NIV)

_All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness,_ (NWT)

God inspired the Scriptures.

2 Peter 1:21

_For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost._ (KJV)

_for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God._ (NASB)

_For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit._ (NIV)

_For prophecy was at no time brought by man's will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit._ (NWT)

Here, the Holy Spirit inspired the prophets. The Holy Spirit, therefore, is God.

3. Salvation:

John 3:5

_Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God._ (KJV)

_Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God._ (NASB)

_Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit._ (NIV)

_Jesus answered: "Most truly I say to you, Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God._ (NWT)

Titus 3:5

_Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;_ (KJV)

_He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,_ (NASB)

_he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,_ (NIV)

_owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit._ (NWT)

Romans 8:11

_But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you._ (KJV)

_But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you._ (NASB)

_And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you._ (NIV)

_If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make YOUR mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in YOU._ (NWT)

The Holy Spirit is God.

# The WTS position concerning the Holy Spirit as "God's active force" lacks all merit. The Holy Spirit is a personal being and is demonstrably treated as God in Scripture.

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# Section Twelve: Pneuma and the NWT

A cursory glance through verses that include _pneuma_ in the NWT reveals that the NWT sometimes translates _pneuma_ as "spirit" and other times, varies the translation of _pneuma_ by using other words and phrases. Since the NWT does not claim to be a paraphrase Bible, I endeavored to study these differentiations, comparing the NWT translation against 3 other Bibles: the KJV, NASB, and NIV. I included the transliterated Greek text, noted differences related to _pneuma_ in the Greek texts (the Nestle Aland 26, 1991 Byzantine and 1894 Textus Receptus) and noted whether or not _pneuma_ applied to the Holy Spirit in each specific verse. (You may review all of these occurrences in charts at <http://www.thearmchairscholar.org/id27.html>.)

Other than those occasions in which the 1894 Textus Receptus includes _pneuma_ , whereas earlier texts do not as well as variations between "Spirit" and "Ghost," the KJV (a formal equivalent or word-for-word Bible translation) varies its translation of _pneuma_ 6 times, 5 of which are occasions in which the KJV adds the word "Holy". Of the total occurrences of _pneuma_ , the KJV varies its translation by **1.6%**

The NASB (also a formal equivalent Bible translation) does not vary its translation of _pneuma_ at all – **0%** of total occurrences.

The NIV (a dynamic equivalent or thought-for-thought Bible translation) varies its translation of _pneuma_ 13 times, or about **3.5%** of total occurrences.

The NWT varies its translation of _pneuma_ 48 times, or about **12.9%** of total occurrences – nearly 10% more than the dynamic equivalent, thought-for-thought Bible translation chosen for comparison purposes.

The NWT very obviously paraphrases its translation of _pneuma_.

Please see Appendix C: Pneuma Variants for charts all occurrences of the NWT's 48 _pneuma_ variants.

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* * * * *

# Scripture Index

Old Testament

Genesis 1:2

Exodus 13:21; 17:7

Deuteronomy 4:24

2 Chronicles 24:20

Nehemiah 9:20

Job 33:4; 9:8

Psalms 36:8, 9; 22:14; 78:17-18; 95:8-11; 104:30; 139:7-10

Isaiah 9:6; 6:8-9; 44:24; 53:12; 61:1; 63:10

Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13' 31:33-34

New Testament

Matthew 1:22, 1:23, 2:15; 3:11; 4:1; 10:19-20; 10:20; 10:41

Mark 1:23-25; 13:32; 16:1

Luke 1:41; 1:35; 1:59-60; 1:67-70; 4:18; 12:12

John 3:16; 3:5; 4:24; 7:37-38; 14:16; 14:26; 14:26; 16:8; 16:13; 16:13; 16:13; 16:13-14; 16:14

Acts 1:5, 2:17, 2:38, 2:38; 4:24-25, 5:3, 5:3-4; 7:55-56; 8:29, 10:19-20, 10:38, 11:16, 13:2, 13:2; 16:6; 20:23, 28:25; 28:25-27

Romans 6:3; 8:11; 15:30

1 Corinthians 2:10; 2:10-11; 2:13; 3:16; 6:19; 12:11

2 Corinthians 1:21; 6:16; 13:14

Ephesian 3:17,19; 4:10; 4:30

Philippians 2:17

1 Timothy 5:21

2 Timothy 4:6; 3:16

Titus 3:5

Hebrews 10:29; 3:7-11; 9:14; 10:15; 10:15-17

1 Peter 1:2

2 Peter 1:21

1 John 2:1, 4:8

Revelation 14:13, 22:17

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# Works Cited

Barnes, Albert. _Barnes' Notes on the Bible_ , 1798-1870.

Bullinger, E.W. _Figures of Speech Used in the Bible Explained and Illustrated_ , 1898.

Clarke, Adam. _The Adam Clarke Commentary_. 1832.

Easton, Matthew George. _Easton's Bible Dictionary_. 1897

Gill, John. _John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible_ , 1690-1771

Henry, Matthew. _Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible_. 1706.

Hodges, Charles. _Systematic Theology, Volume 1 – Theology Proper_ , 1871.

Kapp, Jacob W. _International Standard Bible Encyclopedia_ , 1915.

Keil & Delitzsch. _Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament_.

Roberts, Rev. Alexander & Donaldson, James (Editors). _Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1_ , Reprint 1997.

Roberts, Rev. Alexander & Donaldson, James (Editors). _Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3_ , Reprint 1997.

Roberts, Rev. Alexander & Donaldson, James (Editors). _Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5_ , Reprint 1997.

Robertson, A.T. _Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament_ , 1932.

Strong, James. _Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible_ , 1890.

Thayer, Joseph H. _Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament_ , 1896.

Vincent, M.R. Vincent's _Word Studies in the New Testament_ , 1886.

Vine, W.E. _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words_ , 1966.

Wallace, Daniel. _Basics of New Testament Syntax_. 2001.

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. _Insight on the Scriptures_ , Volume 1, 1988.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. _The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures_ , 1985.

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. _KNOWLEDGE that Leads to Everlasting Life,_ 1995.

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. _Reasoning from the Scriptures_ , 1985.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. "Should You Believe in the Trinity?" 1989.

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. _The Watchtower: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom_ , Sept. 1, 1984. "We Worship What We Know."

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. _The Watchtower: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom_ , June 15, 1987. "The 'Blessed Trinity' – Is It in the Bible?"

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. _WHAT DOES THE BIBLE Really TEACH?_ , 2005.

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# Appendix A: Ephesians 3:19

The Greek text (to the left) very clearly indicates that the word "gives" does not appear in the Greek text and has been added by the NWT (to the right).

In his commentary notes of Ephesians 3:19, Albert Barnes states:

"The language here is cumulative, and is full of meaning and richness.  
(1) **they were to be "full of God." That is, he would dwell in them**.  
(2) they were to be filled with 'the fullness of God' - τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ to plērōma tou Theou. On the word rendered 'fullness,' see on Eph_1:10, note, 23, note. It is a favorite word with Paul. Thus, he speaks of the 'fullness' of the Gentiles, Rom_11:25; the 'fullness' of time, Gal_4:4; the fullness of him that filleth all in all, Eph_1:23; the 'fullness' of Christ, Eph_4:13; the 'fulness' of the Godhead in Christ, Col_1:19; Col_2:9. It means here, 'that you may have the richest measures of divine consolation and of the divine presence; that you may partake of the entire enjoyment of God in the most ample measure in which he bestows his favors on his people.'  
(3) it was to be with 'all' the fullness of God; not with partial and stinted measures of his gracious presence, but with 'all' which he ever bestows. (Bold emphasis mine)"

Does God's fullness give? Certainly. God's fullness imparts peace, joy, and a great many spiritual blessings upon us and in us, but as Albert Barnes indicated, it is not merely what God's fullness gives, but that God himself dwells in us. The NWT addition of 'gives' to Ephesians 3:19 dilutes the power of Paul's message, unnecessarily limits God's fullness to only those gifts he imparts to us and thereby denies God's presence within us.

The addition of "gives" is not warranted by the Greek text and I feel is completely unnecessary and unwarranted, not to mention misleading.

Return to Holy Spirit Fills

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# Appendix B: The Holy Spirit and Water

In regards to WTS claims about the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18, I refer the reader to "What Does it Mean to be Filled with the Spirit? A Biblical Investigation" by Andreas J. Köstenberger ( _Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society_ 40/2, June 1997, pp. 229-240. Available online at  http://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/40/40-2/40-2-pp229-240_JETS.pdf (accessed April 2011). While the article was written to answer specific issues related to a pamphlet published and distributed by the Campus Crusade for Christ, the discussion of the filling of the Holy Spirit is well worth any student's attention: "In summary, Paul's use of the expression 'Be filled with the Spirit' in Eph 5:18 in contrast to being drunk with wine enjoins believers to exhibit a wise, maturing lifestyle which is to be expressed in corporate praise and worship as well as in proper Christian relationships." (ibid p.235). See article for more information.

Be aware that a careful reading of verses the WTS claim parallel water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit indicates that these concepts are **contrasted**. They are not paralleled.

For a more in-depth treatment of water and Spirit, see: "The Meaning of 'Born of Water and the Spirit' in John 3:5" by Robert V. McCabe ( _Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal_ 4 (Fall 1999), pp. 85-107. Available online at <http://www.dbts.edu/journals/1999/McCabe.pdf> (accessed April 2011).

For a more detailed study of 1 John 5:6-8, the Holy Spirit, and "water and blood," see: "The Holy Spirit in 1 John" by Donald W. Mills. ( _Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal_ 4 (Fall 1999), pp 33-50. Available at http://www.dbts.edu/journals/1999/Mills.pdf (accessed April 2011).

Return to The Holy Spirit Is Associated with Inanimate Objects

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# Appendix C: Pneuma Variants

**Matthew 5:3**  
_ho ptochos ho pneuma_  
those conscious of their spiritual need (NWT)  
poor in spirit (KJV)  
poor in spirit (NASB)  
poor in spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Matthew 22:43**  
_pneuma_  
by inspiration (NWT)  
in spirit (KJV)  
in the Spirit (NASB)  
by the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**John 7:39** (2nd occurrence)  
_pneuma_  
no spirit (NWT)  
the Holy Ghost (KJV)  
the Spirit (NASB)  
the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Acts 2:17**  
_ho pneuma mou_  
some of my spirit (NWT)  
my Spirit (KJV)  
MY SPIRIT (NASB)  
my Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Acts 2:18**  
_ho pneuma mou_  
some of my spirit (NWT)  
my Spirit (KJV)  
MY SPIRIT (NASB)  
my Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Acts 16:16**  
_pneuma Puthon_  
a spirit, a demon of divination (NWT)  
a spirit of divination (KJV)  
a spirit of divination (NASB)  
a spirit by which she predicted the future (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Romans 8:2**  
_ho pneuma_  
that spirit which gives life (NWT)  
the Spirit of life (KJV)  
the Spirit of life (NASB)  
the Spirit of life (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Romans 8:15** (insertion by NWT)  
_en hos_  
by which spirit (NWT)  
whereby (KJV)  
by which (NASB)  
by him (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? --

**1 Corinthians 12:10**  
_pneuma_  
inspired utterances (NWT)  
spirits (KJV)  
spirits (NASB)  
spirits (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Corinthians 14:14**  
_ho pneuma mou_  
my [gift of the] spirit (NWT)  
my spirit (KJV)  
my spirit (NASB)  
my spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Corinthains 14:15**  
_ho pneuma_  
the [gift of the] spirit (NWT)  
the spirit (KJV)  
the spirit (NASB)  
my spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Corinthians 14:15** (2nd occurrence)  
_ho pneuma_  
the [gift of the] spirit (NWT)  
the spirit (KJV)  
the spirit (NASB)  
my spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Corinthians 14:16**  
_pneuma_  
a [gift of the] spirit (NWT)  
the spirit (KJV)  
the spirit (NASB)  
your spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Corinthians 14:32**  
_pneuma prophetes_  
And [gifts of] the spirit of the prophets (NWT)  
the spirits of the prophets (KJV)  
the spirits of the prophets (NASB)  
The spirits of the prophets (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**2 Corinthians 3:17**  
_ho pneuma_  
the Spirit (NWT)  
that Spirit (KJV)  
the Spirit (NASB)  
the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

Please note: the only time the NWT capitalizes Spirit are two occurrences, in, 2 Corinthians 3:17 and 2 Corinthians 3:18. For the purposes of this study, only 2 Corinthains 3:18 was counted as a variant in the statistical analysis, however, since 2 Corinthains 3:17 agrees with the KJV, NASB and NIV.

**2 Corinthians 3:18**  
_kurios pneuma_  
Jehovah [the] Spirit (NWT)  
the Spirit of the Lord (KJV)  
the Lord, the Spirit (NASB)  
the Lord, who is the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**2 Corinthains 13:14**  
_koinonia ho hagios pneuma_  
the sharing in the holy spirit (NWT)  
the communion of the Holy Ghost (KJV)  
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (NASB)  
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Galatians 6:8**  
_eis ho pneuma_  
with a view to the spirit (NWT)  
to the Spirit (KJV)  
to the Spirit (NASB)  
to please the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Ephesians 4:23**  
_ho pneuma ho nous humon_  
in the force actuating YOUR mind (NWT)  
in the spirit of your mind (KJV)  
in the spirit of your mind (NASB)  
in the attitude of your minds (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Philippians 2:1**  
_koinonia pneuma_  
any sharing of spirit (NWT)  
any fellowship of the Spirit (KJV)  
any fellowship of the Spirit (NASB)  
any fellowship with the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Colossians 1:8**  
_en pneuma_  
in a spiritual way (NWT)  
in the Spirit (KJV)  
in the Spirit (NASB)  
in the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**2 Thessalonians 2:2**  
_pneuma_  
through an inspired expression (NWT)  
by spirit (KJV)  
by a spirit (NASB)  
by some prophecy (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Timothy 4:1**  
_ho pneuma_  
the inspired utterance (NWT)  
the Spirit (KJV)  
the Spirit (NASB)  
The Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**1 Timothy 4:1** (2nd occurrence)  
_pneuma_  
inspired utterances (NWT)  
spirits (KJV)  
spirits (NASB)  
spirits (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**2 Timothy 4:22**  
_ho pneuma_  
the spirit you [show] (NWT)  
thy spirit (KJV)  
your spirit (NASB)  
your spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Philemon 1:25**  
_ho pneuma humon_  
the spirit YOU people [show] (NWT)  
your spirit (KJV)  
your spirit (NASB)  
your spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Hebrews 12:9**  
_ho pater ho pneuma_  
Father of our spiritual life (NWT)  
Father of spirits (KJV)  
Father of spirits (NASB)  
Father of our spirits (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Hebrews 12:23**  
_pneuma_  
The spiritual lives (NWT)  
the spirits (KVJ)  
the spirits (NASB)  
the spirits (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 Peter 1:11**  
_autos pneuma Christos_  
the spirit in them was indicating concerning Christ (NWT)  
the Spirit of Christ (KJV)  
the Spirit of Christ (NASB)  
the Spirit of Christ (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**1 Peter 4:14**  
_ho ho theos pneuma_  
the [spirit] of glory, even the spirit of God (NWT)  
the Spirit of glory (KJV)  
the Spirit of glory (NASB)  
the Spirit of glory (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**1 John 4:1**  
_pneuma_  
inspired expression (NWT)  
spirit (KJV)  
spirit (NASB)  
spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 John 4:1** (2nd occurrence)  
_ho pneuma_  
the inspired expressions (NWT)  
spirits (KJV)  
spirits (NASB)  
spirits (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 John 4:2**  
_ho pneuma ho theos_  
the inspired expression (NWT)  
the Spirit of God (KJV)  
the Spirit of God (NASB)  
the Spirit of God (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**1 John 4:2** (2nd occurrence)  
_pneuma_  
inspired expression (NWT)  
spirit (KJV)  
spirit (NASB)  
spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 John 4:3**  
_pneuma_  
inspired expression (NWT)  
spirit (KJV)  
spirit (NASB)  
spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 John 4:3** (2nd occurrence)  
_ho ho antichristos_  
the antichrist's [inspired expression] (NWT)  
that spirit of antichrist (KJV)  
the spirit of the antichrist (NASB)  
the spirit of the antichrist (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 John 4:6**  
_ho pneuma ho aletheia_  
the inspired expression of truth (NWT)  
the spirit of truth (KJV)  
the spirit of truth (NASB)  
the Spirit of truth (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**1 John 4:6** (2nd occurrence)  
_ho pneuma ho plane_  
the inspired expression of error (NWT)  
the spirit of error (KJV)  
the spirit of error (NASB)  
the spirit of error (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Jude 1:19**  
_pneuma_  
spirituality (NWT)  
the Spirit (KJV)  
the Spirit (NASB)  
the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Revelation 1:10**  
_en pneuma_  
By inspiration (NWT)  
in the Spirit (KJV)  
in the Spirit (NASB)  
in the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Revelation 4:2**  
_en pneuma_  
in [the power of the] spirit (NWT)  
in the spirit (KJV)  
in the Spirit (NASB)  
in the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Revelation 16:13**  
_ho pseudoprophetes pneuma treis_  
three unclean inspired expressions (NWT)  
three unclean spirits (KJV)  
three unclean spirits (NASB)  
three evil spirits (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Revelation 16:14**  
_pneuma daimonon_  
expressions inspired by demons (NWT)  
the spirits of devils (KJV)  
spirits of demons (NASB)  
spirits of demons (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Revelation 17:3**  
_en pneuma_  
in [the power of the] spirit (NWT)  
in the spirit (KJV)  
in the Spirit (NASB)  
in the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

**Revelation 18:2**  
_pneuma akathartos_  
unclean exaltation (NWT)  
foul spirit (KJV)  
unclean spirit (NASB)  
evil spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Revelation 19:10**  
_ho pneuma ho propheteia_  
inspires prophesying (NWT)  
the spirit of prophesy (KJV)  
the spirit of prophesy (NASB)  
the spirit of prophesy (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? No

**Revelation 21:10**  
_en pneuma_  
in [the power of the] spirit (NWT)  
in the spirit (KJV)  
in the Spirit (NASB)  
in the Spirit (NIV)  
Reference to the Holy Spirit? Yes

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# Who is the Armchair Scholar?

Karen Clark lives in West Virginia, a stone's throw from the border with Maryland where she attends and is the secretary for Second Baptist Church of Cumberland. Her husband is a deacon, Sunday School director and an Awana Club leader. They have three children.

Karen is heavily involved in Second Baptist Church's food pantry, an outreach in the local community that is very dear to Karen's heart. All monies received from the sale of this book will be donated to the food pantry at Second Baptist Church, with prayerful hope that readers will support their local food pantries as well!

For other articles and upcoming books, please go to http://www.thearmchairscholar.org for more information or  send Karen an email. You may visit Karen''s home church, Second Baptist Church of Cumberland online at http://96.0.90.105.

My Statement of Faith

The Bible, consisting of all 66 books of both the Old and New Testament, is the supernatural revelation of God about God. The individual books of the Bible were authored by God through various human writers. The Bible is without error of any kind.

There is only one true God. God is holy, eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. God alone is to be worshipped. His name is YHWH, which can be pronounced Yahweh or Jehovah. God exists in three distinct, co-equal persons: the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit all posses the divine attributes of God. The Father is God. Jesus Christ is God. The Holy Spirit is God. Yet, the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are one God.

God created the Heavens and the Earth.

Jesus Christ was supernaturally conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. Jesus Christ as a human being was both fully God and fully man. As a human being he taught and performed miracles exactly as stated in the New Testament of the Bible. As a human being, Jesus Christ voluntarily laid aside his divine glory and took the form of a servant. Jesus Christ was absolutely without sin. Jesus Christ was executed on a cross and buried in a tomb. God raised the personal, physical and visible body of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his crucifixion. Jesus Christ showed himself personally, physically and visibly to his disciples for forty days after his resurrection, then ascended to Heaven where the Father made him head of all things.

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was a perfect atonement for the sin of all mankind. Jesus took mankind's sin upon himself and suffered God's just punishment for our sin, fully satisfying God's just wrath. Through his death on the cross, Jesus Christ allowed those who believe in him to be justified before God and judged righteous by God.

Man was created in the image of God and as such, man has value. All of mankind became sinful by nature due to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden exactly as stated in the Old Testament. Sinful mankind cannot enter God's Kingdom. Sinful man is lost, morally/spiritually dead, and alienated from God. At death, sinful man's immortal soul descends to Hades. Sinful man must be spiritually reborn to enter God's Kingdom.

Man's sin is justified to God only by believing and faith in Jesus' death on the cross. Justification and salvation cannot be obtained by man through good works. Salvation cannot be earned. Salvation is a free gift of God. At the moment sinful man believes and places his/her faith in Jesus, he/she obtains salvation and is spiritually reborn. He/she receives the Holy Spirit. Justified man becomes a member of the Church. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. At death, justified man's immortal soul ascends to be with Jesus Christ in Heaven to await Jesus Christ's return to the earth.

Jesus Christ will return to earth, personally, physically and visibly.

Mankind will ultimately receive resurrected physical bodies.

Those who reject Jesus Christ's death for our sin will suffer in conscious, eternal torment in Hell.

Those who accept Jesus Christ's death for our sin will receive eternal life with God.

Satan is a person. He is an evil being. Satan will ultimately be cast into Hell and suffer eternal torment.

The Holy Spirit helps members of the Church live a Godly life, understand the Bible, and perform good works. Good works are the results of salvation, not the cause of salvation.

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