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The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as presented, is not a separate entity or third person in a trinity, but rather the essence of God's mind, an invisible and immaterial force that emanates directly from the Father and the Son. It is the power that issues forth from Them, influencing us personally with attributes such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, meekness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This force is not something mysterious or impenetrable to those to whom God has revealed Himself; it is easily understandable as a function of the mind, stirring and exciting our thoughts to grasp spiritual truths we would otherwise never comprehend. The Holy Spirit operates as a direct and personal interface between God's mind and ours, transferring His thoughts, attitudes, and character into us when we believe His Word and submit through prayer, Bible study, and meditation. Unlike the indirect influence of satan, which broadcasts generally to all, God's approach through His Spirit is specific and intentional, targeting those He has chosen to create spiritually and prepare for His Kingdom. Thus, the Holy Spirit is fundamentally the projection of God's pure, life-giving mind, motivating and activating His will in us, distinct from human spirit by its transcendent purity and holiness.

The Holy Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as presented in the Bible, is not a personality co-equal with the Father and the Son within a trinitarian Godhead. Rather, it is consistently depicted as an inanimate, impersonal power or force directed and used by a personal God. Throughout numerous scriptures, the Holy Spirit is excluded from mentions of the God Family, where only the Father and the Son are recognized as Personalities with authority and responsibility. For instance, in greetings and references to divine authority, the Holy Spirit is repeatedly ignored, suggesting it lacks the personal nature attributed to the Father and the Son. It is not presented as a mediator between humanity and God, a role solely occupied by the Son, nor is it included in the chain of command or the transference of power within the divine structure. The Bible often uses masculine pronouns for the Holy Spirit due to grammatical necessity, as spirit is a masculine noun, which can create the appearance of personality. However, similar personifications occur with clearly inanimate objects like the heavens, earth, and floods, which are described as rejoicing or clapping hands, illustrating that such language is a literary device rather than evidence of personhood. The Holy Spirit is also compared to wind, water, and oil—elements without personality—further emphasizing its nature as a force rather than a being. Even in rare instances where it appears alongside the Father and the Son, such as in certain verses, there is no contextual indication of personality; any such interpretation must be read into the passage. Moreover, the Holy Spirit lacks expressions of personality like those attributed to the Father and the Son, who are shown with emotions and physical forms mirroring human characteristics. The sole animate depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove does not imply a literal form or personality but rather symbolizes God's power in a gentle, harmless manner. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is the power emanating from God's mind, enabling Him to be present and active everywhere in His creation, to energize and transform minds, and to accomplish His will without being a distinct personality within the God Family.

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pentecost holds a profound significance in God's purpose, surpassing even the giving of the Law under the Old Covenant with the New Covenant gift of His Holy Spirit. This Spirit is the essential force that enables the fulfillment of our destiny to be transformed into the spiritual and moral image of God, becoming sons in His family. Under the Old Covenant, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:2-4, most Israelites lacked God's Holy Spirit, a foundational truth that underscores its importance when it was finally given. The Holy Spirit manifests as a dynamic force, evident on the day of Pentecost with the sound of a mighty rushing wind from heaven filling the house, likely the Temple, where the disciples were gathered. Flames of fire appeared on those receiving the Spirit, marking them as set apart, a visible sign of sanctification. This Spirit empowered them to speak in familiar languages, reaching foreign-born inhabitants of Jerusalem and leading to the repentance and baptism of many who had witnessed Jesus Christ's ministry. The Holy Spirit is the channel through which God's creative energy and power are manifested, as seen in Psalm 104 where it brings forth creation and renewal. Without His Spirit, the earth would remain in destruction, and transformation would not occur. As described in Isaiah 32:13-18 and Ezekiel 37:12-14, God uses His Spirit to change natures, renew, and bring order from confusion, not by human might but by His direct action. Jesus Christ affirms in John 5:17 that He and His Father are continually working, shaping us as a potter shapes clay, with the Holy Spirit acting as the water that enables this molding. This transformative power is further emphasized in Galatians 6:15 and II Corinthians 3:18, where the Spirit initiates a new life, moving us from destruction to righteousness, a process of sanctification. The Spirit is not a power to be controlled for personal gain, as Simon the magician wrongly sought, revealing a self-centered idolatry that God rejects. Instead, as I Corinthians 14:1 warns, the Spirit is given abundantly to those who seek it to glorify God, not themselves. God retains control over the distribution of His Spirit, apportioning it for the common good of the church, as noted in I Corinthians 12:7. It empowers the church and benefits its members, not for individual exaltation but for collective strength. Additionally, the Spirit is given for personal spiritual growth, as II Peter 1:2-4 highlights, providing the power to yield to God and prepare for His Kingdom. It imparts essential truths about relationships with God and man, fostering hope, love, and inward strength, as seen in Romans 15:13, Romans 5:5, and Ephesians 3:14-21, enabling us to grasp the vastness of Christ's love and be filled with the fullness of God.

A Primer On Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Spirit is an invisible force, the effects of which are clear by its manifestations. Spirit can be discerned by thinking through and evaluating its effects.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'

Magic Doesn't Work (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Magic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification.