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The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe 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. RitenbaughThe Holy Spirit, as presented in the Bible, is not a personality co-equal with the Father and the Son within a trinitarian Godhead. Instead, it is consistently depicted as an inanimate, impersonal power or force directed and used by a personal God. Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit is often referred to with masculine pronouns, such as "he," due to grammatical necessity since "spirit" is a masculine noun, which can make it appear as a living personality engaging in activities ascribed to persons. However, this is a linguistic device, not an indication of personhood, as seen in other biblical examples where inanimate objects are personified for teaching purposes, like the heavens rejoicing or the mountains singing, without implying they possess personality. Numerous passages in the Bible mention the Father and the Son as distinct Personalities within the God Family, yet repeatedly exclude the Holy Spirit from such contexts, suggesting it does not hold a personal role. In greetings, chains of command, and descriptions of divine authority or mediation, only the Father and the Son are named, with the Holy Spirit consistently bypassed. For instance, there is one mediator between us and the Father, and that is the Son, not the Holy Spirit, even though it is described as a Comforter or guide. The Holy Spirit is also absent in depictions of the throne of the universe, where the Father and the Son are positioned, further indicating it is not a personality but a power emanating from Them to accomplish Their purposes. The Bible employs various metaphors for the Holy Spirit, such as wind, water, oil, and a dove, none of which align with the form or shape of God as described for the Father and the Son, who express personality through attributes mirroring human characteristics. Unlike Them, the Holy Spirit lacks expressions of personality like walking, talking, or showing emotions; its depiction as a dove is a singular instance and does not imply a literal form or personhood. Instead, these figures of speech emphasize its nature as a force or power used by God, as seen when it is poured out or fills a space indiscriminately, without shape or life, akin to a mighty rushing wind on the day of Pentecost. Even in verses often cited to support the Holy Spirit as a personality, such as those mentioning it alongside the Father and the Son, there is no inherent indication of personhood; such interpretations must be read into the context. The Holy Spirit is described as the means by which God binds believers together, sharing a common divine nature, but this does not equate to it being a distinct being. Ultimately, the overwhelming evidence throughout Scripture portrays the Holy Spirit not as a personality but as the power of God, the instrument through which He accomplishes His will across His creation.
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe receiving of God's Spirit is for God's creative effort in our lives. God's Spirit transforms us from a state of destruction into a state of purity.
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. RitenbaughThe 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. RitenbaughMagic 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.