Is The Holy Spirit A Person Or A Thing?

So you have read our previous article on what or who the Holy Spirit really is, where we shared over 30 names and attributes of the Holy Spirit. This article will go a step further by proving with biblical evidence whether the Holy Spirit is a person or a thing.

Growing up, I have always thought of the Holy Spirit as a Dove. Do you remember the baptism of Jesus? The Bible says the Heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a Dove. So after all, it wasn’t wrong to think of the Spirit as a dove. And if a dove, then it is possible to conclude that the Spirit is a thing; not a person, right?

Until recently, I have always thought of the Spirit as a ‘thing’ and used the pronoun ‘it’ whenever referring to the Holy Spirit. Thank God I know better now. The truth of the matter is that the Holy Spirit is more than a dove. In fact, the Holy Spirit is a person; not a thing.

Here are some evidences in the Bible that prove the Holy Spirit is a PERSON not a THING:

1.    1. There are three in Heaven

In 1 John 5:7, the Bible says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” Although the Bible did not clearly say the ‘three’ are persons or things, we can easily figure that out. How? We know the Father and the Word (Jesus), are all persons. So obviously the third entity (the Holy Spirit) is also a person, not a thing.

2.     2. Jesus categorically used the pronoun ‘he’ for the Holy Spirit

-         He shall testify of me… (John 15:26)

-         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. (John 16:13)

-         When he comes, he will reprove the world of sin… (John 16:8)

-         He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine… (John 16:14)

3.     3. The use of ‘him’ and ‘himself’ justifies that the Holy Spirit is a PERSON.

-         He shall not speak of himself… (John 16:13)

-         … the world don’t know him (John 14:17)

-         … but if I depart, I will send him… (John 16:7)

In view of the above references, it is evident that the Holy Spirit is a PERSON, and not a THING. He is the third person in the Godhead.

Did you find article helpful? Hit the +1 or 'Like' button below.