II. THE TITLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is inseparably bound with the Scriptures. Though the subject is not so prominent in the Old Testament, it is said that there are eighty-eight direct references to the Spirit in the Old Testament and two hundred and sixty two in the New in which the Spirit is directly mentioned (vide James Elder Cumming, Through the Eternal Spirit, p. 36, 44).

The word for Spirit in Hebrew is “Ruah” translated variously as “breath, air, strength, wind, breeze, spirit, courage, temper” etc. When Samson drank the water his spirit (literally breath) revived (Jud.15.19). When Queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, there was no more spirit in her (she was overwhelmed and breathless” (1 Kings 10.4-5).

The word is used for the invisible and intangible as in “O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good (Job.7.7).

The word Ruha is used to mean wind. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool (literally “breeze”) of the day. It is used for strong, constant wind as in Ex.10.13; and an extremely strong wind as in Ex.10.19. A gale or tornado is also the translation of the word Ruha (cf. Hosea 8.7).

Other uses of the word are for direction. The four winds in Jer.49.36 represent the four ends of the earth. It represents the element of life in a man, his natural ‘spirit’ (Gen.7.21- 22). When it is used of the foolish prophets that follow their own spirits (Ezk.13.3) it is their thinking that is meant. Nonmaterial beings like angels are called a Spirit (1 kings 22.21). (Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, W.E.Vine, p.240-

241).

The Spirit in the Old Testament is the Divine Agent. In the New Testament we find the doctrine fully developed. Here He is the executive of the Godhead and the Vicar of Christ.

The designations given by the Spirit to Himself in the New Testament are classified by Cumming as follows:

1. Those which expresses His relationship to the Father:

(1) “The Spirit of God” (Matt.3.16).

(2) “The Spirit of the Lord” - Lk.4.18, here evidently of the Father. Acts 5.9; 8.39; in these passages the term “Lord” probably has reference to Christ.

(3) “The Spirit of our God” (1 Cor.6.11).

(4) “The Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor.3.3).

(5) “The Spirit of your Father” (Mt.10.20).

(6) “The Spirit of Glory and the Spirit of God” (1 Pet.4.14).

(7) “The Promise of the Father” (Acts 1.4).

2. Those which expresses His relationship to the Son:

(1) “The Spirit of Christ” (Rom.8.9; 1 Pet.1.11).

(2) “The Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1.19).

(3) “The Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16.7).

(4) “The Spirit of His (God’s) Son” (Gal.4.6).

(5) “Paraclete” or “Comforter” (John 14.16). This last designation describes the special relationship of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles of Christ.

3. Those signifying His own essential deity:

(1) “One Spirit” (Eph.4.4).

(2) “Seven Spirits” (the Perfect Spirit Rev.1.4; 3.1).

(3) “The Lord the Spirit” (2 Cor.3.18).

(4) “The Eternal Spirit” (Heb.9.14).

4. Those which expresses His spiritual attributes:

(1) “Holy Spirit” (Matt.1.18; 28.19, etc.).

(2) “The Holy One” (1 John 2.20).

5. Those which expresses the gifts that He bestows:

(1) “Holy Spirit of Life” (Rom.8.2).

(2) “The Spirit of Holiness” (Rom.1.4).

(3) “Spirit of Wisdom” (Eph.1.4) (Cf.Isa.11.2)

(4) “The Spirit of Faith” (2 Cor.4.13).

(5) “The Spirit of Truth” (Jn.14.17; 16.13).

(6) “The Spirit of Grace” (Heb.10.29; cf. Zech.12.10: the Spirit f grace and supplication”).

(7) “The Spirit of Adoption” (Rom.8.15).

(8) “Spirit of Glory (1 Pet.4.14). (Vide James Elder Cumming, Through the Eternal Spirit pp.48-50).

Here we would consider seven titles of the Holy Spirit as found in the New Testament.

a. The Spirit of Truth. This title is only found in the Gospel of John (Jn.14.16-17; 15.26; 16.13). He is the Holy Spirit. This title points out to what the world cannot receive (cf.1 Cor.2.14). Since spiritual things are to be discerned spiritually and keener intellect is of no value here, no mere mortal could utter his thoughts and make them God’s. If today we know the truth it is only because God chose holy men to be His spokesmen and the Spirit of God spoke through them (2 Pet.1.21). He is truth and guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual truth; it does not mean knowledge of truth as the world has; but the truth that is spiritual and ultimate or truth that relates to the spiritual realm.

b. The Spirit of holiness. This title is found in the epistles (Rom.1.4). This title expresses the sanctity of Christ in His resurrection. From his conception, birth, and throughout his life, he lived a perfect life of holiness. This was declared powerfully in his resurrection. The Holy Spirit is the spirit that makes holy. The Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in us (cf. Rom.8.11). He is called the Spirit of burning (Isa.4.4). In Isaiah Four the prophet gives a vision of the coming Kingdom. On that day he who remains in Jerusalem shall be called holy. The Lord shall have washed the filth of the daughters of Zion and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst by the Spirit of Justice and by the Spirit of Burning. The Spirit of holiness is the Spirit of burning and though He outwardly consumes the faithless inwardly purifies the faithful.

c. The Spirit of life (Rom.8.2). It is said of Jesus that in Him was life (Jn.1.4). Life was not created but it existed in Christ. Our physical and spiritual existence depends on God’s sustaining power. It is God who breathed into the first man the breath of life and man became a living soul (Gen.2.7). The Spirit is the source of communicating life to man. Eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (Jn.17.3). This is made possible by the Spirit of Life. The spirit who gives life by the law of the spirit of life makes it also possible to fulfill the just requirements of the law (Cf.Jn.6.33).In creation he has given life. He produces life (Gen.1.2) In conversion he

gives new life (2 Cor.5.17).

d. The Spirit of adoption (Rom.8.15; Gal.4.5; Eph.1.5). The Greek word for adoption (huiothesia) is derived from the word “guios”, a son, and “thesis”, a placing and signifies the place and condition of a son given to one whom it does not naturally belong (Expository Dictionary of Biblical words by W E.Vine). This is a special word used only by Apostle Paul. It is a legal term that in this connection indicates that believers have been given the full privileges of sonship in God’s family. Together with this placing God also gives the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. By this act in effect it could be said that we have become the natural born sons of God. Therefore we are not only ‘adopted’ but also ‘begotten’ by God. As the Son of God became the Son of Man, sons of men become sons of God. It is the Spirit of God that certifies our adoption into the family of God. The word ‘abba’ is an endearing title used only in the home (cf. Mark 14.36) as a child addresses the father.

e. The Spirit of Grace. (Heb.10.29). He is the Spirit that has been gracious in the work of salvation. We are not only salved by grace (Eph.2.8, 9) but also sustained by grace

(2 Tim.2.1). For the word Grace see Rom.3.24; 5.15; Eph.2.5; Tit.2.11 etc. “The Greek word for grace is probably equivalent to the Hebrew word “chesed” meaning ‘loving kindness’, a word frequently used by the psalmists to describe God’s character. In the New Testament the word “charis” usually signifies divine favour or goodwill, but it also means “that which gives joy” and “that which is a free gift”.

f. The Spirit of glory (1 Pet.4.14). The spirit of glory already rests on those who belong to Christ. Wherever the Holy Spirit is there is glory (Cf. O. T. Ex.40.35; 2 Chr.7.1; NT Acts 2.4). In one sense to the filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with the glory of God. In the immediate context when the Christians are persecuted and they suffer the Spirit of glory rests upon them. It is because of their loyalty to Christ that they suffer (Cf. Matt.5.11-12). Their relationship with the Lord during those moments become much meaningful and closer and they will enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. He will refresh their spirits and will provide them a foretaste of heaven’s glory.

g. The eternal spirit (Heb.9.14). He is eternal. Though some aver that ‘eternal spirit’ is a reference to the Spirit of Christ himself, we believe the reference is to the Holy Spirit. The redemption that Christ has accomplished for us is eternal (9.12). The inheritance promised to us is also eternal (9.15). As Christ Himself is eternal, the Holy Spirit is also eternal. It is through the eternal Spirit that Christ has offered himself to God. All the three persons of the trinity are mentioned in this verse.