12. —The Titles & Work of The Holy Ghost.
This subject fittingly completes similar researches respecting the Father and the Son that have already occupied us, by giving a full and comprehensive review from the New Testament of the titles and work of God the Holy Ghost. To those of our readers who have leisure, we would suggest a comparison of the three subjects side by side. A most interesting and profitable series of short Bible jottings, suitable for the readers of this Magazine who have not time to work out such a subject for themselves might be made by giving lists of similarity of action in the three Persons of the Trinity, of differences of action, or of combination in action. If some of our friends will thus collate the three subjects, we doubt not they will be able to furnish us with many new and valuable thoughts. In the short space at our disposal it would be manifestly impossible to attempt this; indeed, on looking through last month’s subject alone, it appears so vast and so full, that we feel we cannot do more in the present paper than briefly take up the first of the two great divisions in which it is arranged.
The titles of the Holy Ghost as given in the list may be profitably classified as follows: TITLES OF THE HOLY GHOST.
I. Titles connected wdth the Godhead generally.
God, Holy Spirit of God, Spirit of our God, Spirit of God, Spirit of the living God, Seven Spirits of God
Titles connected with God the Father.
Power of the Highest, Spirit of the Father.
Titles connected with God the Son.
Spirit of Christ, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of Jesus Christ, Spirit of His Son.
Six personal titles of God the Holy Ghost.
The Spirit, The Lord, Holy Spirit, Eternal Spirit, Holy One, or Holy Ghost, Comforter.
Seven special titles of God the Holy Ghost.
Spirit of grace, Spirit of adoption, Spirit of promise, Spirit of glory, Spirit of life, Spirit of holiness, Spirit of truth.
In Division 1. we notice two facts of all importance; first, that the Holy Ghost is God, and second, that He is the Spirit of the triune God. Just as in Christ dwells “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:1919And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:19)), so may we not in like manner say with reverence that in God the Holy Ghost we get God spiritually? Of Christ as the bodily expression of God we read, “Every eye shall see Him,” of God the Holy Ghost as the spiritual expression of God it is written, “Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not” (John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)). The expression “seven spirits of God,” in the Revelation, is not only in keeping with the character of the book (which looking at all things from the Divine standpoint, sees them fully and perfectly as sevens) but referring to Isaiah 11 presents to us the sevenfold power of the Holy Ghost in government. The seven spirits there alluded to are as follows: The Spirit of the Lord—of wisdom—of understanding—of counsel—of might—of knowledge—and of the fear of the Lord. The “Spirit of the living God” refers especially to God in the power of resurrection, for it is in the power of resurrection that the Spirit thus engraves upon our hearts the name and qualities of Christ.
Turning to Division 2. we find that, not only is the Holy Ghost the “Spirit of God” generally, but that He is specially spoken of as the “Spirit of the Father.” By the Spirit in this connection the Father speaks through His children (Matthew 10:2020For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:20)) and thus, when walking really in dependence upon God, we have a wisdom and words not our own, but given to us from above. It is a thought full of comfort and strength, that the Holy Ghost who dwells in us is the “Spirit of our Father.”
But, not only so, in Division 3. we find that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, He is Christ, spiritually in us (Romans 8:1010And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)), so that in proportion as we are led and guided by the Holy Ghost and not by our own wills, are we being led and guided by Christ, and in us are reproduced the spirit and ways that were found in Him. Not only does the ungrieved Spirit thus guide us rightly in all our ways manward, but as the “Spirit of His Son” He gives right feelings, thoughts and words Godward. It is by this Spirit that we cry, “Abba, Father.” As the “Spirit of Christ” therefore the Holy Ghost is our life; as the “Spirit of Jesus Christ” He strengthens us in the hour of trial; as the “Spirit of His Son” He produces in our hearts the language of a son.
In Division 4, there is much to learn in connection with the six titles there given. One fact specially should impress us, and that is that God being the High and Holy One that inhabiteth eternity, we have to do with One whose holiness cannot sanction any sin. Sin indulged, grieves the Holy Ghost, silences His voice and takes away from our hearts all the blessing and communion with Christ that His enjoyed presence gives. When we sin and act willfully, the Spirit can no longer fulfill His mission as “Comforter” in our hearts. He came down as a Person for this purpose at Pentecost (though breathed into the disciples as, the breath of the new life in John 20:2222And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:22) j compare Genesis 2:77And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)) and will remain on earth in and with God’s people, until that time when He (the Spirit) who now letteth (or hinders) the entire triumph of evil in this world (2 Thessalonians 2:77For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7)) “be taken out of the way,” or in other words, until the coming of the Lord for His people, when the Holy Ghost has, like Eliezer of old (Genesis 24), accomplished His work of leading the Bride of the Son across the desert of this world to the Father’s house.
Division 5. gives us seven special titles of the Holy Spirit which are full of instruction. Grace (Hebrews 10:2929Of 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? (Hebrews 10:29)), glory (1 Peter 4:1414If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:14)), adoption (Romans 8:1515For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)), life (Romans 8:22For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)), promise (Ephesians 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)), holiness (Romans 1:44And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (Romans 1:4)), truth (John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)).
As the Spirit of grace and truth, He especially represents Christ in the twofold character in which He came— “full of grace and truth” (John 1:1414And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)). In a general way He convicts the world at large of the truth of its condition (John 16:88And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:8)) while at the same rime bringing home to the hearts of men the grace that alone can purge away their sins. In a more special way through the Spirit have we all received of Christ’s fullness in these two ways, so that He produces in us the fruits of grace while at the same time He guides us into all truth. (John 16:1313Howbeit 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 show you things to come. (John 16:13)).
The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets us free from all our old relationships, while the Spirit of adoption brings us into the new. Those who have the Spirit of life are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:22For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)) which has no power over an existence that begins beyond the tomb on resurrection ground. Those who have the Spirit of adoption can and do cry “Abba, Father,” having the Spirit of sonship in their hearts; while therefore in the one case all links of slavery are broken, in the other fresh chains of obedience are forged.
Just one word in closing, on the Spirit of glory, which expression occurs in 1 Peter 4:1414If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:14): it is there said that if we be reproached truly for the name of Christ, the Spirit of God, bringing home the power of the coming glory, rests upon us. The word “rest” is the same word as Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28), “I will give you rest,” and means taking a rest or even “ finding satisfaction;” so that we get rest by coming to Christ, while the Spirit of God can find His rest and satisfaction in the one who is a partaker of Christ’s sufferings. Our space forbids us to look further into this interesting subject, but we trust that what has been said will stimulate our readers to consider it still further for themselves.