Pneumatology, The Study of The Holy Spirit in the life of the beliver is something that all Christian should know and understand as well as, Soteriology The Doctrine of Christian Salvation. These two doctrines are things that no believer in Christ should be without, and or at least have a elementary understanding of to start with. In fact i believe in Christianity, understanding the Holy Spirit is a absolute must for the believer!

Pneumatology: the study of the Holy Spirit

Pneuma: the word primarily denotes the wind; also breath; then especially the spirit which like the wind is invisible, immaterial, and yet powerful.

Spirit and/or Ghost: both of these are renderings of the same word pneuma. The advantage of the rendering Spirit is that it can always be used; whereas the word Ghost requires the foreword Holy.

The chief topics of Theology (the study of God) respecting the Holy Spirit are:

1. His Personality

2. His Deity

3. his Relation to the Father and The Son

4. His Office or Work (The Work of the Holy Spirit)

The Holy Spirit is not simply a personification or figurative expression of Divine energy, but He is God. There is;

God The Father

God The Son (Jesus Christ, The Word)

God The Holy Spirit

In the scriptures, The Holy Spirit is ascribed a distinct personality just as the Father and Son are described explicitly. The pronouns used by Jesus Christ with reference to the Holy Spirit are personal pronouns.

a. The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Eph. 4:30)

b. The Holy Spirit can be insulted (Heb. 10:29)

c. The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:31)

d. The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed (Matt. 12:31-32)

e. The Holy Spirit can be resisted (Acts 7:51)

f. The Holy Spirit can be tempted (Acts 6:9)

g. The Holy Spirit can be vexed (Isaiah 6:10)

h. The Holy Spirit can be quenched (1 Thess. 5:19)

1. The Holy Spirit is God. Names are given to the Holy Spirit in Scripture that describe Him as God. (Acts 5:3-4; Acts 28:25-27; Heb. 10:15-17; 2 Cor. 3:17-18)

2. He has Divine attributes such as knowledge sovereignty, and eternity (1Cor.2:11; 12:11; Heb. 9:14)

3. He works Divine works such as Creation and New Birth (Gen. 1:2; Job 16:13; John 3:31-36)

4. Worship and homage belong to the Holy Spirit, as He is God (Acts 28:25-27; 2 Cor. 13:14)

5. The Holy Spirit is the same in substance and equal in power and glory with The Father and The Son.

6. The Holy Spirit proceeds from The Father and The Son, and they (The Father and Son) operate through Him (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Phil. 1:19; Acts 11:15-18)

a. The Holy Spirit is of the Godhead; is God (John 1:5-7; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 3:16; 12:4-6)

b. The Holy Spirit is Eternal (Heb. (9:14)

c. The Holy Spirit is Omnipotent (Luke 1:35)

d. The Holy Spirit is Omniscient (John 14:26; 16:12-13; 1 Cor. 2:10; Rom. 8:26-27)

e. The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10)

f. The Holy Spirit is the Life Source (Romans 8:2)

g. The Holy Spirit is The Spirit of Truth (John 16:13)

h. The Holy Spirit is The Spirit of Love (Romans 15:30)

i. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4; Eph. 4:30)

The Holy Spirit instructs, regenerates, sanctifies, and comforts believers. (John 3:5-6; 14:16-17; 16:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2)

The Holy Spirit strives with man (Genesis 6:3)

We are warned not to blaspheme, resist, grieve or quench The Holy Spirit.(Matt. 12:31-32; Acts 7:51; Eph 4:30; Thess. 5:19)

The Holy Spirit performs personal acts as He:

Works and searches (1 Cor. 12:11; 1 Cor. 2:10)

Speaks, Testifies and Bears Witness (Acts 13:2; Rev. 2:7; 2 Sam. 23:2; Matt. 10:20; 1 Tim. 4:1; John 15:26; Neh. 9:30; 1 John 5:6)

Teaches, Instructs, and Reproves (John 14:26; Neh. 9:20; John 16:8-11)

Prays, Intercedes, Leads, and Guides (Rom. 8:26; Matt. 4:11; John 16:13)

Glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14)

Regenerates (John 3:5-6)

Sends messengers from God (Isaiah 48:16)

Calls and directs us into ministry (Acts 13:2; 20:28; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 16:6-7)

Imparts Spiritual Gifts to Christ's Body (1 Cor.12:7-11)

a. The new birth is brought about the Spirit (John 3:5-6; 1 Cor. 12:3)

b. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer's spirit (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:17; John 2:27)

c. The Spirit gives the believer the assurance of salvation (Rom. 8:16)

d. The Spirit fills the believer with Himself (Acts 2:4; Eph. 5:18)

e. The Spirit (by baptism in the Spirit) enables the believer to speak in unknown languages(tongues). (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6; Mark 16:17; 1 Cor. 14:2, 4, 18)

f. The Spirit is a scriptural expression and experience.

g. The Spirit speaks to the believer (Matt3:11; Acts 1:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; John 1:33; Luke 3:16)

h. The Spirit opens the believers understanding to the things of God (1 Cor. 2:12)

i. The Spirit teaches the believer and guides him into all truth (john 16:13; 1 John 2:27)

j. The Spirit imparts life (John 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6)

k. The Spirit brings about renewal (Titus 3:5)

l. The Spirit strengthens the believers inner being (Eph. 3:16)

m. The Spirit enables the believer to pray (Jude 20; Rom. 8:26-28)

n. The Spirit enables the believer to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3; 1 Cor. 14:15)

o. The Spirit leads the believer (Rom. 8:14)

p. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to put fleshly deeds to death (Rom. 8:13)

q. The Spirit produces Christ-likeness in character and fruit in the believers life (Gal. 5:22-23)

r. The Spirit calls the believer for special service (Acts 13:2-4)

s. The Spirit guides the believer into their ministry (Acts 8:29; 16:6-7)

t. The Spirit empowers the believers witness (Acts 1:8)

u. The Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to the believer as he wills (1 Cor. 12:7-11)

v. The Spirit will bring about the resurrection and immortality to the believers body in the last day (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:47-51; 1 Thess. 4:15-18)

 

1. Water- The Spirit symbolized as water speaks of the life-giving flow which refreshes and satisfies. It also speaks of washing, cleansing, and fruitfulness.

2. Fire- This symbolizes the holiness of God whereby the Holy Spirit is sent forth in judgement to purge, purify, and enliven with zeal. Fire also symbolizes the presence of God.

3. Wind or Breath- These symbolizes the life-giving breath of God in its regenerative power. It underscores the fact that the Holy Spirit is invisible as a Person, yet the effect (much like the wind) of His work can be seen.

4. Dew- Dew only comes in stillness of the night; brings refreshing to the mown grass. So it is with the refreshing work of the Spirit in the Church.

5. Oil- Oil was distinctly involved in the anointing of the prophets, priest's, and kings to their offices. It speaks of the consecration and supernatural ennoblement of the Spirit's anointing grade; the presence of God. It is the Spirit Who anoints the members of the Church to their priestly functions.

6. The Dove- The symbol of the dove is used to represents purity, beauty, gentleness and peace; the nature and character of the Holy Spirit.

7. The Seal- The Seal is significant ownership, genuineness and security. This emphasizes the Spirit's activity confirming us to God's ownership of us; His authority over us; and our security in Him.

8. The Still Small Voice- The voice of God within man bringing a revelation of God's will toward him and for him.

9. The Finger of God- The Spirit is the One who points the accusing finger at sin to ring about the conviction of the sinner to the place of accepting Jesus Christ as His Savior, Lord, and Advocate.

10. The First Fruits- The first fruits were always symbolic of the full harvest to come, so the Spirit;s initial work of regeneration points to the full salvation and glorification of the believer before God.

11. The Earnest- The earnest is a down payment, a pledge of more to come. So the Spirit's work in salvation is simply the pledge of full and total redemption of the believer.

12. The enduement- This symbol means the endowment (the grant of power, the gift) and becomes the believers garment for ministry before the Lord.

Pneumatology The Study Of The Holy Spirit