Serene

Q3. (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13a) Why do we believe that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or power, but a Person? I believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person because of what Jesus taught about him and how the Holy Spirit behaved in the NT times. What kinds of functions that we attribute to persons does the Holy Spirit do? Functions that we attribute to persons includes such description as leads, guides, testify, grieved, comforts, distribute his gifts to us according to his own will etc. All these functions shows that Holy Spirit is a Person and is different from Jesus or God the Father. Why is it so easy to refer to the Spirit as “it” rather than “Him”? It is easy because we cannot see the Holy Spirit and when the Holy Spirit works within us, it seems like a force.

Q2. (John 15:26-27) What does it mean to “testify”? In what way does the Spirit testify about Jesus? Can you testify from personal knowledge about Jesus? Or were the apostles the only first-hand witnesses? "Testify" means to bear witness of, to be reminded of. The Spirit testify about Jesus by reminding the disciples about what Jesus has taught them and also enabling the disciples to bear witness of what they know about Jesus. That is why after Peter and the rest of the disciples had the Pentecost experience of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, they were bold to testify for Jesus before the religious leaders, so much so that they acknowledged that these simple folks were with Jesus. (Acts 4:13). Yes, I can testify from my personal knowledge and experience about Jesus. I do not think only the apostle were the only first-hand witnesses because I also experience Jesus through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was the initial Paraclete (helper) that was with the disciples while he was on earth and he promised the Holy Spirit as another Paraclete, giving the disciples some idea of what to expect. Just that for the Holy Spirit, he would be within them rather than just being with them. Because Jesus was going to the Father, seated at the right hand of God, the Holy Spirit can replace him by being here on earth to help all born-again disciples to know God and to obey God. Jesus was "with" the disciples when he stay with them during his 3 years ministry on earth. He will be "in" them when they (and all believers) are baptized in the Holy Spirit.