Topical Bible: The Holy Spirit: is God: As Jehovah, Most High

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The Holy Spirit, as presented in the Holy Scriptures, is not merely an impersonal force or influence but is indeed God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. This understanding is rooted in the biblical revelation of the Holy Spirit's divine attributes, works, and titles, which affirm His deity and His identity as Jehovah, the Most High.

Divine Attributes

The Holy Spirit possesses attributes that are unique to God alone. He is eternal, as seen in Hebrews 9:14, which refers to Him as the "eternal Spirit." His omnipresence is affirmed in Psalm 139:7-8, where David declares, "Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?" This rhetorical question underscores the Spirit's presence everywhere. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is omniscient, as evidenced in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11: "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

Divine Works

The works of the Holy Spirit further testify to His deity. In creation, the Spirit is active, as Genesis 1:2 states, "The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." This involvement in creation is a divine prerogative. The Spirit also plays a crucial role in the inspiration of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:21 declares, "For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This divine inspiration underscores the Spirit's role in revealing God's truth.

The Holy Spirit is also instrumental in the work of regeneration and sanctification. In John 3:5-6, Jesus explains, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit." This new birth is a divine act, accomplished by the Spirit. Additionally, the Spirit sanctifies believers, setting them apart for God's purposes, as seen in 1 Peter 1:2, which speaks of "the sanctifying work of the Spirit."

Divine Titles

The titles attributed to the Holy Spirit further affirm His deity. He is called the "Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16) and the "Spirit of the Lord" (Acts 5:9), indicating His divine nature and authority. In Acts 5:3-4, Peter confronts Ananias, saying, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit... You have not lied to men, but to God." This passage equates lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God, underscoring the Spirit's identity as God.

The Holy Spirit is also referred to as the "Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9), highlighting His unity with the Son. This title reflects the Trinitarian relationship within the Godhead, where the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, sharing in the divine essence and mission.

As Jehovah, Most High

The Holy Spirit's identity as Jehovah, the Most High, is implicit in His divine attributes, works, and titles. The name Jehovah, often rendered as LORD in English translations, signifies the self-existent, eternal God. The Spirit's eternal nature, omnipresence, and omniscience align with the characteristics of Jehovah. Moreover, His involvement in creation, inspiration, regeneration, and sanctification are works that only Jehovah, the Most High, can perform.

In the Trinitarian framework, the Holy Spirit is worshiped and glorified together with the Father and the Son. This co-equality is reflected in the baptismal formula given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The singular "name" signifies the unity and equality of the three Persons of the Godhead, each fully and equally God.

Through these scriptural affirmations, the Holy Spirit is recognized as God, Jehovah, the Most High, deserving of the same honor, worship, and obedience as the Father and the Son.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 78:17,21
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 7:51
You stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jehovah-Shammah: a Glorious Name for the New Year
... bowed his head and said, "It is finished." God was in ... out those other dwellings of
the Invisible Spirit, who still by his presence makes holy places even ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/jehovah-shammah a glorious name for.htm

The Holy Spirit's Chief Office
... persecuting Jews professed to be worshippers of Jehovah; but they ... better for the
Church to have the Holy Spirit in the ... to prove it guilty in the sight of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the holy spirits chief office.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... in order to exalt the office of the Holy Spirit of God ... must be by a something not
that the Spirit has done ... He hath the incommunicable title of the Most High God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
... Zechariah 3:1). It means the "salvation of Jehovah." It was ... 26:53), but as the gift
of God"Acts 2 ... angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/vi annunciation of the birth.htm

True Greatness
... grace of God soon loses the impressions of the Holy Spirit. ... himself to be controlled
by a spirit of jealousy ... He who had defied and blasphemed the God of heaven ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 42 true greatness.htm

Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
... to the support of the religion of Jehovah, we would ... Christ demands of us, and which
his Holy Spirit must work ... to bear them; the consequences must be with God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three names high on the.htm

A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of ...
... When, therefore, thou art to pray to God, let thine heart speak to him as to that
eternal, infinite, almighty, holy, wise, just, merciful Spirit, and most ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/a plain description of the.htm

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
... Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; and ... doctrine is burned by the hand of
God's Spirit through a ... Then would Jehovah of hosts have a people to serve ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the abiding of the spirit.htm

Walking with God
... God will set his almighty fiat to it, and seal ... seal of heaven, even the signet of
his holy Spirit. ... high and lofty One', says the great Jehovah, that inhabiteth ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

A Jealous God
... I quickened my people," saith the Holy Spirit; the temptations ... Hide yourselves, then,
under the banner of Jehovah's jealousy. ... If it be to God's glory to save me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm