The Bible Provocateur
The Bible Provocateur
Where God Lives: Understanding the Holy Spirit as Divine
"We are where the living God lives." This powerful truth forms the foundation of our understanding about the Holy Spirit – not just as a force or influence, but as fully divine, the third Person of the Trinity who deserves our worship and submission.
Drawing from extensive biblical evidence, we explore the compelling case for the Holy Spirit's deity. From explicit references calling the Spirit "God" to passages identifying Him as "Jehovah," Scripture consistently elevates the Holy Spirit to equal standing with the Father and Son. When Peter confronted Ananias about lying to the Holy Spirit, he equated it with lying to God Himself – a direct testament to the Spirit's divine nature.
The divine attributes of the Holy Spirit further confirm this truth. He is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. As Paul explains, the Spirit "searches the deep things of God" – something only possible because the Spirit is God. Just as your own spirit alone truly knows you, only the Spirit of God fully knows God.
This theological understanding transforms our daily spiritual experience. When we read Scripture, it's the Holy Spirit who illuminates our minds. When we feel conviction over sin or comfort in suffering, it's God Himself working within us. Our bodies have become the temple where the divine presence dwells – the fulfillment of God's promise: "I will live in them and walk among them."
The Holy Spirit's divine work in salvation cannot be overstated. Just as He overshadowed Mary to conceive Jesus, He now creates new spiritual life in believers' hearts. This regeneration transforms us from within, enabling faith and producing spiritual fruit. Without the Spirit's work, the Bible remains "a dead book" – it's His divine presence that brings the Word to life.
Have you fully grasped the wonder of God Himself dwelling within you through His Spirit? How might recognizing the Holy Spirit's full deity change your approach to prayer, Bible reading, and daily Christian living?
in them and I will walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people. This only happens, christians, one way If the spirit of the living God, the spirit who is God, is God. He must live in us if we are to be saved by him. And the only way that we can be saved is if the spirit of the living God lives within us. We are told, as Paul tells us here in 2 Corinthians 6, 16, we are the temple. We are the temple of the living God. This is where he lives. We are where God lives. Somebody says, say it again, we are where the living God lives, we are his domain, we are where he lives. And Paul, quoting the Old Testament Ezekiel, no doubt, and Jeremiah, where he promises in the Old Covenant, which he's fulfilled today, in Acts, when he sends his Holy Spirit to dwell within the souls of his people, he says, as God has said, three things Two, I will walk in them. And three, I will be their God. And four, they shall be my people. This can only be done. This can only be done if you are the temple of the living God, which means that God lives in you. You can hope and aspire and send money to Israel. All you want to, you're wasting your time. The nation as a nation God is done with Now he's dealing with, as first Peter says in chapter two, verse nine, he is dealing with his holy nation, his glory, his, his saved people, saved by redemption by Christ, saved by his blood, cleansed by his blood, and we became the house of the Holy spirit. We became the house of the Holy Spirit, we became the house, so to speak, where the Shekinah glory of God actually dwells. We are the dwelling place, as 2 Corinthians 6, 16 says, of the living God, and the living God that lives within us is the Holy Spirit, and this is something that should be understood. So, as far as establishing that the Holy Spirit is called God In the Bible, I leave off there With that, and now I come to another section For those who are Enduring Enduring this Talk. And now come to another section For those who are enduring this talk.
Speaker 1:The Holy Spirit is expressly referred to in the Bible as Jehovah, yes, jehovah, the Lord, the Holy Spirit is called Jehovah. We see it beginning in Luke, chapter one, verse 68, where Luke says blessed be the Lord, god of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. Notice what he says blessed be the Lord, god God. Here is Jehovah. Blessed be the Lord, god, jehovah of Israel. He has visited his redeemed. He has visited and redeemed his people. Skip over to verse 70,. Luke 1 70. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. So in Luke 68 and verse 70, blessed be the Lord, jehovah of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, as he spoke in verse 70, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets. In other words, as the holy prophets said he would do, and that they have been saying this since the world began, the prophets have been saying this.
Speaker 1:Now compare this to what Peter says In 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 20 and 21. So remember, in Luke 1.70, it says that it was by the mouth of the holy prophets since the world began that told about the visitation of the blessed Lord God, jehovah. Peter says in 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 20, knowing this first, no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. Verse 21, remember what I just said in Luke 1 70, that the mouth of the holy prophets spoke about these things. So, second Peter one, verse 21,. He says this for prophecy? For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man. It wasn't just the result of man's will expressing these things. He says not by the will of man, but by holy men of God, jehovah. Holy men of God, god here, jehovah, they spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. You see this, holy men of God, holy men of Jehovah, it says they spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. So when you go back into the Old Testament and you read what the prophets were teaching about, it says that these men were moved by Jehovah to speak what they spoke. And if you go back to the Old Covenant, you will see that Jehovah spoke to them. But in 2 Peter, 1.21, peter says the prophecies came in old time, not by the will of man, but by holy men of God, jehovah, who spoke as they were moved, who spoke as they were moved, who spoke as they were moved. It is simple as that. And then we move on to 2 Samuel, 2 Samuel. 2 Samuel, chapter 23.
Speaker 1:Verse 2. The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said the rock of Israel spoke to me. He that rules over men must be just ruling in the spirit of the Lord, spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue. Look at the verse. Look at the verse next, verse three, because first he says that the spirit of the Lord spoke by him. Then he says in the very next verse and this is what the God, the God Jehovah of Israel, said the rock of Israel spoke to me. He that rules over men must be just ruling in the fear of God. So he says in verse two the spirit spoke to me, the spirit of the Lord. So he says in verse two the spirit spoke to me. The spirit of the Lord, the spirit of Jehovah spoke to me. And then he tells you what the God of Israel said the rock of Israel spoke to him. The spirit of the Lord, the God of Israel and the rock are all the same. They're the same. He's telling you that the Spirit of the Lord is the God of Israel.
Speaker 1:But let's compare this to what the apostle says.
Speaker 1:Let's compare it because in acts 116 we read this men and brethren, the scripture must needs to be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost said by the mouth of David, said by the mouth of David.
Speaker 1:So here you have the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit who is God speaking by the mouth of David, the Holy Ghost speaking by the mouth of David. Going forward, let's turn back to Acts, chapter 78. Acts 78, verse 17. And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most high in the wilderness. So in Psalm 17,. They sinned yet more against him, meaning God, by provoking the most high in the wilderness. Now compare that with what Isaiahaiah says in chapter 63, verse 10, speaking about the same thing. I just read in psalm. So in isaiah 63, verse 10, it says this but they rebelled. They rebelled and they vexed his Holy Spirit. Therefore, he was turned to be their enemy and fought against them. So in Psalm 78, 17, it says they provoked him, they provoked the most high, they rebelled against him. And in Isaiah 63, 10, it says but they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit. So the Most High is the Holy Spirit who is being addressed. Therefore, he, the Holy Ghost, was turned to be their enemy and he fought against them. Notice what it says they rebelled and vexed the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he was turned to be their enemy and they fought against him. There's so much.
Speaker 1:I'll do one more comparison with the Old and New Testament passages In Isaiah. In Isaiah 68, I'm sorry. In Isaiah 6, verse 8, it says this Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I here am I Send me, verse 9. And he said Go and tell this people. Hear ye, indeed, but understand not. See ye, indeed, but perceive not. See ye, indeed, but perceive not. So what the Spirit tells Isaiah is that to go tell this people hear with your ears, but do not understand. See with your eyes, but perceive not. Now, that's what Isaiah the prophet says.
Speaker 1:Now let's look at what is said by the apostle in Acts, chapter 28, referencing what I just read in Isaiah, chapter 6. He says in Acts 28, verse 25, when they agreed not among themselves, they departed. And after that Paul had spoken one word well spoke the Holy Ghost. Listen, well, spoke the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet, which I just read to you in chapter 6, verse 8 and 9. Which I just read to you in chapter 6, verse 8 and 9. But in Acts, chapter 28, verse 25, the apostle says and when they agreed not among themselves, they departed. And after that Paul spoke one word and he said this, well spoke. In other words, the Holy Ghost did speak well by through Isaiah, the prophet, unto our fathers. The Holy Ghost spoke by Isaiah unto our fathers. Now catch this. Acts 28, verse 26. What did the Holy Ghost say?
Speaker 1:The Holy Ghost said by Isaiah in Isaiah 6, verses 8 and 9. He says go unto this people and say hearing, you shall hear and not understand, and seeing, you shall see and not perceive. Isaiah said this in chapter 6, verse 9. Isaiah said that. But we come to Acts, chapter 25 or 28, verses 25 and 26. And Paul says that the Holy Spirit is who said this through Isaiah. And he said to tell them hearing, you shall hear and not understand, and seeing you shall see and not understand. And seeing you shall see and not perceive. This was the Holy Spirit, who is God, who spoke under the name Jehovah in Isaiah. When Isaiah in 6, verse 8 says I also, I heard the voice of who Jehovah, jehovah Also, I heard the voice of who Jehovah. And so we see here, closing up this section, where the Holy Spirit is expressly called in all these passages Jehovah. Jehovah is the Father, jehovah is the son, jehovah is the Holy Ghost. That is what and who Jehovah is.
Speaker 1:So now let's look at another one Deuteronomy, chapter 32. In Deuteronomy, chapter 32, verse 12, it says this so the Lord alone did lead him, meaning Jacob, and there was no strange God with him. Deuteronomy 32, verse 12. Now compare this to what Isaiah says in Isaiah 63, verse 14. As a beast goes down into the valley, the spirit of the Lord caused him to rest. So did so, didst thou lead thy people to make thyself a glorious name. Listen, in Deuteronomy 32,. So the Lord Jehovah, so Jehovah alone alone, did lead him, jacob, and there was no strange God with him, and there was no strange God with him. Now, speaking about the same thing Isaiah 63, verse 14. As the beast goes down to the valley, the spirit of Jehovah caused him to rest. And here's where you are familiar with 32, 12 in Deuteronomy. Here's where you are familiar with 32, 12 in Deuteronomy. So you, meaning the spirit of Jehovah, did lead thy people to make thyself a glorious name. So the same Lord Jehovah who led Jacob is the same spirit of the Lord Jehovah who led the people in Isaiah 63, verse 14.
Speaker 1:I know I'm loading everyone up, but I have to do it. I want nobody saying there was no biblical proof for these things, but there's plenty. There's plenty and I cannot hesitate in doing so. So that concludes that section. So so far there have been two sections that prove the deity and the divinity of the Holy Spirit, where he is expressly referred to as God and where he is expressly referred to, excuse me, as Jehovah. Now let's prove that the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit is divine, referred to, excuse me, as Jehovah. Now let's prove that the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit, is divine because of the perfections or the properties of God that are found with reference to him, that are found. The perfections and the properties of God belong to the Holy Spirit. Now we know that the Spirit is holy. In fact we call the Spirit the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:In Exodus, chapter 15, verse 11, it says who is like unto thee, o Lord, among the gods?
Speaker 1:Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Who is like unto thee? And then Luke of Paul says in Romans, chapter 1, verse 4, jesus. Speaking about Jesus, it says that he was declared notice this he was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. So in Exodus 15, 11, who is like unto thee, o Lord among the gods, who is like thee, glorious in holiness? In Romans 1, 4, that Christ was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. It was the spirit of holiness who declared Christ to be the son of God with power, and he did so by the resurrection of the dead. It was the spirit that raised Christ from the dead. It was the son that raised himself from the dead. It was the father who raised his son from the dead. These three are all one.
Speaker 1:That is why this can be said exactly the way that I said it, and it is only something that the true believer can understand and lay hold of, because it takes the spirit of God living in the believer to make that effectual in his understanding, in his heart and mind. The spirit is holy in his heart and mind. The spirit is holy. Now the next thing is the spirit is eternal. Again, I'm pointing out that the Holy Spirit must be God, he must be divine, he must be intellectual, he must be cognizant, he must be aware and be an entity of intellect and understanding and is able to move no different than the way the Father moves or the way the Holy Spirit moves or the way the Son moves. So the Holy Spirit is holy as God the Father, and as God the Son are holy, the Spirit is also eternal.
Speaker 1:How do I know? We read it in Hebrews 9, 14. Hebrews 9, chapter 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who, through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? In other words, how much more shall the blood of Christ, through the eternal spirit, offer himself without spot to God? The Holy Spirit is eternal, the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God. The Holy Spirit is eternal. He is eternal, he's holy and he's eternal. He has attributes and he holds the properties that belong only to God.
Speaker 1:The spirit of God is omnipresent, that belong only to God. The Spirit of God is omnipresent, meaning he's everywhere at once. How do I know? Psalm 139, verse seven the Spirit is omnipresent. It says there whether shall I go from thy Spirit? In other words, where can I go from your spirit or where shall I flee from thy presence? Nowhere, you can never leave the presence of God. The Holy Spirit is everywhere. The Father is not here, the Son is not here. The Son is not here. The Holy Spirit is who is here now and he dwells within us. And the only way that the Holy Spirit can dwell inside every single believer is for him to be everywhere at once, everywhere, everywhere. He's everywhere. The Holy Spirit is omniscient. He knows all things. You can't be omnipresent and not be God, just the same. You can't be omniscient unless you be God. The Holy Spirit is omniscient, knowing all things. We see this in Paul's writing once again, in 1 Corinthians 2, verse 10. God has revealed them unto us. How? By his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, even the deep things of God. The spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For what man? Listen to this verse. This is powerful and this came up in my last message.
Speaker 1:Just like it is only the spirit of a man who knows the man, paul says even so, the things of god knows no man, but the spirit of god. Notice what he says, because he says even so, or in the same way, or just like, for what man knows the things of the man except for the spirit of the man? Only the spirit in you knows who you are. You know who you are because of the Spirit within you. And Paul says, even so, the things of God no man knows except the Spirit of God. So he is basically saying this Just as the Spirit within you, the spiritual part of you, is what enables you to know who you are, and inside you, within you, is where the truth about you really lies and really dwells. And Paul is saying in the same exact way the spirit of god is, knows and searches all things that are god. In other words, it is the spirit of God that basically is that which knows all that God is. He knows everything. It says he searches even the deep things of God. So the Holy Spirit can only be God if he is omniscient and all-knowing, if he is able to search the deep things of God and if he's able to search all things. That means there's nothing that goes outside of his purview, not even that which pertains to God Almighty himself. The Spirit knows why, because the Spirit is God.
Speaker 1:Lastly, in this section, the Spirit is omnipotent. The Spirit is omnipotent. Now, for the Spirit to be omnipotent, it means that he is all powerful. He is all powerful.
Speaker 1:We see this in Luke, chapter 1, verse 35. It says this and the angel answered and said unto her meaning, to Mary, the angel answered and said unto Mary, the Holy Spirit shall come upon thee. The power of the highest shall overshadow you. Therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee Now notice you, the power of the highest shall overshadow you. Therefore, also, that holy thing which shall be born in thee shall be called the Son of God, the Holy Ghost in his great almighty power. He is the one that planted the seed of the Holy One in the body of mary. It was he who overshadowed her. It was he that gave her this precious holy thing that we refer to as our lord and savior. It is because of the holy spirit that the son of God was born, and it was through the agency of the Holy Spirit that he came to this earth and put on human flesh in a virgin from a virgin woman.
Speaker 1:The Holy Spirit is God Almighty, and he works in and through us to this very day. He walks in us. He produces the fruit in us that we get credit for, even though it is he who produces all the fruit that we do. It is he who walks in us and enables us to discern between right and wrong. It is God, the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and convinces us of all sin. It is the Holy Spirit of God which convicts our souls and makes us to understand when we are walking correctly in God's path or when we are deviating from it. It is he who makes intercession for us when we fail to be able to utter a word about the things that we either want or need, or know that we need or know that we should want. It is the Holy Spirit, who is God, who does these things. It is the Holy Spirit who spoke to the holy men of old, who told us about the things that were to come. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to understand the word of God.
Speaker 1:When I started this conversation, I growled about people who are always talking about that they should be believed in what they say, because all they do is read the scriptures as if you don't. And what I said was that the only reason, the only thing that reading the scriptures proves. When you say that you read the scriptures and have the truth because you read it, it only means you know how to read, but it is the Holy Spirit that gives you the ability to understand what you read. Without the Holy Spirit, the Bible is a dead book, Means nothing. It has nothing to do with your salvation unless the Holy Spirit be in you.
Speaker 1:Repentance comes when the Spirit has been regenerated. Regeneration is the new life that is given to you, and it is the Holy Spirit, who is God, which gives new life. The Holy Spirit is God. He is the one that regenerates us and gives us new life, the new birth that we refer to as being born again, which really means to be born from above. That birth is the birth given to us by the Holy Ghost. Just as the Holy Ghost put the seed of the Son of God in Mary and gave him life Think about that for a second.
Speaker 1:It was the Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary and put the seed of the body of Christ in her. And he is still doing that same thing today, saving souls that way, by putting the seed of God, of belief in their hearts, the seed of faith, and enabling them to trust God as their savior, to trust Christ as the redeemer. And now we trust the Spirit of God as the one who has regenerated us by applying the redemptive work of Christ to our hearts, and then we are now led by the Holy Spirit, who today dwells in his temple, and his temple is the body of Christ. He lives in and within us and he operates in and through us, and it is he who makes all things clear to us as it pertains to Christ and what he has done for our salvation. That concludes my message for this morning salvation. That concludes my message for this morning. Be provoked and be persuaded, every one of you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, have a good day.