Introduction.
Though the Modernists, Socinians, and Unitarians speak of Him as mere Influence or force, The Bible clearly portrays Him as a Person.
Note carefully these Scriptures:
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be forever with you--the Spirit of truth.
Joh 14:17 That Spirit the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. You know Him, because He remains by your side and is in you.
Joh 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will teach you everything, and will bring to your memories all that I have said to you.
From these verses we see that the Holy Spirit is an advocate, comforter or Helper.
Barnes :Another Comforter - Jesus had been to them a counsellor, a guide, a friend, while he was with them. He had instructed them, had borne with their prejudices and ignorance, and had administered consolation to them in the times of despondency. But he was about to leave them now to go alone into an unfriendly world. The other Comforter was to be given as a compensation for his absence, or to perform the offices toward them which he would have done if he had remained personally with them. And from this we may learn, in part, what is the office of the Spirit. It is to furnish to all Christians the instruction and consolation which would be given by the personal presence of Jesus, Joh_16:14. To the apostles it was particularly to inspire them with the knowledge of all truth, John 14:26 He was to be their Teacher.
Joh 15:26 "When the Advocate is come whom I will send to you from the Father's presence--the Spirit of Truth who comes forth from the Father's presence--He will be a witness concerning me.
Jesus says that the Spirit of truth, comes forth from the Father's Presence and that He will be a witness concerning Jesus. He will reveal the truth about Christ.
Cp also John 16:7-15
Rom 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them. But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no words,
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, [weaknesses].... The Spirit of God which dwells in us, by whom we are led, who is the spirit of adoption to us, who has witnessed to our spirits, that we are the children of God, whose firstfruits we have received, over and above, and besides what he has done for us, "also helpeth our infirmities"; whilst we are groaning within ourselves, both for ourselves and for others, and are waiting patiently for what we are hoping for. The people of God, all of them, more or less, have their infirmities in this life. They are not indeed weak and infirm, in such sense as unregenerate persons are, who have no spiritual strength, are ignorant of their weakness, do not go to Christ for strength, nor derive any from him, and hence can perform nothing that is spiritually good: nor are they all alike infirm; some are weaker in faith, knowledge, and experience, than others; some are of more weak and scrupulous consciences than others be:... John Gill
but the Spirit itself — rather, “Himself.” (See end of Rom_8:27).
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered — that is, which cannot be expressed in articulate language. Sublime and affecting ideas, for which we are indebted to this passage alone! “As we struggle to express in articulate language the desires of our hearts and find that our deepest emotions are the most inexpressible, we ‘groan’ under this felt inability. But not in vain are these groanings. For ‘the Spirit Himself’ is in them, giving to the emotions which He Himself has kindled the only language of which they are capable; so that though on our part they are the fruit of impotence to utter what we feel, they are at the same time the intercession of the Spirit Himself in our behalf.”JFB
Note that He has Intelligence.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.
He has feeling.
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption.
He has will or Volition.
Act 16:7 having come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia. But the Spirit did not allow them.
1Co 12:11 But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires.
The Scriptures represent the Holy Spirit as speaking, searching, testifying,commanding, convincing and interceding.
He is clearly distinguished from His own Power in these verses. Luke 1:35; 4:14; Acts 10 38 and 1 Cor 2:4
His Special Characteristic is that He proceeds from the father and the Son by spiration.
Joh 15:26 And when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.
Joh 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Rom 8:9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
In general it is said that it is the Task of the Holy Spirit to bring things to completion both in creation and redemption.
Genesis 1:3 Job 26:13; Luke 1:35; John 3:34; 1 Cor 12 :4-11 and Ephesians 2:22
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