The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me (Jn. 15:26).

I believe that the Holy Spirit is the third distinct Person of the Trinity, coequal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son (Mt. 28:19; Ac. 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 9:14), sharing the same essence and divine attributes in every way and proceeding from the Father and the Son as the divine Agent in accomplishing the purposes of the Godhead upon earth (Ps. 104:30; Jn. 14:26; 15:26). He is neither a force, energy, nor a nebulous power (Zech. 4:6); He is a Person (Jn. 14:16; 16:7, 13-14; Ac. 5:3-4), manifesting life (Rom. 8:2), intelligence (Rom. 8:27), emotion (Eph. 4:30), and volition (Ac. 15:28; 1 Cor. 12:11). He is eternal (Heb. 9:14), omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10-12), omnipotent (Job 33:4; Ps. 104:30; Lk. 1:35), and omnipresent (Ps. 139:7; 1 Cor. 3:16). As God, He participated directly and personally in Creation (Gen. 1:2), the inspiration of Scripture (2 Pt. 1:21), and the virgin conception (Lk. 1:35).I believe that the Holy Spirit is active in the world today, restraining evil in accordance with God’s will (2 Ths. 2:6-7), convincing the world of truth (Jn. 3:20; 16:8-11), and regenerating men at the moment of salvation (Jn. 3:5-8; Tit. 3:5). For those who are regenerate, He indwells them (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16), seals them permanently unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30), immerses them into the spiritual body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13), provides assurance of salvation (Rom. 8:16), provides empowerment for life and service (Ac. 4:8; 13:52; Rom. 8:13; Eph. 5:18), illumines the Word of God (1 Cor. 2:14-16; 1 Jn. 2:27), imparts spiritual attitudes and behavior (Gal. 5:22-23), intercedes for them (Rom. 8:26), and guides them in His will (Ac. 16:6-7; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18). His presence never departs from a regenerate man, but His power and influence may be diminished by attitudes, words, and actions that are contrary to the spiritual life (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:18-19; Eph. 4:30; 1 Ths. 5:19).I believe that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to every believer for service and leadership in the local church (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 1 Pt. 4:10). A spiritual gift is a permanent, God-given ability that the Spirit imparts to individuals at the moment of conversion, when the He baptizes them into the body of Christ, bringing them into union with Christ at the throne of God in heaven (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:12-14). Every believer is responsible to serve with the church according to his spiritual gifting(s), which will become evident in the course of faithful obedience and service (1 Cor. 12:28; 14:12).I believe that the Holy Spirit is both capable and free to perform miracles at any time in history, including the present. Yet I affirm that specialized spiritual gifts pertaining to revelatory prophecy, the working of miracles, and speaking in tongues are no longer functioning spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit imparted these specific, extraordinary gifts for the purpose of announcing and authenticating the establishment of the church, followed by the completion of the NT canon. These gifts were especially associated with the introductory, transitional, and foundational ministry of the apostles and prophets (Ac. 2:43; 1 Cor. 14:21-22; 2 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 2:20; Heb. 2:3-4; 2 Pt. 1:19).