2. The Holy Spirit Distinct from the Father and the Son, Both in Substance and Personal Action: On this subject Elder Orson Pratt has the following very valuable passage: "That the substance of the Holy Ghost is not identical with that of the Father and the Son, is evident from the whole tenor of scripture." Jesus says, "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."[A] This Comforter could not be the Father, because he "proceedeth from the Father." He could not be the Son, because he is sent by the Son. Again, he could not be the Father, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for Jesus to send the Father. And furthermore, he could not be the Son, because he is represented as "another Comforter," to be with the disciples, in the absence of Jesus. "If I go not away," says our Savior, "the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart I will send him unto you."[B] The persons of the Father and Son were to be in one place while the Comforter was to be in another, and therefore, the Comforter must necessarily be a distinct substance from the Father and Son."
[Footnote A: John xv:26.]
[Footnote B: John xvi:7.]
"That the Holy Spirit is something more than the mere power or influence exerted by the Father, is evident from his possessing an understanding, a will, and a power of distinct operation. Jesus says, concerning the Comforter, "Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak for himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you."[A] Here the Holy Spirit is represented as a hearer—a speaker—a guide, receiving and showing what is received. Now such acts can only be the acts of a substance, possessing understanding and a will. That this substance is distinct from the Father is evident from his not speaking of himself, but only speaking what he hears, which shows, most plainly, a separate individuality. If the Holy Spirit were the Father, would it be reasonable to say, that he does not speak of himself? Does not the Father speak of himself? If the Holy Spirit be only a power or influence from the Father, what absurdity would run through the whole of the above passage! What nonsense would it be to say a power or influence hears—a power or influence speaks—a power or influence receives and shows! Yet this is the absurdity embraced by the Socinians. We can only think of speaking, and hearing, and willing, as applicable to a perceptive substance, and not to a quality. Again, the Spirit is represented as making intercession for the Saints. "Likewise," says Paul, "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."[B] How could a power or influence of the Father intercede with the Father? How could a power or influence groan with groanings unutterable? Would the Father intercede with himself? The absurdity of supposing the Holy Spirit to be a mere property or influence of the Father, instead of being an intelligent agent of himself, is so great, that we do not feel disposed to bring further evidence or proof to establish the distinct identity of the two."[C]
[Footnote A: John xvi:13, 14.]
[Footnote B: Rom. viii:26.]
[Footnote C: Mill. Star, Vol. XII, pp. 306-7.]
3. The Divinity of the Holy Ghost: There remains to be considered the question, Is the Holy Ghost God? Undoubtedly. The proof is in the fact that he is a member of the Holy Trinity.[A] Also in the fact that Jesus makes blasphemy against the Holy Ghost a greater sin than blasphemy against himself.[B] This could not be unless the Holy Ghost were Deity, and in some peculiar way so related to man that makes this sin of blasphemy against him especially heinous.
[Footnote A: This subject is to be worked out in greater detail in a subsequent lesson.]
[Footnote B: "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. * * * Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matt. xii:31; also Mark iii:28, 29.)]