In the Bible, sometimes the Holy Spirit seems to be described as a “thing” or an “it.” For example, John the Baptist says that the Messiah would baptize people “with the Holy Spirit” (see Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33). How can you be “baptized by” or “filled with” a person? How do we make sense of instances where the Spirit appears to be described as “a power” or “a thing,” and other places where the Holy Spirit is described as a person? As always, support your claims from the required readings and the Bible.
Sample Answer
This is an excellent and deeply theological question that gets to the heart of how the Bible describes the nature of the Holy Spirit. The perceived duality—the Spirit as a "thing" or "power" in some passages versus a "person" in others—is a key element of Trinitarian theology. The solution is not to choose one description over the other, but to understand them as two inseparable aspects of the same divine reality, communicated through biblical metaphor.
The Holy Spirit as a Divine Person
The New Testament provides clear evidence that the Holy Spirit is a distinct divine person with intellect, will, and emotions. These are not qualities a mere force or substance can possess. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit:
Speaking and Giving Instruction: In Acts 13:2, we read, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" This demonstrates a clear capacity for communication and purpose-driven thought, actions characteristic of a person.
Having a Will: Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:11 that the spiritual gifts are distributed "to each one just as He determines." This shows the Spirit making personal, intentional decisions, not acting as an arbitrary force.