God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)
[T]here is nothing in us or done by us at any stage of our earthly development because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake or we cannot ever be accepted at all. This is not true of us only “when we believe,” it is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be true as long as we live… It is always, on His “blood and righteousness” alone that we can rest. There is never anything that we are or have or do that can take His place or that take a place along with Him. We are always unworthy, and all that we have or do of good is always of pure grace.
1. The Holy Spirit has all the qualities of a personal being.
a. Mind (knowledge) – Isa. 11:2; Jn. 14:26; Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 2:10-11.
b. Emotions (feelings) – Rom. 8:26; 15:30; Eph. 4:30 (cf. Isa. 63:10); Ac. 15:28; Jas. 4:5.
c. Will (choices/plans) – Ac. 16:7; 1 Cor. 12:11.
2. The Holy Spirit performs all the functions of a personal being.
a. He talks (Mk. 13:11; Ac. 1:16; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 21:11; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 3:7; Rev. 2:7).
b. He testifies (Jn. 15:26; 16:23).
c. He can be sinned against (Mt. 12:31).
d. He can be lied to (Ac. 5:3).
e. He can be tested/tempted (Ac. 5:9).
f. He can be insulted (Heb. 10:29).
g. He enters into relationship with other persons (2 Cor. 13:14).
h. He encourages (Ac. 9:31).
i. He strengthens (Eph. 3:16).
j. He teaches (Lk. 12:12; Jn. 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:13).
