Is the Holy Spirit Just the Force of God?

by Terry Wane Benton

I was told that there is an argument circulating that the Holy Spirit is not a person but a force. To get around there being Three Persons in the Godhead, it is argued that the Holy Spirit is not a personal being but merely the force of God. Let’s think and test this by the scriptures (Acts 17:11).

1. The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). Can we grieve a mere force?
2. Jesus said “When He the Spirit of truth has come” (calling Him a “He” not an “it”) that “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Jesus said “He will not speak on His own authority, but what he hears He will speak." Thus, Jesus did not believe that the Holy Spirit is merely a force, but a personal being that both hears and speaks.
3. Jesus said the Father will send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) in Jesus’ name. You don’t send a mere force in the name of another. You always send a messenger in the name of another. This messenger will teach you all things. Thus, again, a personal teacher, not an inanimate force. The Holy Spirit would testify of Jesus (John 15:26). A mere force does not testify.
4. The Holy Spirit is never spoken of as a mere force and is always spoken of as a person. Some things are indeed personified, though they are not possessors of real personality. For example, wisdom is personified as a companion in the book of Proverbs. So, wisdom is personified. So, how do we know that the Holy Spirit is not just the force of God personified? All of the above points combined show that the Holy Spirit is not just a force personified. Wisdom is personified but never grieves, is never sent to testify, is never sent to bring things to remembrance. Wisdom is personified because it is handed down from the wise to the student who listens to parents and teachers who are persons with a higher measure of wisdom to share. So, collectively, the voice of wisdom is all around, calling out in churches and various places of learning. The Holy Spirit was sent and is Himself a teacher and helper.

The Holy Spirit is not the Father but is sent from the Father. He teaches, reminds, and guides. The Holy Spirit is not Jesus, nor a force from Jesus, but a personal being sent in Jesus’ name (on behalf of Jesus by His approval). When we are baptized “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), this is with the full authority and approval of all three persons of the Godhead. We do not baptize in the name of a mere force.