IN THE LOVING SPIRIT

THE SPIRIT AND LOVE OF JESUS
THE SPIRIT HAS THE ACTIONS OF A PERSON
He Speaks:
He clearly communicates with Believers. If there is communication, then many other things are indicated: will, ability, intelligence, etc.
2 Samuel 23:2: ...The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me....
Acts 8:29: ...Then the Spirit said....
Revelation 2:7: ...the Spirit says....

He Prays:
Paul tells us that when we don't know how to pray that the Spirit Himself makes intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:26). This indicates that the Holy Spirit knows our minds, and has the ability to communicate with GOD THE FATHER for us. Neither of these are abilities a power or force might have.
He Guides:
One of the ministries that He has with the Christian is guidance, be it guidance in our study of the Word, or guidance in finding Elohim's will. Romans 8:14: ...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
He calls and commissions:
This requires many of the attributes which we have already discussed. Only a being with personality can call and commission people to diverse ministries around the world. Acts 13:2, Acts 20:28.
He Commands:
He commanded Phillip to go to the Eunuch at Acts 8:29. This requires planning and authority. Phillip was submitting to the plan of the Spirit for his life.
He Dwells In Believers:
Only a being with personality can dwell with another being. John 14:17 mentions, in relationship to the Spirit, ...and shall be in you.
He Teaches:
A teacher is not devoid of personality.The Holy Spirit has the ability to teach which indicates many of the things that we have mentioned. Will, intelligence and the ability to communicate are all qualities of personality. John 14:26
Likewise:
He Reproves: John 16:8
He Sends: Acts 13:4
He Forbids Some Actions: Acts 16:6,7
He Empowers: Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 1:21
He Testifies: John 15:26,27
The Holy Spirit can be vexed:
Isaiah 63:10: "But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them." Vexed means to annoy or disturb. In relation to this, we need to understand that we have a responsibility to the Holy Spirit to treat Him as a person. How it must vex Him when His people deny his intelligence, His wisdom, His concerns for us etc.
He can be grieved:Eph.4:30
You cannot grieve a force or power, but it is possible to grieve a person. Grieving the Spirit should be the last thing that we Believers would want to do, yet we do so often.
Ephesians 4:30 warns that the Holy Spirit can be lied to: Ananias and Sapphira lied to Him with dire results. To know and punish a liar requires intelligence and a sense of value judgments. Conversely, who would attempt to lie to a power or force? The idea itself doesn't even make sense. Acts 5:3:
The Spirit can be resisted:
In Stephen's sermon he encouraged his listeners to be open to the Spirit. "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your parents did, so do you" -- Acts 7:51. Notice that the result of resisting the Spirit is being "stiff-necked." We must be very careful not to resist the Spirit. His ministry is to help us, but if we resist His attempts, in time He may decide to stop trying. We may become too "stiff necked."
The Holy Spirit can be called upon:
Ezekiel 37:9 is the beginning of the vision of the dry bones arising and being assembled. The Spirit is called to breath life into the dead. If called upon, there is an expected possibility of a response.
The response is that action of personality that we ought to look forward to when we pray. If the Holy Spirit is not a Person He can't reply to our prayers. If He can't reply to our prayers, then why should we pray? On the other hand, when we are praying and worshiping God and sense the presence of the Holy Spirit we should understand that this is not a flow of energy but the actual presence of the Almighty God in our midst! The Holy Spirit has heard and accepted our prayers and praise!
The Spirit is to be obeyed:
It is inconceivable to think that we would obey anything less than a person. Acts 10:19-21 tells us that the Holy Spirit ordered Peter to go meet some people and he followed His instructions. At Acts 16:6 Paul is again guided and commanded by the Holy Spirit.
Likewise,
The Spirit can be quenched, 1 Thessalonians 5:19.
He can be blasphemed, Matthew 12:31.
He can be revered, Psalm 51:11
The Holy Spirit can be tested, Acts 5:9
He Gives Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:27:28
He Indwells: 1 Corinthians 6:19
He Convicts: John 16:7
He Intercedes: Romans 8:26:27
He Testifies: John 16:13,14
He Teaches: John 14:26; 1 John 2:27
He Guides: John 16:13
HE SEALS THE BELIEVER UNTIL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION Eph.4:30 THE WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM:
Question 4: What is God? Answer 4: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Question 5: Are there more Gods than one? Answer 5: There is but one only, the living and true God. Question 6: How many persons are there in the Godhead? Answer 6: There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.