Chapter Hi. The Distinction of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from His Son, Jesus Christ
(1) Luke 3: 21, 22 — “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
FIRST PROPOSITION: A dear distinction is drawn between Jesus Christ) who was on the earth, the Father who spoke to him from heaven, and the Holy Spirit who descended in a bodily form as a Dove, upon Him.
(2) Matt. 28: 19 — “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between” the name of the Father “and i of the Son “and * ’ of the Holy Ghost.”
(3) Jno. 14: 16 — “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
THIRD PROPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between the Son who prays and the Father to whom He prays, and the 1 ‘Another Comforter” who is given in answer to the prayer.
(4) Jno. 16: 7 —” Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
2 OUR Til PROPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between Jesus ic ho goes away and the Holy Spirit, who comes to take His place.
(5) Acts 2: 33 — “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
The Distinction of the Holy Spirit 233
FIFTH PROPOSITION. A clear distinction is drawn between the Son exalted to the right hand of the Father, and the Father Himself, and the Holy Ghost, whom the Son receives from the Father and sheds upon the church.
GENERAL PROPOSITION: Again and again the Bible draws the clearest possible distinction between the Holy Spirit and the Father and the Son. They are separate personalities, having mutual relations to one another, acting upon one another, speaking of or to one another, applying the pronouns of the second and third persons to one another.
It has been said that the doctrine of the Trinity is not taught in the Bible, and it is true that it is not directly taught; but the doctrine of the Trinity is the putting together of truths that are taught. It is clearly taught in the Bible that there is but one God. It is also clearly taught that there are three Divine Persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.