Couple of months back I had chat with one of client who was Jehovah witness and In our discussion he denied Holy Spirit as Person but according to their belief its an influence/power/etc.
Looking through Scripture and trying to understand who is Holy Spirit? considering Acts 1:7-8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. As nominal Bible reader it can be taken as a power, a strength which God gave to us. But looking into depth of scripture and studying in systematic way Holy Spirit is understood as more than a power but a Person.
What makes Holy Spirit to consider as person, as Holy Spirit holds qualifications of a person in personality, who has mind able to think and act upon their thinking, Got their own will self identity, and got emotions able to react cognitively and many more.
How? Lets look into some relative verses from scripture,
Holy Spirit dwells in all believers: John 14:17 – Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him;for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Holy Spirit teaches us in all circumstances: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Holy Spirit Testifies: John 15:26 – But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,he shall testify of me.
Holy Spirit declare our SIN: John 16:7-8 – 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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
Holy Spirit guides believers: John 16:13 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Holy Spirit inspires scripture and speaks through scripture: Acts 1:16 – Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
2 Peter 1:21 – For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Holy Spirit Speaks: Acts 8:29 – Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Acts 13:2 – As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Holy Spirit directs: Acts 13:4 – So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Holy Spirit Controls our actions: Acts 16:6,7 – Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Holy Spirit Intercedes: Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Holy Spirit’s Personality
Holy Spirit has ability with,Holy Spirit has his own will: 1 Corinthians 12:11 – But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Holy Spirit has mind (thought): Romans 8:27 – And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Holy Spirit has Knowledge: 1 Corinthians 2:10,11 – But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Holy Spirit teaches: 1 Corinthians 2:13 – Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Holy Spirit Loves: Romans 15:30 – Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.
As Bible declares in Genesis, man was made in Gods image and scripture clarifies God is a spiritual person, when Holy Spirit is part of Godhead so he is a person and surely there is no distinction between 3 persons.
Some picks Greek work PNEUMA which is neutral so spirit is an influence not a person, but further reading from KJV, Spirit is capitalised which translators were confident to describe as Holy Spirit and in John 16:7Jesus denotes Spirit as masculine (grammatically). Even though many names are described for Holy Spirit throughout bible they emphasise his quality (a verbal expression).
Looking at new testament Holy Spirit was misinterpreted by some as spirit of God and spirit of Jesus Christ but spirit is singular and so spirit of God father cannot be same of spirit of Jesus Christ, God head consists of three spiritual persons. When revelation talks about seven spirits of God where it is symbolical representation as 7 horns, 7 churches, 7 spirits, which signifies fullness and perfection of one Holy Spirit.
Reni Pache says “If the Spirit were merely a power coming from above, it would be my disposal and I could use it at will. But if the Spirit is a Person, and more than that, if He is God Himself, it is I who should be at His disposal, and love and obey Him in all things”