The Distinction Of The Holy Spirit, Father And Son

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.”

Evangelist Rueben R. Torrey (1856-1928) was a fiery preacher, YMCA chaplain, superintendent of Moody Bible Institute and Dwight L. Moody's successor as pastor of the great Chicago Avenue Church (Moody Church today). I have a helpful old book in front of me authored by Pastor R. A. Torrey called, “What The Bible Teaches.” Please note that I don't agree with all of Dr. Torrey's teachings, as he taught something completely different than his successor, Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1875-1951) on repentance. Always remember that all men are flawed and capable of error. I believe that NO MAN is 100% doctrinally correct on everything! The inspired Word of God is our ONLY authority in all doctrinal matters. But for the record, I fully agree with Dr. Ironside. 

Albeit, Dr. Torrey teaches excellently on the doctrine of the Trinity. I love a statement made in the introduction to the book, on page 4. ...

“Strictly speaking, the Bible is not a book at all. It is—as old Sir Thomas Browne described it three hundred years ago—the Divine Library.” 

SOURCE: The Publishers; “What The Bible Teaches,” Introduction, p. 4; ©1898.

There has been a revival in some churches today of the age old satanic heresy of modalism, which is the lie that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not distinct persons of the Godhead. I would like to quote the following excellent helpful words of defense of the Christian faith by Dr. R. A. Torrey, from chapter III (pages 234-236) of his excellent book titled, “What The Bible Teaches,” written in 1898. ...

The Distinction Of The Holy Spirit From The Father And From His Son, Jesus Christ 

(I) 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 PREPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between Jesus Christ, who was on earth, the Father who spoke to him from heaven, and the Holy Spirit who descended in a bodily form as a dove, upon him. 

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(2) Matthew 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 PREPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between “the name of the Father” and “of the Son” and “of the Holy Ghost.” 

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(3) John 14:16— “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” 

THIRD PREPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between the Son who prays and the Father to whom He prays and the “Another Comforter” who is given in answer to the prayer. 

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(4) John 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.”
FOURTH PREPOSITION: A clear distinction is drawn between Jesus who goes away and the Holy Spirit, who comes to take His place. 

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(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.” 

FIFTH PREPOSITION: 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. 

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(4) John 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.” 

GENERAL PREPOSITION: 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. 

Boy that's good stuff! Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) rightly taught that the best way to interpret the Scriptures is with the Scriptures! The Holy Bible is the best commentary on itself. Amen! The Godhead (or “Trinity”) is a foundational truth of the historical orthodox Christian faith. No one who denies the doctrine of the Godhead is saved. Granted, a new believer likely has never heard the truth of the Godhead, as I didn't when I got saved at age 13; but when I first heard the teaching of the Trinity, the indwelling Holy Spirit bore witness with my spirit that it was the truth. 

Jesus plainly said that the indwelling Holy Spirit is our teacher. John 14:26, “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.” Every Christian believer is indwelt with God's Holy Spirit (1st John 3:24; Romans 8:9). That is, the Holy Spirit lives inside our human body (1st Corinthians 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit seals, teaches, comforts, guides, rebukes and convicts every born-again believer. The Triune nature of our great God is a fundamental teaching of the Word of God. 

Colossians 2:2-3, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”