Spooked By The Holy Ghost - His Name Is Not "It"

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I have a friend who says the Holy Spirit is referred to as a person not "it". What about Romans 8:15-15 where "it" is used?

My ANSWER:

Solid orthodox Christianity refers to the Holy Spirit as being apart of the Godhead, Host or Trinity. In the 1611 King James version which used the Roman Catholic Vulgate "itself" was used. But the Holy Spirit was still being referred to as
part of the Trinity.
In Romans 8:15-16 KJV 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
The King James version was a version and the best of a few English translations of its time. here are two fine modern English translations that change "itself" to "Himself".

Romans 8:15-16 (English Standard Version) "15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,"

Romans 8:15-16 (New American Standard Bible) "15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “ Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,"

The Holy Spirit is God along with the Father and Son. He has a personality. He gives calls,convicts,disciplines, indwells and equips. He was involved in creation, salvation and all work of God and Christ in the past present and future. Hear The Spirit when he convicts of sin, repent and turn to Christ and The Spirit will indwell and seal you. You will be forgiven, saved, and receive citizenship in Heaven.

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit- 2 Peter 1:21 "21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 2 Timothy 3:16 "16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" Isaiah 11:2 "2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." Jesus gave us the gift of life with the Holy Spirit-

John 14:16 "16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever" The Spirit is active in our salvation and Christian life- Ephesians 1:13 - 14 "13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory." Romans 8:9 - 11 "9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness."

1 Corinthians 2:12 - 16 "12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." The Holy Spirit is our gift who gives gifts- Hebrews 2:4 "4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will"