Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

d. The deity of the Holy Spirit. The deity of the Holy Spirit may be established from
Scripture by a line of proof quite similar to that employed in connection with the Son:
(1) Divine names are given to Him, Ex. 17:7 (comp. Heb. 3:7-9); Acts 5:3,4; I Cor. 3:16; II
Tim. 3:16 (comp. II Pet. 1:21). (2) Divine perfections are ascribed to Him, such as
omnipresence, Ps. 139:7-10, omniscience, Isa. 40:13,14 (comp. Rom. 11:34); I Cor. 2:10,11,
omnipotence, I Cor. 12:11; Rom. 15:19, and eternity, Heb. 9:14 (?). (3) Divine works are
performed by Him, such as creation, Gen. 1:2; Job. 26:13; 33:4, providential renovation, Ps.
104:30, regeneration, John 3:5,6; Tit. 3:5, and the resurrection of the dead, Rom. 8:11. (4)
Divine honour is also paid to Him, Matt. 28:19; Rom. 9:1; II Cor. 13:13.
e. The work of the Holy Spirit in the divine economy. There are certain works which are
more particularly ascribed to the Holy Spirit, not only in the general economy of God,
but also in the special economy of redemption. In general it may be said that it is the
special task of the Holy Spirit to bring things to completion by acting immediately upon
and in the creature. Just as He Himself is the person who completes the Trinity, so His
work is the completion of God’s contact with His creatures and the consummation of
the work of God in every sphere. It follows the work of the Son, just as the work of the
Son follows that of the Father. It is important to bear this in mind, for if the work of the
Holy Spirit is divorced from the objective work of the Son, false mysticism is bound to
result. The work of the Holy Spirit includes the following in the natural sphere: (1) The
generation of life. As being is out of the Father, and thought through the Son, so life is
mediated by the Spirit, Gen. 1:3; Job. 26:13; Ps. 33:6 (?); Ps. 104:30. In that respect He
puts the finishing touch to the work of creation. (2) The general inspiration and
qualification of men. The Holy Spirit inspires and qualifies men for their official tasks, for
work in science and art, etc., Ex. 28:3; 31:2,3,6; 35:35; I Sam. 11:6; 16:13,14.
Of even greater importance is the work of the Holy Spirit in the sphere of
redemption. Here the following points may be mentioned: (1) The preparation and
qualification of Christ for His mediatorial work. He prepared Christ a body and thus
enabled Him to become a sacrifice for sin, Luke 1:35; Heb. 10:5-7. In the words “a body
thou didst prepare for me,” the writer of Hebrews follows the Septuagint. The meaning
is: Thou hast enabled me by the preparation of a holy body to become a real sacrifice. At
His baptism Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit, Luke 3:22, and received the
qualifying gifts of the Holy Spirit without measure, John 3:24. (2) The inspiration of
Scripture. The Holy Spirit inspired Scripture, and thus brought to men the special
revelation of God, I Cor. 2:13; II Pet. 1:21, the knowledge of the work of redemption
which is in Christ Jesus. (3) The formation and augmentation of the Church. The Holy Spirit
forms and increases the Church, the mystical body of Jesus Christ, by regeneration and
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