A Conversation With a Neighbor What Is the Holy Spirit?

How a "Helper"? 

Scott: Earlier, though, you mentioned that expression "helper." Jesus referred to the holy spirit as a "helper" at John 14:26. Let's read that together:  "The helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you."   Some feel that this scripture seems to support the idea that the holy spirit is a person, someone who will help and teach. 

Brad: Right, that's how I've always viewed it.

Scott: Is it possible, though, that Jesus was using a figure of speech? Now notice what Jesus said about wisdom, according to Luke 7:35:  "All the same, wisdom is proved righteous by all its children." Would you say that  wisdom is a person, that it really does have children?  

Brad: No. That's obviously a figure of speech.

Scott: I agree. Jesus' point is that wisdom is demonstrated by results. The Bible often uses a figure of speech called personification-that is, speaking of something inanimate as it were alive. We often use such figures of speech  in our own conversations. For example, on this bright morning, it wouldn't be unusual for someone to say "Open the curtains, and let the sun in," would it?

Brad: I would say that myself.

Scott: And would you be referring to the sun as a person who would come into your home as a guest?

Brad: No, obviously not. It's a figure of speech.

Scott: So when Jesus spoke of the holy spirit as a helper, or teacher, could he have been using a figure of speech?

Brad: I suppose so. That would fit in with the scriptures you read about the spirit being poured out and about people being baptized with it. But if the holy spirit is not a person, what is it?  

Next time:  A Conversation With a Neighbor - What Is the Holy Spirit>

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010