Worship Of The Holy Spirit
Introduction:
Recently I was exposed to a new phenomenon among the Lord’s church. It is the worship of the Holy Spirit. I had never heard of such a practice and was surprised to find such conduct within the body of Christ. I wrote to men who I believed to be grounded in the faith and asked them their thoughts. Their collective view was consistent with mine.
As I further considered, I realized I had never heard a lesson on this issue nor had I ever taught on it. I assumed that everyone knew to whom worship was to be directed and never considered the possibility of confusion on this subject. When making inquiries among the brethren, however, I found that there was a lot of confusion among even those one would consider relatively conservative (i.e. faithful to the Word rather than change agents attacking the church). For this reason I am offering this paper on this important subject in the hope that this error may be stopped in its infancy and that the church might be spared even another division of its fellowship. I will present this study in the form of a thesis and its defense.
Thesis: Holy Spirit worship is not authorized in the new testament and is therefore a sin.
I. Authority
There are three ways in which we get direction for our conduct from the Scriptures. They are (1) by direct statement or command, (2) approved example, and (3) necessary implication. In searching out the object of our worship one must rely on these three avenues to establish the Bible position relative to this issue.
Direct command is simple. Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, forsake not the assembly, are all direct commands. Whenever God issues a command, it must be obeyed. It is never optional on the part of the Christian. One who refuses to obey the word of God will spend eternity in hell (Matt. 7:21-24). It is important to remember that one of God’s commandments that is presented repeatedly in the Scriptures is not to add to or take away from His divine word (Prov. 14:12, Deut. 4:1-2, Prov. 30:5-6, Gal. 1:6-12).
Approved example is also easy to understand. There are many examples of conduct in the Scriptures. Whenever some conduct is recorded and approved, we can know that such conduct is acceptable to God. One such example is found in Acts 20:7 where the church gathers on the first day of the week to take the communion and carry out approved acts of worship. This assembly on the first day of the week is approved because Paul participated in it and, in fact, waited several days so that he could do just that.
Necessary implication seems a little harder for some to understand but it is really not so difficult. Whenever something is implied so that no other conclusion is warranted then it is necessarily implied and should be followed. This is how we know what elements to use in communion. Christ used the Passover emblems (grape juice and unleavened bread) to institute the Lord’s supper. We know that if we use what He used we will be right and cannot be wrong. Any change or deviation to what is presented without Scripture to justify that change is sinful (Rom. 14:21-23).
II. Worship of God
It is easy to understand that worship of God is authorized. It is, first of all, commanded (Matt. 4:8-10). Secondly, there are numerous approved examples of such (John 4:21-24). It is also reasonable since, if worship is to take place at all, certainly the Greatest of All, the great I AM, would receive it. Since no one in the church objects to the worship of the Father, this is all I will say at this point on that subject.
III. Worship of Christ
It was to my surprise that I found several brethren that believed it was sinful to worship Jesus the Christ. I found that incredible since it is a common practice in the church to do just that, particularly in songs. Consider the following partial list of such songs:
1. Worthy Art Thou
2. Praise Him! Praise Him!
3. All Hail The Power
4. My Faith Looks Up To Thee
5. More Love To Thee
6. Near The Cross
7. My Jesus As Thou Wilt!
8. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
9. O Sacred Head
10. I Surrender All
11. Jesus, Rose of Sharon
12. Jesus, Meek and Gentle
13. Nearer, Still Nearer
14. Jesus, Hold My Hand
15. Just a Closer Walk With Thee
16. Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
17. Footsteps of Jesus
18. I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
19. Only In Thee
20. O To Be Like Thee
If the worship of Jesus is a sin, then the use of these songs and another hundred like them is sin. Therefore, we must settle the question from the Scriptures whether or not it is acceptable to worship the Son.
Let us begin our study from the old Scriptures. It seems clear that the Christ was not worshipped in the old testament. That I will readily concede. But worship of the son is alluded to in Psalm 2, a psalm clearly relating to Jesus. In verse twelve we find the following quotation:
“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled just a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
The new testament term for worship means, in part, to kiss towards or lick the hand of, as a puppy would lick the hand of his master in adoration. It seems clear that in this passage, Christ is prophetically linked with His being worshipped.
As with all things in Christianity, the proof is in the new testament scriptures. Let us view a few germane texts and see what the new testament position is on the worship of Jesus.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Matt. 2:1-2
“And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”
Matt. 2:8
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matt. 2:11
In this series of verses we see an approved example of Jesus being worshipped by the wise men. We see this because in the next verse (v. 12) God gives them directions to follow to protect them, never mentioning any displeasure with their acts of worship.
“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
Matt. 8:1-3
“While he yet spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.”
Matt. 9:18-19
“And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
Matt. 14:32-33
“Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
Matt. 15:25-28
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.”
Matt. 20:20
“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
Matt. 28:9-10
“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Matt. 28:16-18
We have viewed nearly a dozen passages from the gospel according to Matthew where Jesus accepted worship. His acceptance makes these approved examples and overwhelmingly supports the worship of the Savior. But it is not only Matthew that records such conduct. Let us view one passage from each of the other gospels so that we will know that Matthew is not alone.
“And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he say Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”
Mark 5:5-7
“And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
Luke 24:51-53
“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”
John 9:35-38
It is also the case that the gospels are not alone. Consider the following text found in the letter to the Hebrews:
“And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
Hebrews 1:6
Many other passages could be cited to support the worship of Jesus but for the respectful student of the Scriptures, these should more than suffice. Worship of Jesus is authorized and is part of our responsibility as Christians.
IV. Worship of the Holy Spirit.
As we begin this section of study, let me begin by saying that I do not doubt the divinity of the Holy Spirit. I John 5:7, Matt. 28:18-20, and many other such references establish beyond any doubt that the Holy Spirit is part of the Holy Trinity. But being a part of the Trinity does not prove or even suggest that he is to receive everything that God or Christ receive. Let me give you several examples.
1. God is over Christ (I Cor. 11:1-3) but Christ is not over God (I Cor. 15:27).
2. God sent Christ (John 3:16-17) but nowhere did Christ send God.
3. Both God and Christ sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, John 15:26) yet nowhere did the Holy Spirit send either of them.
4. We are to pray to the Father (Matt 6:9-13) but nowhere are we directed to pray to the Spirit.
5. Christ can forgive sins (Matt. 9:1-6) but we never see the Holy Spirit authorized to do the same.
6. Christ has a kingdom and a throne (Matt. 16:18-20, Heb. 1:8) but such is not true of the Holy Spirit.
This list could go on for page after page but the point is made. Just arguing that the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity proves nothing in reference to this issue. Somewhere in the new testament, if I am going to justify worshipping the Holy Spirit, I must find either a command, approved example, or a necessary implication to authorize such activity. Such authorization does not exist. Without this authorization, it is sinful to offer worship to the Holy Spirit and all who do such will stand condemned in the day of judgment.
There are several interesting observations I would like us to reflect on for just a moment. Consider the following:
Observation # 1
Those who would support the worship of the Holy Spirit without authority by simply offering the argument that the Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead (The only argument I have so far heard) need to explain why such an important subject is supported only by assertion. The Bible is full of worship towards Jehovah; The new testament is full of worship of His Son; Where is the preponderance of Scripture showing the worship of the Holy Spirit? Surely such an important action (that of worshipping the Holy Spirit) would have been made abundantly clear if it was to be a part of the Christian obligation.
Observation # 2
I went to the pages of several of the hymnals used by the Lord’s church to see how many songs were there that worshipped the Holy Spirit. I found none. Apparently, for the most part, even Christendom in general knows that such a practice is not authorized.
Observation # 3
If such worship was authorized then it would be mandatory, not optional. The church in recent centuries has neither taught this practice nor have they performed it. (Where is the great, swelling sermon from yesteryear defending this conduct by one of our beloved preachers of bygone days?) If one assumes that Holy Spirit worship is authorized then he must assume that Gus Nichols, Alexander Campbell, John Smith, ad infinitum, are lost for eternity for failing to teach or practice all of the gospel.
Observation # 4
Whether one likes it or not, myself included, the Holy Spirit is probably never referred to in Scripture as “God”. That does not disprove his divinity. It is proven in other ways. But I find that a very interesting fact. The closest that one might get is found in Acts 5:1-4 in the story of Ananias and Sapphira where possibly the term ‘God” is in reference to the Holy Spirit.
V. The Term “Godhead”.
At this point I expect that several readers are asking the question, “Isn’t the Holy Spirit part of the Godhead?” In common vernacular in America the term “Godhead” is used as synonymous with “Trinity”. But the word “Godhead” is a ME word (Middle English) and simply meant the divine nature. It never, in and of itself, meant any particular member of the Trinity nor did it ever include all of them. I have no problem with its usage in reference to the Trinity since such is its common usage and understanding today. I realize fully that word usage evolves and changes from generation to generation. But one needs to understand that the three times the term “Godhead” appears in the Bible (KJV) it refers to the divine nature, not to the Trinity, and that it is never used in reference to the Holy Spirit. Consider the following passages:
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”
Acts 17:29
The Greek word here is theion and Thayers Greek Lexicon tells us that it means divine, divinity, or divine nature. The same term is used twice in II Pet. 1:3-4 and is translated “divine”. Thus the proper translation of this text would be as follows:
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the divine nature is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”
One might ask whether or not I am qualified to change the KJV presentation of this verse. My response is that I have changed nothing. The KJV translators understood the term “Godhead” to mean the divine nature. My translation is equivalent to theirs and would be so accepted by them.
The next passage under consideration is found in Rom. 1:20 and reads as follows:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
The Greek word here is theiotes and Thayers Greek Lexicon tells us that it means divinity or divine nature. Thus the proper translation of this text would be as follows:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and divine nature; so that they are without excuse:”
Our final text which we will consider is located in Col. 2:9 where the following reading is rendered:
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
The Greek word here is theotetos and is different from the first two. This term, according to Thayers Greek Lexicon means deity or the state of being God. It is clear that only Christ is being referred to in this text. A proper translation here would be as follows:
“For in him dwelleth all the fullness of deity bodily.”
Our first text (Acts 17:29) is designed to show that God is not a physical god (such as stone, gold, etc., produced by the hand of man) but a divine God. This passage is simply designed to show an idolater that there is only one true and living God and that He is not made with hands.
Our second text (Rom. 1:20) is designed to show that the creation is so supportive of the existence of a Creator that it declares the divine nature by its very existence.
Our third text (Col. 2:9) is designed to present Christ as not only physical but also divine.
None of these three passages apply directly to the Holy Spirit. I do not mean to suggest that he is not important or that he does not play a vital role or that he is not part of the Trinity because he certainly is. But one needs to understand terms and passages before they use them, or they can cause certain confusion.
Conclusion:
From this study paper one should be able to clearly see that while we are authorized to worship God and Christ, worship of the Holy Spirit has no such authorization. That being the case, worship of the Holy Spirit, an unauthorized action, will put the individual that does so in danger of hell (Matt. 7:21-24) and anyone teaching and/or practicing such a thing will be a false teacher and/or practitioner. May God bless you as you study this issue so that you will find the mind of God.