7. SHOULD WE OFFER DIRECT WORSHIP TO THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Matthew 4:10 "Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"" (NKJV)

"The Lord your God" - is a unity in Trinity - God is threefold. He subsists in three Persons who are co- essential and co-glorious. Equality in the Godhead requires equal worship. Each Person in the Godhead is entitled to worship, and we are commanded to worship the eternal Three. "Worship the Lord your God."

Isaiah 6:3 "And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!'" (NKJV)

Here is an example of triune worship that confirms direct worship to the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The seraphim own separately and worship distinctly the eternal Three. Note that Isaiah 6:8 reveals counsel in the Godhead, "Who will go for us?" Therefore it is perfectly clear that the threefold "holy" was ascribed to the blessed Trinity. Isaiah 6:9 of this chapter, is attributed in Acts 28:25,26 by the Apostle, to the Holy Spirit. It leaves no doubt that the Holy Spirit received direct worship from the seraphim.

Psalms 95:6 "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." (NKJV)

That the eternal Three was our Maker is beyond doubt according to Genesis 1:26. That the eternal Word made us is confirmed in John 1:3. Compare with Colossians 1:16 (but not at the exclusion of the Holy Spirit). The third Person in the Godhead, equally with the Father and Son, is our Maker. (Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6 ). Note that the following verses of Psalm 95, namely verses 7-11, are attributed to the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 3:7-11, "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:..." We are commanded to worship the Holy Spirit in Psalm 95:6. Our dependence on the Holy Spirit requires our worship.

Ezekiel 37:9 "Also He said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." (NKJV)

When we compare Ezekiel 37:9 and 10 with Ezekiel 37:14, it is clear that the Holy Spirit is the breath being invoked. (John 3:8 ). The explanation is, "I will put my Spirit within you." Here then is a Biblical example of direct request to the Holy Spirit. We have another such example in Song of Solomon 4:16, metaphorically requesting the breath of life of the Holy Spirit. It is the life of the Spirit that causes the flow of the spices of grace - as with the fruit (Galatians 5:22,23 ).

John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (NKJV)

This verse has been interpreted to mean that the Spirit does not speak of Himself - so the believer should not be occupied with the Spirit either. It is perfectly clear that the verse means that the Holy Spirit does not speak from Himself, that is, independently of the Father and the Son. As the Son came to serve the Father, so the Spirit is here to serve the Son. This verse speaks of the administrative position of the Spirit. The Son could say,

John 12:49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." (NKJV)

He did not, of course. He could say that He did occupy others with His own Perso.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (NKJV)

John 7:37 "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." (NKJV)

These verses show that He did. That the Holy Spirit specifically glorifies the Son, is true. But the Spirit has revealed much about Himself. We need not be ignorant of His Person, ministry or gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:1 ). This Scripture in no way requires that we do not give direct worship to the Spirit. It is significant that there is no Scripture to forbid worship or direct address to the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (NKJV)

The Spirit is equally worshipped and surrendered to and revered, along with the Father and the Son in the devoted act of baptism. There is no doubt from this example that we can render worship to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit loves us (Romans 15:30 ). Nowhere are we forbidden to love Him in return.

2 Corinthians 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." (NKJV)

The Apostle honours the Spirit equally with the Father and the Son. "Communion" or "fellowship" is attributed to the Spirit. That is a mutual thing - giving and receiving. Paul longed that we more and more fellowship with the Holy Spirit. It is the secret of ministry growth and blessing.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." (NKJV)

An example of praying to the Holy Spirit. Remember Numbers 6:24-26 is invoking the blessing of the three Persons in the Godhead. (Revelation 1:4,6 ).

Matthew 9:38 "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (NKJV)

The Lord of the harvest in Acts 13:2,4 beyond doubt was the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28 ). It is the Holy Spirit who still appoints labourers - the Holy Spirit equips labourers, and blesses their efforts. Note that the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:5, and in 2 Corinthians 3:17, is designated "Lord". We have the highest authority for the direct request of, and worship of the Holy Spirit.