THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE DIVINE PROCEEDING FROM THE LORD, AND THIS IS THE LORD HIMSELF

Jesus said in Matthew,

All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the consummation of the age. Matt. xxviii 18, 19, 20.

It has already been shown that the Divine which is called the Father, and the Divine which is called the Son, are One in the Lord; it will therefore now be shown that the Holy Spirit is the same as the Lord.

[2] The reason why the Lord told the disciples to baptise into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is, because there is in the Lord a trine, or trinity; for there is the Divine which is called the Father, the Divine Human which is called the Son, and the Divine Proceeding which is called the Holy Spirit. The Divine which is the Father and the Divine which is the Son is the originating Divine; and the Divine Proceeding which is the Holy Spirit is the operating Divine. There is no other Divine proceeding from the Lord than the Divine which is Himself, as will be seen in the little works on the Divine Providence, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience; for it is a subject requiring deeper consideration.

[3] That there is a trine in the Lord may be illustrated by comparison with an angel; he has a soul, and a body, and also a [sphere] proceeding; and that which proceeds from him is himself outside of him. It has been granted me to know many particulars concerning this proceeding [sphere], but this is not the place to introduce them.

[4] Every one who looks to God is, after death, first instructed by angels that the Holy Spirit is no other than the Lord; and that going forth and proceeding mean nothing else than enlightenment and instruction through the presence of the Lord with man according to his reception of Him. Consequently most persons after death put away the idea concerning the Holy Spirit which they had formed in the world, and receive the idea that it is the Lord's presence with man, through angels and spirits, from which and according to which man is enlightened and taught.

[5] Moreover, it is customary in the Word to mention two Divines, and sometimes three, which yet are one; as Jehovah and God, Jehovah and the Holy One of Israel, Jehovah and the Mighty One of Jacob, also God and the Lamb. As these are One, it is also said in other places that Jehovah alone is God, that Jehovah alone is Holy, that He is the Holy One of Israel, and that there is none besides Him. Further, the name Lamb is sometimes used for God, and God for the Lamb; the latter in Revelation and the former in the Prophets.

[6] That it is the Lord alone who is meant by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Matthew xxviii 19, is evident from the verses which there precede and follow. In the preceding verse the Lord says: All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth; and in the verse following: Lo, I am with alway, even unto the consummation of the age. Thus he speaks of Himself alone; and therefore He used these words that the disciples might know that the Trinity is in Him.

[7] In order that it may be known that the Holy Spirit is not another Divine distinct from the Lord it will be shown what is meant in the Word by Spirit. By Spirit is meant, 1. The life of man in general.

2. As the life of man is varied according to his state, therefore by spirit is meant the varying affection of life with man.

3. It means also the life of the regenerate man, which is called spiritual life.

4. But where Spirit is mentioned in reference to the Lord, it means His Divine Life, and consequently the Lord Himself.

5. In particular it means the Life of His Wisdom, which is called Divine Truth.

6. Jehovah Himself, that is, the Lord, spoke the Word through the Prophets.