一、圣灵即神性真理，是主所发出的神性能力与运行
139# 灵即是神性真理，并且也是由独一上帝（神性三一尽在其内）所发出的神性能力与运行，亦即由主上帝拯救者所发出者。
严格而论，“圣灵” 本指神性真理，亦即整本圣言；就此本义而言，主自身便是圣灵。只是今世教会习惯以 “圣灵” 代称这份神性运行，也就是使人实际称义的救赎之功，故此篇便循此通行释义阐释、以此为核心立论。其中缘由在于：一切神性运行皆依托神性真理施行，而真理由主而出；而凡所发出者，与其发出之本源，实为同一本质 —— 正如这三者：灵魂、身体，及所发出者，此三者共同构成一个本质：在人身上，此本质纯然属人；而在主身上，则既是神性又同时是人性的本质，荣耀化之后二者合而为一，如同 "先" 与 "后" 合一，又如本质与其形式合一。故此，那被称为父、子、圣灵的三个本质要素，在主之内实为一体。
【2】主即那神性真理本身，亦即神性真理，此点前文已加以证明；而圣灵即是此真理，则可由以下诸经文确证：
"从耶西的本（原文是茎）必发一条…… 耶和华的灵必住在他身上，就是使他有智慧和聪明的灵，谋略和能力的灵…… 以口中的杖击打世界，以嘴里的气杀戮恶人；公义必当他的腰带，信实必当他胁下的带子。"（以赛亚书 11:1，2，4，5）"仇敌好像急流的河水冲来，是耶和华之气所驱逐的…… 必有一位救赎主来到锡安。"（以赛亚书 59:19，20）"主耶和华的灵在我身上；因为耶和华用膏膏我，叫我传好信息给谦卑的人。"（以赛亚书 61:1；路加福音 4:18）"耶和华说：至于我与他们所立的约乃是这样：我加在你身上的灵，传给你口中的话，必不离你的口…… 从今直到永远。"（以赛亚书 59:21）
【3】主既为真理本体，凡自祂向外流露者尽是真理，这便是 “保惠师”的本义；保惠师又称 “真理的灵”、“圣灵”，多处经文可佐证此理：
“然而我将实情告知你们，我离去原是为你们有益；我若不去，保惠师便不会到你们这里；我若去，就差遣他前来。”（约 16:7）“只等真理的圣灵降临，他要引导你们进入一切真理；他不凭自己发言，只将所听见的尽数传述。”（约 16:13）“他要荣耀我，因他将从我领受的事告知你们。凡父所有的，尽都属我；故此我说，他将从我领受的传告你们。”（约 16:14，15）“我要求父，父便另赐你们一位保惠师…… 就是真理的圣灵，世人不能接纳他，因看不见、也不认识他；你们却认识他，因他常与你们同在，也要住在你们里面。我不撇下你们为孤儿，我必到你们这里来…… 你们将要看见我。”（约 14:16，17，18，19）“我却要从父那里差保惠师前来，就是真理的圣灵；他来到之时，要为我作见证。”（约 15:26）这位保惠师，经文亦称 “圣灵”。（约 14:26）
【4】主口中所言的保惠师、圣灵，实则便是祂自身，由主一番话语便能分明窥见：世人不识保惠师，唯独门徒 “你们却认识他”；又言 “我不撇下你们为孤儿，我必到你们这里来”，“你们将要看见我”；另有经文记：“我就常与你们同在，直到世界末了。”（太 28:20）另有一句亦可佐证：“他不凭自己发言，只将从我领受的传述出来。”
139# （1）圣灵是神性真理，也是从那一位神，即从主神救主那里发出的神性能量和运作，或神性能力和活动，神性三位一体在这一位神里面。严格来说，圣灵表示神性真理，因而也表示圣言；在这层意义上，主自己就是圣灵。但由于当今教会，用“圣灵”这个词来描述神性运作，神性运作实际上是称义的过程，所以这就是此处赋予圣灵的含义，也是主要论述的主题。这样做的另一个原因是，神性运作是通过从主发出的神性真理实现的；发出之物与发出它的那一位是一个，具有同一本质，就像灵魂、身体和从它们发出之物这三者一起构成一个本质一样，这个本质在人里面是纯粹的人性，但在主里面既是神性，同时也是人性；荣耀之后，这些就合一，就像在先之物与其在后之物，或本质与其形式合一一样。因此，被称为圣父、圣子和圣灵的三个要素在主里面为一。
前面已经说明，主是神性真理本身，或神性真实（Divine verity）。圣灵就是神性真理，这一点从以下经文明显看出来；以赛亚书：
从耶西的树墩子必生出一个嫩芽；耶和华的灵必停留在祂身上，就是智慧和理解的灵，谋略和能力的灵；祂必以口中的棒击打地，以嘴里的气杀戮恶人；公义必当祂的腰带，真理必当祂大腿的带子。（以赛亚书11:1，2，4，5）
又：
他必像狭急的洪水而来；耶和华的灵必举起旗帜反对他；然后一位救赎主必来到锡安。（以赛亚书59:19，20）
又：
主耶和华的灵在我身上；因此，耶和华膏我去报好信息给贫穷的人。（以赛亚书61:1; 路加福音4:18）
又：
这是我的约；我在你身上的灵，我的话，必不离你的口，从今直到永远。（以赛亚书59:21）
由于主是真理本身，所以从祂发出的一切都是真理，这就是保惠师的意思，保惠师也被称为真理的灵和圣灵。这一点从以下经文明显看出来：
我将真理告诉你们；我去是与你们有益的；我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来；我若去，就差祂到你们这里来。（约翰福音16:7）
只等真理的灵来了，祂要引导你们进入一切的真理，因为祂不是凭自己说的，乃是要把祂所听见的都说出来。（约翰福音16:13）
祂要荣耀我；因为祂必从我领受，而传告你们。凡父所有的，都是我的，所以我说，祂要将受于我的，传告你们。（约翰福音16:14，15）
我要求父另外赐给你们一位保惠师，就是真理的灵；世界不能接受祂，因为它看不见祂，也不认识祂；你们却认识祂，因祂与你们同住，并且要在你们里面。我必不撇下你们为孤儿；我必到你们这里来；你们必看见我。（约翰福音14:16-19）
当我要从父那里差到你们这里的保惠师，就是真理的灵来到时，祂要为我作见证。（约翰福音15:26）
祂被称为圣灵。（约翰福音14:26）
主所说的“保惠师”或“圣灵”是指祂自己，这一点从祂的话明显看出来，即“世界不认识祂”：
你们却认识祂；我必不撇下你们为孤儿；我必到你们这里来；你们必看见我。（约翰福音14:17-19）
另一处：
看哪，我常与你们同在，直到时代的完结。（马太福音28:20）
以及这些话：“祂不是凭自己说的，乃是从我领受的。”
139. 1. The Holy Spirit is the divine truth and also the divine action and effect that radiate from the one God, in whom the divine Trinity exists: the Lord God the Savior. The Holy Spirit really means the divine truth; therefore it also means the Word. In this sense, the Lord himself is in fact the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, because the church nowadays characterizes the Holy Spirit as the divine action (meaning that part of the Divine that actually justifies us), therefore the divine action is what we mean by "the Holy Spirit" in the discussion here. For another thing, divine action takes place through the divine truth that radiates from the Lord. Whatever radiates out has one and the same essence as the source it radiates from. Take for example someone's soul, someone's body, and someone's effect: these three together share one essence. In us that essence is merely human. In the Lord there was a divine essence and also a human one. After the Lord's glorification these two essences were as completely united as a cause is with its effect or an essence with its form. Therefore three essential components, called the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are one in the Lord.
[2] I have already demonstrated that the Lord is divine trueness or truth [see ]. As for the Holy Spirit being divine truth, the following passages make this clear:
A branch will come out of the trunk of Jesse. The spirit of Jehovah will rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and intelligence, the spirit of counsel and strength. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the spirit of his lips he will kill the ungodly. Justice will be his loincloth, and the truth will wrap his thighs. (Isaiah 11:1-2, 4-5)
He will arrive like a narrow river; the spirit of Jehovah will lift up a standard against him. Then the Redeemer will come to Zion. (Isaiah 59:19-20)
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me. Jehovah has anointed me. He has sent me to proclaim the good news to the poor. (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18)
This is my covenant. My spirit that is upon you, my words, will not leave your mouth from now on forevermore. (Isaiah 59:21)
[3] Since the Lord is absolute truth, everything that radiates from him is truth. All this truth is known as the Comforter, which is also called the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit, as the following passages clearly show:
I tell you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go away the Comforter will not come to you; but if I do go away I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; rather, whatever he hears he will say. (John 16:13)
[The Comforter] will glorify me because he will take from what is mine and will make it known to you. Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I said that [the Comforter] will take from what is mine and will make it known to you. (John 16:14-15)
I will ask the Father to give another Comforter to you, the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it does not see him or recognize him; but you know him because he dwells among you and will be in you. I will not leave you
orphans; I am coming to you and you will see me. (John 14:16-18)
When the Comforter comes - the Spirit of Truth whom I am going to send you from the Father - he will testify about me. (John 15:26)
The Comforter is called "the Holy Spirit" (John 14:26).
[4] In mentioning the Comforter and the Holy Spirit, the Lord was referring to himself. This is clear from these words of his: "the world would not recognize him but you know him; I will not leave you orphans, I am coming to you; you will see me. " And elsewhere, "Behold I am with you every day, even to the close of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Also from the Lord's saying, "He will not speak from himself; instead he will take from what is mine. "
139. (i) THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DIVINE TRUTH, AND ALSO THE DIVINE POWER AND ACTIVITY WHICH PROCEEDS FROM THE ONE GOD, IN WHOM IS THE DIVINE TRINITY, AND SO FROM THE LORD GOD THE SAVIOUR.
The Holy Spirit means properly the Divine Truth, so also the Word; and in this sense the Lord is Himself also the Holy Spirit. But the present-day church uses the term 'Holy Spirit' to describe the way God works, that is, the actual process of making a person righteous, so this is the meaning given here to the Holy Spirit, and this will be the principal subject discussed. Another reason is that the activity of God takes place by means of the Divine Truth which proceeds from the Lord; and that which proceeds is of one and the same essence as He from whom it proceeds. This is like the trio of soul, body and what proceeds making up a single essence, which in the case of a human being is purely human, but in the case of the Lord is Divine and human at the same time, these essences after His glorification being united as what is prior is with what follows from it, or like essence and the appropriate form. So the three essentials called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one in the Lord.
[2] I showed before that the Lord is the Divine Truth itself or Divine Verity. The following passages will prove that the Holy Spirit is Divine Truth.
A shoot will come forth from the stock of Jesse. The spirit of Jehovah will rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and intelligence, the spirit of counsel and power. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be the belt around his loins, and truth the belt around his thighs, Isaiah 11:1-2, 4-5.
He shall come like a narrow stream, the spirit of Jehovah shall advance his standard against him, then shall the Redeemer come from Zion, Isaiah 59:19-20.
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me. Jehovah has anointed me. He has sent me to preach the gospel to the poor, Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18.
This is my covenant. My spirit which is upon you and my words shall not depart from your mouth from now on for ever, Isaiah 59:21.
[3] Since the Lord is Truth itself, then everything that proceeds from Him is truth, and this is what is meant by the Comforter, who is also called the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit. The following passages will prove this:
I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I should go away. For if I were not to go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I go away, I will send him to you, John 16:7.
When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will lead you to all truth. He will not speak of himself, but will say whatever he has heard, John 16:13.
He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and communicate it to you. All things that the Father has are mine. This is why I have said that he will take from what is mine and communicate it to you, John 16:14-15.
I will ask the Father to give you another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. I shall not leave you bereft, I am coming to you and you will see me, John 14:16-19.
When the Comforter comes whom I shall send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, he will bear witness about me, John 15:26.
He is called the Holy Spirit, John 14:26.
[4] The Lord meant Himself by 'the Comforter' or 'the Holy Spirit', as is clear from His own saying about the world not yet knowing him, 'But you know Him'; 'I will not leave you bereft, I am coming to you'; 'You will see Me'; and elsewhere 'Behold I am with you every day until the ending of the age' (Matthew 28:20). This is further shown by the expression 'He will not speak of Himself, but that which He receives from me.'
139. (1) The Holy Spirit is the Divine Truth and also the Divine Energy and Operation proceeding from the one God in whom is the Divine Trinity, that is, from the Lord God the Savior. The Holy Spirit signifies strictly the Divine truth, thus also the Word; and in this sense the Lord Himself is the Holy Spirit. But since in the church at this day the Divine operation, which is actually justification, is what is meant by the Holy Spirit, this is here taken to be the Holy Spirit, and is what is chiefly treated of. This is done for the further reason that the Divine operation is effected by means of the Divine truth which goes forth from the Lord; and that which goes forth is of one and the same essence with Him from whom it goes forth, as the three things, soul, body, and what goes forth from them, together constitute one essence, which in man is purely human, but in the Lord is Divine and Human at the same time; and these after glorification are united as what is prior is with its posterior, or as essence is with its form. Thus the three essentials, called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are one in the Lord.
[2] That the Lord is the Divine truth itself, or the Divine verity, has been shown above. That the Holy Spirit is the same is manifest from the following passages:
There shall go forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse; the spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and might; and He shall smite the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked; and righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and truth the girdle of His thighs (Isaiah 11:1, 2, 4, 5).
He shall come like a narrow flood; the Spirit of Jehovah shall lift up a standard against him; then a Redeemer shall come to Zion (Isaiah 59:19, 20).
The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon Me; therefore Jehovah hath anointed Me, He hath sent Me to preach good tidings unto the poor (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).
This is My covenant; My spirit that is upon thee, and My words shall not depart out of thy mouth from henceforth and for ever (Isaiah 59:21).
[3] As the Lord is truth itself, all that goes forth from Him is truth, and this is what is meant by the Comforter, who is also called the Spirit of truth and the Holy Spirit. This is evident from the following passages:
I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I go away I will send Him unto you (John 16:7).
When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth for He will not speak from Himself, but whatsoever things He shall hear shall He speak (John 16:13).
He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine and shall declare it unto you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are Mine therefore said I that He shall take of Mine and shall declare it unto you (John 16:14, 15).
I will ask the Father to give you another Comforter, the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him, for He abideth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I come to you: and ye shall see Me (John 14:16-19).
When the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, He shall bear witness of Me (John 15:26).
He is called the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
[4] That by "the Comforter" or "the Holy Spirit" the Lord meant Himself, is evident from His words, that the world had not yet known Him:
But ye know Him; I will not leave you orphans; I come to you; ye shall see Me (John 14:17-19);
and in another passage:
Lo I am with you always, even unto the consummation of the age (Matthew 28:20);
also from these words, "He shall not speak from Himself," but "He shall take of Mine."
139. (1) THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE DIVINE TRUTH, AND ALSO THE DIVINE VIRTUE AND OPERATION PROCEEDING FROM THE ONE GOD, IN WHOM IS THE DIVINE TRINITY, THUS FROM THE LORD GOD THE SAVIOR.
The Holy Spirit, strictly speaking, signifies the Divine Truth, thus also the Word; and in this sense the Lord Himself is also the Holy Spirit. Since, however, in the Church at this day the Holy Spirit is regarded as the Divine Operation, which in reality is justification, therefore this is here assumed to be the Holy Spirit. This, moreover, is being specially treated because the Divine Operation is effected by means of the Divine Truth, which proceeds from the Lord; and that which proceeds is of one and the same essence with Him from whom it proceeds; like these three, the soul, the body and the proceeding activity, which together constitute one essence. With man this is merely human, but with the Lord it is Divine and at the same time Human, such a union having been effected after glorification as exists between what is prior and its posterior, and between an essence and its form. Thus the three Essentials, which are called Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are one in the Lord.
[2] It was shown above that the Lord is Divine Truth itself, or the Divine Verity; and that the Holy Spirit is also the same is evident from the following passages:
"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse... And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might... and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins" Isaiah 11:1-2, 4-5.
"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of JEHOVAH shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion" Isaiah 59:19-20.
"The Spirit of the LORD JEHOVAH is upon me; because JEHOVAH hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek" Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18.
"This is my covenant with them... My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words... shall not depart out of thy mouth... from henceforth and for ever" Isaiah 59:21.
[3] Since the Lord is Truth itself, therefore everything that proceeds from Him is truth; and this is meant by the Comforter, who is also called the Spirit of Truth, and the Holy Spirit, as is evident from the following passages:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you" John 16:7.
"When He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak" John 16:13.
"He shall glorify me; for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you" John 16:14-15.
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter... even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you," and ye shall see me John 14:16-19.
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth... He shall testify of me" John 15:26;
and in John 14:26 He is called the Holy Spirit.
[4] That the Lord by the Comforter, or Holy Spirit, meant Himself is evident from His saying, that the world knew Him not:
"But ye know Him; I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you; and ye shall see me." And in another place He says: "I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. (A.V. world) Matthew 28:20.
It is evident also from His saying that He shall not speak from Himself, but He shall take of mine.
139. I. QUOD SPIRITUS SANCTUS SIT DIVINA VERITAS, ET QUOQUE DIVINA VIRTUS ET OPERATIO PROCEDENS A DEO UNO, IN QUO EST DIVINA TRINITAS, ITA A DOMINO DEO SALVATORE. Per Spiritum Sanctum proprie significatur Divinum Verum, ita quoque Verbum, et in hoc sensu est Ipse Dominus etiam Spiritus Sanctus; sed quia in Ecclesia hodie per Spiritum Sanctum describitur Divina Operatio, quae est actualis Justificatio, ideo haec pro Spiritu Sancto hic assumitur, et de hac praecipue agitur, etiam ex causa, quia Divina Operatio fit per Divinum Verum, quod ex Domino procedit, et id quod procedit, est unius et ejusdem essentiae 1 cum Ipso a quo procedit, 2 sicut Tria haec, Anima, Corpus, et Procedens, quae simul faciunt unam Essentiam, apud hominem mere Humanam, apud Dominum autem Divinam et simul Humanam, post Glorificationem ita unitas, sicut Prius cum 3 suo Posteriori, ac sicut Essentia cum sua Forma; ita tria Essentialia, quae vocantur Pater, Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus in Domino unum sunt.
[2] Quod Dominus sit ipsum Divinum Verum, seu Divina Veritas, supra ostensum est; quod autem Spiritus Sanctus sit illud, constat ex his locis, Exibit virga e trunco Jishaii, 4 quiescet super Ipso Spiritus Jehovae, Spiritus sapientiae et intelligentiae, Spiritus consilii et virtutis, percutiet terram virga oris sui, et spiritu labiorum suorum occidet impium, erit justitia 5 cingulum lumborum Ejus, et Veritas cingulum feminum ejus, Esaias 11:1-2, 4-5. 6 Veniet sicut flumen angustum, Spiritus Jehovae signum inferet in Illum, tunc veniet Zioni Redemptor, Esaias 59:19-20. Spiritus Domini Jehovih super Me, unxit Me Jehovah, ad evangelizandum pauperibus misit Me, Esaias 61:1; Luca 4:18. Hoc foedus meum, Spiritus meus qui super Te, et verba mea non recedent ex ore tuo a nunc et in aeternum, Esaias 59:21.
[3] Quoniam Dominus est ipsa Veritas, inde omne id quod procedit ex Ipso est veritas, et hoc intelligitur per Paracletum, qui etiam nominatur Spiritus veritatis, et Spiritus 7 Sanctus; hoc constat ex his locis, Ego VERITATEM vobis dico, prodest vobis ut Ego abeam, si enim non abirem, Paracletus non veniet ad vos; si vero abivero, mittam illum ad vos, Johannes 16:7. Quando venerit ille SPIRITUS VERITATIS, ducet vos in OMNEM VERITATEM: non loquetur 8 a se ipso, sed quaecunque audiverit, loquetur, Johannes 16:13. Ille Me glorificabit, quia EX MEO accipiet, et annuntiabit vobis: omnia quaecunque Pater habet, MEA 9 sunt, propter hoc dixi, quod a MEO accepturus sit, et annuntiaturus vobis, Johannes 16:14-15. Ego rogabo 10 Patrem, ut alium Paracletum det vobis, SPIRITUM VERITATIS, quem Mundus non potest accipere, quoniam non videt illum, nec cognoscit illum; vos autem cognoscitis illum, quia apud vos manet, et in vobis erit; non relinquam vos orphanos, venio ad vos, et vos videbitis Me, Johannes 14:16-17, 18-19. 11 Quando venerit Paracletus, quem Ego missurus sum vobis a Patre, SPIRITUS VERITATIS, Ille testabitur de Me, Johannes 15:26: vocatur Ille Spiritus Sanctus, Johannes 14:26.
[4] Quod Dominus per Paracletum seu Spiritum Sanctum intellexerit Se ipsum, patet ab illis Domini verbis, quod Mundus illum adhuc non cognosceret, vos autem cognoscitis illum; non relinquam vos orphanos, venio ad vos, vos videbitis Me: et alibi, Ecce Ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus usque ad consummationem saeculi, Matthaeus 28:20, tum ex illis, Non loquetur ex Seipso, sed quod ex Meo accepturus sit.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: estentiae.
2. Prima editio: proeedit.
3. Prima editio: eum.
4. Prima editio: Iishaii.
5. Prima editio: justitia.
6. Prima editio: Esaias 11:1, 4, 5.
7. Prima editio: Spiritas.
8. Prima editio: lequetur.
9. Prima editio: Mea.
10. Prima editio: regabo.
11. Prima editio: Johannes 14:16, 17.