Thank you for the question on the independence of the Holy Spirit, “Why cant the holy spirit if “he” is God speak of his own initiative? Why is it that “he” can only speak what “he” hears? “He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak” John 16:13 (NASB)?”
As one reads the Gospel of John, Jesus declares that whatever he sees the Father doing and or speaking that is what he says to the people.
John 5 says this, “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version.
John 7 says this, “Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him” (NIV).
As Jesus did not act independently of the Father, so the Holy Spirit does not act independently of the Father. The primary reason is that within the Godhead there is an interdependence on each other in carrying forth the plan of God for creation.
If Jesus or the Holy Spirit spoke or acted independently, there is the loss of the unity and mutuality with the Godhead. God is one. There aren’t three separate Gods, but one God in three person. Can one imagine if God was to declare that God said that Jesus is the Son of God, but the Spirit of God says that Jesus a teacher/rabbi or that Jesus is not the way, the truth or the life. There can’t be a divergent views within the Godhead. They speak with one voice and act in one accord.
SUMMARY: The Godhead speaks with one voice and acts as one in fulfilling the mutually agreed upon plan of God for creation.
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