The Holy Spirit is a person
Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a person.
- But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: – John 15:26.
- [7] 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. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: – John 16:7-8.
- [13]Howbeit 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: and he will shew you things to come. [14]He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. – John 16:13-14
Now if the Holy Spirit were a force, and not a person, wouldn't he be referred to as it?
The Holy Spirit also possesses qualities that only a sentient being can possess:
- He can be grieved:
- And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30
- He teaches:
- But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. – John 14:26
- He gives and He has a will:
- [8]For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9]To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10]To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds
of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [11]But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. – 1 Corinthians 14:8-11
- [8]For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9]To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10]To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds
- He testifies:
- But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: – John 15:26.
- He reproves (convicts):
- And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: – John 16:8.
- He has intellect:
- For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:11
- He loves:
- Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me; – Romans 15:30
- He intercedes:
- Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. – Romans 8:26