Exposing False Teachings on the Holy Spirit

False teachers exist, as the Bible warns us, and the ideas they promote can be very dangerous. In this video, we'll explore common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit and address these false teachings with biblical truth. Jesus himself warned us about false prophets in Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." These individuals disguise themselves as righteous, but their teachings can lead us astray.
One widespread false teaching is the denial of the Holy Spirit's personality. Some cults claim that the Holy Spirit is merely a force. For example, a Watchtower publication states, "The Holy Spirit is the active force of God. It is not a person, but is a powerful force that God causes to emanate from himself to accomplish his holy will." Similarly, Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, referred to the Holy Spirit as divine science, and early Mormon apostle Parley Pratt described the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force like magnetism or electricity.
However, the Bible clearly presents the Holy Spirit as a divine person. Here are some examples that highlight the Holy Spirit's personal actions: the Spirit speaks (Matthew 10:20, 1 Timothy 4:1), teaches (John 14:26), bears witness (John 15:26), guides, hears, and declares (John 16:13), can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), can be lied to (Acts 5:3), and can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29). These actions cannot be attributed to a mere force or impersonal energy. The Holy Spirit is a person, distinct and divine, working actively in our lives.
Many believe that the Holy Spirit still performs miracles today. While God certainly used miracles in the past to validate His messages, today's world does not witness miracles of the same nature as those described in the New Testament. For instance, no one today can restore an amputated limb instantaneously, raise someone who has been dead for four days, or find money in a fish's mouth to pay taxes. Modern claims of miracles often fail to match the biblical record. Miracles in the Bible served to confirm the message of God. Once the New Testament was completed, the need for such signs diminished, as 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 indicates. Miraculous gifts were temporary and ceased once the full revelation of God's will was accomplished.
Some denominations teach that the Holy Spirit directly and mysteriously operates on the sinner in conversion. However, the Bible shows that the Holy Spirit works through the revealed Word of God. For example, Ephesians 6:17 describes the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit. In conversion, it is by the Spirit that one is led to Christ, and this process happens through the preaching of the gospel. James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:22-23 further emphasize that we are begotten through the Word of God. Thus, the Holy Spirit leads people to salvation through the gospel message.
Some argue that the Bible alone is not enough for understanding God's will and that we need special illumination from the Holy Spirit. However, this idea leads to inconsistencies. If the Holy Spirit were to provide infallible interpretation, then all who claim such illumination would perfectly agree in their understanding of Scripture. Yet this is not the case. The Bible teaches that we can understand God's Word without needing additional supernatural insight. Ephesians 3:4 and 5:17 encourage believers to read and comprehend the scriptures. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that spiritual truths are discerned through divine revelation, not human intuition. The emphasis is on the fact that truth comes from God's revelation, ultimately embodied in the scriptures, rather than an extra-biblical illumination.
In conclusion, understanding the true nature of the Holy Spirit is crucial for our faith. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, not a mere force. While miracles played a role in biblical times, their purpose was to confirm God's message. Today, the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to lead us to salvation. Let us be vigilant in discerning, guarding against false teachings, and holding fast to the truth revealed in Scripture.