The Holy Spirit - Heresies

By Nina Mistula

It is important for this generation to know about heresies so that they will not easily be misled.

Macedonianism denied the deity of the Holy Spirit. He is not equal to God the Father and God the Son. He is just a servant and divine energy.

Modalism denied the distinct personality of the Holy Spirit. He is just a temporary god for certain times.

Arianism views that the Holy Spirit was created by Jesus. The 3 Gods are at different levels. God the Father created Jesus and Jesus created the Holy Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit for real?

The Holy Spirit is a divine person. He is God at the same time that He is a person. He is 100% God and 100% person. Acts 5:3-4 says, “Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”” Peter said, if you lie to the Holy Spirit, you lie to God as well. You cannot lie to the wind, but you can ie to your friend. That is how you lie to the Holy Spirit too. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” The Holy Spirit can also be hurt.  The Holy SPirit is God, as with the Father and the Son. Luke 3:21-22 says, “One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”” When Jesus was baptized, the 3 personas of God were present all at the same place and time. The Holy Spirit is eternal. Hebrews 9:14 says, “Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” He could not have been created by anyone because then He will have a beginning and an end. Genesis 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” The Holy Spirit was there since the beginning of time.

These truths need to be learned so that you will not lose your way. What does the Holy Spirit do?

The Holy Spirit creates. He was part of the creation of the world. The Holy Spirit reveals. 2 Samuel 23:2 says, ““The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue.” The Holy Spirit can tell you things through visions, dreams or prophecies.

The Holy Spirit empowers. Judges 14:5-6 says, “As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. But he didn’t tell his father or mother about it.” You can do things you cannot otherwise have done because of the Holy Spirit. Luke 12:11-12 says, ““And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”” It is only by and through the Holy Spirit that you can say and do things when you are prompted to do things beyond your comfort zone.

The Holy Spirit convicts but never condemns. John 16:7-8 says, “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” The Holy Spirit kind of acts like your conscience. You will realize the wrong things you do because He guides you.

The Holy Spirit regenerates (gives spiritual birth). Titus 3:5 says, “he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” When you get baptized, you become born again and God gives you a new life. The Holy Spirit gives you spiritual birth. John 3:8 says, “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.””

The Holy Spirit teaches and guides you to the truth. 1 John 2l27 says, “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” He teaches believes about all things. John 16:12-14 says, ““There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”

The Holy Spirit is your helper. John 14:26 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”

The Holy Spirit intercedes for your prayers. Romans 8:26 says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” He helps us in praying too.

In application, you have to be filled with the Holy Sprit. Ephesians 1:13 says, “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” When you truly accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit is with you. You are sealed by Him. Talk to the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ask wisdom and understanding from the Holy Spirit so that you can and will understand His word. Listen to the prompts of the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” Listen to the Spirit and obey right away. It will do you good.

The Holy Spirit can make you do things you cannot do. He will lead you and guide you in everything you need to do for the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is what you need and what you want Him to be. You never know when you will need Him. Make sure He is with you when you do.