“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).
Here is a clear example of ignorance about the Holy Spirit. There is so much confusion in the religious world today about the Holy Spirit that there are times when such must be addressed. Calvinistic teaching has led people to believe things about the Holy Spirit that do not harmonize with the teaching of the Bible. Consider three areas concerning what the Holy Spirit does not do.
- The Holy Spirit Does Not Contradict the Teaching of the Bible. There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit brought divine revelation into existence. Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Paul wrote to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Paul wrote previously to the church at Corinth, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13). Since the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17) and the word of God is truth (cf. John 17:17), then it follows that the Holy Spirit cannot contradict the word of God. Therefore, any doctrine or interpretation that clearly contradicts the Bible cannot be from the Holy Spirit. Those who claim to be directly guided by the Holy Spirit today will find themselves in a self-contradictory position when their teaching is compared to what the Holy Spirit actually does say through the Scriptures.
- The Holy Spirit Does Not Comfort Apart from the Scriptures. It is a common teaching among some that the Holy Spirit will bring comfort to people separate and apart from the Bible if one will let the Spirit come into their heart. This is termed as a direct working of the Holy Spirit on the heart. Passages like John 14:16, 26; 15:26 and 16:7 are abused to press the direct leading argument. The context of those passages deals with the work of the apostles after Jesus had ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit would be the agent through the apostles to defend and bear testimony of the truth. Paul wrote of comfort to the Thessalonians who were troubled about their dead. At the close of the section he stated, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18). Read also Psalm 119:50 to find a parallel thought. It is the Holy Spirit’s words that comfort.
- The Holy Spirit Does Not Continue to Perform Miracles Today Now That the Bible is Complete. Paul wrote, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:9-10). The Holy Spirit by miraculous power both revealed and confirmed the inspired words that were given in the days of revelation (cf. Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4). Once revelation was completed, then miraculous powers ceased (cf. 1 Cor. 13:10; Eph. 4:11-13). “Modern day miracle” claims deceive ignorant people and produce confusion.
Jimmy Clark