Short History. In A.D. 215, Sabellius claimed the Holy Spirit was one of three characters
(the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) who were played by a single actor. Sabellius rejected the
idea that God was a plural-one. This major false teaching was accepted by many Christians. One would
think that Christians would have known the truth.
One hundred years later, Arius (approx. A.D. 325) said the Holy Spirit was a created being - created
by Jesus. He believed and taught that God had created Jesus, and Jesus had created the Holy Spirit.
The Council of Nicea was convened in A.D. 325 and the council rejected this teaching as heresy.
Then Macedonius taught that the Holy Spirit was not God but was simply a creature. This false teaching
was also rejected by the Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381 which finally affirmed the truth: the
Holy Spirit was God. At this council the Athanasian Creed (4th - 5th century) was established. It clearly
said the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were one God. Would you like to know what the Bible says?
I am God. Acts 5:3-5 is an important passage that proves the Holy Spirit is God. We are told that a
couple in the early church sold some land they owned, kept part of the money for themselves, and then
went to church and claimed they were donating all of it. It was a lie. So, Peter says, |
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| For there is one Person of the Father; of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one: the
Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is: such as the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is: such as
the Son: and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated: the Son uncreated: and the Holy
Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible: the Son incomprehensible: and the Holy Spirit
incomprehensible. The Father eternal: the Son eternal: and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet
there are three eternals: but one eternal. And also there are not three uncreated: nor three
incomprehensibles, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible . . . So the Father is God: the
Son is God: and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three Gods: but one God . . .
one Lord . . . |
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agic? Simon was no ordinary magician.
He did not just do magic; he did great magic. He astonished the people of Samaria so much they called him the “Great
Power of God.” The attention he received from them was impressive. (Many of us today would like that
kind of honor or power.) But along came some strangers, Philip first, and then the apostles Peter and John.
Simon had been watching them do signs and perform miracles. One day he saw a “magic trick” he wanted. “Give
this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit,” he
said. He wanted more power! Some in the church today see another person ministering for the Lord, and they
become jealous. Just like Simon, they want significance. Just like Simon, some do not understand the Holy Spirit
or how He works. Simon was not alone. Who is the Holy Spirit, and how does He work? This lesson will explore
those questions. If you desire to know more about the Holy Spirit, this study is for you.