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Holy Spirit in the Conviction & Conversion of the Sinner Lesson #6 in the Series on Holy Spirit Introduction;
No one can rightfully deny that the Holy Spirit is involved in the conviction
and conversion of the sinner. The question is not whether the Holy Spirit acts
in the conversion process but, how? Does He operate directly and without means
or does He use a means or agent to convert the sinner? I)
Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit A)
Calvinism requires the direct operation of the Holy Spirit 1.
Man is wholly given over to sin and can not do good without the Holy Spirit
coming upon the person. 2.
The teaching that I want to try to persuade you is Biblical and therefore true
and precious is that the new birth is the result of the sovereign work of the
Holy Spirit preceding and enabling our first act of saving faith. We do not
cause our new birth by an act of faith. Just the reverse: the cry of faith is
the first sound that a newborn babe in Christ makes. Regeneration, as we
sometimes call it, is all of God. We do not get God to do it by trusting Christ;
we trust Christ because He has done it to us already. The theological catch
phrases which are sometimes used to designate this beautiful doctrine are "prevenient
grace" (grace which precedes and enables our faith) or "irresistible
grace" (grace which overcomes the resistance of man's perverted will by
transforming his nature) or "effectual calling" (a divine call which
not only offers but effects transformation). February 22, 1981 (Morning) "THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT" B)
What is meant by direct operation 1.
The Holy Spirit personally comes into your (life, heart) and saves you 2.
A person may or may not receive a sign of being saved. Usually some type of
feeling. That is one reason Pentecostals talk about miracles. A person
performing miracles by the Holy Spirit must have been “saved.” 3.
The Holy Spirit and not the Bible is what saves a person. 4.
The Holy Spirit reveals to man what the Bible says. Therefore, all rules of
Bible interpretation is ignored. II)
The Restoration Movement A)
Bible is the word of God 1.
Can be understood. 2.
It is sufficient to bring about the conversion of the sinner B)
Man is saved by obeying the Gospel of Christ III)
Conversion A)
Called born of water and the spirit in John 3; washing of regeneration in Titus
3.5; added unto the Lord in Acts 2 1.
One goes from being a sinner to a saint 2.
They repent and turn from sin toward God, 1
Thess. 1.9 B)
Conversion 1.
The Holy Spirit came to convict the world of sin, John
16.8 2.
On the Day of Pentecost they were “pierced to the heart” Acts
2.37. This is conviction
a. When they did what Peter said in Acts
2.38 they were added to the
Lord
b. They went from being members of satans kingdom to the IV)
The Holy Spirit and the Word A)
The word is the instrument of the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 6.17 1.
We must understand what we mean by the word “instrument” or “agent” or
“means”
a. A person may chop word by using an ax; the ax is the instrument one
uses to cut word
b. Such does not discredit the man from doing the work. Some want to say
such makes the Bible the Holy Spirit. Such is not true the Bible is the product
of the Holy Spirit. 2.
God used agents in the Old Testament to do His will
a. Prophet spoke as they were moved by God, 2
Peter 1.21
b. Such does not make God a man but the man the instrument of God. 3.
Noah and his family were saved by water, 1
Peter 3.20-21 B)
The word of God 1.
Is revealed by the Holy Spirit, 1
Corinthians 14.37 2.
Reconciles man to God, 2 Corinthians 5.8 3.
Converts the sinner, Psalm 19.7 4.
When obeys purifies the soul, 1 Peter
1.22-23 5.
Is God’s power to save, Romans 1.16 6.
Sanctifies, John 17.17 7.
Perfects man for every good work, 2
Timothy 3.16-17 C)
What changes when man obeys the word of God? 1.
The soul of man is purified, 1 Peter 1.22 2.
A change or relationship as one is reconciled (added to the church, fellowship
with God), 1 Corinthians 12.13
a. Past sins are remitted
b. Brings about a change in life, Ephesians
4.30-32 D)
Contrast in the two positions 1.
Direct operation of the Holy Spirit – change (conversion) – believes –
obeys {baptized, goes to church, lives a godly life} 2.
The Bible – Holy Spirit –word of God – hear – believe (faith) –
repents—confesses – baptized – saved (converted) V)
Problems of Direct Influence of the Holy Spirit A)
Based upon Inherited depravity of man B)
Destroys human responsibility 1.
How can one make the Holy Spirit come upon them? 2.
It is God that predetermines who will be saved. C)
People are saved or lost regardless of their personal will D)
Makes God a respector of persons, yet the Bible says God is impartial E)
God’s power has never changed character F)
No heathen was ever regenerated apart from the word of God, Acts 19.2 G)
It denies the all sufficiency of the word of God, 2 Peter 1.3 H)
Makes the preaching of the Gospel irrelevant Conclusion:
Many will hear
the word of God and think they are lost because they never get that
“feeling.” They will ignore the word of God and be lost. Consider the
conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts
8. The Holy Spirit told Philip to go along a road that goes from |