THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE IN CONVERSION

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are times when we will take Bible words and restrict their meaning.

1.    This can be done in order to keep individuals from misunderstanding.

a.    The word “apostle” literally means “one sent.” 

b.    However, we would never use the term to describe a missionary because individuals immediately associate an apostle with the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.  Missionaries are not identical to The Twelve.

2.    This can be done in order to aid in another’s understanding.  This is the case with one of the words assigned in this study.

a.    The title of the lesson is:  “The Holy Spirit’s Role in Conversion and Sanctification.”

1)    When the make that statement, we believe we are talking about the Holy Spirit’s role in converting the non-Christian and the Holy Spirit’s role in sanctifying the child of God.

2)    Sanctification, however, is involved in the conversion process (1 Cor. 6:11).

 

And such were some of you:  but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

b.    In this lesson, we will keep the distinction between the terms.  We will only be looking at the Holy Spirit’s role in the conversion of the lost.

 

I.             THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE IN CONVERSION

 

A.   Let’s begin by reminding ourselves of the words of the Great Commission.

1.    The three synoptic gospels:

a.    Matthew 28:19

 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

 

b.    Mark 16:15

 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

c.    Luke 24:47

 

And that repentance and remission of sins, should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

2.    A simple reading of these verses do not indicate that the Holy Spirit plays any part in conversion other than one’s obedience to the command to be baptized because it is authorized by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3.    Teaching and preaching, however, are mentioned in these texts.  In Mark 16:15, Jesus specifically reveals “what” is to be preached, “the gospel.”

 

II.           IN THE UPPER ROOM

 

A.   However, fifty-one days prior to giving the Great Commission, Jesus had gathered with His apostles in the upper room. 

1.    John records the events and teachings of Jesus for us in some detail in John 13-17.

2.    He told these men that Holy Spirit would be involved in the conversion and sanctification process (John 16:7-11).

 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:  for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and judgment:  of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness; because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 

B.   Conclusions:

1.    We have the apostles, the proclamation of the gospel, and the Holy Spirit involved in the conversion of those who are lost.

2.    These elements are integrated in the conversion process.

a.    The Holy Spirit reveals the message of the gospel.

1)    These men needed the Holy Spirit to reveal the message to them because they do not have the New Testament revealed to them in its entirety.

2)    These men had sat at the feet of Jesus some three years. 

a)    But, they could forget some of the things Jesus taught.

b)    They could get mixed up about some of the things they were taught.

c)    Too, Jesus did not teach them everything they needed in that brief time He was with them (See John 16:12).

 

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

 

b.    Jesus, therefore, promised these men that the Holy Spirit would reveal the truth to them.

1)    John 14:26

 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

2)    John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:  for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:  and he will shew you things to come.

 

3)    Even Paul understood the fact that his message originated from the Holy Spirit (1. Cor. 2:12).

 

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely give to us of God.

 

III.         THE CONVERSION PROCESS

 

A.   The apostles in turn spoke this message to the lost.

1.    Let’s continue with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:13.

 

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.

 

2.    In Acts 2, we have the gospel preached for the first time.

a.    Peter told the audience:  “Ye men of Israel, hear these words…” (Acts 2:22).

b.    However, before he said that, he and the other apostles had the Holy Spirit poured out on them (Acts 2:1-4, esp. v. 4).

 

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

B.   The message of the gospel had the power to convert those who had honest and good hearts.

1.    Let’s read Acts 2:37.

 

Now then they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

a.    There was no direct operation of the Holy Spirit performed within the hearts of these Jews. 

b.    They heard the “words” of Peter and the apostles and had their hearts pricked.

2.    In Acts 2:38, Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.  Now give ear to Acts 2:41.

 

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:  and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 

3.    The power rested in the power of the proclaimed word to convert these lost souls.

a.    Jesus taught this point in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11-15).

b.    Paul teaches it in Romans 1:16.

c.    “…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21).

d.    God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4).

e.    James affirms that it is the engrafted word “which is able to save your souls” (Jam. 1:21).

 

C.   NOTE:  We are not diminishing or negating the role of the Holy Spirit in conversion.

1.    It is He who revealed the gospel.

2.    In that message there is a power that is instilled by the Spirit (Heb. 4:12).

3.    When the message of truth enters into the heart of a man, and pierces it, that is, convicts it, it is the Holy Spirit who is at work in the heart of that individual.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Every conversion account in the book of Acts, reveals that it was the inspired Word of God that was proclaimed and brought men to the Savior Jesus Christ.

 

B.   Today, we do not need the Holy Spirit working directly through men to proclaim the Word. 

1.    The Word of God has been revealed in its completeness (Eph. 4:13; 1 Cor. 13:10; Jude 3). 

2.    We are commanded to proclaim this book, and lost individuals can be saved.

3.    NOTE:  If the Word of God is not preached, if it is not read by the lost, not one, not one, sinner would be saved by the cleansing blood of Jesus.

 

C.   Two verses:

1.    Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2).

2.    It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cor. 1:21).