Understanding the Work of the Holy SpiritSample

The Holy Spirit’s Work in Salvation

As the Holy Spirit’s convicting work grips the hearts of unbelievers, He readies them to embrace the gospel of the salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ. This act of salvation actually encompasses many aspects, including regeneration, conversion, union with Christ, justification, and adoption.

Regeneration

In concert with the Word of God proclaimed, the Spirit of God effects regeneration.This mighty act of God is the removal of the old sinful nature and the implanting of a new nature. Gone is the old self, the old life, the old identity that is typified by selfishness, rebellion or indifference toward God, sinfulness, disregard for others, and the like. In its place is the new self, the new life, the new identity that is expressed as Christ-centeredness, love for God, holiness, and love for others.

Jesus Himself taught that the Holy Spirit brings about regeneration.

Conversion

As we just explained, regeneration is totally the work of God. It involves no human activity at all. At the same time, the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration is met by a corresponding human response: conversion, which features repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, whom born-again people confess as their Lord. All these aspects of conversion are closely linked to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance is turning from sin. Being undone, Spirit-convicted people acknowledge that they are sinful and thus displeasing to God. They sense a deep sorrow for their sin. They willfully decide to break from sin by turning from it. This awakening of their consciousness of sin comes about through the Holy Spirit.

Justification

Justification is the mighty work of God by which He declares sinful people “not guilty” but “righteous instead.” Unlike regeneration, which is a transformative work that changes believers’ very nature, justification is a legal pronouncement: As judge, God enters a “not guilty” verdict for ungodly people. Even more, God declares them “righteous instead,” not because they are righteous in and of themselves or because they have worked hard to earn a righteous status before God. Rather, God credits to their account the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Thus, as God sees believers, He sees them clothed in the righteousness of Christ. They are “not guilty” but “righteous instead.”

Justification is by faith and faith alone. Justification is accomplished by the death and resurrection of Christ. And it is received by faith that comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prompts the faith by which sinful people embrace justification and are thus declared “not guilty” but “righteous instead.”Justification comes about by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Adoption

Adoption is the mighty work of God by which He chooses sinful people to be incorporated into His family forever. Their former status as enemies who were opposed to God and thus separated from Him is changed to the status of beloved children.

Being adopted into the family of God, women and men together receive the inheritance of divine blessing and are one in sharing those privileges.

Adoption takes place by the work of the Holy Spirit.