By Donald Townsley
Denominational dogma and practice have greatly obscured the truth concerning the manner in which the Holy Spirit operates in the conversion of man. Denominationalism teaches that in conversion the Holy Spirit works directly, without means, upon the heart of man — some say, “in a manner above our comprehension.” Many brethren teach the “personal indwelling” of the Holy Spirit after conversion. But, what does the word of God teach? If the Holy Spirit operates separate and apart from the word of God, what does he do? We believe the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works only through the word of God in conversion, and that he dwells in the Christian through the medium of the Word. Let us examine the Scriptures concerning this subject.
1. The Holy Spirit does not enlighten the soul of man apart from the word of God; he does this through the Word.
Psalms 19:8 — “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Psalms 119:130 — “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Ephesians 5:17 — “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
2. The Holy Spirit does not convert the soul of man apart from the word of God; he does this through the Word.
a. Psalms 19:7 — “The law of the Lord is perfect, con verting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
Romans 1:16 — “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
I Corinthians 4:15 — “For though ye have ten thou-sand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospeL”
The Holy Spirit does not make us wise unto salvation apart from the word of God; he does this through the Holy Scriptures.
a. 2 Timothy 3:15 — “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The Holy Spirit does not cleanse us apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.
a. John 15:3 — “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
The Holy Spirit does not sanctify apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.
a. John 17:17 — “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
The Holy Spirit does not save apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.
James 1:21 — “Wherefore lay part all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
The Holy Spirit does not make men free from sin apart from the word of God; he makes them free from sin through their obeying that “form of doctrine.”
a. Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
The Holy Spirit does not work apart from the word of God in order to bring about the new birth; He brings about the new birth by the word.
a. 1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
The Holy Spirit does not produce faith in the hearts of men apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.
a. Romans 10:17 — “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
The Holy Spirit does not produce fruit in the life of a Christian apart from the word of God; he does it through the word.
Matthew 13:23 — “But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Galatians 5:22-23 — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The Holy Spirit does not make the Christian ‘ perfect” and “furnished unto all good works” apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.
a. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 — “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, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The Holy Spirit does not produce growth in Christians apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.
a. 1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
The Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian — not directly, apart from the word of God, but through the medium of the word.
Galatians 3:2 “This only would Ilearn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
Ephesians 3:17 — “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”
Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 14-15
March 18, 1993