|
The Spirit and The Word
Keith Sharp
Repeatedly in recent Bible
studies I have been impressed with the fact that, to understand how to be
saved, one must understand the work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. The
belief that the Holy Spirit operates in a supernatural, mysterious way on the
hearts of believers is a central but often vaguely defined opinion common to
almost all denominations of Christendom. This doctrine fails to recognize the
importance and sufficiency of the inspired word of God as the instrument of
the Spirit and is used to justify all manner of doctrines and practices
contradictory to the revealed will of God. I propose to prove by the
Scriptures that everything the Holy Spirit does directly to the minds of
men in conversion and sanctification He does by the instrument of the Word of
God.
Definition and Explanation of Proposition
The proposition acknowledges
that the Holy Spirit is alive and active and explains how He is active
in our salvation. The work of conversion is that of turning the sinner to God
(Acts 3:19; 26:20), whether it be an alien sinner or an erring child of God
(James 5:19-20). "Sanctification" includes "separation to
God" (Vine. 3:317; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) coupled with initial
justification, and "the course of life befitting those so
separated" (Ibid; Hebrews 10:14). This includes all
our walk with Christ until death. Thus, the proposition includes
everything done directly to the mind of man by the Spirit from the time he is
first influenced to become a Christian until he parts this life. The Holy
Spirit operates upon the hearts of both sinners and saints exclusively
through the moral, emotional, and logical appeal of the word He inspired
rather than by the use of direct, supernatural, miraculous, mysterious power.
I don't deny the possibility
the Holy Spirit functions providentially (Colossians 4:2-4), but His
influence directly on the mind of man is through the Word (Acts 8:26-35).
This eliminates a Calvinistic
inward call. Calvinists affirm, "... the Holy Spirit, in order to
bring God's elect to salvation, extends to them a special inward call
in addition to the outward call contained in the gospel message" (Five
Points. 48). They couple this with a belief in supernatural
"enlightenment" by the direct work of the Holy Spirit. They teach,
"God makes known to His chosen ones the secrets of the kingdom through
the inward personal revelation given by the Spirit" (Ibid. 52).
This also precludes Wesleyanism. This system affirms two important direct influences
by the Holy Spirit. First, is "better felt than told" religion. They assert:
The
Witness of the Spirit may be said to be the distinguishing doctrine of Methodism....
By the witness of the Spirit I mean the inward impression on the soul,
whereby the Spirit of God immediately and directly witnesses to my spirit
that I am a child of God.... (Primer. 34. [quoting John Wesley])
Second is the doctrine of
"entire sanctification."
Entire
sanctification is the act of God by which the human heart is cleansed from
all sin and filled with love by the Holy Spirit who is given, through faith,
to the fully consecrated believer. (Dayton. 1:521)
Finally, it eliminates
Pentecostalism:
The
'Full Gospel' churches or 'Pentecostals' contend that the Baptism of the Holy
Ghost is a needed and promised experience for every believer who will
'tarry,' 'ask, seek and knock' until they receive, and that the receiving is
always evidenced by the speaking in 'other tongues as the Spirit gives them
utterance.' (Dennis.
7)
The proposition includes everything
done directly to the mind of man by the Holy Spirit. I affirm the Holy
Spirit uses the Word as His instrument to accomplish this work (2 Timothy
3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13). Thus, He employs the moral persuasion of the
Gospel, not direct power. I do not mean the Spirit equals the Word, nor am I
contending the Spirit is in the Word or with the Word. I assume
all readers believe that the Bible is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and that the
Holy Spirit revealed it (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). Thus, He uses the word which
he gave as an instrument or medium through which to convert and sanctify all
people.
Objections to Proposition
Someone might object, Just
because the Spirit operates toward man through the word does not mean he
operates that way only. That is like the Protestants arguing that, since
salvation is by faith, it is by faith only. Not quite. I can scripturally
show Protestants that requirements in addition to faith must be met to obtain
salvation. Where is the passage that teaches the Holy
Spirit personally does something toward man in addition to his work
through the instrument of the word?
The controversy is parallel to
that with Protestants in one respect. The New Testament teaches us to sing in
worship to God. Protestants contend, without scriptural justification,
that we may both sing and play. The New Testament teaches the Holy
Spirit operates through the word. Some insist, without scriptural authority,
He operates both through and separate from the word.
Proof of Proposition
The proof of the proposition
consists of a simple syllogism. The major premise is: If a person and an
instrument perform the same task, the person is working by the instrument
This is axiomatic, a truism, "an undoubted or self-evident truth"
(Webster). The minor premise is: Everything the Holy Spirit does directly to
the minds of men in conversion and sanctification, the word of God also does.
The proof of this premise is the key to the argument. If it is true, our
proposition, everything the Holy Spirit does directly to the minds of men
in conversion and sanctification He does by the instrument of the Word of God,
is true as well.
To prove the accuracy of the
minor premise, we shall simply notice everything mentioned in. the New
Testament that the Holy Spirit does to our minds in our conversion and
sanctification, and we shall see that the word of God performs these same
tasks. There are twenty-six such works, and we shall study them in the order
in which they are found.
In order to enter the kingdom,
one must be "born of... the Spirit" (John 3:5). But, we have been
"born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word
of God" (1 Peter 1:23).
Jesus revealed, "It is
the Spirit who gives life" (John 6:63). But in the same verse He added, " The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they
are life."
Jesus promised the apostles
the Holy Spirit would "testify" of Him (John 15:26), but he also
exhorted, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39). Even
as the inspired prophecies of the Old Covenant testify of Christ, their
Spirit-revealed fulfillments in the New Testament do as well.
The Lord revealed the Spirit
of Truth would "convict" the world (John 16:8), and this is done by
the preaching of the word (2 Timothy 4:2).
The Spirit of grace comforts
God's children (Acts 9:31), but He does so by apostolic words (1
Thessalonians 4:18).
The Holy Spirit makes elders
(Acts 20:28), but He does so as faithful men are taught the word, allowing
them to grow to attain the qualifications, be selected by the church, and be
appointed by an evangelist (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5).
The "law. of the Spirit of life" frees us "from the law of
sin and death" (Romans 8:2). But He effects this emancipation through
our by obedience "from the heart" to "that form of
doctrine" (Romans 6:17-18).
To become a son of God, one
must be "led by the Spirit of God" (Romans 8:14), through His word
(Psalms 119:105).
"The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16). How
is this witness borne? "But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of
God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John
2:5). The Spirit, through the word, testifies what we must do to become sons
of God, our spirits testify we have obeyed that word, and they thus bear
witness together.
We "abound in hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13) as "through the patience
and comfort of the Scriptures" we "have hope"(Romans 15:4).
The Holy Spirit possesses
"power" (Romans 15: 13), but his "power... to salvation"
is the "gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:16).
Christians are "washed,... sanctified," and "justified... by the
Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11), but this is accomplished
through the word (John 15:3; 17:17; Galatians 2:16).
The Holy Spirit leads sinners
to believe "that Jesus is the Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:3), but He
does so through "the word of God" (Romans 10:17).
"For by one Spirit we
were all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13), as we were led
by the word to be baptized in water (Ephesians 5:25-27).
The Holy Spirit changes us
into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) through the word He inspired
the apostles and prophets to preach and write (2 Corinthians 4:3-7).
Disciples must "walk in
the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-18.25); which is to "walk according to
His commandments" (2 John 6).
The righteous traits of
character in the lives of God's saints are "the fruit of the
Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), i.e., the fruit of "the word of the
truth of the gospel" (Colossians 1:5-6).
We are "strengthened with
might through His Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16) as we are
built up by "the word of His grace" (Acts 20:32).
The Spirit gives Christians
understanding (Ephesians 3:14-19) as they read the "revelation"of
the Spirit written down by the "apostles and prophets" (Ephesians
3:1-7).
Saints are "filled with
the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18-19) as they let "the word of Christ
dwell in" them "richly" (Colossians 3:16).
We enjoy the "fellowship
of the Spirit" (Philippians 2:1-2) as we "walk in the light"
of His word (1 John 1:3,7).
The Spirit speaks
"expressly" (1 Timothy 4:1), but he does so to us through the
teaching of His word (Ibid).
Paul asserted we are
"saved" by the "Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5), but James
revealed this is through "the implanted word, which is able to save your
souls" (James 1:21).
The Spirit of Grace calls us
to come to Christ (Revelation 22:17). He sends forth this invitation through
the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
So far as I have been able to
determine, this is a full examination of the work of the Holy Spirit toward
the minds of both the alien sinner and the saint. Each time we find an action
performed by the Spirit, we likewise notice it is accomplished by the word.
Thus, our minor premise is
true. Everything the Holy Spirit does to the minds of men in conversion and
sanctification the word of God does also.
Romans 8:26-27
The most commonly made argument
I have heard against the evidence I have compiled in support of the minor
premise is based on Romans 8:26-27:
Likewise
the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should
pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches
the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes
intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The argument is made: The Holy
Spirit intercedes for us in prayer; this work cannot be attributed to the
Scriptures; therefore, the Holy Spirit does something for us the word does
not do.
Were I to grant the Holy
Spirit intercedes for us, it would have no bearing on the proposition as
defined. The work under consideration is that done to man from God.
Intercession is a work done from man to God. Thus, it in no way would negate
the evidence mustered.
Further, were I to grant the
Holy Spirit intercedes in prayer in our behalf, it would in no wise prove He
dwells personally in the Christian apart from the word. Christ unquestionably
intercedes in our behalf. Does he personally indwell His saints apart from
His word? Must God literally live inside my body to know my mind?
But I do not believe the
"Spirit"of Romans 8:26 is the Holy
Spirit. The term "spirit" is used in several ways in Romans eight,
with the context determining the usage. It is used to denote attitudes, the
Holy Spirit, and the human spirit all three in only two verses (verses
15-16). The capital "S"has no bearing on
the question, for this is a matter of the opinion of the translators. The
original made no distinction between lower case and upper case letters. The
burden of proof that the
"Spirit" of Romans 8:26 is the Holy Spirit rests with those who
contend this teaches He intercedes in our behalf, for they are the ones who
employ this as a proof text.
The evidence is against their
assumption. Christ is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). As mediator, He performs the work of
intercession in our behalf (Hebrews 7:22-25). Where Is room for another
intercessor?
More likely, the
"Spirit" of Romans 8:26 is the human spirit. Yes, our own spirits
may intercede in our behalf (1 Corinthians 2:11), and our own spirits help
our fleshly weaknesses (Matthew 26:41; Romans 8:6). In the phrase "the
Spirit Himself, " the Greek term underlying
"Himself" is neuter gender (Analytical Lexicon. 60). It is
literally translated "itself"(Berry. 419). The groanings
are our groanings (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:2-4). The Holy
Spirit doesn't communicate with the Son or the Father by groaning! When we
pray, there are petitions of our heart we lack the ability to properly frame
into words. But our spirits take these petitions to Christ, Who knows and
understands even the groanings of our hearts. He
searches our hearts (Revelation 2:13,23), He knows
the minds of our spirits, and He intercedes in our behalf (Romans 8:34;
Hebrews 7:24-25). He is perfectly fitted to represent us to God (Hebrews
2:17-18; 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2).
The minor premise is
unscathed. Thus, it is indeed true, everything the Holy Spirit does
directly to the minds of men in conversion and sanctification He does by the
instrument of the Word of God.
Conclusion
A careful study of the New
Testament demonstrates that the Holy Spirit operates upon the minds of
people, both alien sinners and Christians, through and only through the
revealed word of God.
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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We do not need
tongue-speaking, miraculous healing, baptism with the Holy Spirit,
supernatural inner light, miraculous regeneration, or personal indwelling of
the Spirit of God. We do need a deeper faith in and reverence for the
revealed word of God, the Bible, our all sufficient
guide to heaven. The word of God, revealed, confirmed, recorded and preserved
by the Holy Spirit, is fully able to save your soul (James 1:21). Will you
make it your rule of life and guide to heaven?
Works Cited
Berry, George Ricker, The Interlinear Literal Translation of
the Greek New Testament.
Dayton, Wilber T., A Contemporary Wesleyan Theology.
Dennis, J.A., The Holy
Spirit.
Selecman, Charles Claude, The Methodist
Primer.
Steele, David N. and Curtis C.
Thomas, The Five Points of Calvinism.
The Analytical Greek
Lexicon.
Webster's Third
International Dictionary,
unabridged.
|
Spirit
|
Work
|
Word
|
|
John 3:5
|
Born
of
|
1
Peter 1:22-23
|
|
John 6:63
|
Makes
Alive
|
John
6:63
|
|
John 15:26
|
Testifies
|
John
5:39
|
|
John 16:8
|
Convicts
|
2
Timothy 4:2
|
|
Acts 9:31
|
Comforts
|
1
Thessalonians 4:18
|
|
Acts 20:28
|
Makes
Elders
|
2
Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5
|
|
Romans 8:2
|
Frees
from Sin
|
Romans
6:17-18
|
|
Romans 8:14
|
Leads
|
Psalm
119:105
|
|
Romans 8:16
|
Bears
Witness
|
1
John 2:5
|
|
Romans 15:13
|
Gives
Hope
|
Romans
15:4
|
|
Romans 15:13
|
Has
Power
|
Romans
1:16
|
|
1 Corinthians 6:11
|
Washes
|
John
15:3
|
|
1 Corinthians 6:11
|
Sanctifies
|
John
17:17
|
|
1 Corinthians 6:11
|
Justifies
|
Galatians
2:16
|
|
1 Corinthians 12:3
|
Gives
Faith
|
Romans
10:17
|
|
1 Corinthians 12:13
|
Baptized
By
|
Ephesians
5:25-27
|
|
2 Corinthians 3:18
|
Changes
|
2
Corinthians 4:3-7
|
|
Galatians 5:16,25
|
Walk
In
|
2
John 6
|
|
Galatians 5:22-23
|
Produces
Fruit
|
Colossians
1:5-6
|
|
Ephesians 3:16
|
Strengthens
|
Acts
20:32
|
|
Ephesians 3:14-19
|
Gives
Understanding
|
Ephesians
3;1-7
|
|
Ephesians 5:18-19
|
Dwells
In
|
Colossians
3:16
|
|
Philippians 2:1-2
|
Fellowships
|
1
John 1:3,7
|
|
1 Timothy 4:1
|
Speaks
|
1
Timothy 4:1
|
|
Titus 3:3-7
|
Saves
|
James
1:21
|
|
Revelation 22:17
|
Calls
|
2
Thessalonians 2:13-14
|
_______________
~ ~ ~
|