Through the preaching of the word of God today, the Holy Spirit continues to reprove the world of righteousness. Paul said, 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Fifth, He convicts the world of judgment. Peter declared to the crowd on the day of Pentecost, that the Son of God did not only die on the cross by the wicked hands of His brethren, but came forth from the grave in victory over Satan. Matthew 12:20 “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The work of the Holy Spirit in the world is manifold and powerful. He is the third person in the godhead and is co-equal with the Father and the Son. Like the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit has a particular office and is carrying it out in the world today and will until “He be taken out of the way.”
We have been studying a lesson on the Work of the Holy Spirit. Thus far we have covered the fact that He was the agent in creation, He is the author of the Holy Scriptures, He convicts the world concerning sin, He convicts the world of righteousness, He convicts the world of judgment.
Now, we will look at how He convicts the lost sheep of sin. The Spirit not only convicts men of the sin of unbelief, but sin because of unbelief. Unbelief is the principle symptom of sin; therefore, the concept that the only sin that sends a man to hell is the sin of unbelief is a misnomer. People go to hell because of what they are, not because of what they do or do not do. Man goes on sinning because he does not believe that there is to be a consequence for his sins. See Acts 2:36-37. Though regeneration is instantaneous, conviction of sin may take place over a short period or a long period; but at some point the Holy Spirit will bring the elect sheep to the peak of conviction and the depth of sin’s burden. John 6:37-39, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
He regenerates (brings to life) the lost sheep; See Ephesians 2:1-5. 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit. This speaks of Christ as He regenerates the lost soul by and through the work of the Holy Spirit. A great illustration of this is found in Ezekiel 37:1-10; “…can these bones live?” If you will take the time to read that passage I will wait until you finish. Ok, now we see in Mark 10:26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
Christ, after being put to death was also quickened or made alive again by the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” So, the soul of the sinner, through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit is brought to life. Ephesians 2:1 ¶ And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Faith is the vehicle that is used to bring the sinner to Christ; Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:” Try to keep up with your homework and we will continue next time. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
