This is a series called, “Doctrine Matters” because Doctrine really does matter. What we believe effects how we live our lives and how we do ministry. We are continuing our look at the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. This confessional statement affirms what the beliefs of Grace Life of Senatobia. After having looked at Article 1 (The Bible), we are now looking at Article 2 (God). We have discussed God, the Father and God, the Son, now we are considering God, The Holy Spirit.
There is a lot of discussion about The Holy Spirit so it is good to have a clear statement about what we believe.
The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message says,
C. God the Holy Spirit
“The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.”
“The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine.” The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person. Holy Spirit is a He and not an “it.” He is a co-equal member of the Godhead and co-eternal. He is fully divine. (John 4:24) (Matthew 28:19)
“He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ.” He is the one who inspired the words of the Bible (2 Tim 3:16). He is also the one who causes men to understand the truth of the Scriptures (1 Cor 2:10-14) He points to Christ (Romans 8:9).
“He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration.” In John 16:7-14, Jesus, in speaking about the Holy Spirit says, “When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:” When the Gospel is preached, it is the Holy Spirit that is drawing people to Christ. This statement says that the Spirit “effects” regeneration. Regeneration is when a person is born again. They receive new life in Christ. John 3 says,3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” It is important to note that the word “effects” is used and not “affects.” “affects” means to influence and “effects” means to cause. This means that not only does the Holy Spirit influence the new life in Christ but that He causes it.
At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ.
Conversion is caused by the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes a Christian, it is because they have heard the Gospel and the Holy Spirit has done a work in their hearts.
He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. (John 15:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12:4-8)
His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit that guarantees our growth in Christ and the security of our salvation (Phil. 1:6).
He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. He is the one who moves in our Worship and empowers us to share the Gospel and serve Christ. Without His ministry, we would see no fruit at all. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the life of believers.
Next time we will look at Article 3 which is about man. Let us know if you have any questions, God Bless.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
Grace Life Senatobia 