We have an example of the Holy Spirit convicting some as they heeded the preaching of the Gospel: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:36
Romans 5:17,18 says “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.”
The absolute necessity of conviction and conversion is clearly set forth in the New Testament; man cannot be saved until he turns from his sins.
"Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3)
So long as man loves the pleasures of sin and continues in the practice of sin, he cannot be saved. The necessity of conviction and conversion lies partly in man and partly in God. Man is depraved by sin and cannot have fellowship with God in such a condition. God’s nature is such that he can not fellowship sin; hence, from the nature of man in his sinful condition and the nature of God in his holiness, we view the necessity of conversion.
These Christians at Thessalonica turned first from their sins and idolatry and then turned unto God; they were converted. There are three important and basic changes wrought in conversion.
There is a necessity for purification of the heart. Peter wrote: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” (1 Pet. 1:22)
By faith the heart is purified. The second change that is wrought in conversion is the change of life; this is done by repentance. "But unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5) The goodness of God leads to repentance, and godly sorrow precedes repentance.
The life is not changed until it ceases to love and practice sin. A repentance brings about a change in mind and results in a reformation of life.
What part has the Holy Spirit in these two changes?
No one can come to God who is not converted; no one can come to God except the Holy Spirit brings him. How does the Holy Spirit bring people to God? "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." (John 6: 44,45)
They must be taught of God before they can come to Him; they must be taught by the Holy Spirit in order to come to God; the Holy Spirit uses the gospel or the truth of God in teaching people. The gospel is declared to be the power of God unto salvation. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." (Rom. 1:16)
Again emphasizing further the use of the word of God in conversion, James wrote: "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” (James 1:18)
Peter emphasizes the same thought when he wrote: "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Pet. 1:23)
From these Scriptures we learn that "Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." (1 Pet. 1:25) It is clear that the Holy Spirit always operates upon the heart of the sinner in conversion through the truth, and that truth is the gospel.
Chapter 3 Test: The Holy Spirit Will Influence Your Conscience
1. "But according to His mercy He saved us, through the ____________ of _________________ and ______________ of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior." (Tit. 3:5,6)
Washing – regeneration – renewing
2. Why do men and women need “regeneration?”
To have a relationship with God
3. What does this verse mean: "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3)
Must be innocent like a child
4. What is conviction?
Cut to the heart/conscience
5. What is conversion?
Turning about
6. What does the Holy Spirit use in teaching people?
Gospel or truth of God