Text: Romans 10:9–17

 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;  and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.   13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.   14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?  and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.   

Sunday, 14^th April 2024

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SALVATION

Text: Romans 10:9–17

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Salvation is purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s agency in salvation, all that Christ has accomplished brings no value to us. The Holy Spirit graciously, effectively, and permanently gives us Christ Jesus and every blessing he has secured. Our salvation is in Christ alone. Our salvation is by his Spirit alone.

The Holy Spirit carries out distinct roles in salvation, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work independently and effortlessly. Despite the Holy Spirit’s integral role in salvation, His ministry is frequently understated, his redemptive work, including his illumination of Scripture, relegated to spiritual message. Some see the Spirit as necessary for new birth (the beginning of the salvation experience) but treat him as functionally irrelevant thereafter. Others perceive the Spirit as their private spirit, experience-generator, dream-filler, and miracle worker.

Unbiblical perspectives about the Holy Spirit boldly appear in certain theological concepts, but also commonly surface without thinking, even from evangelical lips: “O God, please empower us by your Spirit, so that it can work in our hearts.” The Third Person of the Trinity is not “it!” He is the living God at work among his people unto our salvation.

The bible profiles His essential and enduring role in our salvation, from New Life: our text links faith, hearing, and the Word of God. Hearing God’s call to embrace, Christ requires new Spirit-given life. Christ does not set up salvation based on some dormant human capacity in the unregenerate soul. Scripture describes the unbeliever both as unwilling and unable to believe Romans 8:9–11. Dead to God’s will and word, cold to Christ and his salvation, deaf to God’s voice and promises, and devoid of any measure of spiritual life, the unbeliever needs new life. It is the Spirit who gives it, when he freely, effectively, and irresistibly takes residence in every believer and unites us to the resurrected Christ from the beginning to the end. He is the Personal Instrument of the gospel.

CGDS HYMN 28: SS&S 190: 

COME, HOLY SPIRIT, COME

1. Come, Holy Spirit, come;

Let Thy bright beams arise,

Dispel the darkness from our minds,

And open all our eyes.

2. Revive our drooping faith,

Our doubts and fears remove,

And kindle in our breasts the flame

Of never-dying love.

3. Convince us of our sin,

Then lead to Jesus' blood,

And to our wondering view reveal

The secret love of God.

4. ‘Tis Thine to cleanse the heart,

To sanctify the soul,

To pour fresh life in every part,

And new-create the whole.

5. Dwell therefore in our hearts,

Our minds from bondage free ;

Then we shall know, and praise, and love

The Father, Son, and Thee !  

   Prayers:

1.  Lord Jesus, perfect my salvation in the Holy Spirit.   

2.  LORD God Almighty, be my everlasting salvation and deliverance in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.