THE HOLY SPIRIT

Does the Holy Spirit influence men directly?

Must the Holy Spirit exercise some power directly on the human heart before men can become believers and obey Christ?

Examples of direct operation of the Holy Spirit
Who did the Holy Spirit exercise power on at Pentecost, Ac. 2:1-8? (Note 1:26…2:7.) What did He give them the power to do? Was it to save them?
Who did the Holy Spirit exercise power on in the conversion of the Ethiopian, Ac. 8:26-29? What did the Holy Spirit do? Was that to save the one He exercised power on?
Who did the Holy Spirit exercise power on in Cornelius’ house, Ac. 10:44-46. What did He enable them to do? Did this save them (see 11:14-15)?

Examples of obedience WITHOUT the direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts
Is there any evidence in the text that the Holy Spirit exercised any power directly on the hearts or bodies of the Jews on Pentecost that became obedient believers, Ac. 2:22-41? What did influence them to believe and obey, vv14…37,41?
Is there any evidence in the text that the Holy Spirit exercised any power directly on the hearts or bodies of the Samaritans that became obedient believers, Ac. 8:5-12. What did influence them to believe and obey, vv5,12?
Is there any evidence in the text that the Holy Spirit exercised any power directly on the heart or body of the Ethiopian, Ac. 8:26-39? What did influence him to believe and obey, vv35-36?
What persuaded the Thessalonians to believe the gospel, Ac. 17:1-4? Compare 2Th. 2:13-14.

Conclusions from above
The direct operation of the Spirit on the heart is NOT necessary to faith and obedience.
The work of the Spirit on the human heart in order to produce faith and obedience is through the Word.

Quick Quiz
Choose all correct answers in the following.

1. In Luke’s record in Acts
a. People understood, believed, and obeyed the gospel without any direct operation on their heart by the Holy Spirit
b. People had their hearts changed by the omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit brought to bear directly on their hearts and were then were enabled to believe and obey the gospel
c. People were given faith as a gift by the direct power of the Holy Spirit on their hearts
d. None of the above

2. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit exercised supernatural power
a. On the speakers
b. On the hearers
c. On no one
d. On everyone

3. The Holy Spirit
a. Was never involved in people’s conversion
b. Enabled teachers (prophets, apostles) to reveal the gospel so people could hear it, believe it, and be saved
c. Influenced lost men indirectly (through means) to be saved
d. Doesn’t care about men’s salvation

4. The Holy Spirit
a. Influences people through the revealed Word of God
b. Never has influenced people
c. Exercises direct influence upon people in addition to His influence through the Word
d. Influenced people in the past, but does not do so today

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