BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

The Holy Spirit revealed through conviction, experience and illumination

This week completes a six-week series we have done on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. There are four aspects of the Holy Spirit in revelation: place in Christian experience; conviction of sin; illumination of Jesus Christ; and repentance and faith.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came in fullness on those who believed. The role of the Holy Spirit is to convict, convince and empower, as demonstrated in I Corinthians 12:3 “No man can say Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Spirit.” There was a time in the New Testament era that might be called the “coming” of Holy Spirit in a transitional way. Then there came a more normative pattern, which gives the Holy Spirit at conversion.

The Holy Spirit is revealed by convicting us of our sins. Although a preacher is a symbol of authority because he constantly tells people what to do, he does not convict persons of their sins (John 16:8-11). He is merely a witness. The role of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin and convince of the abundance of God’s truth. God’s spirit, in God’s own way, comes to a life. If the Holy Spirit does not trouble us and there is no pain, can there be life?

The Holy Spirit illuminates us concerning Jesus Christ (John 15:12, 24). The spirit tells us who Christ is. The apostle Paul refers to the Holy Spirit as “seal.” He has put his seal upon us as explained in II Corinthians 1:22. Ephesians 1:13 notes that in those who have heard the truth and responded have been sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit.

And finally the Holy Spirit is revealed through repentance and faith. The two are inseparably related. You cannot talk biblically about repentance without the inclusion of the faith. (Acts 20:21) They are inseparable graces. Repentance is a believing response and faith is a repentant recognition and acceptance of the gospel. The Holy Spirit is the agent in repentance and faith.

Galations 4:5-6 notes that by the Spirit of God we are adopted into sonship. We continually need to be filled with the Spirit. Just as Christ enters into one’s salvation and there is a continual walk with Him, we also continually need to be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18)

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