The work of the Holy Spirit

1
Lecture 7

• The work of the Holy Spirit

2
Journal Entry 6

• Ponder what difference it would make to your
  faith if there was no Hell.

3
Captive wills

• by my own understanding or strength I cannot
  believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him.
  (Luther)
• dead in sin (Eph 24f)
• 1 Cor. 214 Gal. 517, 19-21 Rom 311-12
  87,8 Col 213 Rom 714-24

4
Captive wills

• Therefore, Scripture denies to the natural human
  mind, heart and will every ability, aptitude,
  capability, and capacity to think anything good
  or proper in spiritual matters by themselves, or
  to understand, begin, will, undertake, do,
  accomplish, or cooperate in them (Kolb-Wengert)

5
Captive wills

• The Holy Spirit works faith in human hearts when
  people hear the gospel.
• 1 Cor 123 John 644 Eph 210
• Titus 34-7 etc

6
Freedom of the will

• In all other respects our will is free.

7
Rejected

• Fatalism helpless victims of heredity or
  environment
• Pelagianism Pelgius said people could believe
  and obey the law thereby meriting forgiveness.
• Semi-Pelagianism We do some and the Spirit then
  helps

8
Rejected

• Perfectionism after conversion we can keep
  Gods law perfectly, and we then merit eternal
  life.
• Enthusiasm Conversion and sanctification
  without word and sacraments.

9
The Holy Spirit

• At work in the OT Gen 12 Ps 10427ff
• Important prophesies Ezek 3626, 27 Joel
  228,29 Ezek 375,6,12,14 etc
• Active in Jesus ministry Mark 19-13 promised
  to point us to Jesus John 1526
• ETC.

10
The Holy Spirit

• Active in our lives.
• Declaring us Gods holy people. Giving us
  strength to live as Gods people
  Sanctification.
• But we dont have the power to judge.
• We are Saints and Sinners Romans 7

11
Predestination

• The doctrine of predestination is not given us to
  raise doubts in us. It is for those who already
  have doubts in order to give them certainty
  (Hebart)
• Double predestination is rejected

12
Predestination

• Jesus died for ALL - John 316
• Foreknowledge is not to be equated with
  pre-determinism.
• Predestination applies to those who acknowledge
  Jesus as Lord. 2 Tim 19
• Romans 828, 35,39.

13
Predestination

• UNKNOWN why one person hears the call and why
  another doesnt (Pharaoh Exodus 421)
• We need to cling to Gods word and promises.

14
Pastoral implications

• Those concerned about whether they have or
  havent been chosen need have no fear. Their
  concern itself indicates this.
• resisting Gods love is hard and constant work
  (2 Peter 39, Ezek 1823)

15
Pastoral implications

• Whats the use? Why bother? Our election is
  not unknown, revealed only on the last day. Our
  election is confirmed daily as we rest in the
  promises of the Gospel (2 Peter 110)

16
Pastoral implications

• is success, wealth, happiness and indication of
  election?
• No way! indicators include
• our baptism
• Jesus death for us
• hearing the Gospel, rejoicing in salvation
• living the way of the cross

17
Pastoral implications

• This doctrine is meant to give great comfort in
  times of trial. (Romans 828-39) - God has
  chosen us NOTHING can separate us from his love

18
Journal Entry 7

• Respond to this comment
• Some people seem so enthusiastic and confident
  about their faith. They put it down to the work
  of the Holy spirit in their lives. I wish I had
  the Holy Spirit like them!