Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.- Matthew 12:31-32
Last Sunday we discussed the Holy’s Spirit’s dealings with sin. We learned that He convicts the world of “sin, righteousness, and judgment” so that lost souls might come to salvation in Jesus Christ. After a person is redeemed He continues to convict them of unconfessed sin so that they might walk in closer fellowship with God and be more effective in their Christian witness and service. In addition, the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence within believers who make up the New Testament Church restrains or prevents the Antichrist from ascending to power, thereby delaying the events of the end times and God’s final judgment upon the earth.
When an unbeliever comes under Holy Spirit conviction and places their faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives, they are immediately “saved” and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. There are several facets of Biblical salvation and the Holy Spirit is integral to each of them. According to The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BFM2000) “salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.” In our message this week, we’ll consider how the Holy Spirit works to accomplish all 4 of these components of salvation.
I. EFFECTS REGENERATION
The BFM2000 states “Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus.” Regeneration is a supernatural work in which a person who was dead in their trespasses and sins is made spiritually alive or alive to Christ (Ephesians 2:1,5). This rebirth is made possible by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
Jesus spoke with a Pharisee named Nicodemus about regeneration (John 3:1-8). He said that in order for a person to see the kingdom of God they must be born again. He explained that this regeneration was not of a physical nature, but rather a spiritual one. In order to be truly saved, a person must be born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit regenerates a repentant sinner.
Christ abides in believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, their spirit is made alive (regenerated) while their body of flesh remains dead (Romans 8:9-10). The new birth is the beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ.
II. EFFECTS JUSTIFICATION
The BFM2000 states “Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.” Acquittal is a legal term which means to declare someone innocent or without fault. So when God justifies a new believer, He determines that they are not guilty, because their sin has already been placed upon and paid for by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, they are freed from the punishment associated with that sin.
Justification is effected by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). In fact, the Bible teaches that Jesus Himself was vindicated or “justified” by the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16). The difference between Jesus’ justification and humanity’s is that He was declared “not guilty” of sin because He was actually sinless, whereas we are declared “not guilty” of sin because He became our substitute. When a person is justified, they are made righteous in His sight and their standing before Him is restored (2 Corinthians 5:21).
III. EFFECTS SANCTIFICATION
The BFM2000 states “Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.” Sanctification is a life-long process in which a Christian is increasingly conformed to the image of Christ. This gradual transformation is brought about by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul urged believers to live by the Spirit rather than according to the flesh. By doing so, the practices of the body (our old, sinful thoughts and behaviors) are put to death or brought into submission (Romans 8:12-13). This is referred to as mortification. As our carnal natures are increasingly subdued, we became further sanctified by the purifying work of the Holy Spirit.
IV. EFFECTS GLORIFICATION
The BFM2000 states “Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.” Whereas regeneration is the beginning of the sanctification process, glorification is the ending of it. Glorification will take place when sin is finally and fully removed from the lives of believers and God’s glory is revealed in them (Romans 8:18).
Glorification will involve putting on a new glorified body that is not tainted by or inclined to sin (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Our present bodies of flesh will be done away with and replaced with glorious bodies that are fitted for eternity (Philippians 3:20-21). It was the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, and He will raise the mortal bodies of believers also that we might dwell with Christ forever (Romans 8:11, 17).
CONCLUSION
The convicting work of the Holy Spirit affords lost people with the opportunity to accept Christ and receive salvation. Beyond this, the Holy Spirit works to effect regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification within the lives of those who are saved. Thus, every facet of salvation is carried out by the Holy Spirit.
When a person places their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are regenerated or “born again”. They die to sin, are freed from it, and are made spiritually alive to Christ. New believers are also justified. They are forgiven of their sin, acquitted and declared innocent, and pardoned of its penalty. Over the course of their lives, believers are sanctified as they mature in their faith, mortify the deeds of the flesh, and are increasingly transformed into the image of Christ. This process culminates with glorification, which will occur when Jesus returns. At this time all remnants of sin will be purged from the believer’s life and they will be fitted with an incorruptible and imperishable body. With these various aspects of salvation in mind, it is appropriate to say that Christians have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved. And again I emphasize, it is all done by the Holy Spirit. Incredible!
In our next message, we will look at another work of the Holy Spirit that takes place at the moment of salvation. We will discuss what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. I hope you’ll be able to join us again this upcoming Sunday. Until then, have a blessed week.
Last Sunday we discussed the Holy’s Spirit’s dealings with sin. We learned that He convicts the world of “sin, righteousness, and judgment” so that lost souls might come to salvation in Jesus Christ. After a person is redeemed He continues to convict them of unconfessed sin so that they might walk in closer fellowship with God and be more effective in their Christian witness and service. In addition, the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence within believers who make up the New Testament Church restrains or prevents the Antichrist from ascending to power, thereby delaying the events of the end times and God’s final judgment upon the earth.
When an unbeliever comes under Holy Spirit conviction and places their faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives, they are immediately “saved” and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. There are several facets of Biblical salvation and the Holy Spirit is integral to each of them. According to The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BFM2000) “salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.” In our message this week, we’ll consider how the Holy Spirit works to accomplish all 4 of these components of salvation.
I. EFFECTS REGENERATION
The BFM2000 states “Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus.” Regeneration is a supernatural work in which a person who was dead in their trespasses and sins is made spiritually alive or alive to Christ (Ephesians 2:1,5). This rebirth is made possible by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
Jesus spoke with a Pharisee named Nicodemus about regeneration (John 3:1-8). He said that in order for a person to see the kingdom of God they must be born again. He explained that this regeneration was not of a physical nature, but rather a spiritual one. In order to be truly saved, a person must be born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit regenerates a repentant sinner.
Christ abides in believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, their spirit is made alive (regenerated) while their body of flesh remains dead (Romans 8:9-10). The new birth is the beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ.
II. EFFECTS JUSTIFICATION
The BFM2000 states “Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.” Acquittal is a legal term which means to declare someone innocent or without fault. So when God justifies a new believer, He determines that they are not guilty, because their sin has already been placed upon and paid for by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, they are freed from the punishment associated with that sin.
Justification is effected by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). In fact, the Bible teaches that Jesus Himself was vindicated or “justified” by the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16). The difference between Jesus’ justification and humanity’s is that He was declared “not guilty” of sin because He was actually sinless, whereas we are declared “not guilty” of sin because He became our substitute. When a person is justified, they are made righteous in His sight and their standing before Him is restored (2 Corinthians 5:21).
III. EFFECTS SANCTIFICATION
The BFM2000 states “Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.” Sanctification is a life-long process in which a Christian is increasingly conformed to the image of Christ. This gradual transformation is brought about by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul urged believers to live by the Spirit rather than according to the flesh. By doing so, the practices of the body (our old, sinful thoughts and behaviors) are put to death or brought into submission (Romans 8:12-13). This is referred to as mortification. As our carnal natures are increasingly subdued, we became further sanctified by the purifying work of the Holy Spirit.
IV. EFFECTS GLORIFICATION
The BFM2000 states “Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.” Whereas regeneration is the beginning of the sanctification process, glorification is the ending of it. Glorification will take place when sin is finally and fully removed from the lives of believers and God’s glory is revealed in them (Romans 8:18).
Glorification will involve putting on a new glorified body that is not tainted by or inclined to sin (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Our present bodies of flesh will be done away with and replaced with glorious bodies that are fitted for eternity (Philippians 3:20-21). It was the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, and He will raise the mortal bodies of believers also that we might dwell with Christ forever (Romans 8:11, 17).
CONCLUSION
The convicting work of the Holy Spirit affords lost people with the opportunity to accept Christ and receive salvation. Beyond this, the Holy Spirit works to effect regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification within the lives of those who are saved. Thus, every facet of salvation is carried out by the Holy Spirit.
When a person places their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are regenerated or “born again”. They die to sin, are freed from it, and are made spiritually alive to Christ. New believers are also justified. They are forgiven of their sin, acquitted and declared innocent, and pardoned of its penalty. Over the course of their lives, believers are sanctified as they mature in their faith, mortify the deeds of the flesh, and are increasingly transformed into the image of Christ. This process culminates with glorification, which will occur when Jesus returns. At this time all remnants of sin will be purged from the believer’s life and they will be fitted with an incorruptible and imperishable body. With these various aspects of salvation in mind, it is appropriate to say that Christians have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved. And again I emphasize, it is all done by the Holy Spirit. Incredible!
In our next message, we will look at another work of the Holy Spirit that takes place at the moment of salvation. We will discuss what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. I hope you’ll be able to join us again this upcoming Sunday. Until then, have a blessed week.