The Holy Spirit In Conversion
The work of the Holy Spirit in human redemption was to reveal the Will of God to man. The Scheme of Redemption had its origin in the mind of God, and was made known by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets, and thru them to others (Eph. 3:3-5; I Cor. 2:9-13.) These inspired men were guided by the Spirit when they spoke, and when they wrote, so that their preaching and writing was without error. These inspired writings are the means by which the Holy Spirit convicts and converts sinners today.
Two Positions On "How"
There are two positions held by men on "how" the Spirit converts. Some believe the Spirit leads, converts, sanctifies, etc. by operating directly upon the heart of the sinner, in addition to the Revealed Word. They believe that the sinner MUST have this kind of an operation because they hold to the false doctrine of total hereditary depravity. According to their doctrine, the sinner by heredity is so depraved that he cannot even believe the gospel without "enabling grace." So, they believe the Spirit exercises some mysterious, mystical, mythical influence upon them to enable faith - a better-felt-than-told experience. On the other hand, we insist that the Spirit definitely has a part in the process of salvation - producing faith, repentance, etc. - but that He does this by means of the Revealed Word.
What Is Conversion?
We need to understand the meaning of the word "conversion." Because many do not know the meaning of the word, they can neither think nor talk intelligently about it. Conversion is neither pardon nor salvation. Conversion takes place in man while pardon (remission of sins, salvation) takes place in the mind of God. The word "conversion" simply implies "a turning," and refers to a turning in heart and life-from sin to righteousness, or from Satan unto God. It is a moral process - begun, carried on, and completed by a moral power, the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16.) Paul was sent to the Gentiles "to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith" (Acts 26:18. ) Notice they were to turn from darkness to light THAT they may receive remission of sins. This was accomplished by preaching the gospel unto them, as the gospel is God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16.)
Conversion involves three changes in man. The heart is changed by faith (Acts 15:9), which comes by hearing the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17.) The life is changed by repentance (Lk. 13:3; II Cor. 7:10.) The relationship, or state, is changed by baptism. One is baptized INTO Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3: 27.) "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature" (II Con 5:17.) Hence, when the sinner hears the Gospel, believes in the Lord, repents of his sins, and is baptized into Christ, he is converted and God then pardons his sins.
Convicted By The Word
The Holy Spirit convicts sinners (Jno. 16:7-8.) He does this by the revealed word of God, convicting them of sin - convincing them that they are sinners. Paul said, "I had not known sin, except through the law; for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Rom. 7:7.) The inspired Scriptures are profitable "for teaching, for reproof, for correction..." (H Tim. 3:16-17.) The apostles were made ambassadors of Christ and the WORD of reconciliation was used in the WORK of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:8-19.)
Converting power is in the Gospel. It is "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16.) We are saved by the gospel, if we "hold fast the word" (I Cor. 15:2.)
We are begotten through the gospel (I Cor. 4:15.) The implanted word is "able to save" our souls (Jas. 1:18-21.) Our souls are purified in our "obedience to the truth" as we have been "begotten again...through the word of God, which liveth and abideth" (I Pet. 1: 22-25.) The word of God is the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17.) Jesus commanded his disciples to "preach the gospel unto every creature" promising that "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:15-16.)
Whatever the Spirit is said to do in convicting and converting the sinner, the Word of God is said to do. See the following diagram:
The importance of the Word in converting sinners is emphasized in this statement of Jesus: "For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again (be converted, KJV), And I should heal them" (Matt. 13:15.) If the Holy Spirit has ever impressed, led, or guided a human being in any other way than through words addressed to his comprehension, the Bible does not reveal it.
In every case of conversion recorded in the New Testament, the Word of God was preached to the sinner. Since conversion is a moral process, requiring a moral power, the Holy Spirit has provided that power in the Gospel in facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be enjoyed.
In the Bible, we learn that the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles and prophets, but influenced those converted only by the instrumentality of the truths delivered by these inspired men. There is no indication whatever of a "direct operation of the Holy Spirit" upon the heart of any sinner for the purpose of converting him to the Lord.
It pleased God "through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (I Cor. 1:12.) The record (inspired by the Holy Spirit) nowhere shows the conversion of a sinner without the preached word. This word is preached that men may believe, as "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17.) Faith does not come by prayer, or by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but by hearing the word which was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The "direct operation" theory removes responsibility from man and places it all upon God. Then, it presents God as a respecter of persons because some are saved and some are lost. But the Bible declares that God is "no respecter of person" (Acts 10: 34-35; Rom. 2:11.) He is "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. " (II Pet. 3:9.) He calls upon "all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30), and does this now through the Inspired Word.