Skip to content

Growing in Grace

"Watch your life and doctrine closely"

Menu
  • Recommended Reading
  • About
  • Writers’ Guild
  • Contact
Menu
The Holy Spirit's Role in Salvation; Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Holy Spirit’s Role in Redemption

Posted on February 22, 2021February 18, 2021 by James Williams

What is the Holy Spirit’s role in redemption? In a previous post, we saw that the general call of the gospel goes out to all people. Why then are some saved and some not?

Today we’ll examine chapter 6 of the second volume of “Great Doctrines of the Bible” by MLJ entitled “The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption.”

5 Views of the Spirit’s Work in Salvation

In this chapter, MLJ explains five different views regarding the Spirit’s work in salvation.

First, the Pelagian view. Pelagius did not believe in original sin and argued that men and women are neither inherently good or evil but instead are neutral. In this neutral state, every person has free will to choose the good or evil, to believe God’s word or not. The Holy Spirit, according to this view, produces the Scripture but does nothing to effect salvation in mankind. It’s completely up to man to accept or reject it.

Second, there is the semi-pelagian view. This group saw the pelagian view as a little too extreme. They argued that the Holy Spirit does help men and women, but “love originates in the people themselves” (55). People, because of something in themselves, want to know God so therefore the Holy Spirit comes and helps them. They agree that it’s completely up to the person, but the person needs the Holy Spirit’s help once they decide. “All the Holy Spirit does is co-operate with us, and graciously help us to arrive at a knowledge of truth and salvation” (55).

Both of these views have been considered heresy throughout most of church history.

Third, is the arminian view. Unlike pelagians and semi-pelagians, arminians believe that humans are totally depraved and cannot, left to themselves, decide to believe the gospel. Therefore, the Holy Spirit gives enough grace to everyone so they have the ability to believe, and people must co-operate with that. So, the ability to believe is given by the Spirit, but the choice to believe is up to the person.

Fourth, is the Lutheran view. According to MLJ, the Lutheran view teaches that man is dead in their sins and thus cannot be saved without God’s grace working in them. The Holy Spirit does this work in man, however man is able to resist it. While this is similar to Arminianism, there is a subtle difference: “Arminianism says that people must co-operate. The Lutheran does not say that; he says that they are incapable of co-operating positively, but they are capable of resisting negatively” (56-57). People can’t start the process, but they can stop it, so to speak.

Fifth, is the Reformed view. According to this view, men and woman are totally depraved and completely helpless. The only way one can be saved is by the work of the Holy Spirit bringing about salvation. The Spirit is the one who enables people to believe. Men and women respond in faith because the Spirit has worked in their heart. Whereas the Lutheran view says that man can reject it, the Reformed view would say that God so changes the heart and affections that the person doesn’t want to!

These are the five common understandings of the Holy Spirit’s work in redemption. Next time, will look at the effectual call of the Spirit.

facebook Share on Facebook
Twitter Tweet
Follow Follow us
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share

1 thought on “The Holy Spirit’s Role in Redemption”

  1. Pingback: Growing in Grace- Links 2/25 | Growing in Grace

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to receive all new posts:

About Me:

My name is James Williams and I serve as one of the pastors at FBC Atlanta, TX. I love preaching, writing, reading, growing vegetables, and running. My wife, Jenny, and I have four children and are actively involved in foster care. Read More…

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
Instagram

Check out the audio blog:

Should We Pursue Unity At All Costs?

Unity in the church is vitally important, but is it ultimate? 

Blog: www.growingingrace.blog

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter!

I pray this episode served you well! Please consider leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts as this will help others find the podcast, and please share on social media!

Should We Pursue Unity At All Costs?
Should We Pursue Unity At All Costs?
February 22, 2021
Please Don't Kill the Baby
February 7, 2021
The General Work of the Holy Spirit
February 1, 2021
I Will Fear No Evil
January 25, 2021
How Can I Know God's Will?
January 18, 2021
When It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas
December 20, 2020
Goodbye Grandpa
November 24, 2020
Disappointment in Things that are Seen
November 9, 2020
Much To Be Thankful For
October 19, 2020
True, Lasting Refreshment
October 5, 2020
Search Results placeholder

Subscribe:

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
Instagram

Recent Sermon: Psalm 91- Fear and Foolishness

https://www.growingingrace.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Psalm-91-Fear-and-Foolishness.m4a
©2021 Growing in Grace | Built using WordPress and Responsive Blogily theme by Superb