A Conversions Bonus Article
Introduction
There is a lot of misunderstanding in regard to the subject of the Holy Spirit and His involvement in the life of a Christian. The simple question to ask is, “How does the Holy Spirit Operate?” The answer is either directly or indirectly.
The correct answer is indirectly, and, in this article, we’ll explain why. At the bottom of this article, I share links to articles that discuss the concept of Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit.
If you’ve read my article series on Conversion in Acts, you’ll already know that I’ve addressed this. But, for convenience, here are three examples in which the Holy Spirit should have operated directly, if it were true.
The Conversion of The Eunuch
In Acts 8:26-40, we read of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. In verses 27-28, it says, So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
Now notice verse 29, Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” Who did the Spirit speak to? It was Philip! If the Holy Spirit operated directly, He would have spoken to the eunuch instead. Philip wouldn’t have been necessary.
Let’s look at the next two verses, So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31) Again, if the Holy Spirit operated directly, the eunuch would have understood all that he read as the Spirit would have guided him. But, instead, Philip was sent and taught him the gospel.
Saul of Tarsus
Moving to chapter 9, we meet up with Saul of Tarsus who consented to Stephen’s death, (Acts 8:1). He was on the road to Damascus when he encountered a strange event.
As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:3-6)
Notice here, Jesus, Himself, was speaking to Saul. Had the Holy Spirit operated directly, Saul would have been converted right here at this very moment. But read, again, what Jesus said, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” This shows that Saul wasn’t saved just because he believed who he saw and heard. He was told to go to Damascus and wait for further instruction.
Furthermore, we see the other side of this story in verses 10-12, Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
This shows that the Holy Spirit operates indirectly as He spoke to Ananias and had him go to preach the gospel to Saul. He didn’t tell Ananias that Saul was already converted; having seen the vision of Jesus. He was sent to help Saul become converted.
Cornelius, The Gentile
Moving to chapter 10, we meet Cornelius: a centurion, a faithful man, and, soon-to-be, the first gentile convert. We see this encounter in verses 3-6, About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
Once again, if the direct operation of the Holy Spirit were true, the angel would have told Cornelius directly that he had been saved right then and there. But, instead, he is instructed to send for Peter. Why send for Peter? Because Peter would tell Cornelius what he must do!
Conclusion
As you can plainly see, from these three examples, the Holy Spirit does operate with a prospect but indirectly. His work is manifested in the scriptures which is then shared by learned men, preachers of The Faith. He does not operate directly otherwise; we’d have no need for preachers or the bible itself.
As the apostle Paul writes, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16) And again in Romans 10:14-15, How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
If the “Holy Spirit” is telling you to do something that doesn’t line up with the scriptures, then you are listening to a false spirit. As John writes, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Links to “Direct Operation” Articles
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