Conviction of the Holy Spirit
BY HARDY W. STEINBERG
The Holy Spirit is everywhere present, but He has chosen to manifest himself in and through believers. Among His manifestations are the fruit (Galatians 5:22,23) and gifts mentioned in such places as 1 Corinthians 12:8,10.
It is important to recognize that the Holy Spirit also has a ministry to unbelievers (John 16:7,8). How awesome that the Holy Spirit has chosen to reach the unsaved through those who have accepted Jesus. Because believers are involved in the process, it is helpful to understand this important ministry of the Spirit.
1. The Nature of the Spirit’s Work
A.The Spirit’s work with unbelievers is sometimes referred to as conviction (John 16:8, NASB). The Greek word used to express this function is difficult to translate with just one English word.
William Barclay in his work, The Gospel of John, wrote: "It is the word which is used for cross-examination of a witness, or a man on trial, or an opponent in an argument. It has always this idea of cross-examining a man until he sees and admits his error or acknowledges the force of some argument which he had not yet seen." The writer then explains that cross-examination has two implications. It convicts of wrongdoing and convinces of truth which were previously rejected. Both implications are needed to describe the work of the Spirit.
Unregenerate man tends to justify all his beliefs and actions, wrong as they may be. It is said that Confucius expressed the tendency this way: "I have not yet seen one who could perceive his fault and inwardly accuse himself." Thus it is only through the supernatural work of the Spirit that an unbeliever can be convinced that he is wrong and needs to repent and come to Christ.
B.Man was created with a free will and consequently can respond either positively or negatively to the Spirit’s conviction. Just as the sun can soften butter and harden clay at the same time, the Spirit’s conviction can result in some accepting the Spirit’s conviction while others reject it. This happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:13,37). The Spirit’s work may result in conversion or condemnation. By his response the unbeliever determines which it will be.
2. The Subject of the Spirit’s Work
Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict-convince the world of three things (John 16:8):
A.Of sin (verse 9). The sin of which the Spirit convicts unbelievers is failure to believe on Jesus Christ. It is hard for many moral people to believe that their good works will not save them, that they are lost if they have not accepted Jesus. To the righteous Nicodemus Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3; see also Luke 18:18–25 concerning the rich young ruler). Only the Spirit can convince a person he is condemned if he rejects Christ (John 3:18; 8:24) and that he is saved if he accepts Him (Acts 16:31; Romans 8:16).
B.Of righteousness (verse 10). The righteousness of which the Spirit convinces unbelievers is not human righteousness but the righteousness of Christ. The righteousness of unbelievers is as worthless as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
The unsaved must not only acknowledge Christ’s righteousness but also believe it is imputed to them. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30,31.)
C.Of judgment (verse 11). The judgment of which the Spirit convinces unbelievers is not judgment to come but judgment past. In Eden, God gave the first indication of Satan’s judgment (Genesis 3:15). Jesus indicated that Satan would meet his doom at Calvary (John 12:31,32).
Satan’s power was broken at the Cross, and those who accept Christ need not tremble before him. Paul demonstrated that demons are subject to the victorious Christ when the demon-possessed girl was delivered (Acts 16:18). The person who accepts Christ can know that Satan no longer has control of his life.
3. The Agency of the Spirit’s Work
A.It is a privilege to be the agency through which the Holy Spirit has chosen to do His work (John 16:8, NASB).
Believers generally feel inadequate to witness for Christ, but they need to become aware of the team witnessing which takes place. The Holy Spirit witnesses at the same time the believer does (John 15:26,27). He makes the witness adequate. The privilege of joining with the Holy Spirit in "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18) is an amazing truth.
B.Being the instrument of the Spirit is not only an exalted privilege but also a tremendous responsibility. The eternal destiny of the lost can depend on the believer’s faithfulness or lack of it. (See Ezekiel 3:17–19.) R.A. Torrey wrote, "To win men to an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior is the only reason Christians are left in the world."
Conclusion
One of the most effective ways for believers to show concern for the unsaved is to be so sensitive to the Holy Spirit at all times that He can direct them in any way He desires. Only then will the believer "be ready always" to be the Spirit’s agent (1 Peter 3:15).
Copyright ©2004 The General Council of the Assemblies of God
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