Does the Holy Spirit directly or miraculously change our hearts so that we will be saved?Calvinism says yes.Irresistible grace?People were saved by learning and obeying the gospel.Pentecost (Acts 2)Second sermon (Acts 3-4)Samaritans (Acts 8)Acts 8:16-17 – They believed before they received the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way.Ethiopian (Acts 8:25-39; 13:2-4; 16:8-10)The Holy Spirit intervened to get Philip to the right place, but the Ethiopian believed on his own.Cornelius (Acts 10-11, 15, cf. 19)Being saved and receiving the Holy Spirit were two separate things!Acts 11:13Mark 16:15-16Romans 1:16Romans 10:17Hebrews 2:1-4Then what about … II Thessalonians 2:13? “sanctification by the spirit”Context and harmony:Acts 10:34-35II Thessalonians 2:14-15I Thessalonians 2:13; 4:1-8Acts 7:51; 17:1-4The message was preached and they had to decide to obey it in their lives.So, what about … Ephesians 1:13? “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise”Context and harmonyEphesians 3:4-6; 1:13aColossians 1:5-6They could read Paul’s Holy Spirit-inspired words and know they were saved.What about … John 6:44? No one can come to Me unless the Gather who sent Me draws him”Context and harmonyJohn 6:45Hebrews 2:1-4God draws men through the message preached.What about … John 6:33? “it is the Spirit who gives life”Context and harmonyJames 2:26John 6:45, 67-68, 63bProbably not the Holy Spirit, but an analogy: “Just like your spirit gives life to your flesh, my spirit gives life to your soul.”What about … Ephesians 5:18? “be filled with the Spirit”Context and harmonyEphesians 5:19Colossians 3:16What about … Acts 9:17-19? “be filled with the Holy Spirit”Context and harmonyActs 9:3-6, 15-16; 26:15-20; 10:44-48; 22:16What about … Acts 16:14? “the Lord opened her heart to respond”Context and harmonyActs 16:13-15Romans 1:16; I Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 2:12II Corinthians 7:6; John 6:44-45He opened her heart through the words from Paul.Take-awaysThe conversions in Acts consistently show that people simply heard the gospel and obeyed.Calvinism assumes that many Holy Spirit passages involve something supernatural.Don’t wait for the Holy Spirit to do something to your supernaturally – He’s already given the Bible to you!
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