THE NECESSITY OF THE GOSPEL IN THE HOLY SPIRIT’S SAVING WORK
by Dr. Gary Shultz
Abstract
Scripture consistently presents the proclamation, hearing, and acceptance of the gospel as absolutely necessary for the Holy Spirit’s work of salvation to take place. Despite several recent arguments to the contrary, the Holy Spirit does not save people through general revelation or through other religions and cultures.11 The Spirit, as the Spirit of the Father (Matt 10:20; Luke 11:13; 1 John 4:2) and the Spirit of the Son (Rom 8:9; Gal 4:6; Phil 1:19; 1 Pet 1:11), only saves people by explicitly applying the atonement of Jesus Christ through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This article will establish the truth of this statement by examining each one of the Holy Spirit’s acts in salvation: effectual calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, indwelling the believer, baptism in the Spirit, sanctification, preservation, perseverance, and glorification. It will be demonstrated from Scripture how all the Holy Spirit’s saving works are based upon the Son’s work in salvation and presuppose knowledge of this work through the gospel. The proclamation of the gospel is indispensable in God’s work of salvation.
