The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Regeneration Difference between O.T. & N.T.

Although it is true that the Holy Spirit may bring conviction directly upon a child of God in most cases it is brought about through His ministry of the Word; either being heard or read. God most often uses means to work His will among His people, which is no way diminishes the working of the Spirit. Paul emphasizes this most pointedly when he wrote that he was "not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe." Are we to believe that the words themselves have some magical potency to convert the soul? I think not, but rather it is the Spirit working with, through and in the Word that converts the soul.

In the case of David, God sent Nathan to expose his sin through which the Spirit wrought conviction. But if you read the Psalms you will see quite clearly that David was for a long time under conviction before Nathan came to him,

Psalms 31:10 (ASV) "For my life is spent with sorrow, And my years with sighing: My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, And my bones are wasted away."

Psalms 32:3-5 (ASV) "When I kept silence, my bones wasted away Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture was changed [as] with the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin."

So, we can see just from these two passages how David wrestled with his sins under the conviction and heavy hand of the Lord. And how could this be but by the work of the Spirit Who we know as it is said of Him that His first work is to "convince (convict) the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment" (Jh 16:8). Thus His work is unchanging.

Again, there is no disagreement that the Holy Spirit in the new covenant administration was given in full measure and globally, where in the old covenant administration His work was mostly limited to the elect of Israel. And, I would not disagree about the Spirit, as William brought out, being the "seal". My concern is allowing certain actions of individuals apart from the Spirit's work, e.g., regeneration, conviction of sin, etc.

RE: Adam and Eve's fall and restoration being very short . . . I do think that it was very short indeed. God's grace was not withheld for any length of time but was bestowed upon them quickly. We are given this understanding from God's covering our first parents with the skin of a slaughtered animal; surely indicative of Christ's covering. Secondly there was God's prophetic word bifurcating the "seed of the woman" and the "seed of the serpent", indicating a people set apart by God as His own. Another example is that Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice which could only be done if he was spiritually alive, whereas his brother Cain brought an unacceptable sacrifice after his own choosing. Other examples could be offered, but those should suffice.

Peace,