Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The Holy Spirit Working Separate From The Word Of God?

The apostle Paul writes, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:16-17). Paul says "all scripture," this includes the entire Bible from Genesis through Revelation. He says it will "thoroughly furnish unto all good works," thoroughly furnish, nothing else needed, and that it will make the man who will read, believe and obey it "perfect."

Perfect, meaning complete, all things needed are furnished, no one, or nothing outside the Scriptures is required for the salvation of man. If there is any influence that is wrought upon either the alien sinner, or the faithful child of God, in addition to, or apart from the Scriptures, to the extent that such influence operates, then the Word is insufficient, incomplete, lacking in the ability to "furnish completely" unto "every good work."

Are those who argue for a separate, direct operation of the Holy Spirit, willing to conclude this conclusion? Therefore, making Paul lie about the Scripture, claiming more for the Scripture than it is able to accomplish. Whether they do, or not, it follows: and whether such is intended or not, such a conclusion is an impeachment of the all sufficiency of the Scriptures. Do we then deny any influence of the Spirit, in conversion and sanctification?

On the contrary, we affirm it. The Holy Spirit influences through the gospel, which is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16). The Word of God is the medium through which the Spirit accomplishes His work. The Holy Spirit strengthens (Eph. 3:16); sanctifies (II Thess. 2:13); witnesses to us (Heb. 10:15); justifies (I Tim. 3:16); prompts us to love God (Rom. 5:5); leads us as God's sons (Rom. 8:16); saves us (Titus 3:5), and will eventually raise us up from the dead (Rom. 8:11); but He does this, and much more, by means of the Word of God, which is His instrument: He strengthens us by providing the whole armor of God, which includes the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:10-17; II Tim, 2:1); He saves by supplying the "engrafted Word" (John 17:17) which is able to "save" our souls (James 1:21); He justifies "by faith" which comes by hearing God's Word (Rom. 5:1; 10:13-17); He witnesses to us by the Scriptures which testifies of Christ (John 5:31); and He causes us to love God by presenting God to us by His Word (Psm. 119:105), and He will raise us up by means of the "words" of Christ, when we shall "hear the voice of the Son of God" and come forth from the grave (John 5:28-29).

Therefore, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, influences us, and saves us through the Word of God, and ONLY through, and NOT separate and apart from, the Word of God.