Page 7 - Pneumatology - Student Textbook

2 Pet. 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were
carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Regeneration
All three persons of the trinity are involved in the salvation process. However, the direct agent of the
new birth is the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:5-8).

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of
righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Sanctification
Sanctification is a threefold process. Positionally, we are set apart by the Holy Spirit and made holy in
Christ at conversion (I Cor. 1:30; Heb. 10:14). Practically, believers progress in sanctification as they
grow in the likeness of Christ. (1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Pet. 1:16). Perfect, complete sanctification comes when
believers pass into the presence of Christ (Eph. 5:26-27; 1 Jn. 3:2-3). All three persons of the trinity are
involved in the process of sanctification.

2 Thess. 2:13-14 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from
the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief
in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ.

The Scriptural evidence is clear and unmistakable: the Holy Spirit is God. We may restate the biblical
affirmation thus,

The Holy Spirit is called God,
The Holy Spirit possesses the perfections of God,
The Holy Spirit performs the works of God,
Therefore: The Holy Spirit is God!

In the sacred Scriptures, the evidence for the deity of the Holy Spirit is superabundant. In general, the
doctrine is supported by the names and titles of the Holy Spirit, His identification and association with God,
His procession and relation to the Holy Trinity, His divine attributes, and His many divine works. These
combine to confirm and enhance the significant contribution of each to the whole and harmonize in a great
symphony of Scriptural testimony. (John F. Walvoord, The Holy Spirit, p. 8.)

1.4 Let’s Practice…

1. What is the definition of pneumatology?

2. In what ways is the study of pneumatology a benefit for the believer?

6