The Holy Spirit As Conversion And Sanctification - 1347 Words

Many Christians summarized the ministry of the Holy Spirit as conversion and sanctification. Because our God is holy, He wants us to be holy (1 Peter 1:16). Once we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are legally righteous before God because of the atonement of Jesus. Therefore, we are called saints in Christ. However, we do have sin-polluted minds and body that are not perfected yet. The result is we are like bipolar man that have inner wars continuous going on. This is the war described in Romans 6. Although many theologians have different opinions, I believe this passage is describing the struggling of a believer, instead of a non-believer. With my own understandings laid out clearly, now I am going to share my reading experience†¦show more content†¦91). This means Dr. Hoekema’s reformed position on Sanctification is not the traditional reformed theology, but an Arminianized American Reformed theology. His positions are very clear that the believers are new persons, but not yet attained sinless perfection; they must still struggle against sin (p. 81). Hoekema stated well: The new self is genuinely new, though not yet totally new. The newness of the new self in not static but dynamic, needing continual renewal, growth and transformation (p. 81). The reformed emphasis of total corruption gives them strength to resist the possibility of living in a perfect love for God that one feels no sin (p. 82-83). Consequently, they regard themselves still not free the law. Although they view keeping God’s law as a way of expressing their gratitude to Him for the gift of salvation (p. 85). Because of their perf ormance, God’s name is glorified and the people of God are perfected. As Horton stated, the Reformed theology does not give the Holy Spirit enough attention. The doctrines of PCA even says the miracles are ceased. But Dr. Larkin says well that although he is a Presbyterian, he cannot deny the Acts of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts and around the world. On the other side of the spectrum lays the Wesleyan perspective. Developed by John Wesley, the Methodists thrived many years and brought great revivals to the world. Contrary to the reformed position, the Methodists believe that there can be a second blessing, or entire