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Leo wrote:
What is the purpose of the Holy Ghost in the New Testament Church?
Is a person saved or on their way to heaven without the reception
or evidence of the Holy Ghost?
Our
Answer:
Hi Leo:
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to:
<> Teach believers all things and bring
to their minds all that Jesus has taught them. - John 14:26
<> Be a witness to Jesus. - John 15:26-27
<> Convict the world of sin, righteousness
and judgement. - Matthew 16:8 & Luke 23:40
<> Guide believers in all truth. John 16:13
& John 23:40
It's not that we can or can not enter heaven without
the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit is not a requirement for
entering heaven. The only question related to salvation is whether
or not the person has truly put their trust in Christ, and the result
is they will have the Holy Spirit. Thus having the Holy Spirit is
a result, not a requirement.
Although all believers have the Holy Spirit, some
believers may not show evidence of trusating in Jesus in a way that
others can notice. For example:
Some people were far from living a Christian life
when the start trusting Jesus. They may have changed dramatically,
but to our eyes they still apear to be crude and harsh.
Some people do little more than accept Christ
as their savior, but their lives are not transformed much. There
is not much visible evidence of their new life.
However... although there are exceptions, we generally
do see a noticeable change in people's lives when they begin trusting
in Christ.
You may have one believer who curses every five
minutes, chain smokes, and races around town at high speed on a
motorcycle. Another believer is quiet, clean cut and likes to help
other people. What you did not know is that the second believer
was always quiet, clean cut and helpful to others. There is actually
little change in their life. On the other hand, the first person
used to curse violently every 30 seconds, drink a six pack of beer
every night, and intentionally run over kittens with his motorcycle.
Trusting Jesus is making a big change in the life of the first person.
This is why we are not to judge whether someone
else is saved--only Jesus, who can see the heart, can do that.
Yours in the Love of Christ,
Steve
Mission to America
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