Adopted Orphans

The identity we have in Christ is a work done exclusively by God on our behalf. Just as an orphan child does not go out into the suburbs to seek a new family, we do not seek our way into God's kingdom. Rather, the Spirit seeks us out and then transforms our lives by the power of the gospel.

--Eric Geiger, Michael Kelley, and Philip Nation, Transformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow (Nashville: B&H, 2012), 102.

Believing in God's Total Sovereignty Fuels Evangelism

Thus, the sovereign monergistic work of the Spirit in regeneration does not hinder evangelism but rather promotes its necessity, urgency, authenticity, and expectant dependency in God's Spirit for its success.

--Brian A. DeVries, "The Evangelistic Trialogue: Gospel Communication with the Holy Spirit," Calvin Theological Journal 44, pg. 61.

The Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit always effectually accomplishes what he has intended to do, whether his purpose is only to vindicate God's righteousness or whether it is also to renew spiritual life (cf. 2 Cor. 2:12-17).

--Brian A. DeVries, "The Evangelistic Trialogue: Gospel Communication with the Holy Spirit," Calvin Theological Journal 44, pg. 61.

The Spirit and the Evangelist

As Thomas Watson states, "Ministers knock at the door of men's hearts, the Spirit comes with a key and opens the door"....While the human witness, therefore, communicates externally to the mind and affections, hoping thus to reach the heart and challenge the will, the Spirit also, and at the same time, communicates internally to the heart and the conscience, often confronting the will and making it willing in the day of his power.

--Brian A. DeVries, "The Evangelistic Trialogue: Gospel Communication with the Holy Spirit," Calvin Theological Journal 44, pg. 60.

What Happens when an Unbeliever becomes a Believer?

If the Spirit joins with the Word in order to effectually call, convict, and illumine the unbeliever, then new spiritual life will be recreated, accompanied by faith and its fruits. By this new life of faith, the once-unbeliever will be irresistibly transformed within and will begin to be shaped into a new form without as well.

--Brian A. DeVries, "The Evangelistic Trialogue: Gospel Communication with the Holy Spirit," Calvin Theological Journal 44, pg. 56.

The Relationship between God and His Evangelists (All Christians)

Second, the triune God in Christ has a relationship of communication and fellowship with the evangelist. The evangelist has been united with the triune God in Christ and has been indwelt by the Spirit. Open communication exists, therefore, between them both by the inspired Word and the internal witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:14-27). Through this constant communication, the evangelist is increasingly anointed, equipped, empowered, and made competent for the evangelistic witness of Christ to unbelievers.

--Brian A. DeVries, "The Evangelistic Trialogue: Gospel Communication with the Holy Spirit," Calvin Theological Journal 44, pg. 55.

His Giving Precedes Our Giving

His giving precedes ours, for it is through the ministry of His Spirit in our hearts that we are prompted to give Him worship, thanksgiving, and obedience.

--Jerry Bridges, True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), Kindle location 599.

Spiritual Gifts

A spiritual gift is 'a manifestation of the Spirit' in an individual Christian's life and the church as a whole. In other words, a spiritual gift is how God the Holy Spirit shows up or reveals Himself in your life.

--Thabiti Anyabwile, The Life of God in the Soul of the Church: The Root and Fruit of Spiritual Fellowship (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2012), 78.

True Spirituality

[E]very Christian is 'spiritual' in the truest sense of the word. There are not two classes of Christians--super-spiritual and ordinary. Because every Christian possesses the Spirit of God through faith, every Christian is spiritual.

--Thabiti Anyabwile, The Life of God in the Soul of the Church: The Root and Fruit of Spiritual Fellowship (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2012), 76.