------------------------------------------------------- **Cross Reference**: #theology, #Christian_identity, #Gods_grace, #Holy_Spirit, #salvation, #justification, #sanctification, #glorification, #union_with_Christ, #adoption, #redemption # The Doctrine of the [[Holy Spirit]] and Salvation: Transforming and Applying Christ's Redemption When we think about **[[Salvation]]**, it’s easy to start with what [[Jesus Christ]] has done—His **[[work on the cross]]**, His **[[Resurrection]]**, and how He conquered **[[Sin]]** and **[[death]]**. But what about the **application** of this **[[Salvation]]** to our lives today? This is where the **[[Holy Spirit]]** plays a crucial and dynamic role. The doctrine of the **[[Holy Spirit]]** and **[[Salvation]]** describes the way in which the **[[Redemption]]** accomplished by [[Jesus]] is applied concretely to **[[God’s people]]** through the transforming and empowering work of the **[[Holy Spirit]]**. Let’s break this down thought by thought and explore how this works in the everyday life of a believer. ## The [[Holy Spirit]]: The Starting Point of Our Theology of [[Salvation]] > “The doctrine of the [[Holy Spirit]] and [[Salvation]] is our actual starting point in [[Theology]]. We do Christian [[Theology]] beginning with a consciousness that we are saved.” When we first encounter **[[Theology]]**, most of us do not begin by trying to understand abstract doctrines or deep theological principles. Instead, we start with an **experience**: the experience of being saved. We realize at some point that we have been rescued—redeemed from **[[Sin]]** and brought into **[[new life]]**. From there, we ask questions: “Who is this [[God]] who saved me? What has He done?” And this leads us into a broader understanding of **[[God]]**, **[[Christ]]**, and **[[Salvation]]**. But here's an essential point: the work of **[[Salvation]]** begins in us **through the [[Holy Spirit]]**. It’s the **[[Holy Spirit]]** who opens our eyes to this new reality and applies the work of [[Christ]] to our hearts. ## The [[Holy Spirit]]’s Role in Applying Christ's Work to Us > “The [[Third Person of the Trinity]] is fully God from all eternity. He is the person who takes the accomplished work of [[Christ]] and applies it to us.” [[Christ]]'s work of **[[Redemption]]** is complete. He lived, died, and was resurrected to secure **[[Salvation]]** for humanity. But how does that **[[Salvation]]** get applied to **you** and **me**? That’s where the **[[Holy Spirit]]** steps in. The **[[Holy Spirit]]** is the one who makes this **[[Salvation]]** **personal**, bringing the benefits of **[[Christ]]'s [[sacrifice]]** into the life of each believer. This is beautifully seen in passages like **[John 16:7–13](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16.7-13&version=AMP)**, where [[Jesus]] tells His disciples that the **[[Spirit]]** will come after Him and guide them into all truth. The **[[Holy Spirit]]** is, in essence, the one who **mediates** **[[Salvation]]** to us in the here and now. ## The Order of Salvation: An Eternal Debate > “When we talk about how [[Salvation]] is applied to our individual lives, everyone who studies the [[00.New Testament]] is going to generate basically the same list of categories and terms: [[calling]], [[Election]], [[Justification]], [[Regeneration]], [[Bible Study/Topics/Sanctification/Sanctification]], and so on.” If you’ve spent any time in different **[[Christian traditions]]**, you might notice something: different groups tend to emphasize different **orders** when it comes to how **[[Salvation]]** unfolds in a believer's life. Some might say that **[[Regeneration]]** (being born again) happens before someone can believe and repent, while others might say that **[[Faith]]** comes first, which then leads to being born again. This isn’t about contradiction—it’s about perspective. What’s important to grasp is that all these elements—**[[calling]]**, **[[Election]]**, **[[Justification]]**, **[[Regeneration]]**, and **[[Bible Study/Topics/Sanctification/Sanctification]]**—are biblical. They are part of the same complex, rich reality that we call **[[Salvation]]**. The **[[Holy Spirit]]** is the one orchestrating this work in every believer’s life, applying **[[Christ]]’s [[Redemption]]** at just the right time, in just the right way. ## [[Union with Christ]]: The Source of All Blessings > “There is also [[Union with Christ]], a central source of [[Salvation]] from which all the other blessings flow.” One of the most profound aspects of the **[[Holy Spirit]]’s work** is bringing us into **[[Union with Christ]]**. This is more than just being saved from **[[Sin]]**; it’s about being **connected** to **[[Christ]]** Himself. When the **[[Holy Spirit]]** applies **[[Salvation]]** to us, He is uniting us with **[[Christ]]** in such a way that all the blessings of **[[Redemption]]** flow from this relationship. This is captured well in passages like **[Romans 8:29–30](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8.29-30&version=AMP)**, which speaks of those whom **[[God]]** foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified. This chain of **[[Salvation]]** is all tied to being **in [[Christ]]**. Without the **[[Holy Spirit]]’s work**, none of this would be possible. ## [[Adoption]]: From Alienation to Belonging > “There is also the category of [[Adoption]]: because of the work of the [[Son of God]] and the work of the [[Spirit of adoption]], we fallen creatures go from being alienated and estranged from that life to being adopted and made members of the divine family.” One of the most beautiful aspects of **[[Salvation]]** is the idea of **[[Adoption]]**. We were once far from **[[God]]**, alienated by **[[Sin]]**. But through the work of **[[Christ]]** and the **[[Spirit]]**, we are brought into **[[God]]’s family**. We are made His children. **[Galatians 4:4–6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+4.4-6&version=AMP)** says, “But when the set time had fully come, **[[God]]** sent his **[[Son]]**… to redeem those under the law, that we might receive **[[Adoption]]** to **[[Sonship]]**. Because you are his **[[sons]]**, **[[God]]** sent the **[[Spirit of his Son]]** into our hearts, the **[[Spirit]]** who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” It is the **[[Holy Spirit]]** who makes this **[[Adoption]]** real for us. He gives us the ability to cry out to **[[God]]** as **[[Father]]**, affirming our new status as children of **[[God]]**. ## Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification: The Famous Triad > “Then, of course, there’s the famous triad: [[Justification]] (to be declared righteous), [[Bible Study/Topics/Sanctification/Sanctification]] (to grow in holiness), and [[glorification]] (to be finally reconciled and united with [[God]]).” The **[[Holy Spirit]]** plays a key role in each stage of this triad. When we are **[[justified]]**—declared righteous before **[[God]]**—it is the **[[Holy Spirit]]** who applies the righteousness of **[[Christ]]** to us. In **[[Bible Study/Topics/Sanctification/Sanctification]]**, it is the **[[Spirit]]** who works within us, helping us grow in holiness and conformity to **[[Christ]]**. Finally, in **[[glorification]]**, the **[[Spirit]]** will transform us into our final, perfected state, where we are fully reconciled with **[[God]]**. #### Call to Action: - Embrace the work of the **[[Holy Spirit]]** in your life. Reflect on how He has brought you into **[[Union with Christ]]** and is actively transforming you.