Which is the Third Article?
I believe in the Holy Ghost.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him, but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel.
1. We cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, or come to Him. The Holy Ghost alone is able to bring us to Christ, our Savior. How does He bring us to Christ? We confess as children of God that the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel. By calling me through the Gospel, the Holy Ghost has brought me to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Let us see what this means.
2. Our Lord, in a parable, once spoke of a certain rich man who made a great supper for his guests. And he sent out his servants at supper-time to say to those who were bidden: "Come, for all things are now ready." Luke 14,16.17. The meal was prepared, and the rich man invited his guests to come and partake of it. At dinner-time, when your mother has prepared dinner for the family, she calls to you, "Dinner is ready. Now come and eat! It is prepared for you too." In a similar manner the Holy Ghost calls us and invites us to come to Christ and accept His salvation. Christ, our Savior, has prepared all things; He has prepared forgiveness of all our sins, life, and salvation. All things necessary for our salvation are ready in Christ. All is finished. And now the Holy Ghost brings us these glad tidings: All things are now ready, all things needed for your salvation. Come, whosoever you are, come to your Savior! Come and take and enjoy what He in His great love has prepared for you. We come to Jesus only by faith. The Holy Ghost calls us and invites us, Come, believe in your Savior, and You will be saved.
3. You do not see the Holy Ghost when He calls you. The Holy Ghost calls you by the Gospel. The Gospel, as you have learned (Lesson 14), is the glad tidings of the grace of God for all men, the tidings of what Christ has done for us to save us. As the rich man in the parable, so the Holy Ghost sends His servants. These servants are all those who tell you the Gospel of Christ, your minister, your teacher, your parents, etc. When you hear the Gospel or read it, the Holy Ghost comes to you and calls you. In the Gospel He says to you: All things have been prepared by Christ; they are ready for you, for your salvation. In Christ you have forgiveness of your sins and salvation. Come now, you lost and condemned sinner, and take what your Lord freely offers you. Believe in Christ, and you will be saved. That is the call of the Holy Ghost by the Gospel. "He called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 2,14.
4. When your mother calls you to dinner, you must come by your own will and strength, and you have the strength to do so. We sinners have neither the will nor the strength to come to Jesus. The Holy Ghost knows that we cannot by our own strength come to our Savior. By calling us He gives us the strength to hear and to follow His call. By His call He brings us to Christ and works in us faith in our Lord, so that we willingly come to Him. The call of the Holy Ghost is God's call, full of power. This work of the Holy Ghost we also call conversion. The Holy Ghost alone converts us, that is, He turns us from our sins to Christ. "Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord, my God." Jer. 31,18.
5. Remember that the Holy Ghost brings you to Christ by the Gospel. Only through the Gospel does He work in the hearts of men. The Gospel is the means by which we obtain the grace of God and salvation. If we do not read or hear the Word of God, the Gospel, the Holy Ghost cannot perform His work in us. Therefore you should diligently read and hear the Word of God, the Gospel. "It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1,16.
REMEMBER:—