“He saved us, not by righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” — Titus 3:5–6 (BSB)
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” — Romans 8:15–16 (BSB)
“And in Him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. The Spirit is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession…” — Ephesians 1:13–14 (BSB)
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” — 1 Corinthians 6:11 (BSB)
The Spirit convicts us of sin, opening our eyes to our need for a Savior (John 16:8). He regenerates us, causing us to be born again (John 3:5). He justifies us, uniting us to Christ and making us righteous in God’s sight. He sanctifies us, shaping us into the image of Christ over time. And He seals and assures us, giving us confidence that we belong to God and will be kept by Him forever (Ephesians 1:13–14).
Article IX and Article X of the Thirty-Nine Articles teach that we are fallen and cannot turn to God without the Spirit’s aid: “The condition of man… is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself… without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will…”
Article XVII assures that those called by God are “called according to His purpose… through His Spirit working in due season.”
J.C. Ryle wrote: “The same Spirit who moved upon the face of the waters at creation now moves upon the sinner’s soul. No one ever laid hold of Christ who was not first drawn by the Spirit.”
Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) explains: “The Holy Spirit is not just the fire of Pentecost. He is the One who takes the finished work of Jesus and writes it on our hearts, bringing us to faith and empowering us for the journey.”
Rev. Dr. Stephen Gauthier (Anglican Church in North America) teaches: “Redemption is not just a change in status—it’s a new life. The Spirit not only declares us righteous, He makes us new, forming Christ in us.”
Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word) says: “The Holy Spirit is the great gift of the Gospel age. He leads us to Christ, roots us in truth, and gives us strength to walk as children of light.”
Thus, the Holy Spirit’s role in redemption is both foundational and ongoing: He brings us to Christ, keeps us in Christ, and transforms us to be like Christ until the day we see Him face to face.
Basil viewed the Spirit as the power behind all spiritual life and transformation.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD): “Just as dry ground yields no fruit unless it receives rain, so the soul cannot bear fruit for righteousness without the dew of the Holy Spirit.” — Catechetical Lectures, 16.1
Cyril emphasized the Spirit’s vital role in sanctification.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD): “The Spirit prepares man in the Son of God and the Son leads him to the Father, so that the Father gives him incorruptibility for eternal life.” — Against Heresies, V.36.2
Irenaeus described redemption as a Trinitarian act culminating in eternal life through the Spirit.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “The Spirit is the love by which we are joined to God. He is the seal of our redemption and the pledge of our inheritance.” — On the Trinity, XV.17
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
