What does the Bible say about the relationship between the Spirit and the Word?
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The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works in conjunction with the Word of God, but regeneration can occur independently of it.
The relationship between the Spirit and the Word is foundational in understanding how regeneration occurs in the life of a believer. Scripture makes it clear that while the Word of God is crucial for the illumination of God's truth, it is the Holy Spirit who performs the work of regeneration. Many argue that faith comes by hearing the Word, as stated in Romans 10:17. However, this verse needs to be understood in context. Paul's subsequent comments in Romans 10:18 indicate that the 'hearing' he refers to includes the witness of creation itself, revealing God's glory. This suggests that the Spirit can regenerate a sinner even without explicit hearing of the Gospel, as it is ultimately the Spirit’s work that brings new life, independent of human means.
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