and in the service of Christ, is primarily with the Holy Spirit.  But it is also true that the Holy Spirit, according to the Bible teachings, works in and by and through believers in Jesus.  Hence if one who is not a believer in Jesus is to be won to discipleship, the question is not, ’Will the Holy Spirit work on his mind immediately, or will the Holy Spirit work through one who already believes?’ for that question the Bible has already answered.  The Holy Spirit can use the written words, like the spoken words, of a chosen messenger of God to an unbelieving soul.  But in every case the Spirit reaches the believer mediately, not immediately.”

Now, these theories are directly contradictory.  If one is true, the other can not be.  The only question to decide is as to which one is true.  Let us examine these theories in the light of reason, revelation and experience.  If the Holy Spirit works directly and immediately on the heart of man, surely there should be some tangible evidence of it given in such a striking way as to demonstrate the truth of the theory.  But the experience of Christendom for nineteen centuries fails to furnish a single unquestioned evidence of it.  The proof of the theory is made to hinge upon far-fetched inferences drawn from Scripture statements, and even these fail to furnish the evidence sought.  Let us notice some of the Scriptures that are relied upon to prove a direct operation of the Spirit in the conversion of sinners: 

1.  “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mine ordinances, and do them” (Ezek. 36:26, 27).  This passage has been much relied upon to prove the theory of an abstract operation of the Spirit upon the sinner in conversion.  Its failure to support the theory is evidenced by the following facts: 

(1) The Lord was not talking about the conversion of a sinner, but the renewal of Israel as a people.

(2) The passage says nothing about the work of the Holy Spirit.

(3) There is nothing mentioned in the passage that could not have been accomplished by ordinary means.

(4) The very point to be proven is assumed.

2.  “But their minds were hardened:  for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.  But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.  But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Cor. 3:14-16).  Just what is found here to prove a direct operation of the Spirit would be difficult to say.  The apostle is speaking of the Jews reading the Scriptures with a veil which blinds them.  The veil was undoubtedly a false interpretation, which