The Holy Spirit's Work in Salvation

by Arthur W. Pink

A. W. Pink shows us the Spirit's work in regenerating, quickening, enlightening, convicting, comforting, drawing, and working faith. Read this to be encouraged and to understand more how your salvation is all of the grace of God.

Genres: Theology

57 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2016

About the author

Arthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.

Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.

In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.

In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.

After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Pink's writings!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's very interesting how applicable a.w. pink's writings are to the present day. he wrote this in 1934/35, and yet we have the exact same things going on today. there's the men telling their congregations that they are "divine" simply because they've "accepted Jesus into their hearts" and the Holy Spirit lives inside them. and then there's the same men also saying things like "God loves the sinner and hates the sin." no™.

"For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers." Psalm 5:4-5

"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence." Psalm 11:5

this only serves to make salvation that much more remarkable, but the damage done by "God loves everyone!" is shocking.

anyway, pink was far more intelligent than i am, so here's some good stuff that really stood out to me and/or was convicting:

[H]ow unspeakably solemn to realize that many of those poor souls fell victim to men who spoke “smooth things,” assuring them that they were the objects of God’s love, and that nothing more was needed than to “receive Christ as your personal Savior.” How unspeakably solemn, we say, that such souls look to Christ merely as a fire-escape, who never—from a supernatural work of the Spirit in their hearts—surrendered to Christ as Lord.

Does the reader say, “Such statements as the above are most unsettling, and if dwelt upon would destroy my peace.” We answer, O that it may please God to use these pages to disturb some who have long enjoyed a false peace. Better far, dear reader, to be upset, yea, searched and terrified now, than die in the false comfort produced by Satan, and weep and wail for all eternity. If you are unwilling to be tested and searched, that is clear proof that you lack an “honest heart.” An “honest” heart desires to know the truth. An “honest” heart hates pretense. An “honest” heart is fearful of being deceived. An “honest” heart welcomes the most searching diagnosis of its condition. An “honest” heart is humble and tractable, not proud, presumptuous, and self-confident. O how very few there are who really possess an “honest heart.”

and:

Unregenerate souls regard eternal punishment as the greatest evil, but the regenerate look upon sin as the worst thing there is. The former groan under conscience’s presages of damnation; the latter mourn from a sense of their lack of holiness. The greatest longing of the one is to be assured of escape from the wrath to come; the supreme desire of the other is to be delivered from the burden of sin and conformed to the image of Christ. The former, while he may be convicted of many sins, still cherishes the conceit that he has some good points; the latter is painfully conscious that in his flesh there “dwelleth no good thing,” and that his best performances are defiled. The former greedily snatches at comfort, for assurance and peace are now regarded as the highest good; the latter fears that he has sinned beyond the hope of forgiveness, and is slow to believe the glad tidings of God’s grace. The convictions of the former harden, those of the latter melt and lead to submission.

[Lexi Kigozi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book if you’re looking to understand more about the power and role of the Holy Spirit! This book uses Scripture to emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation. Everything in this book points back to giving God all the glory for our salvation and praising him for his sovereignty. It also asks some eye opening questions to apply to your own life. It’s a great and short read that I highly recommend!