The work of the Holy Spirit is essential in the process of ____ and ____.

• A. Regeneration; Remission
• B. Forgiveness; Faith
• C. Justification; Adoption
• D. Repentance; Regeneration

Answer: (D)

The Holy Spirit’s work in salvation is seen most clearly in two connected steps: bringing a person to true repentance and granting new life through regeneration. The Spirit convicts of sin, exposes the need for God’s forgiveness, and enables a turning away from sin and a turning toward God—this is repentance. Once a person responds in faith, the Spirit accomplishes regeneration, giving spiritual life and making the person a new creation in Christ. These two actions together describe the Spirit’s active role in bringing a sinner from awareness of sin to actual spiritual life.

While forgiveness, faith, justification, and adoption are all related to salvation, the pair that best captures the Spirit’s direct, ongoing work in the process described is repentance and regeneration.