The Holy Spirit instructed the prophets and teachers of Old Testament times, [II Peter 1:21] and was poured out upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost. [Acts 2] He inspired the Holy Scriptures. [II Tim. 3:16] He comes into our hearts through the Word of God and the Sacraments. II. HIS WORK. The work of the Holy Ghost is _Sanctification_. This word is used here, at the head of the Third Article, in the wide sense, and includes the Holy Spirit's entire work upon our souls; namely, Calling, Enlightening, Sanctification in the narrower sense, and Preservation in the Faith. 1. ITS NECESSITY. If the Holy Spirit does not work in us, we cannot be saved. Hence, we say in the catechism, I BELIEVE THAT I CANNOT BY MY OWN REASON OR STRENGTH BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST MY LORD, OR COME TO HIM. For as I am by nature, my _reason_ is so darkened by sin, [I Cor. 2:14+] that I do not see my need of the Saviour; and I am so lacking in spiritual _strength_ (being dead in trespasses and sins), [Eph. 2:1] that I am unable to believe in Christ. Consequently it is necessary that the Holy Spirit should teach me to see in Christ my only Saviour, and give me strength to believe in Him. 2. ITS NATURE. BUT THE HOLY GHOST HAS CALLED ME THROUGH THE GOSPEL. [II Tim. 1:9] He has caused His Word to be written [II Thess. 2:14, II Tim. 3:16] and causes it to be continually proclaimed [John 20:31+, II Cor. 5:20, I Cor. 1:21] for the purpose of making God's grace known to me, and inviting me to share in it. He calls all men, and means His call earnestly. He does not merely seem to call some, but actually calls all who hear or read His Word. [I Tim. 2:4+, I Pet. 3:9] And along with the call, He gives us the strength which we need in order to believe. [Eph. 2:4-6] Those who obey the call are the Elect or Chosen [Matt. 20:16] ones, and obtain salvation. Those who refuse to obey the call are lost. [Mark 16:16] ENLIGHTENED ME BY HIS GIFTS. The Holy Ghost shows me my lost condition and God's saving mercy, and thus leads me to Repentance through the Law, [John 16:8, Rom. 3:20] and to Faith through the Gospel. [John 15:26, John 1:17] _Repentance_ includes 1. An Acknowledgment and Confession of Sin. [Ps. 51:3, 4] 2. Sincere Sorrow for Sin. [Luke 22:62] It must be sorrow for the sin itself, and not merely for the consequences of sin. 3. The Hating and Forsaking of Sin. [Ps. 51:10] 4. An Earnest Desire for Forgiveness. [Ps. 51:2, 9] True repentance always leads to faith. [II Cor. 7:10] Sorrow for sin which does not lead to faith, is not repentance but remorse, and often drives men to despair. [Matt. 27:3-5] _Faith_ includes 1. A Knowledge of the Facts of the Gospel. [Rom. 10:14] 2. A Belief of the Facts. [Rom. 4:20, 21] 3. Trust or Confidence in Christ our Saviour. [II Tim. 1:12+] This trust is the chief part of faith.