Personal, divine, coequal; works regeneration, sanctification, and indwelling believers
WELS teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully divine, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son. The Spirit is a distinct personal being with will, intellect, and agency, not merely an impersonal force or influence.
The work of the Holy Spirit is central to salvation and Christian life. The Spirit sanctifies sinners, calls them to faith through the Word and sacraments, regenerates the human heart, indwells believers, produces spiritual fruit and growth in holiness, and equips the church with gifts for ministry and edification. The Spirit enables repentance, creates and sustains faith, and leads believers progressively in sanctification.
WELS affirms cessationism regarding the extraordinary gifts of prophecy and tongues. These gifts were given in the apostolic era to authenticate apostolic preaching but ceased with the closing of the New Testament canon. The ordinary means of the Spirit's work in the present age are the Word of God (read, proclaimed, and taught) and the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper). Extraordinary charismatic gifts are not expected or sought in WELS theology and practice.
Key Distinctions
- Personhood:
- Word and sacraments are the ordinary means of the Spirit's work
- Spiritual gifts view:
- cessationist — speaking in tongues and prophecy ceased with apostolic era
Scripture References
Sources
- Book of Concord: Augsburg Confession, Article II.C (Holy Spirit); Nicene Creed
- WELS doctrine on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts