“For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11) – A truth central to the Bible’s theme. It is a leg on which our salvation stands, and on which God’s divine nature rests. The interpretation of every Bible passage must pass the test of impartiality. If an interpretation contradicts God’s impartiality, it is wrong. If an interpretation of that sort is accepted and taught, a life is built upon a false foundation which has already failed. All other truths about salvation and God crumble under such contradiction. Which causes wonder when considering denominational doctrine concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation.

Many a time have I heard personal accounts from others concerning interaction with the Holy Spirit. He visited in a dream, in a soft whispering wind, or with a feeling in the heart. He spoke to them concerning their lives – plans for the future; approval of current actions, etc. And so, being convicted of the truth taught in inspired scripture, I object to such claims. Such an objection is often met by a startled countenance. Then, the transition is made to defense. I, and often the Lord’s church, am accused of being dead. Lifeless. I do not understand because I do not have the Spirit in me. Every thought, action, and feeling had by such a person results from a claimed direct interaction with God. If I did not know any better, I would be distraught. In all my life I have never had such an interaction with the Creator. Why has He not talked with me? How am I any different from another? How can I be enlightened of the things which I am accused of not knowing and understanding if God never visits me in a dream, in a soft whispering wind, or with a feeling in my heart? I am left with no other choice but to sit in silence. Wondering. Waiting. Thank God this is not so.

The religious world is infatuated with supernatural occurrences. This clouds their perception of God. God is supernatural. He is limitless. He transcends time and space. He can do as He pleases. However, this does not mean He always works in supernatural ways. There is error in placing limits upon God. Yet, this works both ways. One cannot place God in such a position as man – incapable of defying the laws of nature. He has that power. But one must not assume God is limited to this supernatural realm of operation. When we do so, we misunderstand God, and place limits upon Him.

God’s dual operating ability is seen in creation. “In the beginning God created” (Genesis 1:1). “God said” (1:3), and it was so. This creative power does not exist in nature. In fact, this power is the reason nature exists. That which was created continues to be sustained by the Son (cf. Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17). Order and reason are sustained by the laws which were implemented in creation. The planets continue to rotate, and revolve around the sun. Water continues to evaporate, condensate, and precipitate. Temperatures drop in winter, and rise in summer. Without God these things could not be so. This is God operating within the laws of nature. He is supernatural, yet not limited to supernatural process. If nothing is too great for God, why do some suggest God cannot work in the simplest of ways? It is imperative we understand this when considering salvation.

On the Sabbath day in Philippi, Paul and his companions went out to a riverside where women had met. There they sat with them, and spoke to them. A certain woman named Lydia, who sold purple, and worshiped God, was there. “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And…she and her household were baptized” (Acts 16:14-15). We must not assume supernatural intervention simply because the Lord did something. He is capable of performing beyond our limitations, as well as within them. We must not read into this passage what we wish, but flesh out what information it contains.

Paul and the others “sat down and spoke” (v. 13). The message was the gospel, for they answered the Macedonian call to “preach the gospel to them” (v. 10). Then, “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken.” Before understanding how the Lord opened her heart, we must understand to what end He opened her heart – “to heed.” “Heed” can mean “hold the mind towards, i.e. pay attention to,” or “apply oneself to, adhere to” (Strong). Context determines the meaning of the word. Was she incapable of listening to, and comprehending Paul’s message; thus, God miraculously changed her heart to hear, and understand what she heard? Or did she, upon hearing and understanding, apply herself to what she heard? The scripture answers: “And…she and her household were baptized…” (v. 15). Why be baptized? It was a part of that message Paul preached (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). God opened her heart to apply herself to Paul’s teaching. God impressed upon her the importance, and urgency of baptism for the remission of sins, by the message preached. A miraculous changing of the heart to comprehend the gospel message must be supported by another passage. It is not found in Acts 16. Yet, no such passage exists.

This same formula flows in every conversion account found in scripture. A message is preached, heard, and acted upon in obedience. Not only is it inconsistent with scripture to contend otherwise, but it is illogical. It would not make sense for God to give a saving message which could not be understood without direct miraculous operation on the heart.

Consider that man is made in the image of God (cf. Genesis 1:26-27). This image cannot concern bodily form, for “God is spirit” (John 4:24). It is the spiritual qualities a man possesses that reflect God’s image. God is a mental and moral agent with the innate ability to reason, determine, and take action. We are created in that very image. In order for salvation to be available, and made possible for all, it must be reached through these created faculties. If such a process given by God transcends man’s abilities, man must have supernatural help. But this cannot be, for God is impartial (cf. Romans 2:11). He can treat no man different than the next. If He miraculously opened Lydia’s heart to hear and understand a message she could not otherwise hear and understand, He must do so for all. If He visits you in a dream, or in the whisper of the wind, or in a miraculous feeling in order for salvation to ensue, He must visit me the same. If He fails to do so, how is He impartial? It is only logical that God created a plan of salvation which every man is able to participate in. This is consistently noted in scripture.

Everywhere they went, the apostles preached a message which identified with its audience. This was God’s plan. The people had the ability to hear, reason, and take decisive action. The message was spoken, thus heard. It was comprised of words which formed sentences, which conveyed a message. The message presented two options which every man heard and considered – obey, or disobey. Inspired men learned the same. Paul “conclude[d]” (Romans 3:28) having received information. Peter “perceive[d]” (Acts 10:34). James “judge[d]” (Acts 15:19). God created man as a rational being, and in order that all men have equal opportunity for salvation, He determined to save man with a rational message.