Luke 11:13—“… how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him”

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13 KJV).

COMMON GRACE ARGUMENT:

This text is sometimes interpreted to teach that the unregenerate have the “duty and privilege” to pray for the “convicting and regenerating Spirit.” The idea here is that since the Father has promised to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, when the unregenerate pray for the Holy Spirit of regeneration God will grant that request (or, to be more exact, “might possibly” grant it).

(I)

Rev. Martyn McGeown

[Source: Protestant Reformed Theological Journal, vol. 41, no. 1 (Nov. 2007), p. 73.]

… Christ is not teaching that the unregenerate can ask for the Holy Spirit. He is teaching that believers can be assured that God will grant them His grace and Holy Spirit, which they need to live a sanctified life. The teaching of Luke 11:13 and similar passages is summarized in Lord’s Day 45 (Q. & A. 116) of the Heidelberg Catechism: “God will give His grace and Holy Spirit to those who with sincere desires continually ask them of Him and, and are thankful for them.”

---------------------------------------

(II)

More to come! (DV)