Led by the Holy Spirit?

Question

I have just been informed by a Christian that I am an atheist because one must be led by the Holy Spirit to understand and believe in the Judeo-Christian god. I don't understand this--Christians believe that 1.) the Holy Spirit is the active force of God, and that 2.) God wants all of his children to believe in him and get saved and all that stuff. So--if 1 and 2 are true, why doesn't the Holy Spirit lead everyone to belief in God the way it supposedly has Christians? Does God choose who will believe in him?

Perhaps I should clarify this-- I am an atheist and not attempting conversion. I'm asking this from a purely hypothetical, academic standpoint--if a part of the godhead is responsible for leading people to God, and God wants all people led to him, why are only a few people led?

Answer 1

First of all the Holy Spirit is not "the active force" of God. He is one of the three persons for lack of a better word, who make up the one God of Heaven. I'm sure that's confusing but if we could understand God then He would just be a "god" and no real infinite Creator.

Secondly, God does choose whom He is going to save. That doesn't mean that He hasn't chosen you. Some people don't get saved until it's time for them to die like the theif on the cross next to Jesus.

The Bible says that those people whom God foreknew He destined to be conformed to the image of his Son. So what does that foreknowledge entail? No one knows for sure. Theologians debate about it and some say that God chooses those people whom He knows will respond to the gospel call at some point in their life. Other people say that isn't true because Jesus said that no one could come to Him unless his Father drew them. They say that how God chooses whom He will save will always be a mystery but that we know that it isn't based upon how good a person is or because a person is somehow intrinsically better than another person.

The gospel call is for "whomsoever will believe". The Holy Spirit gives the people God chooses the gift of faith so that they will believe. Not everyone is one of God's children although everyone is his creation. Jesus told some hyper-religious people of his time that they were sons of the Devil.

Answer 2

Have you tried Catholicism?
Ahahaha.
Well to answer your question with an answer that I think is right,
I'll have to say that the Holy Spirit does try to lead everyone. However, supposedly everyone is too blinded by bad things that they don't see the Holy Spirit trying to reach them. So our jobs as Christians is to help the people realize what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell them. God does choose who will believe in Him: Everyone. Lol. You are not an athiest if you believe in God because the definition of an athiest is someone who doesn't have a religion or someone who basically doesn't believe in anything. The person who told you that was incorrect but what they were trying to probably say is that they think you haven't got the message that the Holy Spirit is trying to send you. Now I have a question for you... Have you gotten the message from the Holy Spirit?

Answer 3

For centuries the Holy Spirit was called the Holy Ghost. God has nothing to do with the worship rules proposed by religion. It's as if the religions have power over God and they set the reverence rules.

Answer 4

Love your question. He will not force you to believe in him, it is your choice. He will however, if you try by reading the bible and praying about it send you at least some assurance that it is the word of God. He however did inspire it to be written but has had men do the writing so as with all things man does not every thing is perfect. The feeling you get inside of you that lets you know the work is true is the manifestation of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will not reside in someone that is not trying to do better about obeying the commandments of God.

Answer 5

I don't think all Christians believe in the Holy Spirit the same way. You have to be sensitive and listen to the Holy Spirit from your gut. Personally I do, and I get that deep down feeling and sure enough if I don't listen to it then I end up regretting it. Maybe sometimes we have to fall on our face a few times to give up and shut up and listen the H.S.

Answer 6

The Holy Spirit converts gnosis (academic knowledge) into (epignosis) full knowledge.

You cannot understand the things of God unless you believe that Jesus Christ is God revealed in human flesh, and that He is your salvation.
For the things of God are foolishness unto men

Before you say whatever

Try it. Just have faith for a moment, and see if when you read the Bible if things do not suddenly come together for you.

It is a power that defies reason.

Answer 7

I always thought that I have a Holy Spirit or soul. Life has many paths, I trust myself to lead the way with faith in God.

Answer 8

The Holy Spirit does provide the grace of conversion to all.

Some people just need more of a holy kick in the behind than others.

Answer 9

Unfortunately yes God has chosen before the foundation of the world whom He would save and whom He would choose to reveal Himself to. (Ephesians 1) There is only a limited amount of sins that Christ chose to pay for at the cross and therefore only a limited amount of people can be saved. Only God knows who these people are and if chosen it means that the person will eventually come to believe and repent before they die. If someone never has a desire to come to faith and repent then it means that they were never chosen in the first place.

Answer 10

As far as I can understand, you are not an Atheist, cause you do believe in God otherwise you will not be writing like this.
If you do believe in Jesus, ask Him for this wonderful gift of Holy Spirit, you will surely recieve.
I had believed in Jesus when I was very young, but I asked God to pour out His spirit for many years. Though God dint pour out as soon as I asked, He was working within me, so that I am ready for it.
3 months back I recieved Holy Spirit so much that I could feel Him, its wonderful to be filled with it. But once to accept Jesus as a Saviour, Holy Spirit comes to abide with you, though you dont feel His presence. He teaches the way that you have to walk, the evil one tries to put you down. So pray and walk with God, you'll soon come to know of His love, joy, peace and so much :)