What role does the Spirit of God play in making the word effectual to salvation?

The Spirit of God plays a crucial role in making the word effectual to salvation by actively working in the hearts of individuals during the reading and preaching of Scripture. This means that the Spirit not only helps to convoke interest but also effectively convinces and converts sinners. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is essential because it empowers the message of the Gospel to reach and penetrate the soul, provoking a response that leads to salvation. This transformative work is beyond mere intellectual understanding; it involves a spiritual awakening and regeneration in the hearers, enabling them to recognize their need for salvation and to respond in faith.

The other choices do not fully capture the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of salvation. While the inspiration of Scripture by the Spirit is foundational, it is not the entirety of His work. The Spirit's involvement goes beyond mere inspiration; it actively influences the response of those who hear the word. Therefore, while guidance in interpreting Scripture is important and is a role of the Spirit, it does not encompass the entirety of His function related to making the word effectual for achieving the end goal of conversion.