The _grand means_ by which the Holy Spirit effects this moral reformation, is _divine truth_, either oral, written or symbolic.

"Go ye into all the world, says the Saviour, and _preach the gospel_ to every creature; he that _believeth_ and is baptised, shall be saved, and he that _believeth_ not shall be damned." Here preaching the "gospel," the truths of God's word, is placed _foremost_ in the list of instrumentalities, and baptism is only appended as a rite to be performed _after_ the Holy Spirit, through the preached word, has wrought faith in the hearer's soul.

But faith presupposes regeneration.
Hence, as truth is the instrumentality employed by the Holy Spirit in the production of _regeneration_, and _faith_, as baptism is to be added _after_ the great moral change, conversion has been effected in adults, it follows that the truth or word is the grand and principal means of grace, and not secondary to baptism.
In other passages the _mission of the apostles_ is characterized as a mission to _preach_, and baptism is not even named at all.

Jesus ordained the twelve, we are told, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to _preach_, &c.; Mark iii.

14, 15.