don't misunderstand the whole thing.The role we are saying here means before salvation it is the Holy Spirit that perform the work of regeneration and conviction in the life of a unbeliever.The book of John 16:9, this was when Christ was speaking with his disciples telling them before hand what the comforter will be doing.

Let me as you, how can you know Christ if not through the help of the Holy Spirit, you can say through the word of God, but I tell you the word of God itself are writen by men of God and are been written down as the Holy Spirit directs them. You can never understand the scriptures except with the help of this Holy Spirit. I tell you it is all we have got left, believe it or not.