Holy Spirit Lesson 7

Introduction

Over the last few weeks, we have looked at the

  • Promise of the Holy Spirit
  • Work of the Holy Spirit
  • Gift of the Holy Spirit

When we come to that understanding, there is a natural question that arises, or at least it does with me.

Do I have the Holy Spirit?

We’ve seen:

  • God Promised the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32; Isaiah 44:3-5)
  • Jesus Promised the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; 14, 15, 16)
  • Peter Promised the Holy Spirit (Acts 2)
  • The Holy Spirit Strengthens Me (Eph 3:14-16; 20; Rom 8:26)

John 7:37-39

  • Peculiar to post glorification
  • Had not happened before
  • Not through the agency of the Word
  • Not through the agency of God’s general providence
  • Not miraculous (Luke 1:41; 67)

Reasoning tells me that I must have the Holy Spirit. In some way. But, how can I tell? John 3:5-8

I. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Issue

This is one of the places where diverse opinions and views come to light. However, regardless of various views on certain elements of the indwelling, there should be no disagreement as to the truth that:

The Holy Spirit indwells (dwells in) the:

  • Church (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:21f) (collective indwelling)
  • Christian (Rom 8:9-11; 1 Cor 6:18f) (individual indwelling)

There really is no debate here, and there shouldn’t be. How the Spirit indwells the Christian…… well, that’s another matter.

Gus Nichols: Walnut Hill (1967)

"I see no reason for disturbance among us over this question so long as all believe and teach that the Holy Spirit does dwell in faithful and obedient children of God in some way. The honest but misguided interpretations which may be made in trying to show how the Spirit dwells in us should not, by those on either side, disrupt brotherly love and unity, and ravage our brotherhood. There are many reasons why one's position as to how the Holy Spirit dwells in us should never be made a test of fellowship. The only reason which needs to be stated now is that to all who obey the gospel from the heart, the promise will be fulfilled as God planned it, whether or not we understand "how" the Spirit dwells in us."

The “sides” that brother Nichols is referring to here, are the two general predominant positions on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

  • Literal / Personal
  • Figurative / Word ONLY

Each “side” is represented by famous, sincere and brilliant leaders / scholars in the church. I’m not sure if this debate is unique to the church of Christ, or if there are elements of it in denominations. But this is all about HOW, not if. One “side” says the Spirit abides in us, ONLY as the Word abides in us. I believe the indwelling of the Spirit is literal and personal. Here are my arguments.

II. The Arguments for a Personal / Literal Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Holy Ghost / Holy Guest

  • KJV (NIV, NASB, NKJV refers to a “ghost” only, never the Holy Ghost)

1 Cor 6:18f

  • Metaphorically
  • Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
  • As the body is a tabernacle for our spirit (2 Cor 5:1-4; 2 Pet 1:13f)
  • So, the body is the dwelling place for the Spirit of God
  • Prepositional
  • Spirit “in” Christians
  • Spirit “from” God
  • Indicative to Imperative (Paul’s thought process / reasoning)
  • Because you have the Spirit in you, flee immorality
  • Fact, therefore a command
  • Imperative to Indicative (“Word ONLY” advocates reasoning)
  • Must obey the Word, so the Spirit will dwell in you
  • Exact opposite of Paul’s reasoning

Gal 4:6 “God sent His Spirit “into” our hearts

  • Because we are sons (Rom 8:15f)

Eph 3:16 “… strengthens us with power through His Spirit in the inner man”

Eph 3:20 “… according to the power that is in us” (exceedingly more)

  • Phil 2:12f “… you work out your salvation… God is at work in you”.
  • Phil 4:13 “… through Him who strengthens me”.
  • Christ? (KJV only) (NKJV footnote indicates text says “Him”)

III. Benefits of the Indwelling Holy Spirit

We are Sealed with the Spirit (Eph 1:13f)

  • Identification of ownership that carries the meaning of protection

As an Earnest (pledge / guarantee) of our Inheritance (Eph 1:13f)

  • Arrabon (2 Cor 1:21f)
  • Engagement Ring
  • Deposit / “Down payment” of Future Possession
  • No guarantees against apostasy
  • We can grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30)
  • Forfeit the “down payment”

We are Strengthened by the Spirit

  • “strengthened… in the inner man (Eph 3:16)
  • “putting to death the deeds of the body” (Rom 8:13)
  • “helps us in our weaknesses (prayer) (Rom 8:26)

We are Lead by the Spirit

  • Romans 8:14 – All who are led are sons
  • Gal 5:16 – walk by the Spirit to defeat the desires of the flesh
  • Gal 5:18 - if led by the Spirit, not under the condemnation of the Law
  • We will look at being lead by the Spirit next week

We Bear the Fruit of the Spirit

  • Gal 5:22f (List)
  • John 15:4 (branches joined to the Vine, produce “fruit” of the Vine
  • Rom 15:13 (peace, joy, hope by the power of the Spirit)
  • We must set our minds on the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5-9)

Summary

Tonight, we have looked at the indwelling issue. We must not lose sight of the benefits of the indwelling, even if we do not understand how the Spirit indwells the Christian. Next week, let’s look at the leading of the Holy Spirit.