The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 16 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Let’s start this discussion with this. When did Christ give the Holy Spirit? The traditional view among most Baptist theologians is the Day of Pentecost.
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Those who hold this view often point things such as “a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,” the appearance of “cloven tongues of fire” and the fact that all were “filled with the Holy Ghost” as indicators the Holy Spirit came on this particular day or event. However, I believe that Christ actually gave the Comforter at a much earlier time.
Note now John 20:19-23
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
I contend that when Christ “breathed on them” and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” that they indeed received the Holy Ghost at that time. The passage in Act never emphatically states that they received the Holy Ghost, but simply says they were “filled” with the Holy Ghost. As we will see in our later study of the Holy Spirit’s filling, filling and receiving are two completely different acts or ministries of the Holy Spirit. Thus, I contend that the moment Christ breathed on them, they recieved the Holy Spirit and He indwelt them. Then, later, after Christ’s ascension and on the Day of Pentecost, they were filled the Holy Spirit’s power enabling Peter to preach a powerful message that every person heard his message in their own native tongue or language. One of the most notable things about the book of Acts is how God gave visible signs authenticating the presence and power of the Holy Ghost reaffirming to both believers and unbelievers that He was truly a presence in the world and continues to be so even today. However, the need for signs such as rushing mighty winds, visible tongues of fire, and certain spiritual gifts such as healing through physical touch and the ability to speak in tongues are no longer needed. In the early years of local church expansion, God’s Word, the Bible, was not yet completed. The revealed written Word of God was not available. Even then, Peter, John, and Paul along with others were still being led be the Holy Spirit to pen the final books of canon. Thus, without the compete written Word of God, there was a need to authenticate God’s oral revelation and the ministry of the apostles through the use of visible miracles. Today, all that is needed is to read and believe the written and completed Word of God.
Now, having said all of that, we must realize that the ministry of the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers is foundational to all the Holy Spirit’s ministry to believers since that day Christ breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Ghost.
The People Indwelt
The People Indwelt
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
In the first two verses we just read, you will note the phrase “the Spirit of God dwell in you.” There is double emphasis here. You have the word “dwell” which is the Greek word “oikeo.” “Oikeo” means to dwell, live, or be situated within. Along with that word is the word “in” or “en” lending additional support that the Holy Spirit literally dwells, lives, or is situated within each believer. The other verse, 1 Corinthians 6:19, states that the Holy Spirit “is in you.” What is interesting is that the word “which” is not in the original Greek! It was supplied by the King James translators to help the English translation flow better. However you choose to read it does not matter for the intent is still the same. The Holy Ghost indwells believers.
Let’s consider His ministry of indwelling to all believers.
The Indwelling Spirit is a GIFT from God to All Believers
The Indwelling Spirit is a GIFT from God to All Believers
Again there are number of Scripture passages which emphatically teach the the Holy Spirit is a gift to all believers and not just to a select few.
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
The fact that Christ freely gave us His Spirit and such a free gift is for all who believe. The very nature of gift is that it is freely given, not rewarded or merited for doing something. All who believe are all who receive.
Not to Possess the Indwelling Spirit Indicates an Unsaved Condition
Not to Possess the Indwelling Spirit Indicates an Unsaved Condition
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This verse clearly teaches that any person who does not have the Holy Spirit indwelling them is also a person who does not belong to Christ.
Not also Jude 19
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
The word “sensual” is from the same Greek word for the word “natural” in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
This verse obviously states the condition of an unsaved individual. The receive not the things of God’s Spirit. They consider the things of God as foolish. They don’t God because they do not have the ability to understand them. Thus, to be natural or sensual is to be unsaved. To be unsaved is to not have the Spirit of God. Consequently, having the Spirit of God within you characterizes only those who are truly born again.
Believers Who Sin are Indwelt by the Spirit
Believers Who Sin are Indwelt by the Spirit
The true litmus test of the Spirit’s indwelling the believer is whether or not He lives in sinning believers. The Bible clearly teaches that He does.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
As you may know, this entire letter was written to a very spiritually mixed group known as the church of Corinth. In that local church were some growing and mature believers who loved the Lord. However, in that local church, there were also some carnal and wordly believers who were not living for the Lord but for themselves. Yet, the Holy Spirit did not single out one group versus another when speaking of His indwelling. He simply reminded all of them that their bodies were His temple as He indwelt them. This is quite significant when you consider that one brother in Christ was living in a gross sin.
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Even still, there were other believes in that congregation who were taking each to court. In spite of these wicked acts, the Holy Spirit maintained that He was “in” all of them. As a result, His indwelling became grounds for His exhortation to clean up their lives and return to loving holy and acceptable ones before God. It is quite clear then that all believers, but only believers, regardless of their spiritual growth or backslidden condition, have the Holy Spirit living in them.
The Permanence of the Spirit’s Indwelling
The Permanence of the Spirit’s Indwelling
Unfortunately, there is much false teaching about the Holy Spirit. One such false teaching is the myth that the Holy Spirit may indwell believers but, at times, withdraw from believers who commit certain sins. Such teaching acknowledges the Spirit’s indwelling, but it denies His permanence.
So what certain sin are so grievous that it was cause the Holy Spirit to withdrew? The answer is none for all sin is sin. In fact, we just talked about the church of Corinth. Remember that in that church was man who was in a incestuous relationship with his mother-in-law. Others were in legal disputes. The Holy Spirit did not exclude these believers from His statement concerning indwelling believers.
Additionally, IF the Spirit were to leave sinning Christians, then they would no longer be Christians according to Romans 8:9
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The Holy Spirit cannot leave believer without thrusting that believer back into a lost and unsaved condition. If the Spirit no longer indwells a believer this would result in them losing their salvation for any loss of salvation would include the Spirit no longer indwelling. Clearly, the eternal security of the believer is tied to the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Both doctrines are inseparable.
Another fact we must consider is the positive promise of Christ that He would pray to the Father who would give another Comforter. Note John 14:16
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Did you note the last part of Christ’s statement? The Comforter would “abide with” us forever. There were no conditions added. Never did Christ say the Comforter will abide with you forever unless you commit certain sins. Without a doubt, sin affects the effectiveness of the Spirit in our lives. We will deal with that more when we come the Spirit’s filling. For now, we can praise God that sin does not remove the Holy Spirit’s presence from our lives.
Some Problems Concerning the Indwelling of the Spirit
Some Problems Concerning the Indwelling of the Spirit
Is Not Obedience a Condition for Indwelling?
Is Not Obedience a Condition for Indwelling?
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Some would argue that this verse teaches obedience as a condition for receiving the Holy Spirit. Therefore, only certain (i.e., obedient) believers have the indwelling of the Spirit.
To understand this verse one must first put it into context.
Remember that everything must always be considered within its context. This verse is part of Peter’s address to the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the highest court of law in ancient Israel. It was composed of 71 members, including priests, elders, and scribes. The Sanhedrin had the power to try and punish criminals, including those accused of blasphemy and treason. It also had the power to issue decrees and rulings on religious matters. It was the Sanhedrin who tried and condemned Christ to death. Now, after Christ’s ascension, Peter is addresses this UNBELIEVING court presses upon the matter of their obedience. Obedience to what? Since Peter is addressing UNBELIEVERS, he was not speaking to obedience in relation to the Christian life for they were not Christians. The obedience Peter was alluding to was their failure to obey or believe the truth that Jesus was their Messiah. Sometime after this, some of the Sanhedrin did believe. Note now the Holy Spirit’s statement in Acts 6:7
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
There are two other Scripture reference by which obedience is a synonym for receiving Christ’s as Savior.
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Obedience to the faith (in Christ) among all nations was Paul’s mission statement.
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
In this reference, Christ became the Source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Consequently, if obedience is understood correctly (as obeying the Gospel), it is a condition for receiving the gift of the Spirit.
Are There Not Illustrations of the Temporariness of Indwelling?
Are There Not Illustrations of the Temporariness of Indwelling?
That is correct. However, all of these come before John 20:22
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
There are no such examples after Christ breathed on them and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Before this moment, God dealt with me in a different way. Thus, we cannot use what was done before this time to prove the same thing happens afterwards when the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers permanently.
Does Not the Delay in Giving the Spirit to the Samaritans Show That It is Subsequent to Salvation and Thus Selective?
Does Not the Delay in Giving the Spirit to the Samaritans Show That It is Subsequent to Salvation and Thus Selective?
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Obviously from this text there was a delay in giving the Spirit to the Samaritans, the questions is, why? There are those who contend that this delay shows that indwelling comes subsequent to salvation and not necessarily to all believers. Others equate this giving of the Spirit with the filling of the Spirit. Still others teach the procedure was different in this instance because the Samaritans were the first non-Jewish group to become a local church. The latter is partly true for Samaritans were part Jewish and part Gentile. The purely Gentile pattern for the giving the Spirit is found in Acts 10:44 where the Spirit is given to the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house at the moment they believed.
The best explanation for the delay in the case of the Samaritans lies in the schismatic nature of Samaritan religion. Their worship rivaled Jewish worship in Jerusalem; therefore, God needed to prove to them that their new Christian faith was not also to rival the Christian church in Jerusalem. The best way to show beyond doubt that the Samaritan Christians belonged to the same group as the Jerusalem Christians (and vice versa, to who the Jerusalem leaders that Samaritans were genuinely saved) was to delay the giving of the Spirit until Peter and John came from Jerusalem to Samaria. This delay and God’s use of Peter and John in conveying the gift of the Spirit saved the early church from having two rival mother churches.
Does Not Acts 19:1-6 Show That Indwelling is Subsequent to Salvation?
Does Not Acts 19:1-6 Show That Indwelling is Subsequent to Salvation?
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
To answer yes to this question requires understanding that these disciples of John the Baptist were already believers before they met Paul at Ephesus. However, that would be incorrect. They did not become believers in Jesus by believing John’s message and receiving John’s baptism. In fact, it appears they did not fully understand John’s message. They became believers in Christ only after Paul explained to them the difference between John and Jesus. When they understood and believed what Paul explained, they immediately received the Spirit through Paul’s laying on of hands. There was no delay.
The normal Gentile pattern for receiving the Spirit was established in the house of Cornelius.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Note the sequence. They believed while Peter was preaching. They received the Holy Ghost. And, after believing and receiving the Holy Spirit, they were baptized.
What Is The Relation of Indwelling to Anointing?
What Is The Relation of Indwelling to Anointing?
Anointing in the Old Testament, a very solemn matter, made a person or thing holy and sacred.
9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Anointing was also associated with the Holy Spirit and Him equipping for service. Take for instance Saul’s anointing as King of Israel.
1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
When come to the New Testament, we see Christ being anointed.
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Additionally, we see all believers are anointed.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
As far as the anointing of believers is concerned, these passages teach that is is not something repeated but something that abides. Although Old Testament anointing was related more to service (as also was Christ’s anointing), New Testament believers’ anointing concerns a relationship that enables us to understand the truth. Old Testament anointing seems closer to the idea of the filling of the Spirit, whereas believers’ anointing is akin to the indwelling of the Spirit. Not every believer experienced it in the Old Testament; all do today. It may have been repeated in the Old Testament; it abides on all believers today.
The New Testament clearly teaches that all believers are permanently indwelt. Let not our familiarity with this blunt the significance of it. This universal and permanent ministry to believers stands in sharp contrast with the indwelling ministry of the Spirit in the Old Testament.
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
It means that whether or not we feel it, God the Holy Spirit lives within our beings constantly. This out to give us a sense of security in our relationship with God, a motivation to practice that presence of God, and a sensitivity to sins against God.
