The Indwelling Spirit

I. Introduction: The Holy Spirit living in the Christian is a topic that interests us and confuses us. We read about God dwelling with us but then are at a loss to describe how He does so and the effect of His presence in our lives. We must face this topic humbly and prayerfully. We must be careful not to leave our domain and venture into the things known only to God.

II. Text: Romans 8:1-11

III. God’s indwelling is a fact

A. The New Testament tells us that all of the Godhead dwells in us

B. 1 John 4:12 - God dwells in us Colossians 1:27 - Christ dwells in us Romans 8:9 – The Spirit dwells in us

C. However, the Bible teaches that the Father and Christ dwell personally in heaven

D. John 20:17 - Jesus ascended to heaven, back to the Father Acts 7:55 – Stephen saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand

E. John 16:7-14 - Jesus promised to send the Spirit to the disciples after He ascended to the Father

F. Jesus promised this to the apostles only. However, other scriptures tell us the Holy Spirit dwells with the Christian

G. The Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian

H. Acts 5:32 – Holy Spirit given to the obedient Acts 6:3 – Seven chosen to serve were full of the Holy Spirit Romans 8:9 – Spirit of God dwells in you1 John 4:13 – The Spirit dwells in us as evidence of God being with us

I. It is a fact that the Spirit of God dwells in the Christian, the question is how does he dwell in us?

IV. Position 1: The Holy Spirit dwells in us indirectly through God’s word

A. Many argue that the Holy Spirit does not dwell in us personally but it is the influence of the Spirit acting through the Word of God in our lives.

B. Weldon Warnock’s argument in “Indwelling of the Holy Spirit” tract (p. 3)

C. Ephesians 3:17 – Christ dwells in our hearts by faith Galatians 4:19 – We permit Christ to be formed in us2 Peter 1:4 – We become partakers of the divine nature through faith Romans 10:17 – Faith comes from hearing the word of God“When we allow our lives to be controlled by the Spirit through the revealed Word, the Spirit dwelleth in us.” -Warnock

D. Galatians 3:2 – The Galatians received the Spirit by the hearing of faith

E. However, those who believe in a personal indwelling also believe the Spirit came through obedience to the faith. Galatians does not tell us how the Spirit dwelled in them.

F. How can the Spirit of God dwell in many people?

G. Argument

H. Warnock: “…an individual is indivisible and cannot be separated into parts. Hence, the Holy Spirit, as a person, an individual, is indivisible. The Holy Spirit can no more be broken up into bits and pieced and parceled out among thousands of people…than you or I can” (Ibid, p.8).The heavens cannot hold God, how can our souls?

I. Answers

J. God’s presence was at the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant in the temple (Exodus 25:22-Numbers 7:89) yet this was the same God of which it was said, “the heavens cannot contain Him,” 2 Chronicles 6:18.

K. The Spirit dwelled in the apostles in a unique sense

L. Matthew 10:18-20 – Spirit will speak through the apostles John 14:15-18 – Spirit would dwell in the apostles How many times have we said that “God is with us” when we worship, knowing that there are brethren all over the world, many at this same time, who are worshipping God? How can God be at all of these places of worship? People will argue the impossibility of a personal indwelling of all Christians on one side but the presence of God with all worshippers on another side.

M. If God dwells in the Christian personally and is simultaneously present when all believers assemble to worship, that ability is something that only God can understand.

N. We cannot define or limit God by earthly characteristicsI do not understand how a personality can be all knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent, but God is all of these things. We do not understand how our own spirit dwells in us or how it leaves our body when we die. We must leave the things of God to Him.

V. Position 2: The Holy Spirit dwells in us personally

A. The Father gives the Holy Spirit to the Christian upon conversion.

B. This is the natural reading of Acts 5:32, etc. read earlier. If the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians personally, God determines how to accomplish this and does not reveal this to us.

C. The personal indwelling of the Spirit does not necessitate the presence of miraculous abilities in the lives of Christians.

D. The New Testament records instances where Christians were converted but did not have the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-15 – The Samaritans had to have the apostles lay hands on them so they could receive the miraculous abilities of the Holy Spirit Acts 19:6 – Paul laid hands on converted some in Ephesus then gave them the ability to work spiritual gifts.

E. The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is through the word.

F. The New Testaments says nothing of our feelings testifying of the Spirit’s presence.

G. Guy Woods argued, “Did we know the moment the gift came, and were we conscious of the reception? Who will dare say yes? Who can honestly and intelligently confess to a consciousness of its abiding presence? If one can have it and never know it, of what use is it?”

H. This is a foolish argument for it ignores other aspects of our Christian life. Who can intelligently confess that God is with us in our worship or Jesus’ presence in the Lord’s Supper? Are we conscious of it? Woods argument went to far for if the Holy Spirit only dwells with us through the word, of what use is the Spirit in the world? The Bible teaches that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and angels have some work in our lives yet we do not know how they act, what they do, nor do we have consciousness of their presence.

I. We have the Spirit’s presence by promise (quoted above)

J. We know our sins are forgiven by promise. We know we are saved by promise.

K. The Spirit works in our lives through the word

L. This is an area of agreement between the two views though the first view says that the Spirit is in the Christian through the word alone whereas the second view says that the Spirit lives in the Christian but acts through His inspired word.

M. The Spirit leads us using the word of God.

N. Some neglect this point and go into error saying that the Holy Spirit leads them apart from God’s revealed will.

O. This is not taught anywhere in Scripture.

P. Even in New Testament examples in which the Holy Spirit took an active role in conversion, He sent teachers to proclaim the word.

Q. Ethiopian Eunuch – Phillip sent to overtake the chariot Cornelius – Peter sent to tell them words that would lead to salvation

R. The personal leading is problematic for people will assume that what they want to do is what God wants them to do—subjective.

VI. Which is the right answer?

A. Each must draw his own conclusions

B. The Spirit does dwell in us; that is a fact.

C. Is it through the word or personally, without miraculous leading or charismatic gifts? One can make good arguments for both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it is important to realize that God abides with us, strengthens us, and will not forsake us. We have this through His promises.

VII. What does the Spirit do in our lives?

A. Intercedes in prayer, Romans 8:26-27

B. He is an earnest, or down payment, on our eternal salvation.

C. We are sealed, or kept, by the Holy Spirit for salvation

D. Will give us life in the resurrection, Romans 8:11

E. All of these we will discuss in a future lesson