INTRODUCTION
The apostles were filled with grief and confusion at the mention of Christ's death and departure. The night before His crucifixion the Saviour strengthened them by speaking of the coming of another Comforter (John 14:16-17). This Comforter would not only go with them through life but actually dwell in them. The indwelling of God's Spirit is still a solace and support to saints. Our Saviour is not with us in the flesh as we face each day's trials, yet in us is One greater than the world (I John 4:4). I. THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE STATED.
The New Testament teaches that the body of every saint is the dwelling place for God's Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19, John 7:38-39). The indwelling of the Spirit must not be confused with His gracious workings in the Christian. Regeneration and the gifts of the spirit must be distinguished from the gift of the Spirit Himself (I Corinthians 12:4, Acts 2:38). II. A FALSE VIEW.
A. No Bible truth has escaped perversion by the hands of men. The most common error concerning the Spirit's indwelling of saints, is that this blessing is not common to all believers. Many teach that salvation must be supplemented by another experience before one can enjoy the Spirit's presence and power. This experience they call the second blessing, sanctification, or the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While various groups add their own twist, yet the general idea remains the same.B. The fundamental flaw of this teaching is the idea that salvation must be supplemented. In Christ the believer has every blessing (Colossians 2:10, Ephesians 1:3, I Corinthians 1:30). When men turn our attention from Christ they have erred. The gift of the Spirit comes to us through Christ's salvation and not as a supplement to it (Romans 8:32, John 7:39). The Holy Spirit has come to magnify Christ Jesus, not to call attention to Himself.
III. THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE PROVED.
Bible truths also imply the indwelling of every saint by God's Spirit. A. The Spirit is received through faith. The condition of salvation and of receiving the Spirit are the same - Ephesians 2:8, John 7:38-39, Acts 11:16-17, Galatians 3:2, Ephesians 1:13.
B. Those without the Spirit are unsaved - Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 2:9-15 and 12:3, Jude 19.
C. The presence of the Spirit is needed for one to be resurrected or translated - Romans 8:11.
D. The Spirit is a gift - Acts 10:45.
E. Assurance of salvation is based on our having the Spirit - I John 4:13 and 3:24, Romans 8:15-16 and 5:5.
F. Saints are overcomers - I John 4:3-4.
G. God gives us the Spirit because we are sons - Galatians 4: 6.
The very idea of a Christian being without the Spirit is contradictory to everything the Bible teaches about salvation. IV. PROBLEMS RESOLVED.
Let us spend a few moments on some of the Scriptures used to teach the false view of this doctrine. A. Ephesians 5: 18 - The "filling" of the Spirit and the "indwelling" are not to be confused. We are never commanded to be "indwelt" by God's Spirit.
B. Acts 5:32 - The obedience mentioned here is simply faith in Christ. II Thessalonians 1:8, John 6:28-29 and 7:39.
C. Passages related to the baptism with the Holy Ghost - See Chapter 20.
================= Got to Chapter Thirteen of Holy Spirit Study
Return to Holy Spirit Index Page