The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Introduction:

The question of how the HS dwells w/in a Christian today is one that generates much controversy in the world. Today: 2 main thoughts in mainstream religious world concerning the HS. Calvinistic view & a charismatic view.  Churches of Christ have long stood apart from both these erroneous views. However…lines are being blurred by some. It is important to have a biblical understanding of the Indwelling of the HS. When the “heart” is taken over the “head” anything is possible! Now…we know that the HS leads, guides, dwells in, and comforts people today.  But how?

I. FACT: God the Father, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit dwell w/in the Christian!

A.    God dwells w/in the faithful Christian!

1.     2 Cor. 6:16; John 14:23; 1 John 4:12-16

2.     How? 2 John 9; Eph. 2:21-22 – God dwells w/in us through the spirit!

B.    Jesus dwells w/in the faithful Christian!

1.     Col. 1:27; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:10

2.     How does Jesus dwell w/in the Christian? Eph. 3:17 – through faith.

3.     Rom. 10:17 – faith comes through the word!

C.    The HS dwells in the Christian!

1.     Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Thess. 4:8; 2 Tim. 1:13-14

II. What does the term dwell in mean?

A.    1 John 4:12-13 – The Father in Christians & Christians in the Father.

B.    Col. 1:27 – while the Son is in Christians & Christians are in the Son.

C.    While the Son is in Christians, He is in the Father.

D.    John 17:20-21 – while…the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father.

E.     Dwelling in  refers to a relationship of closeness

III. How does the HS dwell in the Christian?

A.    1 Cor. 6:19 - Passage clearly states that the HS dwells w/in Christians. How?

B.    Not personally. If He does, how does He operate in our body?

C.    We know He does not speak to us privately. Jude 3

D.    Consider Ephesians/Colossians.

a.     Eph. 5:22-25 to Col. 3:18-19

b.     Eph. 6:1-4 to Col. 3:20-21

c.     Eph. 5:18 to Col. 3:15

E.     Acts 13:2-4 – HS told men to do something & they did it!

1.     When men obey the HS – Bible says the HS did it.

F.     Acts 7:51-55 – HS told Stephan what to say as he made his defense.

G.    Eph. 6:17 – spirit has a sword – which is the word of God.

H.    Rom. 15:16 – Gentiles…sanctified by the HS. Sanctification results in salvation. How? Done through the word.

IV. The HS is not the word.

A.    HS is not the Word! The word is not the HS!

1.     Eph. 6:17 – spirit has a sword.

B.    HS dwells in you as the word of God permeates/fills your mind & results in obedience to that word.

Conclusion:

A.    The indwelling of the HS is is the guaranteed salvation of the soul – contingent upon a life lived in obedient submission to the Word of God.