Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Introduction:
A. “Measures of the Holy Spirit” THIS IS A FALSE CHART: STOP USING IT!
1. Known as the “Measures of the Holy Spirit” theology popularized into countless handout and overhead charts to create a nice neat sermon for Sunday morning:
a. Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure based upon John 3:34 of the KJV
b. the Apostles had the Baptismal measure
c. the Corinthians had the spiritual gifts miraculous measure
d. and finally, the non-miraculous personal indwelling ordinary measure.
2. This was taught for over 100 years in the churches and has done great damage by falsely differentiating the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a special class of miraculous endowment limited to the apostles, when it really applies to any Christian who has any of the 9 supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.
a. The false doctrine of the “measures of the Holy Spirit” is also the foundation upon which the false personal non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit rests.
b. This notion of limiting the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” to the apostles ONLY was a false theology developed last century to refute modern day Pentecostals and Charismatics who claim to have miraculous power of the Holy Spirit like the first century church. It was never successful in countering charismatics, but it distorted the theology of the brethren in its wake and mislead hundreds of thousands into error.
3. The entire structure is based upon a false reading of italicised words in the KJV of John 3:34 to wrongly imply that the Holy Spirit was given TO JESUS without measure. “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him” (KJV). The key words UNTO HIM are lacking in the Greek.
a. The verse actually says that God gives the spirit without measure TO EVERYONE. “for He gives the Spirit without measure.” (NASB)
b. Brethren continue to use this chart not even understanding the entire theological framework rests upon a single bible verse (John 3:34) that says EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE to what the chart suggests.
4. THIS IS A FALSE CHART: STOP USING IT!
B. The indwelling and operation of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is identical to the New:
1. The Holy Spirit personally indwells Christians in the same way He indwelt Old Testament saints.
2. The exact same terms and phrases used to describe the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament are also used in the New Testament.
3. The Holy Spirit was “given” as a “gift” in exactly the same way in the Old Testament as in the new.
4. Supernatural gifts were bestowed by Moses to Joshua by laying on of hands, just like the Apostles did in Acts 8 in Samaria.
C. Deity is said to indwell in three distinct ways throughout the Old and New Covenants:
1. Supernatural indwelling of the Holy Spirit Himself by metonymy: Possession of the Holy Spirit when empowered by Supernatural gifts in both the OT & NT
a. The gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:39 is described as the Holy Spirit Himself, but in reality this is metonymy for supernatural power.
b. The gift is actually something the Holy Spirit gives but is represented as the Holy Spirit himself through symbolism.
c. If you had one of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, He is said to indwell you by metonymy.
d. The Holy Spirit is not actually inside your body, for that is impossible, you simply have the power of God working with and through you.
e. Personal Possession of the Holy Spirit indwelling = supernatural power dwells
f. Individuals were described as having the person of the Holy Spirit inside them which enabled them to perform miracles.
g. Other phrases that indicate the person of the Holy Spirit is inside the person by metonymy include: filled, entered, in, came upon, given, rested upon etc.
h. The Holy Spirit was by metonymy, described as actually being inside a person when in fact they were merely empowered with supernatural power.
i. A man who had God’s miraculous power had the Holy Spirit inside him, by metonymy.
j. We find this true in both the Old and New Testament.
k. A good example in the Old testament of the Holy Spirit indwelling a person by metonymy when they had supernatural power is when the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet (Ezek 2:2) and the Spirit of Christ within them (O.T. prophets) was indicating (1 Pet 1:11).
l. A good example in the New testament of the Holy Spirit indwelling a person by metonymy when they had supernatural power is Acts 2:39 where the Holy Spirit is said to be given, when in fact it is one of the 9 spiritual gifts. Paul reminded his readers when giving them personal marriage advice, “I also have the Spirit of God” inside him, when in fact he was using this indwelling metaphor of possession of the Holy Spirit to indicate he was inspired (1 Cor 7:40).
m. In the New Testament people with the gift of tongues were described as having the Holy Spirit inside them, when in fact they had access to the power of God.
n. The supernatural function of the Holy Spirit is called fellowship:
i. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14)
ii. "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion," (Philippians 2:1)
2. Metaphoric Fellowship Indwelling to indicate God’s fellowship in Solomon’s Temple and the New Testament “church temple”
a. The metaphoric fellowship indwelling is unconditional for every Christian. Once you have met the conditions of faith, repentance, confession and water baptism, you are born again and immediately God unconditionally begins to dwell in you as long as you continue to be obedience. If you are a blood-bought Christian God indwells your as a symbol of full fellowship regardless of whether you are a new Christian which much sin in your life or an elder of the church with little sin in your life. God is in full fellowship with a newly baptized, former crack addicted hooker as he is with a man who has preached the gospel for 50 years every Sunday in church.
b. Holy Spirit dwells in temple/body=my eyes, ears, heart & name shall be there
c. Indwelling is one of many metaphors for the presence of God on earth.
d. Other metaphors for being in fellowship with God include: indwell, fall upon, pour out, sent, filled, anointed, given, rested etc.
e. God did not literally dwell in Solomon’s temple.
f. David understood that saying God “indwelt” the temple was really an all-inclusive metaphor that described a place where men could connect with the divine providence (eyes), prayer (ears), love (heart) and family (name) of God.
g. The same thing is true in the church today. Christians themselves are the temple of God and therefore direct beneficiaries of God’s providence (eyes), prayer any place they stand (ears), love of God anywhere the live (heart) and share the family name of God as “Christian” (name).
h. A good example in the Old testament of a metaphoric indwelling that indicates fellowship with God is the Temple of Solomon.
i. A good example in the New testament of a metaphoric indwelling that indicates fellowship and unity with God is the Church temple and Jesus statement in John 17:21-23 where Jesus, the Father and the Christian are mutually inter-dwelling inside each other.
3. Representatively Indwelling in righteous individuals of godly conduct in both the OT & NT as “representatives” of God.
a. The representative indwelling of the Holy Spirit is conditional on how you live your life as a Christian. The less you sin, the more the Spirit of God indwells you. Christians represent God to the world in their daily conduct and morality. The spirit indwells every Christian in proportion to their ability to live a sinless life. The Holy Spirit indwells to a lesser extent, a new Christian who is stumbling daily over typical worldly sins than a Christian who has had his senses trained to discern good and evil. The more a Christian is able to imitate God, the more the Holy Spirit is said to dwell inside him.
b. Men of holy, faithful, godly conduct are said to have the Holy Spirit indwelling in them in both the Old and New Testament
c. If you live a holy life then you REPRESENT the Holy Spirit and act as if the Holy Spirit were literally and directly controlling your moral choices.
d. If you live a wicked life, then you REPRESENT the Devil and act as if Satan were literally and directly controlling your moral choices.
e. The key is that the righteous are making freewill choices in harmony with the Spirit of God and the wicked are making freewill choices in harmony with the Devil.
f. Your freewill choices of behavior determine if you represent God or the Devil, Holy Spirit or a harlot, governed by the Law of God or by sin, if you are a son of God or of Satan.
g. A good example in the Old testament of a conditional representative indwelling is Joshua who is said to have the “Spirit of God in him” and Caleb who is said to “have a different Spirit”. Unlike the other 10 faithless spies who recommended NOT entering Canaan and brought death and condemnation upon themselves and the entire Exodus population of the Jews, Joshua and Caleb had the spirit of God inside them because of their higher level of true faith and recommended entering the land.
h. A good example in the New testament of a representative indwelling is Stephen and Philip who are said to be “full of the Spirit”. Further, Christians are commanded to “walk by the Spirit” since they are representing God on earth.
I. Supernatural indwelling of the Holy Spirit Himself by metonymy
A. Old Testament Metaphors of Supernatural indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
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Old Testament Metaphors of Supernatural indwelling of the Holy Spirit |
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Metaphor of Miraculous |
Text |
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Indwelling: filled with spirit |
Exod 31:3; + 36:1-2; 35:31; Deut 34:9; Micah 3:8 |
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Indwelling: Spirit entered me |
Ezek 2:2; 3:24 |
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Indwelling: Spirit within, in |
Dan 4:9,18; 5:14; 1 Pe 1:11 speaking of OT prophets |
1. INDWELLING: FILLED WITH SPIRIT
a. Exod 31:3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship
b. Exod 36:1-2 every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding
c. Exod 35:31 And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship
d. Deut 34:9 Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him
e. Micah 3:8 On the other hand I am filled with power—With the Spirit of the Lord
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Indwelling = supernatural empowerment |
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Filled with Spirit of God Ex 31:3 |
In whom God has put skill Ex 36:1-2 |
2. Indwelling: Spirit entered me
a. Ezek 2:2 the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet
b. Ezek 3:24 The Spirit then entered me and made me stand on my feet
3. indwelling: Spirit within
a. 1 Pet 1:11 the Spirit of Christ within them (O.T. prophets) was indicating
b. Dan 4:9,18 for a spirit of the holy gods is in you
c. Dan 5:14 I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you.
B. New Testament Metaphors of Supernatural indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
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New Testament Metaphors of Supernatural indwelling of the Holy Spirit |
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Metaphor of Miraculous |
Bible Text |
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Indwelling: filled, full |
Luke 1:15,41,67; 4:1; Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31; 7:55; 9:17; 13:9 |
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Indwelling: Dwells |
2 Tim 1:14 |
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Indwelling: In you, within |
Matt 10:20; Jn 14:17; Acts 19:16; 1 Pet 1:11; I Jn 2:27; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6 |
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Indwelling: Have the spirit |
Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 7:40 |
1. filled, full
a. Luke 1:15 John will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb.
b. Luke 1:41 the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
c. Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied
d. Luke 4:1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit
e. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues
f. Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them
g. Acts 4:31 they prayed, the place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
h. Acts 7:55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven
i. Acts 9:17 Paul filled with the Holy Spirit.”
j. Acts 11:24 Barnabas was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith
k. Acts 13:9 Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit
l. Acts 13:52 disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
2. dwells, indwells
a. Rom 8:9 the Spirit of God dwells in you
b. Rom 8:11 the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.
c. 1 Cor 3:16 you are a temple, the Spirit of God dwells in you
d. 2 Cor 6:16 For we are the temple of God; “I will dwell in them”
e. 2 Tim 1:14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure entrusted
f. James 4:5 He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us
3. Spirit In you, within
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Interchangeability of “dwells” = “in you” |
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“dwells” |
“in you” |
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2 Ti 1:14 Holy Spirit who dwells in us |
2 Ti 1:6 gift of God which is in you |
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1 Co 3:16 Temple of Spirit of God dwells in you |
1 Co 6:19 Temple of Holy Spirit who is in you |
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Rom 8:9 Spirit of Christ dwells in you |
1 Pe 1:11 Spirit of Christ within them |
a. Matt 10:20 “For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
b. Jn 14:17 the comforter abides with you, and will be in you
c. Acts 19:16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them
d. 1 Cor 6:19 body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you
e. 2 Cor 1:22 who gave the Spirit in our hearts
f. Eph 3:16 to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man
g. 1 Pet 1:11 OT prophets seeking to know what time the was indicating
h. 1 Jn 2:27 the anointing which you received from Him abides in you
i. 1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you
j. 2 Tim 1:6 kindle afresh gift of God which is in you the through the laying on of my hands
4. HAVE THE SPIRIT
a. Rom 8:9 But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
b. 1 Cor 7:40 and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
C. How does the Holy Spirit Indwell: CHECK IT FOR YOURSELF!
II. Metaphoric Fellowship Indwelling in Solomon’s Temple and the Church Temple:
A. The metaphoric indwelling of the Holy Spirit indicates God’s fellowship in Solomon’s Temple and the New Testament “church temple”.
1. There are many metaphors of the New Testament church.
2. Temple is just one of an entire set of collective terms to describe the people of God after the resurrection of Christ.
3. The metaphoric indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a subset of the TEMPLE metaphor that describes Christians.
4. The Temple metaphor means that:
a. the Christian is in fellowship with God
b. the Christian is in the presence of God
c. God indwells in the Christian
5. Once you correctly connect the indwelling metaphor with the temple metaphor, this essentially refutes the “personal literal indwelling” advocates.
a. Personal literal indwelling advocates are in fact guilty of RIPPING the indwelling metaphor out of context and artificially inventing a fictional non-biblical idea through a false distinction that does not exist in scripture.
b. The temple metaphor has three metaphoric components:
i. Literal bricks/stones
ii. Literal finished temple building
iii. Literal indwelling of God INSIDE the temple building.
c. If Personal literal indwelling advocates demand the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is literal, they MUST also literalize Christians as stones and bricks!
d. Thus the entire concept of the personal literal indwelling collapses when placed inside the context of one of a collection of metaphors that describe God’s people collectively.
6. But it gets worse, for as we will see below, both the Father and the Holy Spirit are described as indwelling the church temple!
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Metaphors for the church |
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Verses |
Collective |
Individual |
Jesus |
God |
Meaning |
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1 Ti 3:15 |
Household |
Children Brothers |
Firstborn Eldest Son |
Father |
Family: Love And Care |
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Col 1:13 |
Kingdom |
Citizens |
King/Judge |
King |
Authority: Privileges Obligations |
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1 Pe 2:9 |
Priesthood |
Priests |
High Priest |
God |
Service |
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Eph 2:19-22 |
Temple Building |
Stones, bricks |
Foundation |
Architect |
1.God's fellowship, Presence &
indwelling |
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1 Cor 12:12-27 |
Body |
Members |
Head |
- |
Support & Dependency |
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Rom 16:16 |
The Church |
Saints Aliens The Redeemed |
Saviour Purchaser Redeemer |
- |
1. Christ's Possession 2.Holiness |
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Acts 11:26 |
Christians |
Christian |
Christ |
- |
Christ's Possession & Household |
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Luke 14:27 |
Disciples |
Disciple |
Teacher |
- |
Student Of Jesus |
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Luke 17:7-10 |
Servants |
Servant |
Lord |
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Selfless Obedience |
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1 Pe 5:2-4 |
Flock |
Sheep |
Shepherd |
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Protection Of Caring For By Jesus |
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2 Ti 2:3-4 |
Army |
Soldier |
Commander |
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Fight Spiritual Battles For Jesus |
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Eph 5:22-32 |
Wife |
- |
Husband |
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Intimate Spiritual Relationship |
B. Temple Metaphor in the New Testament
1. Church/Body of Christ: Eph 1:22-23
a. John 2:19-21 Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up...But He was speaking of the temple of His body
b. 1 Cor 3:9 you are God's field, God's building...you are a temple of God, and {that} the Spirit of God dwells in you
c. 2 Cor 6:16 For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
d. Eph 2:21-22 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
e. 1 Pet 2:4-5 And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
2. Father & Son:
a. Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, and the Lamb, are its temple.
3. Christian’s Body:
a. 1 Cor 6:19 Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God
C. No distinct indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
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Father, Son & Holy Spirit all Dwell in the Christian the same! |
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Holy Spirit |
Father or Son |
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in you |
1 Cor 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you |
2 Cor 13:5 Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you |
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dwell in heart |
2 Cor 1:22 gave the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge |
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts |
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dwell in temple |
1 Cor 3:16 you are a temple of God...the Spirit of God dwells in you |
2 Cor 6:16 we are the temple of the Father, I will dwell in them |
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abides in you |
Jn 14:17 the Spirit of truth, abides with you, and will be in you. |
1 Jn 4:15 God abides in him |
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with you forever |
John 14:16 another Helper...may be with you forever |
Matt 28:20 I am with you always, even to the end of the age |
D. God’s abiding fellowship through a metaphoric mutual inter-dwelling:
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Mutual Inter-Dwelling of God and Man = Fellowship “dwells” = “in you” = “abide” = “filled” |
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Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Christian mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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Jn 17:21-23 |
That they may be one; even as Thou, Father, are in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us, I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity |
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Jn 14:20 |
You shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you |
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1 Jn 4:15 |
Whoever confesses Jesus, God abides in him, and he in God |
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John 6:56 |
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. |
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1 Jn 4:16 |
God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him |
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1 Jn 4:15 |
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God |
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1 Jn 3:24 |
And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him |
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Jn 14:23 |
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him. |
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1 Pe 4:6 |
"we live in the Spirit according to the will of God." |
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Father dwells in the Christian |
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Matt 10:20 |
the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you |
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Rom 8:11 |
Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you (Father: Gal 1:1) |
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Eph 4:6 |
one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all |
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1 Jn 4:4 |
greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world |
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Eph 3:19 |
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God |
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Christ dwells in the Christian |
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Rom 8:10 |
And if Christ is in you |
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2 Cor 13:5 |
do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you |
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Eph 3:17 |
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith |
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Gal 2:20 |
it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me |
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Gal 4:19 |
I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you |
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Col 1:27 |
the mystery...which is Christ in you |
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Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian |
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John 14:17 |
the Spirit of truth abides with you and will be in you |
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Rom 8:9 |
Spirit of God dwells in you |
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1 Cor 3:16 |
the Spirit of God dwells in you (church) |
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1 Cor 6:19 |
your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you |
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2 Tim 1:14 |
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure |
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James 4:5 |
He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us |
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1 Jn 2:27 |
the anointing which you received from Him abides in you |
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Indwelling “in your heart” & “inner man” passages |
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Love of Father in our heart |
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Rom 5:5 |
the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit given |
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Christ in our heart |
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Gal 4:6 |
God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father |
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Eph 3:17 |
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith |
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Holy Spirit in our heart |
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2 Cor 1:22 |
who also sealed us and gave {us} the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge |
E. Paul’s “Indwelling” = John’s “Abiding”
1. Key notable difference between Paul and John in their word choices:
a. John never uses the word “indwell” instead he always uses the word “abide”
b. Paul never uses the word “abide” instead he always uses the word “indwell”
2. John only discusses the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in two places
a. “the Spirit of truth, abides with you, and will be in you” John 14:17
b. “the anointing which you received from Him abides in you” 1 Jn 2:27
3. What this proves is that Paul’s “Indwelling” is identical to John’s “Abiding”
a. This greatly clarifies the idea of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
4. This proves that INDWELLING/ABIDING is a metaphor for fellowship not some mystical literal notion that deity is inside the body of the Christian.
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Indwelling in the N.T. |
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used exclusively by Paul |
used exclusively by John |
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Greek Word |
oikeo |
enoikeo |
katoikeo |
Meno |
skenoo |
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Strong’s # |
3611 |
1774 |
2730 |
3306 |
4637 |
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Vines definition . Who dwells in who? |
(oikos=house) to inhabit as one’s abode |
(en=in) to dwell in |
(kat=down) to settle down in fixed dwelling |
to abide, remain, dwell |
to pitch a tent, to tabernacle |
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Jesus: Mt 23:21 God in temple |
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Stephen: Acts 7:46,48 God in heaven |
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Acts 17:24 God in temple |
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Rom 8:9 H.S. in man |
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Rom 8:11 Father in man |
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Rom 8:11 H.S. in man |
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1 Cor 3:16 Spirit in Church |
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2 Cor 6:16 Father in Temple |
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Eph 3:17 Christ in Man |
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Col 3:16 Christ in Man |
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1 Tim 6:16 God in light |
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2 Ti 1:14 Spirit in Timothy |
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Jn 1:33 Spirit in Christ mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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Jn 6:56 Christ & Man mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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Jn 14:10 God & Son mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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Jn 14:17 Spirit in Man |
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Jn 15:4-11 Christ & Man mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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1 Jn 2:6 Man in God |
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1 Jn 2:24 Man in F & S |
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1 Jn 2:27 Man in Son |
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1 Jn 2:28 Man in Son |
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1 Jn 3:6 Man in Son |
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1 Jn 3:9 Man in Son |
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1 Jn 3:24 God & Man mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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1 Jn 4:12 God in Man |
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1 Jn 4:13 Man in God |
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1 Jn 4:15 God in Man |
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1 Jn 4:16 God & Man mutually inter-dwell in each other |
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Rev 21:3 God in tabernacle |
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Other figurative uses of dwell |
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Rom 7:17,20 sin indwells man |
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2 Ti 1:5 faith indwelt Lois |
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Col 3:16 word indwells saved |
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2 Jn 2:2 Truth indwells man |
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F. The “indwelling” as taught by John
1. When most Christians study the indwelling they type the word into their bible program and create a list of all passages that talk about the indwelling of God in Man.
a. The problem with this superficial approach, is that it ignores the fact that Apostle John used a different set of metaphoric Greek words to describe the “indwelling”
b. Once you understand the Paul’s “indwelling” is the same as John’s “abiding” it greatly clarifies the fact that the indwelling is a metaphor for fellowship between God and Man.
2. Here is a “list” of passages where John uses “abide”:
|
The “indwelling” as taught by John with the word “abide” |
||
|
verse |
If |
then |
|
Jn 3:36 |
disobey God |
God’s wrath abides |
|
Jn 5:38 |
disbelieve God |
word doesn’t abide |
|
Jn 6:56 |
eat flesh, drink blood |
abides in Christ |
|
Jn 8:31 |
abide in Christ’s word |
truly disciples |
|
Jn 14:17 |
He abides with you |
you know Him |
|
Jn 15:5 |
abide in Christ |
bears much fruit |
|
Jn 15:6 |
does not abide in Christ |
cast them into fire |
|
Jn 15:7 |
abide in Christ |
whatever you wish |
|
Jn 15:10 |
keep My commandments |
abide in My love |
|
1 Jn 2:6 |
walk as He walked |
he abides in Him |
|
1 Jn 2:10 |
loves his brother |
abides in the light |
|
1 Jn 2:24 |
gospel abides |
abide in Son and in Father |
|
1 Jn 2:28 |
abide in Him |
we may have confidence |
|
1 Jn 3:6 |
abides in Him |
does not sin |
|
1 Jn 3:9 |
His seed abides in him |
he cannot sin |
|
1 Jn 3:14 |
does not love |
abides in death |
|
1 Jn 3:15 |
hates his brother |
eternal life doesn’t abiding |
|
1 Jn 3:17 |
closes heart against brother |
love of God doesn’t abide |
|
1 Jn 3:24 |
keeps His commandments |
abides in Him |
|
1 Jn 4:12 |
love one another |
God abides in us |
|
1 Jn 4:13 |
He has given us of His Spirit |
we know we abide in Him |
|
1 Jn 4:15 |
confess Jesus is Son of God |
God abides in him |
|
1 Jn 4:16 |
abides in love |
abides in God |
|
2 Jn 1:9 |
does not abide in the teaching |
does not have God |
III. The representative Indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
A. The representative indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Moral conduct = indwelling of God
1. The better our faith, obedience and moral conduct the better we represent God.
a. Within every church of 100 saved people, some will be viewed a “having the spirit of God in them” while others will not.
b. Just as Joshua and Daniel were “more highly esteemed” than their fellow Jews, so too in the church.
2. A local church is filled with a variety of saved individuals who exhibit varying degrees of holiness and perfection.
a. The “representative indwelling” of the Holy Spirit is CONDITIONAL upon how well we represent God to non-Christians in our moral and faith choices.
b. Each saved member of the church represents God to the world through their moral conduct.
c. New Christians generally sin more than older Christians.
d. The longer a person has been a Christian, generally the less they sin.
3. Examples:
a. In the fictional movie, Star Wars, every person has some amount of the force. When Darth Vader was shooting at Luke Skywalker, he noticed that the “force is strong in this one”. Vader had encountered many others with the force but Skywalker was a noteworthy exception. This exactly parallels Christians in the church. All Christians have the representative indwelling, but only a few exceptional member of faith and morality are said to have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, as a metaphor of their strong faith and exceptional moral holiness.
b. Among the thousands of saved Christians, the church was told to seek 7 men “who had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This does not indicate they are more saved then those who were “not full of the Spirit” just that they were seen as good examples of what a Christian ought to be. Stephen and Philip were chosen because they did a clearly superior job of representing Jesus than those who were not chosen
c. Joshua and Caleb were seen as exemplary examples to represent the idea holiness and faith God was looking for. Joshua was described as a man who had the Holy Spirit dwelling inside him and Caleb was described as “having [possessing] a different Spirit” from the rest.
d. In a local church, only a few are viewed as “spiritual” enough to restore a sinner (Gal 6:1). This does not mean that the Christians who were unfit for the job were lost, just that they were not viewed as having the “Holy Spirit indwell them” or as “spiritual”.
e. Daniel was considered “highly esteemed” in his faith and morality in a way that was above his other fellow Jews where were also saved in God’s eyes. (Dan 9:23; 10:11,19)
f. Babes in Christ tend to be carnal in their outlook but the mature in Christ are spiritual. The Holy Spirit has a greater representative indwelling in the mature Christian than the carnal babe, but both are saved!
B. Representative Indwelling: Joshua and Stephen:
1. Joshua & Stephen are examples of men who lived exemplary godly lives and were said to have the INDWELLING O the Spirit of God
a. We represent God as we live godly lives!
b. This has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit dwelling in the Christian through the word.
c. The “Word/Holy Spirit” chart shows HOW the word of God is the instrument or “sword of the Spirit” the Holy Spirit uses for conversion and sanctification.
2. "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man IN WHOM IS THE SPIRIT, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight." (Numbers 27:18-19)
a. Whether this is miraculous or not, it proves that the personal indwelling existed in the Old Testament exactly like it does in the New Testament.
b. The key is that these verses synchronize with New Testament passages where possession of the Holy Spirit is a metaphor for being in fellowship with God.
3. "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it." (Numbers 14:24)
a. Notice the parallel between Joshua and Caleb: in whom is spirit = different spirit = fully obedient
4. A figure of God dwelling individually in righteous obedient saints, apart from the physical tabernacle
|
Righteous, Faithful men who obey God |
|
|
Joshua: Num 27:18-20 |
Caleb: Num 14:24 |
|
“a man in whom is the Spirit” |
“he has had a different spirit and followed me fully” |
|
Here the Spirit’s indwelling indicates their character not possession of supernatural powers |
|
5. Joshua and Stephen/Philip parallel:
|
|
Old Testament: Joshua |
New Testament: Stephen/Philip |
|
No supernatural power |
in whom is the Spirit: Num 27:18 |
full of faith & Holy Spirit Acts 6:5 |
|
hands laid on them |
Moses laid hand: v18 (Deut 34:9) |
apostles laid hands: Acts 6:6 |
|
Supernatural power |
authority v20; miracles: Josh 3:7 |
signs & wonders: Acts 6:8; 8:6 |
6. Observation about Joshua, Stephen & Philip having the “Spirit in them” or “filling them”:
a. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit did not indicate possession of supernatural power
b. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit indicated their holy character and faithfulness to God
c. Joshua had the “spirit in him” in a sense distinct from the collective tabernacle indwelling all Jews had because he had the spirit, but they did not and it was all based upon character.
d. Christians today are “led by and walk by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 8)
7. Notice the contrast of the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament between sinners and righteous:
a. Mal 2:15 not one has done so (treacherously divorce wife) who has a remnant of the Spirit
b. Ps 90:1 Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
|
Before exile Hosea 5:4 |
After exile Ezek 37:14 |
|
a spirit of harlotry is within them |
I will put My Spirit within you |
|
they do not know the LORD |
Then you will know I have spoken |
C. Terms and expressions associated with the representative indwelling:
|
Conditional Representative Indwelling of Holy Spirit = moral living |
||
|
Text |
Moral quality to denote indwelling of the Holy Spirit |
|
|
Num 27:18-19 |
Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit |
Notice the parallel between Joshua and Caleb: in whom is spirit = different spirit = fully obedient |
|
Num 14:24 |
Caleb, has a different spirit and has followed Me fully |
|
|
Romans 2:24 |
God does NOT dwell: “God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” |
|
|
Dan 9:23; 10:11,19 |
Highly esteemed |
|
|
Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16; 1 Pet 4:6 |
Walk by the Spirit |
|
|
Eph 5:18 |
be filled with the Spirit |
|
|
Acts 6:3,5 |
select seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom and of faith. |
|
|
Gal 5:25 |
Live the Spirit of God |
|
|
Rom 8:9 |
in the Spirit, not in the flesh |
|
|
1 Cor 3:1–3 |
spiritual men |
|
|
Gal 6:1 |
you who are spiritual (not all members of a church should do the job) |
|
|
Mal 2:15-16 |
possessing a remnant of the Spirit |
|
|
Dan 12:3 |
having insight shine brightly |
|
|
Prov 4:18-19 |
light shining brightly |
|
|
Phil 2:15 |
Lights in dark world |
|
|
Rom 8:5 |
Mind set on the things of the Spirit |
|
|
Rom 8:7 |
being subject to the law of God |
|
|
Rom 8:9 |
has the Spirit of Christ |
|
|
Rom 8:10 |
Christ in you |
|
|
Rom 8:12-13 |
live (not) after the flesh |
|
|
Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18 |
led by the Spirit of God |
|
|
Rom 8:17 |
sons of God, heirs of God |
|
|
Rom 8:28 |
them that love God |
|
a. "“But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”" (Malachi 2:15–16)
b. "“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)
c. "“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
d. "so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world," (Philippians 2:15)
e. "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1–3)
f. "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
D. Representative indwelling increases with holiness and perfection
|
Representative indwelling increases with holiness and perfection |
|
|
Prov 4:18-19 |
the righteous shines brighter and brighter until the full day |
|
2 Sam 23:3-5 |
Light that gets brighter |
|
Job 17:9 |
clean hands will grow stronger and stronger |
|
Mt 13:31–32 |
Mustard seed grows into a tree |
|
Mt 13:33 |
Leaven rises |
|
Heb 5:12–14 |
Spiritual Infants become teachers |
|
Heb 5:12–14 |
practice trains their senses to discern good and evil |
|
2 Pet 1:8 |
if these qualities are yours and are increasing |
1. Starting with being born again in Water Baptism (Jn 3:3-5; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pe 3:21) the Holy Spirit dwells INCREASINGLY strong as the newborn Christian grows into a mature Christian over many years.
2. Passages that indicate Christians increase in perfection and holiness as they mature in Christ:
a. "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble." (Proverbs 4:18–19)
b. "“The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me [David]‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, When the tender grass springs out of the earth, Through sunshine after rain.’ “Truly is not my house so with God? For He has made an everlasting covenant with me, Ordered in all things, and secured; For all my salvation and all my desire, Will He not indeed make it grow?" (2 Samuel 23:3–5)
c. "For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:8)
d. "Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger." (Job 17:9)
e. "He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”" (Matthew 13:31–32)
f. "He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”" (Matthew 13:33)
g. “At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision." (Daniel 9:23)
h. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12–14)
E. Representative indwelling: IN THE SPIRIT = INDWELLING
|
In the Spirit = Representative Indwelling of the Holy Spirit |
||
|
text |
In the flesh |
In the spirit |
|
Rom 6:6 |
that our old self was crucified with {Him,} that our body of sin might be done away with |
that we should no longer be slaves to sin |
|
Rom 6:13 |
do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin and {as} instruments of unrighteousness |
but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members {as} instruments of righteousness |
|
Rom 6:19 |
weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members {as} slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in {further} lawlessness |
so now present your members {as} slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification |
|
Rom 7:5 |
For while we were in the flesh... the sinful passions were at work in the members of our body |
|
|
Rom 8:4 |
walk according to the flesh |
walk according to the Spirit |
|
Rom 8:5 |
who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh |
who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit |
|
Rom 8:6 |
mind set on the flesh is death |
mind set on the Spirit is life and peace |
|
Rom 8:7 |
the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God |
|
|
Rom 8:7 |
it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able |
|
|
Rom 8:8 |
those who are in the flesh cannot please God |
|
|
Rom 8:9 |
you are not in the flesh |
you are in the Spirit |
|
Rom 8:9 |
|
the Spirit of God dwells in you |
|
Rom 8:9 |
|
have the Spirit of Christ |
|
Rom 8:12 |
we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- |
|
|
Rom 8:13 |
for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die |
but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live |
|
Rom 13:14 |
make no provision for the flesh in regard to {its} lusts |
put on the Lord Jesus Christ |
|
2 Cor 7:1 |
|
let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit |
|
Gal 2:20 |
|
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me |
|
Gal 5:13 |
do} not {turn} your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh |
but through love serve one another |
|
Gal 5:16 |
and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh |
walk by the Spirit |
|
Gal 5:19,22 |
deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality |
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, |
|
Gal 5:24 |
|
belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires |
|
Gal 6:8 |
sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption |
sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life |
|
Eph 2:3 |
we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath |
|
|
Col 2:11 |
|
circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ |
|
Col 2:13 |
dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh |
He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions |
|
1 Pet 3:18 |
having been put to death in the flesh |
but made alive in the spirit |
|
1 Pet 4:1-2 |
|
live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God |
|
2 Pet 2:10 |
indulge the flesh in {its} corrupt desires and despise authority |
|
F. Representative indwells in us the MORE we conquer the flesh:
|
The Holy Spirit Representative indwells us as we conquer the flesh |
|
|
Rom 6:12 |
do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts |
|
Rom 6:13 |
do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness |
|
Rom 6:19 |
because of the weakness of your flesh |
|
Rom 7:5 |
the sinful passions were at work in the members of our body |
|
Rom 7:14 |
For we know that the Law is spiritual. I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin |
|
Rom 7:18 |
nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh |
|
Rom 7:23 |
members of my body... the law of sin which is in my members |
|
Rom 7:24 |
Who will set me free from the body of this death? |
|
Rom 7:25 |
with my flesh the law of sin |
|
Rom 8:3 |
sinful flesh, He condemned sin in the flesh |
|
Rom 8:10 |
though the body is dead because of sin |
|
Rom 8:13 |
according to the flesh... the deeds of the body |
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Rom 8:23 |
the redemption of our body |
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1 Cor 6:20 |
glorify God in your body |
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1 Cor 9:27 |
I buffet my body and make it my slave |
|
1 Cor 15:44 |
sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body |
|
2 Cor 4:10 |
the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body |
|
2 Cor 4:11 |
that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. |
|
2 Cor 5:10 |
recompensed for his deeds in the body |
|
Gal 2:20 |
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God |
|
Gal 5:17 |
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh |
|
Col 1:22 |
He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death |
|
Col 2:11 |
circumcision ... the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ |
|
Col 3:5 |
members of your earthly body as dead to immorality |
|
Phil 3:21 |
transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, |
|
1Thes 5:23 |
sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete |
|
Heb 13:3 |
Remember the prisoners, ... since you yourselves also are in the body |
|
James 3:6 |
the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body |
|
1 Pet 4:1-2 |
live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God |
|
1 Jn 2:16 |
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh |
IV. Rebuttal of arguments made by personal literal indwelling advocates
A. Where personal indwelling advocates go wrong
1. By using proof texts that are clearly talking about supernatural gifts that have ceased in first century: 1 Cor 13:8-10
2. By failing to recognize that the identical terminology they use to indicate a personal indwelling is also used in reference to supernatural gifts.
3. By neglecting to examine the “indwelling” of the Old Testament in order to recognize that the Holy Spirit dwelt in Jews before Christ.
4. By failing to do a comparative study of indwelling terms used between the Old and New Testament to learn there is no distinction between the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Jew or Christian.
5. By assuming that the Holy Spirit dwells personally and literally in the Christian rather than metaphorically, metonymically or representatively.
6. By failing to recognize the clear evidence that the Holy Spirit was a posessed metonomically
B. Correctly classifying the proof texts that personal literal indwelling advocates misuse:
|
Personal literal indwelling proof text |
Actually refers to miraculous power |
First fulfilled upon return from exile in 536 BC |
Identical terminology used of Father & Son |
Text states Son or Father indwells |
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Ezek 11:19-20 |
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Ezek 36:26-28 |
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Ezek 37:14 |
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Lk 11:13 |
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Jn 7:38f |
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Jn 14:17 |
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Act 2:38 |
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Act 5:32 |
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Gal 3:2 |
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Acts 19:1-5 |
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Rom 5:5 |
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Rom 8:9-11 |
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2 Cor 1:21f |
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Gal 4:6 |
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Eph 1:13 |
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1 Cor 3:16 |
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1 Cor 6:19 |
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Eph 3:16f |
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1 Jn 3:24 |
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1 Jn 4:13 |
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Ezek 11:19 And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh
Ezek 36:26f I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances
Ezek 37:14 And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land.
Ezek 39:29 I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel declares the Lord GOD
Lk 11:13 heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him
Jn 7:38f This He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet {given,} because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Jn 14:17 the Spirit of truth abides with you, and will be in you
Act 2:38 and you shall receive the [miraculous] gift of the Holy Spirit
Act 5:32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given [miraculously] to those who obey Him
Rom 5:5 the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us [miraculously]
Rom 8:9f However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you [miraculously]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you [miraculously], He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you [miraculously].
1 Cor 3:16 you are a temple of God, and {that} the Spirit of God dwells in you
1 Cor 6:19 your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God
2 Cor 1:21f Now He who establishes us, also sealed us and gave {us} the Spirit [miraculously] in our hearts as a pledge
Gal 3:2 did you receive the Spirit [miraculously] by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith
Gal 4:6 God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son [miraculously] into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
Eph 1:13 after listening to the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were [miraculously] sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
Eph 3:16f be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
1 Jn 3:24 we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us [miraculously]
1 Jn 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit [miraculously]
C. False arguments used to teach a personal indwelling of HS in Christians:
1. It is a matter of prophecy that the HS would dwell in Christians in a new and different way than God’s people in the OT
a. The passages used to teach this are misapplied
b. The HS also dwelt in OT saints in exactly the same language.
2. The Bible plainly states that the HS dwells in Christians personally.
a. Then it also plainly states that both Jesus and the Father dwell personally in the Christian
b. The HS also dwelt in OT saints
3. Acts 5:32 says God gives the Holy Spirit to the Obedient and this means all Christians.
a. John 7:38 promises the miraculous to anyone who believes!
b. Peter is telling the Jewish Sanhedrin that the Holy Spirit is a witness and to suggest this was not something other than the miracle of the lamb man is absurd. Peter would not say that the Holy Spirit is a witness, if it was a never seen or heard personal indwelling.
c. Acts 5:32 is actually part of a collection of dual witness verses that prove the Holy Spirit is given miraculously.
|
Dual witness of man and Miracle Acts 5:32 |
||
|
Text |
non-miraculous witness of man |
Miraculous witness of H.S. |
|
Jn 1:32 |
And John bore witness saying, "I have beheld |
the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven |
|
John 3:33-34 |
He who has received His witness |
He gives the Spirit without measure |
|
John 5:36 |
“I am the Son of God” |
works that I do, bear witness of Me |
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John 10:24-25 |
If You are the Christ, tell us plainly |
the works that I do bear witness of Me. |
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John 15:26-27 |
you will bear witness also |
the Helper will bear witness of Me |
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Acts 1:8 |
you shall be My witnesses |
you shall receive power |
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Acts 2:32-33 |
God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses |
poured forth this which you both see and hear |
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Acts 3:12-15 |
God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses |
by our own power we had made him walk? |
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Acts 4:33 |
“We saw Him” |
with great power the apostles were giving witness |
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Acts 5:32 |
we are witnesses of these things |
and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him |
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Acts 14:3 |
they spent a long time there speaking boldly |
the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands |
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Acts 15:7-8 |
“Gentiles are OK” |
God bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us |
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Rom 8:16 |
with (not to) our spirit that we are children of God |
The Spirit Himself bears witness |
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Heb 2:4 |
“Salvation through Christ” |
God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit |
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I Jn 5:9 |
If we receive the witness of men |
the witness of God is greater |
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Where does the Bible teach a non-miraculous witness of the Holy Spirit |
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4. Joel 2:28 is a prophecy of the personal literal indwelling and was totally fulfilled on Pentecost:
a. Joel 2:28 is miraculous from start to finish and was not fully fulfilled on Pentecost
b. There were women and children who were to prophecy etc.
c. The gentiles had not yet been saved.
d. Notice that when the first gentile (Cornelius, Acts 10:15-16) was also baptized in the Holy Spirit miraculously.
e. Joel 2:28 continued to be miraculously fulfilled throughout the apostolic age as late as AD 110.
Holy Spirit outlines:
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By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.
