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Where In The Bible Will I Find... The Literal Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit?
Gary Colley |
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One may search a lifetime and not find in the Bible the teaching of the literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the physical body of the Christian. Some assert that He does dwell in them—somewhat like they assert that miracles happen today, but without proof from the Bible. Superstition and subjectivism have evidently caused the confusion and questions concerning the direct working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Bible does state the fact that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit dwell within the penitent, obedient Christian, but never says that manner of dwelling is in us directly, literally, or personally. (Eph. 3:17; 1Cor 3:16). We do not question the fact the Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian, but we do question the how of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. The Bible teaches that indwelling is "by faith." (Eph. 3:17). It also says that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Hence, we learn that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit dwell in the Christian through the word of God—not directly, literally, or personally. This representative indwelling, through the medium of or agency of God's word, directs all Christians alike in the "one faith." (Eph. 4:1-6). The Holy Spirit's special part in the scheme of redemption was to be the revelator. (John 16:13). He did this perfectly and doesn't need to repeat his work. (Jas. 1:25; Eph. 6:18). If any person of the Godhead spoke directly to us today, he would not speak anything different from what has been revealed in the written word! If the apostles or an angel spoke directly today, it could be no different from that which is written, without being "accursed." (Gal. 1:8-9). The Bible commands—and inspiration teaches us how—to "be filled with the Spriit." (Eph. 5:18). It explains itself by saying, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." (Col. 3:16). The Holy Spirit abides in us to the extent that the word of God abides in us and directs our lives. Does the word of the Spirit abide in you? Obey that word today! |