Literal Indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

Benefit of a Literal Indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit Indwelling Series – Part 5

Going against the illustrations presented in the four previous articles which argued against a literal non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit in favor of a representative indwelling, this article will focus on examining “what if”. What if there was a non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit as some believe today? What purpose would the indwelling serve? Some kind and earnest Christians establish the indwelling of the Spirit is a sign of righteousness, provides faith and conviction, gives knowledge and wisdom, guides decision making, intercedes prayer, and much more. There are basic steps to determine if such a function is literal non-miraculous indwelling. Studying part of the Godhead is not an area which should be left to “I think” or speculation. In this article, the above functions will be examined by the scriptures and it shall be seen what is affirmed or must be discarded.

The initial article in this series proposed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was a non-miraculous representational indwelling. It was described as a relationship in which man, adhering to the impact of God’s creation and Word, decided to come into obedience to God. At this point, man dwelled in God, God in man, man in the word, the word in man, etc. Man was not said to be literally in God, nor God in man, but there was unity of existence according to God’s word which made them one. Some men propose the Holy Spirit is literally in a man, because the Spirit must perform functions necessary for man. It is important to recognize if the Holy Spirit influences a man in anyway directly, the interaction would be miraculous. To clarify the term “directly”, understand anything which would cause man to do something outside of his own will or be endowed with information he did not come to on his own is the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Because the occurrence is beyond natural (supernatural), it is by definition miraculous. Natural means interacting with a man’s spirituality today are elements of God’s created environment (Romans 1:18-25) and the written Word of God. If any proposed characteristics of the Holy Spirit’s assumed literal non-miraculous indwelling are shown to be miraculous or contrary to the Word of God, then the characteristic cannot stand. This is the first step to use in testing a function to see if it is an indwelling.

The next step in testing a function to see if it is an indwelling is ask if the task is accomplished by the Holy Spirit through means of the Word or someone/something else? If the task can be accomplished in these means than what would the purpose of a literal non-miraculous indwelling be?

The third step in testing a proposed function of the Holy Spirit is to determine if the text used is being misinterpreted or not. As Peter wrote in his second letter “some things [are] had to understand”. Understanding something greater than man (God the Father, the Holy Spirit, Jesus) is not always a simple task. Christians endeavor as did the Bereans (Acts 17:11) to come to appropriate conclusions. That being said it is time to examine some of the functions applied to the Holy Spirit.

Is the literal indwelling of the Spirit necessary to identify the Christian as righteous? Discussed in the fourth article was the idea man literally needs an indwelling Spirit as a visible mark to God to identify him as a Christian. Indeed, this would be non-miraculous. However, unless scripture is misinterpreted to come to this conclusion, the idea cannot agree with scripture. It is man’s deeds which are characteristic of the Word of God which identify man as faithful and by which he is judged (James 2:14-26, I Peter 1:17, Colossians 3:25). The fruit of the inspired Word which was given by the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) demonstrates whether or not a man dwells with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Consequently, a literal indwelling to identify a Christian as righteous is not scriptural.

Is the literal indwelling of the Spirit necessary to have faith and be convicted? In the first century Church, man was inundated with the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit. There was no doubt about what it meant to have the Spirit of God because having the Spirit was a visible known aspect. The discussion about personal or direct literal indwelling arrived with the restoration and the spread of Calvinistic doctrine. It increased with the coming of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic faith. What does the Calvinist believe which has caused confusion about the Holy Spirit and how man dwells with Him? The Calvinist believes man is totally depraved from birth. He is a sinner, filthy, and disobedient by nature. It is taught without the direct operation of the Holy Spirit to bring man to believe, he cannot have faith. The Spirit is said to lead man and convict him of God. The man will not continue in the Faith unless continually prompted directly by the Spirit. According to the Calvinist way of thinking, man left to his own choice would stray away from God and not return. Of course, if the Holy Spirit has to operate in this fashion without the control of man, this is miraculous. This belief is generated in part by Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God”. However, to interpret this scripture in such a fashion is a terrible mistake. Properly, man follows the spirit figuratively by being obedient to the Spirit inspired Word. The Bible also tells us “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). This is how the crowd on the day of Pentecost came to faith by conviction from the Words of God (Acts 2:37 – they “heard”, Hebrews 4:12). Faith is something man develops, not something he is led to without the Word. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, “…seek and you shall find…” not “be led regardless of your will and you shall find”. If we are without choice led, there is no need to seek. If the direct operation of the Holy Spirit were indeed a characteristic of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for faith, then man would have a God of partiality, endowing whom he wishes to the Faith. Scripture clearly establishes God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11) and teaches in opposition to man showing partiality (James 2:1, 9). Considering the evidence, a literal indwelling necessary for a Christian to have faith or conviction is not scriptural.

Is the literal indwelling of the Spirit necessary to have knowledge or wisdom in what God commands? James 1:5 states: “But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Colossians 1:9 also presents: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” Finally, 2 Timothy 2:7 proclaims: “Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things”. For many the thinking stops here, wisdom and understanding given at a moment’s call. However, such a granting would be the miraculous. So if the text turns out not to be miraculous, how is it that knowledge and wisdom comes? 2 Timothy 2:15 tells the reader: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” From this verse, it is seen study is commanded of the servant of God which gives knowledge. In the Ephesians 5:17, Paul instructs the people, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Paul is telling the Ephesians they can understand… not maybe the Holy Spirit will give you understanding (wisdom). 1 Corinthians 1:21 declares: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Preaching brings knowledge and wisdom. 1 Peter 2:2 makes it very plain from where wisdom and knowledge come: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” In regard to the Word of God, the scriptures, the Bible, makes it quite clear the Holy Spirit does not need to literally indwell man for him to have knowledge or wisdom: 2 Peter 1:3 states: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Everything for life and godliness! How? The true knowledge of Him! John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in truth, thy Word is truth.” The work of the Spirit is done in regard to giving man the knowledge and wisdom he needs. Praying for knowledge and wisdom to come is the same as the prophets reminding God of His promise to Abraham. We have been promised these things, but they will come only if we walk according to His will which means study. The scriptures show a literal indwelling is not necessary for a Christian to gain knowledge and wisdom.

Does a literal indwelling of the Spirit help my decision making? The easy answer would again be 2 Peter 1:3 pointing to the word as a man’s guide. It seems obvious, but there are countless times heard where someone has said, “The Spirit laid it on my heart to (insert words here).” The Lord’s servant should be characterized by patience (Galatians 5:22). He should consider the costs of any action (Luke 14:28-31). Time after time, stories are told of someone circling their finger in the air with eyes closed and then sticking their finger on a Bible verse looking for direction. This isn’t how God expects man to mature. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of god may be complete, equipped for every good work.” For the Holy Spirit to direct a man in His decisions outside of the Word would again be the miraculous and it would not coincide with scriptural teaching.

Is the literal indwelling of the Spirit necessary for His intercession of man’s prayers? The question itself is misleading. It assumes the Holy Spirit intercedes. Intercession means to do something on behalf of someone. This idea the Spirit does this is taken from Romans 8:26-27. The passage states the following:

“Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

It is important to note outside of these verses every single instance of groaning in the Old Testament and the New Testament save one which references animals is done by man. It is my full conviction the spirit spoken of in these verses is man’s. Consider the times when man aches and pains so much in the heart he simply has no words. The times when his grief over sin or guilt or frustration or loss is so heavy his vocabulary could never do it justice. Consider the prayers of David, so lovely, intense, and expressive. Are these the prayers man typically is used to hearing? Sadly they are not. Most men simply cannot express such depth. Fortunately, we have someone who searches and knows our hearts and our conscience (Psalm 44:21, 139:23, Jeremiah 17:10, John 2:25, I John 3:20). That someone hears the groaning of man’s spirit. That someone is God. Now without a doubt, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Father are God. So saying God searches the hearts, does not rule out the Holy Spirit being a second “spirit” in the Romans verses and the one interceding. However a read through the remainder of Romans 8 will find the text is completely about Jesus. The reader will also find in vs. 34 Christ is named as the intercessor for man. Context calls for the intercessor of vs. 27 to be the same. It can be shown from other verses such as I Timothy 2:1 that Christians too can intercede for one another. However, the fact that there can be multiple intercessors does not change the context of Romans 8. This all applies to the question regarding the necessity of the literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit because it shows a literal indwelling is not a necessity for intercession. Additionally, the idea would possibly never have even occurred if not for the likely misinterpretation of Romans 8 in the recent centuries.

There are a number of other topics which are said to be functions of a literal indwelling Holy Spirit today. However, they can all be dealt with by similar steps. Does the function require direct operation upon man to accomplish? If so it is miraculous, not a literal non-miraculous indwelling. Is the task accomplished by the Holy Spirit through means of the Word or someone/something else? If so then a non-miraculous literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit isn’t necessary. Is the concept based on scriptural misinterpretation? If so then it must be dismissed. Following these steps a man can eliminate all notions of a non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

The next and final article will focus on the idea of a miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit existing today. It is the intention of this series of articles to demonstrate that only representational non-miraculous reverse indwelling (man in God, God in man, etc.) exists today. The purpose is not to say there is no indwelling at all but rather to ascertain what it means when scripture discusses abiding or dwelling.

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Sealed with the Spirit!

Sealed with the Spirit! Indwelling?

Holy Spirit Indwelling Series – Part 4

As this series has progressed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has been presented as representative and not the same as the “gift of the Holy Spirit” or being “filled with the Spirit”. This article will focus on the idea of being sealed with the spirit, what it means, and whether or not it is an indwelling as some suppose. In conjunction with examining the terms “seal” or “sealed”, the terms “earnest” and “anointed” will also be discussed.

The terms “seal” or “sealed” in the Old and New Testament are seen approximately 50 times. It is represented in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Indeed, there are three different words for these in the O.T and three for them in the N.T. The terms can signify a mark of identification often associated with a level of authority, a closing up, a protecting, an attachment, and a witnessing or attesting, all depending upon context. As for the extent of context involving the Holy Spirit and these terms, there are relatively few verses to examine.

John 6:26-27 – Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.

In this text, Jesus had the night before fed a multitude of 5000. After He crossed the sea at night, the multitude sought him again. Asking when he had crossed the sea (He had walked on water part way during the night and then went in a boat with his disciples). Christ’s answer to them was the verses 26-27. He tells them they had a miracle performed in their midst, but were focused on seeking more physical food. Instead, the miracle should have caused them to seek Christ for spiritual nutrition. It was this for which he was sealed/marked. The term sealed here is reference to His ability to perform the miraculous. The miraculous was a mark or sign identifying He was of God. His seal was obvious for all to see, this is important when contemplating the seal and its relationship to the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

This verse not only displays the term sealed, but the other terms of interest: earnest and anointed. Paul starts out his writing to the Corinthians discussing the hardships he and the other disciples had gone through to preach the gospel and even bring it to them. In the verses 21-22, Paul tells the Corinthians he, the disciples with him, and the Corinthians had been established/confirmed in Christ. How had they been confirmed? Mark 16:20 shows the disciples confirmed the word they were sharing by signs (miracles). Hebrews 2:3-4 shows God confirmed the teachings of His Word through miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Even Christ identified his miraculous works as that which gave witness to Him (John 5:36, 10:38). That the Corinthians had the miraculous is obvious throughout both letters to them. Next Paul tells the Corinthians God anointed them all. I John 2:27 clearly identifies the anointing of the Holy Spirit as miraculous, for the Christians had inspired truth no one needed to teach them. Finally Paul notes they were sealed with the Spirit – this was just as Christ. They were able to do the miraculous. This gave them a pledge, security, guarantee, earnest in their hearts knowing God will keep His promises (vs. 20).

Ephesians 1:13-14 – In Him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, – in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The apostle Paul writes this letter to the Church at Ephesus. Like the Corinthians they too had miraculous gifts. In verses 3-6, He tells them the blessing they had because of God’s predetermine plan of adoption for them, ultimately glorified God. In verses 7-12, he establishes the “wisdom and insight” enabling knowledge of their redemption (riddance of sin, deliverance from sin, liberation from sin) by Christ and the sharing of the gospel. All of which came by the hand of God. It was indeed miraculous revelation through the Holy Spirit. Again, this was God’s predetermined plan and glorified Him. Verses 13-14, discuss the conversion of the Ephesians. They heard the gospel, believed it, and following were sealed with the Holy Spirit. To have a greater understanding of this, we must recall what occurred in Acts 2 as studied in the second article in this series. The Jews heard, believed, and based upon that belief repented and were baptized. Following their baptism, hands were laid upon them and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit – the miraculous. They were sealed. This same situation was displayed in Acts 8:14-17 and Acts 19:5-6. Acts 19 is very important because that was when the Ephesians received the Holy Spirit. They were sealed with it by the laying on of hands. Here in Ephesians Paul equates receiving the miraculous of the Holy Spirit to being sealed. The visible manifestations marked them as followers of God.

In verse 14 the term earnest is used as in 2 Corinthians 1:22. The promise of the Holy Spirit as prophesied from Joel and seen by all was a guarantee of the inheritance of eternal life. It validated the faithfulness of God that man would be heirs to an eternal kingdom. It was a view forward to the redemption of a possession/acquisition. That possession was the miraculous. The Ephesians, all of mankind, would be ridded or liberated from the miraculous. To be clear, the miraculous was given as a guarantee of the inheritance of God until which time it would be removed. This would be done to the glory of God. How so? The miraculous would cease in order to make room for the perfect, the unity of the faith, the Word of God (I Corinthians 13:8-11; Ephesians 4:11-16). The removal of the miraculous replaced with only the Word of God would enable men to grow into mature men on their own (2 Timothy 3:16-17).


Ephesians 4:30 – And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

Simply put, the Holy Spirit went to great lengths, in demonstrating the power of God. Through His Miraculous works the Word was confirmed, the Church edified, and God was glorified. The seal of the Spirit was evident among the first century Church. Yet, this was all done in bringing man to the written Word of God. To turn away from the Christian walk to the things of the World would certainly grieve the Spirit of God.

From the 4 verses above discussing the seal of the Spirit, we again arrive at the miraculous as we did with the “gift of the Spirit” and the “filling of the Spirit”. Since the approach has been taken that the miraculous is no longer present today, these certainly could not be the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Again, in our final lesson we will expand upon when the miraculous ended. Before closing this article, there remains a question about sealing which many people tie to the Holy Spirit and indwelling. Consider the following verses:

2 Timothy 2:19 – But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

Revelation 7:4 – And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

Revelation 14:1 – Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.

The question is: What about Revelation and those who have been sealed that the Lord knows? First off, understand there is a great deal of figurative language in the book of Revelation. How does the lord know a person? In his address to the 7 churches of Asia at the start of the book of Revelation, what does the Lord continually say? “I know your works”. Jesus said:

Mat 10:32-33 – “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven”.

God doesn’t need a forehead barcode system to figure out who the faithful are. A man’s works say it all (John 14:15). Second, in regard to numbers and the book of Revelation, be assured, God’s cutoff line isn’t 144,000. In fact, it can be recalled that Abraham’s descendants (Christians) would be as innumerable as sand on the seashore. Revelation 7:9 confirms as much. The seal of a Christian in this modern time is his deeds, works, or wedding clothes. We dress ourselves for success or failure and that is a seal that will be evident for all to see.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 – For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

The next article in this series will assume man has a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In that case, what exactly would be its purpose?

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Filled with the Holy Spirit

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit and Indwelling

Holy Spirit Indwelling Series Part 3

The previous two articles focused on Biblical associations with the topic of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the first article, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated to be non-miraculous representation of the Christian’s obedience to God’s will and not a literal indwelling. In the second, it was demonstrated a literal indwelling is not what the term “gift of the Holy Spirit” means. Rather the term “gift” in conjunction with the Holy Spirit focuses on the miraculous imparted by the laying on of the hands of the apostles which is in opposition to a non-miraculous indwelling. This third article will aim to show the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” is also not a literal indwelling.

Two understandings of the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” will nullify the assertion that filling is a literal non-miraculous indwelling. First, if it can be shown the term is merely representative of someone walking according to truth and righteousness (as per example in the first article) the assertion is nullified; second, if the term can be demonstrated to mean the miraculous the assertion will be nullified. It is my conviction the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Holy Spirit” is a term representing the miraculous as the Bible uses it.

The Old Testament must first be examined for this term. In Exodus, Moses was told to build a tabernacle. He was informed by God Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-3) and Aholiab (Exodus 35:35) had been filled with the Holy Spirit. What this meant was they were given miraculous knowledge and abilities to perform the task. This was not something they learned overtime, but rather it was given directly by God. Deuteronomy 34:9 is another Old Testament example showing someone full of the Spirit of God. Moses laid hands upon Joshua and imparted wisdom to him directly. Unlearned wisdom directly given is miraculous. Micah 3:8 demonstrates Micah full of power by the spirit to prophecy. This would be the miraculous. Obviously, these incidences are not the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Now, the New Testament examples of filling shall be examined. Luke 1:15, Zacharias is told by an angel his Son John (the Baptizer) would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. To attempt to portray this as not being miraculous John 10:41 is pointed out saying “John indeed did no sign”. However, as with Bezalel and Aholiab the miraculous does not have to be a sign. The miraculous confirmed by John 10:41 was “all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true” in reference to Christ. In other words, John had inspired knowledge given by the Holy Spirit from the womb. No indwelling here.

Zacharias wife was filled with the Holy Spirit in Luke 1:41-45. It was manifested by miraculous speech of the Holy Spirit. Next Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit in Luke 1:67 and prophesied. Note: These folks in the Old Testament and New Testament were filled with the Holy Spirit, doing the miraculous, and this was before the day of Pentecost. If indwelling were said to be the filling of the Holy Spirit then it began before then. Of course, this point is moot, for indwelling is not the same as filling.

Luke 4:1 shows Jesus full of the Spirit and being led by that Spirit into the wilderness, the Spirit directly operating upon Christ qualifies this as a miraculous occurrence. Examining the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4, filling will be seen along with miraculous utterance. Next, Acts 4:8 and 31 will show the same thing, the miraculous. In Acts 6:3-5, men were being chosen to serve the widows. They were specifically to be men “full of the Spirit”. That this is not just a reputation of Godly behavior is obvious, because their good reputation was a separate quality. Their miraculous endowments were visible characteristics that separated them apart as obedient to God (Acts 5:32) and therefore identified them as trustworthy to the people. Later, Stephen, one of those selected men, following performing miraculous signs and wonders, would deliver an inspired speech to the Sanhedrin. That miraculous speech is identified as a filling of the Holy Spirit in Acts 7:55. It is argued the reason Stephen was able to do the miraculous was the apostles laid their hands upon him. There is no doubt this occurred. I would actually suggest this was done upon Stephen’s prior unrecorded conversion. The laying on of the hands of the selected men in Acts 6:6 was merely a ceremonial thing much like was done to Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:3. The miraculous filling observed in these verses eliminates indwelling.

Continuing, Paul was filled with the Spirit in Acts 9:17-18 and spoke the inspired speech of God’s Word. Acts 11:23-24 identify Barnabas as full of the Holy Spirit exhorting the Christians. I submit his speech was inspired to aid the Christians and he did not speak of his own accord. Other examples in Acts 13:9 and 13:52-14:1 also show inspired speech of the Holy Spirit by Paul and the disciples respectively. It is understood some of these may be considered borderline examples, however, consider the possibility is present for the miraculous. Most like examples examined are very clear filling was miraculous. What is certain is none of the verses examined refute the concept of filling involving the miraculous influence of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 is the final verse in scripture using the term “filled with the spirit”. This verse is frequently explained to be a representative state of behaving in a Godly manner. This would again refute a literal indwelling; however, it is not my belief this would be an appropriate interpretation. Rather, the Ephesians who had miraculous gifts were told to engage them (those with gifts did have control over them I Corinthians 14:27-32). This does not take away from the example of Christians today to sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, but it was unique in the setting of the miraculous of the first century. Christians today have learned these whereas those of the first century had the miraculous inspiration to do so. For further discussion on the topic being “filled with the Spirit” and specifically Ephesians 5:18, please consider Franklin Camp’s work, “The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption” pp. 186-200.

The examination of the terms “filled with the Holy Spirit” or “Full” in the Old Testament and New Testament overwhelmingly demonstrate the miraculous in those ages. This completely shuts down the idea this term is the same as a non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through three articles, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has been shown not to be literal, not the Gift of the Spirit, and not being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Thus far the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is being approached as if it were non-miraculous. Most people approach the indwelling in this manner. However, there are some who do believe the indwelling to be miraculous. Some believe that ability comes from baptism, which was refuted in the second article. Others believe the Holy Spirit simply needs to be prayed for to receive an indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the ability to do miracles. However, this too is quashed in the second article as it was shown gifts were only enabled through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. Where such a false notion comes from is Luke 11:13. In this passage, Jesus encourages his disciples to pray for the Holy Spirit. Why? They prayed for the Holy Spirit so they could receive Him. Did they receive Him and if so when? The answer is yes! They received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. No other reference in scripture is made to praying for the Holy Spirit because instruction was for the disciples before Pentecost and their prayer was answered. For man to pray for the Holy Spirit today is not scriptural because the Spirit has come and performed His work. In the final article of this series, it will be shown miracles have ceased by the hand of man altogether giving further confirmation the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not miraculous. However, the next article in this series will focus on the sealing of the Holy Spirit and whether or not that is His indwelling.

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The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Is the Gift of the Holy Spirit the Beginning of His Indwelling?

Holy Spirit Indwelling Series Part 2

The first lesson in this series examined whether or not the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is literal or representational. It was the conclusion of the article the Holy Spirit does not literally indwell anyone, but the term refers to a Christian putting on a Christ like life which matches the Bible given by the Spirit. It is this which allows the individual to indwell all of the Godhead and the Word and vice versa. However, Christians who take the view the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a literal one also often consider the term “gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38 to refer to the beginning of that indwelling. It is this professed belief upon which this article will focus.

Acts 2 begins with the Holy Spirit miraculously being poured out upon the apostles (the Holy Spirit Baptism). Visibly tongues of fire rest upon each of them and then they begin speaking in various languages – occurrences which were miraculous. Following, the apostle Peter explains the occurrence was exactly what the prophet Joel had prophesied. The language Joel used was regarding miraculous occurrences: Sons and daughters prophesying, young and old seeing visions and dreams, wonders in the sky and on earth. The people were amazed by the occurrences before their very eyes at the hands of the Apostles. The prophecy by Joel was the Spirit was to be poured “upon all mankind”. Because of this language, many individuals believe every single individual was to receive God’s Spirit. This is not the case whether one believes in a literal indwelling or not. All mankind is a reference to male and female, rich and poor, Jew or gentile, all those would offer themselves up as servants to the debt they could not pay (Christ’s redemption of mankind from their sins.). The breadth of the term “all mankind” is validated in Acts 2:18, 21, and Romans 1:16.

Peter continues in Acts 2 by proclaiming the miraculous resurrection and ascension of Christ. He convicts His audience of the crucifixion of Jesus. Their reply was “what shall we do?” Peter states the following:

Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The first portions of Peter’s statement are fairly simple. The men were to change their lives from sinful ones to ones of obedience to God (Acts 17:30). They were to be immersed in water as is the New Testament pattern (Acts 8:13, 36, 9:18, 10:47, 16:15, 33… etc.). The second portion of the statement is where the need for focus lies. These people were told if they repented and were baptized they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If the miraculous was going on all around a man because of the Holy Spirit, he was told of this day by Joel’s prophecy of the miraculous by the Holy Spirit, and then he was told he would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit would he expect a non-miraculous non-visible gift such as a literal indwelling? The gift of the Holy Spirit was indeed being given to those who obeyed God (Acts 5:32). The three main beliefs are that this gift was the Holy Spirit himself (literal indwelling), salvation, or miraculous gifts. Doubt upon a literal indwelling was cast in the first article and speaking in regard to this verse the direct object in the Greek is “gift” not the Holy Spirit as a gift. Salvation was indeed available on the day of Pentecost. However, consider first that the promise of the Holy Spirit references the miraculous giving of the gospel and the miraculous around the Gospel (Acts 1:8, Galatians 3). Second, consider salvation occurs at baptism (I Peter 3:21) not after. Finally, consider the only two verses using the terms “gift of the Holy Spirit” are Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:45. Acts 10:45 describes the gift as having been poured out and in direct reference to Acts 2. The manifestation was the miraculous. These points again make it highly unlikely “salvation” was the “gift” being given.

Next in analysis consider the terms “gift” and “Holy Spirit” which are used in conjunction six times in the New Testament:

• Acts 8:19-20 – saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. – Miraculous Context

• Acts 10:45-46 – And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. – Miraculous Context

• Acts 11:17 – If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? – Miraculous Context

• Ephesians 3:7 – whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. – Miraculous Context

• Ephesians 4:8 – Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. – Miraculous Context

• Acts 2:38 – Miraculous Context.

 

 

In every Biblical instance the terms “gift” and “Holy Spirit” are used in conjunction, we see the miraculous. It must be made clear, however, this article is written with full belief the miraculous ended with the first century. It is also a firm belief not everyone who was baptized received the miraculous. Only those who the apostles laid hands upon received the gift of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost which Joel pointed toward, the apostles were present to lay hands on individuals so they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Others in Biblical recordings who were baptized did not receive such a gift (Acts 8:14-17). The only way the gift of the Holy Spirit was imparted was through the hands of the apostles, none other could accomplish such a task. For an individual to pull a literal indwelling out of this text is out of context. It is often stated the indwelling comes from baptism, but the Acts 8:14-17 text also shows this is an erroneous belief. The individuals in the text were baptized and did not receive the Holy Spirit until hands were laid upon them (Note: That text was not referring to an indwelling anyway, but the miraculous. Yet, nothing had been told the individuals about any kind of indwelling of the Spirit either. Which if a supposed indwelling was imparted at baptism, they would have known about it).

As stated in the first article, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is unity with God by obeying His will. It is not miraculous, it is not literal. The gift of the Holy Spirit as discussed in Acts 2:38 was a miraculous endowment upon Christians of the first century by the hands of the apostles. The gift of the Holy Spirit is not the same as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, however, it is clear that one who did not dwell in Christ (obedience) would not have the miraculous as well (Acts 5:32). For further explanation regarding Acts 2:38 and the “gift of the Holy Spirit” please reference the works of Guy N. Woods (Questions and Answers Open Forum pp. 54-59) and Franklin Camp (The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption pp. 130-141).

This article focused upon the term “gift of the Holy Spirit” and whether or not it related to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The next article in this series will focus upon what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit and whether it is another term for indwelling.

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Holy Spirit: Literal or Representational Indwelling?

Holy Spirit Indwelling Series Part 1

There are varying understandings of what is meant by the term “indwelling of the Holy Spirit”. This series of articles aims at examining the assertions of men and applications of scripture to determine the meaning of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as it applies today. Is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit literal or representational or miraculous/prophetic based on a specific age? Is the gift of the Holy Spirit the beginning of His indwelling? What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit? What exactly does the indwelling accomplish for a man? These questions and more will all be carefully answered by gradually moving through this series.

Here is a statement of the Apostle Paul, validating the existence of the topic of study, but in itself not a full explanation of what the Spirit indwelling is or does:

Romans 8:9 – “But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Next, for fun consider this apparently opposing statement of Paul using the same exact word, “dwelleth”:

Romans 7:18 – “For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.”

These statements are a bit of a teaser for this article and will be returned to before its end. At present, consider the following statements:

  • Full of Energy – Representative of moving about without tiredness.
  • Full of laughter – Representative of being cheerful or humorous
  • Full of light – Representative of someone who is optimistic
  • Full of wisdom – Representative of someone intelligent / knowledgeable
  • Full of the Spirit – Representative of someone walking according to truth and righteousness

Today, when the above are said, they are seen as representing different personality traits. In the first century, and mistakenly today, the last statement “Full of the Spirit” is viewed differently at times. This will be examined in a later article in this series. For now, observe how these statements are widely regarded as representational and not literal filling someone up with energy, laughter, light, wisdom, and Spirit.

Revelation 1:10 records the writing of the apostle John, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” The question to be asked is: Was John literally in the Holy Spirit? Or was this a representation of his state of mind under its influence? I John 4:6 also written by John states: “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” The context is the discernment between true and false teaching. The spirits here are not literal spirits that man is to be looking to find. They are representational rather of bodies of teaching. 2 Timothy 1:7 states: “For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.” Has God given man four literal spirits that are literally roaming around inside of him? No, these are representations of man’s state of being. Romans 7:17 states: “So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me”. Is sin literally living inside of Paul? Or is it the representational propensity to give into unrighteous desires that Paul is talking about. Finally, Colossians 1:19 states: “For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;” Can qualities literally dwell or is the text saying Christ was representational of qualities? In all of the verses mentioned in this paragraph, there is a representation of qualities. There is no literal dwelling, abiding, or living in a person of these qualities.

The terms abide and dwell are the same word at times in the Greek and used interchangeably depending upon the translation give a picture of how God and the Holy Spirit dwell within His Church and man representatively. John 6:48-58 – presents a discussion where Christ states in vs. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him.” Putting aside the doctrines of consubstantiation and transubstantiation, Christ said he would dwell or abide in those who did as he stated. How exactly was He going to do that? Literally? On the other side of the statement is the abiding or dwelling of the individual in Christ. How is that going to happen? Literally? Consider the following passages:

John 8:31 – Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;

John 14:19-21 – Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also. In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.

John 15:4 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.

Romans 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

2 Timothy 3:14 – But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

1 John 4:15-16 – Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.

In the above passages there are many purposeful representational dwellings from the sides of Man, the Father, Jesus, the Spirit, the Word, things learned, and love (though one is a miraculous indwelling). The audiences were Jews, apostles, Romans, Timothy, and Christians. They were being told to abide or dwell in unity within the will of God. Nealy all of the language is representational. It is also reverse. There is therefore a reverse indwelling. For man to literally abide in all of the things mentioned is not even common sense. The passages were given to tell man that if he does the things which God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) has established God and man will be representatively of one mind.

I Cor. 3:16-17 states “Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.” This statement is often read to establish that the human body houses the Holy Spirit. However, to do so literally is a poor misinterpretation of scripture. The discussion of I Corinthians 3 focuses on building something. The building is the Church. The materials are the souls of man. The temple of God is the Church. The Spirit lives representatively in it because the Church represents those obedient to the Word of God given by the Spirit of God to man. When man does not obey, he essentially tries to destroy the temple of God. He is straw, wood, hay, and God will destroy Him. Only those who are obedient to God and are united with God in His Church will be allowed to remain (Isaiah 59:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 1:8). This verse in no sense advocates a literal dwelling of the Spirit of God within an individual.

Wrapping up loose ends, Romans 7:18, mentioned at the beginning of this article remains to be discussed. In this verse Paul says nothing good dwells within his flesh. What about the Spirit! Does that not dwell within him? Isn’t that what Romans 8:9 said? Yes, it did, and it did so miraculously based on the age of the miraculous and the position Paul had as an apostle. The point Paul is trying to get across in the verses surrounding and including Romans 7:18 is that in the Jewish Mindset striving after the works of the flesh for perfection, ultimately, fails resulting in sin. Obedience of Faith is not based on the perfection of flesh. It is when we match our lives with His will that we are representative of Christ’s Spirit. That is the indwelling of the Spirit. Man dwelling in the Spirit, the Spirit dwelling in man, relationships of unity, abiding, and dwelling. Paul was not making a contradictory statement.  However, for the age he lived in, that indwelling took on a different meaning that it does today.  It was a meaning not possible today.

This article presents the belief that the indwelling of the Spirit of God is completely representational outside of the first century based upon man’s obedience to the Word of God. The next article will further examine the belief of a literal indwelling of the Spirit, whether or not it has any relationship with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and when the indwelling is supposed to begin.

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