Brian Yeager's Outlines
Understanding the Operation and Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Introduction:

This subject seems to send folks running for the hills. It is not a scary subject, but is one that takes some thought and consideration. We will examine who the Holy Spirit is, what he does, and how he indwells the Christian. Please study carefully the content of this lesson.  I recently read a booklet that made this statement at the beginning:

"Much of what I have read concerning the question of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit concerns itself with "Why the Spirit himself cannot dwell in the body of a Christian".  I believe this conclusion negates an important spiritual blessing intended by our Father.  This brief study attempts a look at various positions, but ultimately aims to ask "Why Not?".  I hope each student will prayerfully consider the outline and charts contained herein, and come to an understanding of the subject, which will allow the spiritual blessing intended by such indwelling. - R. David Brewer"
The question can never be why not!  That is a false hermeneutic.  We must answer all questions with a "thus saith the Lord" (Colossians 3:17).  Just imagine what you could teach by asking the why not questions.  This study will focus on what it means to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  This study is not formed based upon a majority belief or anyone's approval.  It is simply what the Bible teaches.

I. Who is the Holy Spirit?

A. The Holy Spirit is God Acts 5:3-4
B. The Holy Spirit is male John 14:26
C. The Holy Spirit is in Heaven I John 5:7 II. What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the First Century and what is His role today A. The Spirit was to Guide in all truths (John 16:13).
  1. Paul said he spoke the words given by the Spirit (I Corinthians 2:13).
2. Holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:20-21).
3. Inspiration is best explained here: II Samuel 23:2
4. The Spirit testified of Christ (John 15:26-27).
5. THIS IS NOT NEEDED TODAY AS GOD WILL NOT DELIVER ANOTHER GOSPEL 
  a. Once delivered (Jude 3).
b. There is only ONE faith (Ephesians 4:4-6).
c. The word is everlasting, not in need of being replaced (Matthew 24:35 and I Peter 1:23).
d. Any man or angel that brings another Gospel brings a cursed doctrine (Galatians 1:8-12). B. The Spirit gave "Spiritual Gifts" I Corinthians 12:1-11
  1. These gifts were used to prove the word Mark 16:15-20
2. We can know that these gifts were to cease for numerous reasons I Corinthians 12:31 "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."
  a. There are three things that will last – Faith, Hope, and Love (I Corinthians 13:13).
b. The rest based on the context of I Corinthians 13 ~ please read the context ~ will come to an end.
c. The question is when? The answer to that question is found in verses 9-10.
 
  • We know in part means we have incomplete knowledge. When will we have complete knowledge? – When the power of God gives us ALL things –
  • Now please notice II Peter 1:3.
  • The Greek word "teleios"(perfect) is defined by Thayer as "having attained the end or purpose, complete". Obviously "that which perfect" is not Christ, simply based on Grammar.
    •


    d. Those who propose that they have the ability to perform these gifts need to prove it (I Thessalonians 5:21  and Matthew 10:8).
    For more on the subject of Spiritual Gifts click here: Spiritual Gifts Study


    C. The Spirit of God intercedes in prayers (then and today) Romans 8:27
     

    1. Intercedes means "to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences" - (Webster's New World College Dictionary).
    2. Some challenge that we limit God when we say the Holy Spirit does not personally indwell...
      a. Then they claim the Holy Spirit cannot intercede unless He is within us....
    b. Now, who is limiting God???     3. Christ also intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:22-25).
      a. If advocates of the point 2 a. contend that to be true, then Christ must indwell personally as well [I understand this is apples to oranges, but the argument stands valid].     D. The Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:13).
     
    1. A seal is an emblem of ownership.
    2. Once converted we are new creatures in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
    3. Does it take a personal indwelling for this to be true?  NO!
    E. The Holy Spirit certainly indwells us (Romans 8:9 and I Corinthians 6:19).
      1. The question is how??     III. Understanding the Indwelling of the Spirit of God A. It is biblical fact that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian (I Corinthians 3:16).

    B. It is a biblical fact that the WHOLE "Godhead" dwells in us.
     

    1. The Father (I John 4:12).
    2. The Son (I Corinthians 1:27).
    3. The Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).     C. The question is not "if" it is "how". The same terminology applies to all three.  
    1. The scriptures reveal how the indwelling of Christ occurs Ephesians 3:17"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love."
    2. We are to let the word of Christ dwell in us (Colossians 3:16).  
    a. What is the word? (Ephesians 6:17)
    b. The Spirit was to guide them in truth (John 16:13), what is truth? The word is truth (John 17:17).         D. If God dwells in us in a literal way then we too dwell in Him literally:
      1. John 14:23
    2. I John 4:15-16         IV. The word of God is interchangeable with the Spirit (both do the same things) as it pertains to salvation

     
    Chart – H.S. and the Word of God Do the Same Things
    THE SPIRIT
    ACTION
    THE WORD
    John 3:5,8
    Gives Birth
    I Peter 1:23-25
    John 6:63
    Gives Life
    Psalm 119:93
    Titus 3:5
    Saves
    James 1:21
    John 16:8
    Convicts
    Titus 1:9
    Romans 8:16
    Testifies
    John 5:39
    Romans 15:13
    Gives Power
    Hebrews 4:12
    II Thessalonians 2:13
    Sanctifies
    John 17:17
    I Corinthians 6:11
    Washes
    Ephesians 5:26
    Acts 9:31
    Comforts
    Romans 15:4
    Ephesians 5:18-19
    Indwells
    Colossians 3:16
    John 16:8
    Reproves
    II Timothy 3:16

    V. Logical Oppositions to the literal indwelling view
    A. There are those that challenge that you cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23, without direct aid from the Spirit Let's just look at one of those things:
    1. Faith -  If one cannot have faith, without having the Spirit of God, then non Christians have the Spirit of God. Faith, must be produced and is only produced by means of the word of God Romans 10:17"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
    2. Faith is a must prior to obeying the Gospel Hebrews 11:6, Acts 2:37-41 and Mark 16:15-16.
    B. There are those that teach the Holy Spirit indwells after baptism, as Peter promised the "gift of then Holy Spirit" to those that obey Acts 2:38. If we follow that same Greek term in Acts 2:38 "gift - dorea" - Strong's number 1431; we would look in a concordance and find these passages.
      1. Acts 8:17-20
    2. Acts 10:45  
    a. The only way outside of the outpouring of Acts 2 and Acts 10 this occured was through the laying on of Apostles hands (Acts 19:6 and Romans 1:11).
     
  • My wife says to me often that she sees me in Trevor. Does this mean that I dwell within him? Or does this mean he takes characteristics that he has learned from me and he shows those in his actions. We are made in the image of God, and we can learn how to act accordingly. If we continue in his doctrine he will abide in us through the word that we have through inspiration with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
    •
          • If the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit literally dwelled in us, we would be God [the Spirit inside us makes up who we are]. If we were God, why then did Peter tell Cornelius to stand up that he himself was also a man when Cornelius fell down to worship him Acts 10:25-26?
          • If we had the indwelling of God, why do we pray to our Father in Heaven Matthew 6:9?
    Conclusion:

    Any honest and logical person who had an erring view on the work of the Spirit, should be able to see by the scriptures presented here in this lesson, that the Spirit does not directly touch us in any way today. Nor, does the Spirit of God directly instruct us in any way outside of the once delivered word.
     

    2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.

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