Doctrine of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirt

Doctrine of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Introduction:

The Doctrine of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit assures that every believer has a comforter in them who guides and leads them always. And the indwelling of the Holy Spirit helps the believers to allow God’s will to take over our lives, by killing our selfish desires and interests.

God made the provisions for reconciling with Him through the acceptance and belief in the Lord and saviour Jesus Christ and by sending the Holy Spirit to be in us.

 

1.0. Etymology And Synonyms:

The Hebrew term Ruach Qodesh (רוח קדשׁו) is used for the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (Isaiah 63:10).

The Hebrew term hagion pneuma (αγιον πνεύμα) is used for the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (John 14: 24).

The word ‘indwelling/ dwelling/ residence’ of God is denoted by the Greek term ‘katoiketerion’ (κατοικητήριόν).

Some of the words/ phrases that are used in relation to the indwelling of the Spirit of God are

·         Spirit of Skill (wisdom and perception) (Exo 28: 3)

·         Spirit of Wisdom (understanding) (Deut 34: 9)

·         Spirit of Father (Matt 10: 20)

·         Spirit descending like a dove (Mark 1: 10; John 1: 32)

·         Spirit of Truth (John 14: 17; 15: 26; 16: 23)

·         Helper/ Comforter (John 14: 26)

·         Spirit of Jesus (Act 16: 7; Phil 1: 19)

·         Spirit of Life (Rom 8: 2)

·         Spirit who is from God (1 Corin 2: 12)

·         God’s Spirit (1 Cor 3: 16)

·         Spirit of Faith (2 Cor 4: 13)

·         Spirit of Son (Gal 4: 6)

·         Spirit of Gentleness (Gal 6: 1) 

·         Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (Eph 1: 17)

·         Spirit who dwells within us (2 Tim 1: 14)

 

2.0. Receiving the Holy Spirit:

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is mostly received by the people for a specific task or purpose to be carried out. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is received by everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus with a conscious and genuine heart. We need not follow any law, get baptized, or wait for something to get the Holy Spirit after we start believing in our lord.

*        When Balaam looked out and saw the Israel tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him for the Lord is pleased to bless Israel. Numbers 24: 1, 2

*        When Israel sinned with Baals and Asherah Poles, God gave them to king of Aram. And then People cried, Othniel received the Spirit and Judged Israel for 40years. Judges 3:10

*        Gideon Received the Spirit of God to overcome Medianites. Judges 6:34

*        Jephthah received the Spirit of God to overcome Ammonites. Judges 11:29

*        The Spirit of God began to stir Samson while he was in Mahaneh Dan. Judges 13:25. Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson in Power. Judges 14:6,19; 15:14

*        Samuel proclaims to Saul that he will receive the Spirit and Prophesy as a sign of future events to come. 1 Samuel 10:6, 10:10

*        The Spirit of God came upon Saul in power and he burned out in anger against Nahash the Ammonite king. 1Samuel 11:6

*        The Spirit of God came upon David while he was chosen. 1Samuel 16:23

*        Saul’s men received the Spirit of God and prophesied while coming for David. 1Samuel 19:20, Spirit of God also came upon Saul again and he prophesied. 1Samuel 19:23

*        The Spirit came upon Amasai who is the chief of the Thirty and David received him as leading of his raiding bands. 1Chronicle 12:18

*        The Spirit of God Came upon Azariah and he prophesized to Asa and Judah. 1Chro 15:1

*        The Spirit of God Came upon Jahaziel for prophesying. 2Chro 20:14

*        The Spirit of God Came upon Zechariah for prophesying. 2Chro 20:20

*        The Spirit is poured from high and the desert becomes fertile land. Isaiah 32:15

*        God says to Israel that He will pour out His Spirit on their offspring. Isaiah 44:3; God’s Spirit will not depart Israel and its descendants. Isaiah 59:21

*        In the last days, God will pour out His Spirit on all people even His servants. Joel 2:28,29 (Acts 2:17,18)

*        The Lord stirred up the Spirit of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the Remnant people to work in the house of the Lord Almighty. Hagai 1:14

*        Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8

*        The Spirit of God descended on Jesus like the dove. Mark 1:10

*        Father in heaven gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Luke 11:13

*        The Spirit was not delivered to those who believed as Jesus was not yet glorified.  John 7:39

*        Samarians received the Holy Spirit after Peter and John baptized them in Jesus’ name, placed hands, and prayed for them.   Act 8:14-17

*        While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on the believers even Gentiles. Act 10:44-47

*        The Spirit of God was received by the disciples in Ephesus after Paul preached about Jesus, baptized in the name of Jesus, and Laid hands on them. Acts 19ch

*        God says Ezekiel to prophesy to Israel’s people that He will put His Spirit in them and make them live. Eze 37:14, 39:29

 

3.0. Dwelling of the Holy Spirit:

In the OT, mostly the Spirit of God doesn’t dwell in man (with few exceptions), He came at times for a purpose, silently working among the people, and left them at times because of their sins. Due to the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament, though the Holy Spirit (God in us) is majestic and incomprehensible, He is sent to dwell in every believer.  

*        God’s Spirit doesn’t contend with man forever, for He is mortal. Genesis 6:3

*        Holy Spirit departed from Saul. I Samuel 16:14

*        Elihu says that If God withdrew His Spirit, all mankind would perish together. Job 34:14

*        David asks God not to take the Holy Spirit from him when he sinned with Bathsheba. Psalms 51:10

*        The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon the Stem of Jesse. Isaiah 11:2

*        Lord made a covenant with Israel that His spirit would remain among them when they came out of Egypt. Haggai 2:5

 

4.0. Filling of the Holy Spirit:

The Filling of the Holy Spirit is a continuous process, whereas the Receiving of the Holy Spirit is a definite process. The Holy Spirit is filled among the Leaders and believers at times of their weaknesses and when God wants to reveal/teach something to them. Also, we are filled by the Holy Spirit admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The filling of the Holy Spirit is a lifelong process, which happens by allowing God to work in our lives by following God's commandments and killing our self-interests.  

*        Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God by the Most High God to do arts and crafts work. Exodus 31:3, 35:31

*        Joshua was filled by the Spirit of Wisdom when Moses laid hands on him. Deut 34:9

*        Micah says that he was filled with the power of the Spirit of the Lord to declare the transgressions and sins of Israel. Micah 3:8

*        Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. Act 4:8

*        Saul was sent to Ananias to be filled by the Holy Spirit. Act 9:17

*        Paul was filled by the Spirit of God and condemned Elymas. Act 13:4

*        Paul writes not to subject to wine but to the filling of the Spirit. Ephesian. 5:18

*        John, the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Luke 1:15, He is before Lord in the Spirit and Power of Elijah. Luke 1:17, Elizabeth was filled by the Holy Spirit and sang a song. Luke 1:41

 

5.0. Desire for the Holy Spirit:

Some of the greatest Men of the Bible had strongly desired for the Spirit of God to play an important role in their own lives as well as the other believer’s lives.

*        Moses Wishes that the Lord put His Spirit on the entire Lord’s People so that they could be prophets. Numbers 11:29

*        Elisha wanted to inherit the double portion of Elijah’s spirit. 2Kings 2:9

*        David admits his weakness and asks God’s Spirit to lead him. Psalm 143:10

*        Isaiah writes that his Spirit Longs for God. Isaiah 26:9

 

 

6.0. Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit has given many gifts to man. Inheriting a particular Gift never esteemed us high in the sight of God. God gave all the gifts for personal edification or the common good. The Gift of Preaching is esteemed equally with the Gift of Serving, by our Lord.

*        On the day of Pentecost, the people spoke in tongues as Spirit enabled them. Act 2:4

*        Gifts Distributed. Hebrews 2:4

*        Difference in Gifts. 1 Corin 12:7-11

 

7.0. Holy Spirit Vs Ministry and Purity

The Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance were very much needed by the Leaders and the Disciples to carry out the ministry of God by appointing, selecting, and equipping.  

*        God asked Moses to select 70 Israel Elders so that he may give the Spirit given to Moses to lead the people as Moses was doing it alone. Num 11:17, 11:25

*        The Lord said to Moses that Joshua has the Spirit and asked him to give some authority over people. Num 27:18

*        Jesus sent His Disciples for Ministry and said them to receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22

*        Brothers chose seven among them for a special task who are full of Spirit and Wisdom. Act 6:3

*        John writes that they are from God. Whoever knows God listens to them, and whoever is not from God does not listen to them. But that they know the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error (1 John 4:6).

 

8.0. Identification of the Holy Spirit in an Individual:

The Holy Spirit (God in us) is not hidden in a Believer by just being beneficial for them alone. It will strengthen and make us witness among all the people of nations. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit help us to shine the Light of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*        Pharaoh testified that Joseph had the Spirit of God when Joseph revealed his dream. Genesis 41:38

*        David says that the Spirit of God spoke through him. 2Samuel 23:2

*        Obadiah says to Elijah that the Spirit of God may carry him anywhere. I King 18:12

*        The People saw and proclaimed that the Spirit of Elijah was resting upon Elisha. 2King 2:15,16

*        When the Holy Spirit comes in, the believers will be witnesses. Act 1:8

*        The Believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God Boldly. Act 4:31

*        The Believer should possess the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Gal 5:22

 

9.0. Misconceptions of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit:

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is perceived differently based on various misinterpretations of the Scriptures as well as emphasizing the idea of some specific individuals or groups of people.

1.      The Holy Spirit doesn’t reside in an individual but comes and goes.

2.      The Holy Spirit dwells in a person only when a person can speak in tongues.

3.      The Holy Spirit indwells in all the people and man is god.

4.      The Holy Spirit is a great feeling and gives goosebumps while we worship God, Pray emotionally, and so on.

5.      The Holy Spirit is received (Anointing of the Holy Spirit) by a pastor, some specific person, or through a specific act. And only when a pastor or specific person lays their hands on believers, they will receive the Holy Spirit.

6.      Filling of the Holy Spirit is by Worship and Speaking in tongues.

 

Conclusion:

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His Immense work in a believer’s lives should be clearly understood to enjoy His works, celebrate Him in our lives, and correct ourselves. Also, the Spiritual Gifts that were given to the believers by the grace of God and the privilege of the Holy Spirit should be utilized for the common good and personal edification with a humble heart.