The Holy Spirit
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
INTRODUCTION
How do we receive the Holy Spirit? Can one be a Christian and not have the Spirit? Does having the Spirit mean that we are “advanced” Christians, closer to God than other Christians? Has the Spirit limited himself to only operating in the lives of Christians through the means of the “word?”
These are questions that many have asked. For each question there is a group of people that answer these in the affirmative. Let’s look at the bible and see how the Spirit himself answers these questions.
MAIN BODY
I. The Holy Spirit is a gift received at the beginning of the Christian life.
A. The Holy Spirit is a gift given at baptism. Acts 2:38
B. The Holy Spirit is a gift given alongside our rebirth (accompanying our salvation). Titus 3:4–7
II. The Holy Spirit is NOT a gift received “Later”, or after salvation.
A. Anyone who does not have the Spirit does not belong to Christ. Rom. 8:9
B. Asking the question, “How do I receive the Holy Spirit?” is the same as “How do I become a Christian?” Galatians 3:1–5
III. The Holy Spirit dwelling inside the Christian provides strength and comfort.
A. He aids us in prayer. Romans 8:26–27
B. He aids us in our daily walk. Romans 8:12–17
C. Saying that the Holy Spirit dwells in us only representatively or through the word only, is a dangerous theory and denies the operation of the Spirit to lead us in any practical way.
D. If the Spirit leads in no way except through the word, we would do better to cease praying (before classes, church meetings, etc.) and spend that time reading the word.
CONCLUSION
INVITATION
