The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
By Keith Greer

Discussions about the Holy Spirit usually lead to the most controversial aspect of His work -- the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Much false teaching in the religious world centers around erroneous conclusions about this "indwelling." Even among our own brethren, some have difficulty understanding this subject. How does the Holy Spirit dwell in the believer? There are only two possible answers -- literally or figuratively.

Let's begin by establishing one basic fact. In the Christian's life each phase -- being called and coming to Christ, as well as the relationship with God as His child -- begins, continues, and finishes with the Holy Spirit's help. Does this mean the Holy Spirit dwells inside us, to help us? Let us allow the scriptures to speak:

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." {1 Corinthians 6:19,20}

"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." {Romans 8:9-11}

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." {1 Corinthians 3:16,17}

"That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."{2 Timothy 2:14}

Since the Bible clearly says the Spirit "dwells within us," where is the disagreement? We disagree about the manner of the indwelling.

The Spirit provides a relationship that enables us to share the loving care of God's presence and fellowship. We debate about how this is accomplished in the life of a Christian. Simply put, it is accomplished when we fill our hearts with His word and properly apply that word in our lives. "If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." {Colossians 1:23} The child of God "continues in the faith" when he allows the Spirit to "continue to dwell in him."

Some brethren believe that the Spirit leads, guides, instructs, influences, and illuminates supernaturally -- beyond natural intelligence and the understanding of God's word. They conclude that the Holy Spirit must be literally, personally dwelling within the Christian. Others contend for the all-sufficiency of the scriptures -- given by the Holy Spirit -- and that the word is the only medium through which the Spirit works. Those who oppose this conclusion and cling to the first say that if the Spirit works only through the word, the Christian's faith is "spirit-less."

The word and the Spirit are not one in the same. They are two different entities. The Holy Spirit is a member of the eternal Godhead, and the written word is His work. "But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." {1 Corinthians 2:9-13} Also read 2 Timothy 3:16,17 and 2 Peter 1:20,21.

So, which is correct -- the Spirit dwells in us, or the word dwells in us? Maybe it's both. How can one intelligent being dwell in another? This question must be answered. Remember, the Holy Spirit:

The word Spirit is from the Greek word "Pneuma." Defined, it is the idea of "breathe or wind." The word is found 366-370 times in the New Testament. Following is a brief breakdown:

One must always look at the context in which the word is used. The first two uses -- breathe and wind -- relate to the natural senses. The next two describe the conscious or rational life force that animates the human body. The last two refer to a supernatural being or beings -- either Deity or a spiritual being.

In order to understand, one must establish a proper setting for the text in which the word is found. Too many times, men confuse the meaning, thereby arriving at the wrong conclusions.

Types of Indwelling

Which is correct? In the New Testament, four different words are used for the concept of "indwelling."

NT Words Used for "Indwelling"

The Fact and Manner of Biblical Indwelling

My question is: Considering the facts about indwelling, as stated in the scriptures, do the Father and Son indwell in the same way that the Holy Spirit does? If not, why not? If this is a "personal indwelling," would it be miraculous or ordinary? Is it possible for all three members of the eternal godhead to be literally within the body of the Christian at the same time? If this concept is true, we who are Christians have FOUR spirits -- Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and human spirit -- in our bodies. Which of the four is responsible and accountable for the body's actions?

The Bible teaches that God dwells in His temple -- not on earth, but in heaven. "Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God, For God is in heaven, and you are on earth..." {Ecclesiastes 5:2} "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." {Acts 17:24} See also Matthew 5:48; John 3:13; and 1 Peter 1:3,4,22.

God dwells from place to place, and He is our dwelling place (Psalms 90:1). Did God live in Mount Sinai; did He enter a covenant with Israel; did He dwell literally among them in the tabernacle and temple? Is it necessary for God to move from heaven to the earth to exercise power over the earth? Read 1 Kings 8:9,10. Was God literally there when he took up residence? His glory filled the house (1 Kings 8:13,27). The Bible clearly states that heaven is His dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30-49). Yet, in 1 Kings 9:3, we read: "And the LORD said to him: "I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually."

What does it mean for God to dwell in His temple today? According to 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, God's temple today is His church. How does the Spirit dwell in the church? Wouldn't we say that God is in a place, or in the people -- if His will and work are being done among them? Please read Matthew 18:20 and 1 Corinthians 5:4. In 1 Corinthians 6:19,20, Paul describes a close relationship between the Christian and His God. We manifest and glorify God through the work we do.

What does it mean for one to dwell in another? How is Satan amongst the unbelievers, as stated in Revelation 2:13 and 1 John 4:4; 5:19. When the unbeliever does ungodly works and thinks ungodly thoughts, Satan, through his influence, is dwelling in that unbeliever's Heart.

God the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father. "That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." {John 17:21} Both the Father and the Son abide in Christians. They are one in purpose, and the Christians accomplish God's work according to His divine will.

"No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." {1 John 4:12-16} These passages refer to a spiritual relationship--not to a "personal indwelling" by the Holy Spirit. Also read Ephesians 3:17; John 6:56; and Galatians 5:25.

"...Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." {John 14:9-11} Philip, by seeing Jesus, also saw the Father. He saw the essence of deity and the Father. God's character and purpose were in the Son.

There are some objections to, and questions about, the personal indwelling theory. I would simply ask what this understanding does to my personal responsibility and accountability before God? Please read John 12:42; Romans 6:16,17; 14:12; and 2 Corinthians 5:10. These passages teach that each person is accountable for his OWN actions. If the Holy Spirit personally and literally dwells in me, and I commit sin, isn't the Holy Spirit responsible for allowing me to sin?

The scriptures contain no examples of a "direct indwelling," separate and apart from God's word. The word is the agent that provokes change in attitudes and actions. Yes, the Holy Spirit is part of that process, but the word is the medium through which He works. By examining the conversions in Acts, we find that prior to obedience, every convert was taught God's word. Consider the account of Cornelius in Acts 10. What provoked this Gentile to obey? Yes, the Holy Spirit fell on them, but only after Peter preached the word. He then commanded them to be baptized in water. If the operation of the Holy Spirit saved them, why did Peter baptize them with water?

It would make God less powerful than Satan. Does the word lack the power to get the job done, or does it need "divine intervention." Not according to Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; and James 1:21. Satan does not have to "directly indwell" in order to gain a person's allegiance to his cause. Is error stronger than truth? Read carefully these passages concerning Satan's methods: 2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:11; and 2 Timothy 2:26. Why, if Satan doesn't directly indwell in his disciples, would God need to do so?

To avoid misunderstanding the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we need to remember a simple Bible truth. The Bible does not conflict with the Holy Spirit's work -- it is the means through which He accomplishes His work. Otherwise, God would surely be the author of confusion; we know that He isn't (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Keep in mind what the scriptures teach concerning the Godhead. By faith, Christ dwells in us. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love." {Ephesians 3:17} By faith, the Spirit also dwells in us. "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" {Galatians 3:2} Hearing God's word produces faith and causes men to be filled with the Spirit (Romans 10:17; Colossians 3:16). By keeping God's commandments, we allow God to dwell in us (1 John 3:24).

When a Christian possesses the following attributes, outlined in Romans 8, the Spirit dwells in him.

How can we know whether the Spirit dwells within us? "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." {Acts 5:32} The verse says that those who obey have complied with God's conditions. "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." {Romans 10:16,17} Only through Bible faith can the Christian be assured that the Spirit is dwelling in him. The most convincing evidence that the Spirit dwells in a person is the fruit that person produces after he obeys. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." {Galatians 5:22-24} "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." {Ephesians 5:8-10} "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ..But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." {Colossians 3:5-10} The Spirit indwells in those who bear the "fruits of the Spirit."

We may not fully understand exactly how it works -- but it does work. If you still believe the Spirit personally dwells in the Christian, please answer the question: "what does He do." When I ask this question of respected brethren who hold this position, they answer: "I don't know." How then does one receive any benefit from His presence? Just a thought you might consider.


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