Topical Bible: The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Promised to Saints

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Topical Encyclopedia

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a central tenet of Christian theology, signifying the presence of God within believers. This indwelling is promised to all who have faith in Jesus Christ, marking them as God's own and empowering them for holy living and service.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The promise of the Holy Spirit's indwelling is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. The prophets spoke of a time when God's Spirit would dwell within His people. Ezekiel 36:26-27 declares, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." This promise indicates a transformative relationship between God and His people, characterized by obedience and renewal.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of this promise through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In John 14:16-17 , Jesus assures His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." This promise is realized at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Church.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit serves multiple purposes in the life of a believer. The Spirit acts as a Comforter, Teacher, and Guide, leading believers into all truth (John 16:13). Romans 8:9 states, "You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." This indwelling is a mark of true Christian identity and a source of spiritual life and power.

Sanctification and Empowerment

The Holy Spirit's indwelling is integral to the process of sanctification, the ongoing work of becoming more like Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These attributes are evidence of the Spirit's transformative work within believers. Additionally, the Spirit empowers believers for service, granting spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

Assurance and Hope

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit also provides assurance of salvation and hope for the future. Ephesians 1:13-14 affirms, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." This sealing signifies security in Christ and the guarantee of eternal life.

Conclusion

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a profound promise to the saints, ensuring God's presence, guidance, and power in their lives. It is a testament to the intimate relationship between God and His people, enabling them to live out their faith with confidence and hope.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 36:27
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Advocate Promised.
... heart has to be prepared by obedience for the indwelling of the ... the risen and exalted
Savior "shed forth" the Holy Spirit which he had promised should abide ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the advocate promised.htm

The Spirit of Supplication
... He was promised as a "Spirit of grace and ... the Lord Christ, who baptizeth with the
Holy Spirit, does now ... a full experience of the power of the indwelling Spirit. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter x the spirit of.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... saint who has ever been revealed to himself by the Holy Spirit, has not ... he shall
not persevere for an hour, except the indwelling grace and Spirit of God ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

The Personality of the Holy Ghost
... together in an upper room; they are waiting for some promised blessing, and ... no Christian
who is not the subject of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; he may ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the personality of the holy.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... knowing full well that he who has promised is able ... unbelievers you must first be
made saints or you ... are the sons of God the Holy Spirit's indwelling shall not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

Shewing How a Principle of Grace is from the Spirit of God. "
... dwell in them, which is by the indwelling of the ... gospel promises, and therefore is
called the Spirit of promise ... The Holy Ghost being a comprehension of all good ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/edwards/treatise on grace/shewing how a principle of.htm

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... Before Christ promised the Holy Spirit, He gave a new ... to claim it, and receive it
as an indwelling power for ... Try to get it into you by the Holy Spirit of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm

The Subtraction Process
... We cannot lay hold of the promised inheritance until we ... and become a holy temple
for the indwelling of the ... the outpouring upon them of the Holy Spirit, we must ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter vii the subtraction process.htm

The Source of Power in Prayer.
The Master's Indwelling. ... had to work and Christ had to work, and now the Holy Spirit
works, and ... into that which is needed and that which is promised and that ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/xii the source of power.htm

Twenty-Ninth Lesson. According to his Will;
... Spirit must meet: it is only by indwelling that we ... Let us yield ourselves unreservedly
to the Holy Spirit as He ... all that His power and love have promised to do ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-ninth lesson according to his.htm