"THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"

The PROMISE OF IT - Galatians 3:14; Acts 2:33.
The Old Testament prophets promised Israel the Holy Spirit within - Ezekiel 36:27; 37:14; 39:29; Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28; Zachariah 12:10 (compare John 7:38-39; m14:16-17).

THE PLACE OF IT.
"Within you" - Ezekiel 36:27; John 14:16-17.
"In the body" - I Corinthians 6:10.
"In the heart" - Galatians 4:6.
"In the belly" - John 7:38-39.
"In the Church" - I Corinthians 3:16.

THE PROVISION OF IT - 2 Timothy 1:14; Romans 5:5.
It is received at baptism - Acts 2:38.
It comes by the hearing of faith - Galatians 3:2.
It comes at obedience - Acts 5:32.
It comes because we are sons - Galatians 4:6.
It comes as God's gift - 1 Thessalonians 4:8.

THE PURPOSE OF IT.
To represent the dwelling of deity within - 1 John 4:12-15; Ephesians 2:22. He is called "Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30); "Spirit of God" (Romans 8:9); "Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9b).
To be proof of sonship - Galatians 4:6 (compare Romans 8:9).
To be a seal unto salvation - Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. A seal makes official, proves ownership, and provides security.
To be an earnest of inheritance - Ephesians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. Earnest is a deposit or pledge guaranteeing later full payment (compare Romans 8:14, 23).
To be a motivation to godly living - 1 Corinthians 6:19. The word translated "temple" means the "holy of holies" not the entire temple. Our body is made a "holy place" by God's Spirit.

THE PROOF OF IT
Obedience to the gospel - Acts 2:38; 5:32.
Faith in the word of God which teaches it - Romans 10:17.
The experience of steadfastness and endurance - Romans 5:3-5.
The fruit of the Spirit produces life - Galatians 5:22-24.

THE PATHOS OF NOT HAVING IT
He has not availed himself of God's promise - Galatians 3:14.
He has not God nor Christ abiding within - Ephesians 2:22.
He lacks a great motivating power - 1 Corinthians 6:19.
He lacks a source of spiritual strength - Ephesians 3:16.
He does not belong to Christ - Romans 8:9.
He does not have the earnest of eternal inheritance - Ephesians 1:13-14.
He will not be raised unto eternal joy - Romans 8:10-11.

May the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all, Amen.
By Ralph

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