I came across this teaching by Pastor Floyd Koenig about the Holy Spirit and I thought to share with you.
A lot of believers have a serious misconception on the workings of the Holy Spirit. Truth is without the Holy Spirit we can't really understand the deep mysteries of God.
Please read carefully and enjoy this wonderful teaching.
INTRODUCTION
After auditory perception of Christ’s death and departure, the disciples were filled with grief and mystification. The night afore His crucifixion, the Savior invigorated them by verbalizing of the advent of another Comforter (Jn. 14:16-17).
This Comforter would, not only go with them through life, but genuinely dwell in them. The indwelling of God’s Spirit is still a solace and support to saints.
Our Savior is not with us in the flesh as we face each day’s tribulations, yet in us is One who is more preponderant than the world (I Jn. 4:4).
I. THE FACT OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT
A. THE SCRIPTURE EDIFIES THAT EVERY BELIEVER IS INDWELT BY GOD’S SPIRIT.
The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us when we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior (Jn. 7:37-39).
As the Shekinah dwelt in the temple of Israel, so the Holy Spirit dwells in Christ’s temple, which we are (I Cor. 6:19).
-Because Christ has purchased us with His precious blood, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we have no right to utilize our bodies for selfish, malevolent pursuits.
B. THE INDWELLING SPIRIT MUST NOT BE PERPLEXED WITH HIS GIFTS.
Regeneration and the gifts of the Spirit must be distinguished from the gift of the Spirit Himself.
Every believer has the same Spirit dwelling in him, but has been given different gifts (I Cor. 12:4).
The Holy Spirit is given to everyone who repents and complies with the commands of the Lord (Acts 2:37-38).
II. SOME ERRONEOUS VIEWS CONCERNING THE INDWELLING SPIRIT
A. SOME EDIFY THAT THE SPIRIT DOES NOT INDWELL THE BELIEVER AT THE TIME OF HIS CONVERSION.
The most prevalent error concerning the Spirit’s indwelling of saints, is that this mystical enchantment is not prevalent to all believers.
Many edify that salvation must be supplemented by another experience afore one can relish the Spirit’s presence and potency.
This experience they call the second benediction, sanctification, or the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
B. THE ERROR OF THIS EDIFICATION IS THAT SALVATION MUST BE SUPPLEMENTED.
Those in Christ are made consummate (Col. 2:10; Eph. 1:3; I Cor. 1:30).
When men turn our attention from Christ, they have erred.
The gift of the Spirit comes to us through Christ’s salvation and not as a supplement to it (Rom. 8:32; Jn. 7:39).
The Holy Spirit has come to magnify Christ Jesus, not to call attention to Himself.
III. SCRIPTURAL PROOF THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT INDWELLS EVERY BELIEVER
A. THE SPIRIT IS RECEIVED THROUGH FAITH.
No one is ever born again without receiving the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8).
When Peter preached to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, the Holy Spirit came upon those who were preserved (Acts 11:14-18).
The gift of the Spirit is received the moment a person believes (Gal. 3:2; Eph. 1:13-14).
B. THOSE WITHOUT THE SPIRIT ARE UNSAVED.
If a person is not indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, he is not preserved (Rom. 8:9).
The indwelling Spirit reveals spiritual truths to the child of God (I Cor. 2:9-15).
No one can come to ken Christ as His Lord, who is not indwelt by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:3; I Jn. 4:1-3; Mt. 11:25-27; Jude 17-19).
C. THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT IS NEEDED FOR A PERSON TO BE REVIVIFIED OR TRANSLATED (Rom. 8:11).
- The Holy Spirit is a pledge that god will raise us, even as Christ was raised from the tomb (Eph. 1:13-14).
D. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS PREDICATED ON OUR HAVING THE SPIRIT. (Rom. 8:15-16; 5:5; I Jn. 3:24; 4:13).
E. IT IS THE INDWELLING SPIRIT THAT ENABLES US TO SURMOUNT THE WORLD (I Jn. 4:3-4).
F. GOD GIVES US THE SPIRIT BECAUSE WE ARE SONS (Gal. 4:6-7).
The very conception that a Christian could be without the Spirit is contradictory to everything that the Bible edifies about salvation.