The Indwelling Spirit

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 1]

     "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies live by his indwelling Spirit in your lives" (Romans 8:11--James Moffatt).

     Our kinship with each other in the Lord is achieved through Christ. We are joined together only because we are joined unto Him. Our relationship is not one of man to man, but of men to Him. It is not the result of our agreement upon certain propositions, or of concurrence on interpretation of certain issues, but of faith in Him as God's Son. If we attempt to maintain union based upon uniformity of degree in knowledge, division is inevitable as soon as one learns more than another. If we attempt it based upon conformity in opinion, it is impossible. Not only is spiritual unity that is based upon faith in a person the best way, it is the only way. Jesus does not force us together. He draws us unto Himself. We are together only because we are with Him. "He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility."

     Our problem is not really whom we shall recognize as brethren, or with whom we shall be in fellowship. That is not for us to determine. We can no more choose our spiritual brethren than we could select our physical brethren. Each of us who would be saved has the personal responsibility of gaining access to the Father. Fatherhood establishes brotherhood. Fellowship is the result of mutual sonship. It is unthinkable that children of God would deny their paternity, but if they admit it, they acknowledge all others who have been born again as brethren. Access to the Father is through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

     The church of God is simply the covenantal community composed of all in whom the Spirit resides. There is not a child of God who has not been made such by the Spirit, no one in whom the Spirit does not dwell can be a child of God. "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." In a sense, then, God's children are united. They constitute but one body. The Holy Spirit does not recognize the validity of many of the barriers and walls we have erected. There is one Spirit and all in whom that Spirit dwells constitute the one body. They all drink of that one Spirit. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

     Actually we are not commanded to strive for, arrive at, or achieve unity. We are told to maintain or keep it. To do this is to "lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called." We manifest such worthiness by being "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The in-

[Page 2]

dwelling Spirit witnesses to the sonship of every child of God. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Every person in whom the Spirit dwells is a child of God. There is but one Spirit, so all of God's children are members of one body, regardless of the unfortunate accidents which now separate them into various segments and groups. These partisan alignments were caused and created by men devoid of the Spirit, but not every one in them is in such a state, else all of us would he lost "It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit."

     Since it is the indwelling Spirit in our hearts, who is our seal and guarantee, it behooves us to study and determine all we can about this holy guest. There is no better place with which to begin than with the words of Jesus which he publicly announced on the eighth day of the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem. Jewish tradition required the high priest to fill a golden vessel with water from the pool of Siloam which was carried to the temple with much ritual and ceremony. Here it was mingled with wine and poured out upon the altar. Perhaps it was in conjunction with this ceremony that we have the event described in John 7:37-39.

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

     Some truths of tremendous importance may be deduced from this statement. We mention a few of them.

1. The thirsty soul, unable even to supply its own need, when it comes to Jesus will be transformed into a rich source of blessing for others. He who had not enough water to quench his own thirst will become an instrument from whose heart rivers of living water will be dispersed abroad.
2. The source of this life-giving power to be diffused from the heart is the Spirit. It is apparent that those who do not receive the Spirit are thirsty and distressed.
3. The Spirit was to be received by those who came to Jesus to drink. He was promised to those who believe in the Lord Jesus.
4. In the sense here considered the Spirit had not been previously bestowed, nor would he be until Jesus was glorified. We can expect that the Spirit will be bestowed subsequent to this statement, when Jesus attains his state of glorification.

     The apostle declares that "he who was manifest in the flesh" was "received up into glory." Peter declared on the first Pentecost after his ascension that he is "exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear." To those whose hearts were touched he said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you..." A short time later Peter said, "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

     If we are to recapture the power and purpose of the early disciples we must begin by re-affirming the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the believers. Nothing short of this can make us the agents or channels for the diffusion of universal blessing. Rivers of water cannot flow from the arid heart of one who is so devoid of the water of life that he still thirsts. We must understand the nature of the Spirit if we are to partake of the divine nature and be "sanctified by the Spirit."

[Page 3]

     II. The Holy Spirit is not the word of God.

     The Spirit is not the living word (1 John 5:7). He is not the spoken word, but a teacher who employs words. "And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:13). The Spirit is not the written word but that word is the sword or instrument by which the Spirit accomplishes his purpose (Eph. 6:17). There is as much difference between the Spirit and the word as there is between a soldier and his weapon.

     III. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, or personality.

     We base this conclusion upon five cardinal factors, which we herewith submit for your study and investigation.

     A. The Spirit possesses characteristics which definitely belong only to persons.

1. The Holy Spirit is intelligent. "For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 2:11). Only a person is capable of knowing or comprehending thought. There is a difference between the thoughts of man and those of God. The former may be understood by a human intellect. The latter can be comprehended only by a divine intellect. The Holy Spirit is a divine intelligent being.
2. The Holy Spirit has a mind. "And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit" (Romans 8:27). In the previous quotation we learned that the Spirit knows the mind of God; in this we learn that God knows the mind of the Spirit. God searches the hearts of men, but there is a difference in knowing the spirit of one's mind, and knowing the mind of the Spirit.
3. The Holy Spirit is capable of doing research into the divine purpose. "For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 2:10).
4. The Holy Spirit is able to reveal the divine purpose. "You can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed...by the Spirit" (Eph. 3:5).
5. The Holy Spirit is subject to grief. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30). Grief and sorrow are emotions which can be felt only by a person.
6. The Holy Spirit can be lied to. Peter asked Ananias, "Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?" (Acts 5:3).

     B. The Holy Spirit engages in functions which can only be carried out by an intelligent person.

1. The Holy Spirit speaks. "The Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David" (Acts 1:16). "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly" (1 Tim. 4:1). "Whatever he hears he will speak" (John 16:13).
2. The Holy Spirit instructs or teaches. "He will teach you all things" (John 14:26).
3. The Holy Spirit testifies to facts or bears witness. "He will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning" (John 15:26, 27). "When we cry 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom. 8:15, 16). This is proof that the Holy Spirit is not merely our own spirit made holy, but a separate entity.
4. The Holy Spirit gives life. "If the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11). It is axiomatic that life proceeds only from life. The Holy Spirit must be alive.

   [Page 4]

5. The Holy Spirit intercedes for the saints. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words" (Rom. 8:26).

     C. The language used to refer to the Holy Spirit is such as can be used appropriately only when speaking of a person.

     In John 14:15-17 Jesus refers to the Spirit as a Comforter (AV), or Counselor (RSV). He declares the world cannot receive him because it neither sees him or knows him. But the disciples know him because he dwells in them.

     In John 16:13,14 it is affirmed that the Spirit will guide them into all truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak. He will declare things to come. He will glorify Jesus by taking what is his and declaring it to the human witnesses. We submit that an unbiased reader must conclude that such things can be affirmed only of a personal being.

     D. The purpose for which the Holy Spirit came was such as could be carried out only by a person.

1. He was promised as another Comforter to the sorrowing disciples during the absence of Jesus from the earth, and with the aid of this Counselor they could accomplish what could not be done if Jesus personally remained. "I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I go not away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go I will send him to you" (John 16:7).
2. The Spirit was sent that the disciples of Jesus might not be orphans during his absence, and thus feel a sense of desertion or desolation. "I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you" (John 14:18). The original for "desolate" is orphanos. Jesus did not say that he would not leave them orphans, but would give them a book, or have a series of letters written to them. The ones to whom he spoke were the very ones who wrote the new covenant scriptures. He promised another Helper like himself who would remain with them during his absence.
3. The indwelling Spirit was to be a constant assurance that Jesus was in the Father, the disciples were in Jesus, and Jesus was in them, thus maintaining a direct association with the Godhood (John 14:20).
4. The word translated "Comforter" or "Counselor" is parakletos. Its proper meaning is to call one to aid another. From that it came to mean, "One who stands beside another," that is, to aid, advise, assist or comfort him. Greek writers apply it to an attorney or advocate in court who pleads the case of another; and to a teacher, assistant, or helper. It is used five times in the new covenant scriptures. Once it refers to Jesus (1 John 2:1). The other four times it is used of the Spirit.

     E. The association of the Holy Spirit with divine personages, and with no qualifying explanation or distinction being made, is indicative that he is a divine personality.

1. Those who are made disciples among the nations are to be immersed into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
2. In the bestowal of spiritual gifts, and in the regulation of their function and service, the Spirit is joined with God and Christ. "There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one."

   [Page 5]

3. The Spirit is united in apostolic benediction, providing fellowship in conjunction with grace and love. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor. 13:14).
4. The Spirit is identified in the seven planks of God's platform for maintenance of unity in the bond of peace, and is distinguished from the one Lord and one God (Eph. 4:4-6).
5. In a disputed passage (1 John 5:7) it is said, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one."

     I conclude that the Godhood (a better rendering than Godhead) consists of three persons, perfectly united in the accomplishment of the divine purpose. While Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of those on earth who are his. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his." Our reasons for so thinking are now given.

1. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would be given to those who believed in him, and that they would receive the Spirit after he had been glorified (John 7:37-39).
2. On the occasion of the first proclamation of the good news after the glorification of Jesus, Peter told those who were willing to reform and be immersed, that they would receive the Spirit as a gift (Acts 2:38).
3. Peter informed the Jewish Sanhedrin that God had given the Holy Spirit to those who obeyed him (Acts 5:32).
4. Paul told the Corinthians that the body of a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit "which is in you, which you have of God" (1 Cor. 6:19).
5. He told the Romans that "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5).
6. He took it for granted that the Galatians would admit having received the Spirit. "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?" (Gal. 3:2).
7. He declared that God has "given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (2 Cor. 1:22).
8. He affirms that "you are in the Spirit if the Spirit of God really dwells in you" (Rom. 8:9).
9. He twice asserts in one verse that the Spirit dwells in the believers, and identifies the dwelling place as "your mortal bodies" (Rom. 8:11).
10. Once more, Paul testifies that "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts" (Gal. 4:6). The context shows that this is the divine method of recognition of our own sonship. When we become children of God, and are introduced into a spirit of sonship God sends the Spirit of his Son as a guarantee and witness of that sonship. That is why "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

     Let us summarize the plain teaching of God's revelation, and see what we have discovered under this heading. The Holy Spirit is received by believers. He is a gift bestowed upon them by God. He dwells in the physical or mortal bodies of the saints as his temple. His abiding place is in the hearts of God's children. He is a seal and a guarantee given by a loving Father to his offspring.

1. Our introductory passage (John 7:37-39) informs us that the blessing afforded by the Spirit will be realized by those who come to Christ, and this is explained by the term, "he who believes in me." Reception of the Spirit, then, is limited to those who believe in Jesus.

   [Page 6]

   But what is meant by believing in him? The same writer (John 20:30, 31) supplies the information "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." This is the foundation of our covenantal relationship with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. The promise of the Spirit is, therefore, received through faith. "In Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Gal. 3:14). "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?" (Gal. 3:2).
3. However, the Spirit is not bestowed upon one who gives mere intellectual assent to Christ as a historical figure, nor to one who passively acknowledges his divine Sonship. It is faith manifested or perfected that lays hold on the Spirit. Paul declared "We have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all nations" (Romans 1:5). Short of this, grace and apostleship are ineffectual. Thus, to receive the Spirit through faith, is to receive him by the obedience of faith, since this was the aim of both grace and apostleship. This concurs with the statement of the first apostle to announce the Good News. "So is also the Holy Spirit, whom God bath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32).
4. The obedience of faith requisite to reception of the Holy Spirit is submission to immersion by the authority of the Lord Jesus. "Reform and be immersed every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
5. The Holy Spirit is not bestowed upon a believer to make him a child of God, but because he is a son. "Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his son into your hearts" (Gal. 4:6). The sons of God are those who are in Christ by faith, that is, all who have put on Christ. "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26, 27).

     We conclude that every person on this earth who sincerely believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and who is immersed upon that foundation of faith, receives forgiveness of his sins, and the Spirit of God moves into his heart where Christ dwells by faith. Every such person is a member of the one body, regardless of nationality, social standing, or other natural or acquired differences. He may be wrong about a great many things, but one does not come into covenant relationship with God through a knowledge of, or interpretation of, things, but by faith in a person, even the Lord Jesus Christ. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:13).

     We live in an age of crisis and decadence. Believers in our Lord are rent, torn and divided. The children of God are scattered among the sects, as God's people were once scattered by the Assyrian power. The hearts of many are filled with heaviness. It is time to blow the trumpet and summon the congregation from afar. The longing in the hearts of the scattered believers is the yearning tug of the Spirit, often grieved, and saddened and hurt, but still moving us toward each other in spite of our own littleness, narrowness and hate.

     Slowly but surely walls are beginning to crumble, barriers are being moved, and fences are being torn down. God has not forgotten. The Spirit has not deserted the body. Weakened, despondent, filled with fears and trepidation though we may be, there is nonetheless a surging of the Spirit within. The will of God must be done on earth as it is in heaven. Time is running out for many of us. The hour is growing late. The night is coming. The chill wind from the river is felt on our faces. The fog settles in our throats. We must work while it is called today. "The unity of the Spirit" must be affirmed again, and recaptured in our longing hearts. It must be maintained in the

[Page 7]

bond of peace. No man walks worthy of his high calling who forgets this truth.

     In our next issue, God willing, we shall demonstrate what the Holy Spirit does for the indwelt child of God. We solicit your interest in this theme. Pray for us. "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work."