As born-again believers, followers of Christ… we have God Himself in us. The Holy Spirit, God in the form of a Spirit, was promised by Jesus as he left the earth after His resurrection from the dead. What does the Bible say about this?
He indwells us at all times. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
He fills us.
Early church believers had a “filling” experience at a different time from their conversion.
A different era began – with the coming of Christ. The indwelling by the Holy Spirit began after Christ’s ascension into heaven. In Old Testament times, prior to Christ, God chose certain people for certain tasks – and then filled them with the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will. But God’s followers THEN were not all filled nor were they indwelt by the Spirit as are New Testament believers.
Prior to Christ ascending into heaven, his believers were NOT filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said he would have to return to heaven, and promised He would then send His Holy Spirit to indwell us.
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
…8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
He is “quenched” by our sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit
The context of verse 19 in this passage of 1 Thessalonians is an exhortation to keep our life pure and clean before God.
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
Paul is saying that the power of the Holy Spirit in our life is squelched when we allow sin to enter. God cannot operate freely in the believer burdened by sinfulness. He desires a clean vessel. So Paul says,
“…examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely….”
He communicates (reveals) to us.
And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Also: Luke 10:21
He teaches us.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. …
He gives revelations to prophets when they are full of the Holy Spirit.
[ Zacharias’s Prophecy ] And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
Also: Acts 1:16
He can choose to allow views into heaven.
55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
Cross references:
He leads us.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The world cannot know Him, cannot receive Him, does not see Him.
17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
Without the Holy Spirit in you, you are lost.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
FOR MORE:
Rely on the Spirit of God in you
Ephesians 5:15-21. The Holy Spirit’s Filling
Enjoy spiritual well-being …2 Corinthians 13:11-14
