Topical Bible: the Personality of Holy Spirit: He Dwells With Saints

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The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Holy Trinity, possesses a distinct personality and plays a vital role in the life of believers. One of the most profound aspects of the Holy Spirit's ministry is His indwelling presence within the saints, which signifies both a personal relationship with God and the empowerment for holy living.

Indwelling Presence

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a promise fulfilled in the New Covenant, as foretold by the prophets and realized through the work of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus assures His disciples of the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will dwell with them and be in them: "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" (John 14:16-17).

This indwelling is not a temporary visitation but a permanent residence, marking the believer as a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this truth in his epistle to the Corinthians: "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). This indwelling presence is a testament to the intimate relationship between the believer and God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit.

Empowerment for Holy Living

The Holy Spirit's indwelling is not merely a passive presence but an active force that empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will. The Spirit works within the saints to produce spiritual fruit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" . These attributes reflect the character of Christ and are cultivated in the believer's life through the Spirit's transformative power.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit equips the saints with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. Paul writes to the Corinthians about the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit: "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). These gifts are manifestations of the Spirit's presence and activity within the body of Christ.

Guidance and Assurance

The indwelling Holy Spirit also serves as a guide and counselor, leading believers into all truth and providing assurance of their salvation. Jesus describes the Spirit's role in guiding the disciples: "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come" (John 16:13). This guidance is essential for understanding and applying the truths of Scripture in daily life.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit bears witness with the believer's spirit, affirming their identity as children of God. Paul writes in Romans: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children" (Romans 8:16). This assurance provides comfort and confidence in the believer's relationship with God, knowing that they are secure in His love and grace.

In summary, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a profound aspect of the Christian faith, signifying God's intimate presence with His people. Through His indwelling, the Holy Spirit empowers, guides, and assures the saints, enabling them to live lives that reflect the character and mission of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
... act or word or thought or fancy, He is grieved ... only a Person can perform are ascribed
to the Holy Spirit. If we deny the personality of the Holy Spirit, many ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter i the personality of.htm

The Personality of the Holy Ghost
... I have fully established the point of the personality of the ... And now, beloved, it
says, "He dwelleth with you ... ye should be in prayer to the Holy Spirit, as well ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the personality of the holy.htm

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
... the undivided Unity, and the distinct personality of the ... and separate from sinners;
but the Holy Ghost dwells ... let us adore also the indwelling Spirit whom the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/adoptionthe spirit and the cry.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... Three are distinct, not in Nature, but in Personality." And in ... Then for the first
time the Most Holy Persons of ... The spirit of the Church is that of the Saints ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Division ii. --The Writings.
... Fifth he similarly maintains the Deity, and Personality of the ... next day by a long
one on Holy Baptism), two ... by a clear, concise, and pleasant style and spirit. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/division ii the writings.htm

Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?
... with the immaterial part of a man's personality has been ... word already quoted, is
given that He may abide ... will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/is the spirit of the.htm

Of the Ordering of all the virtues through the Seven Gifts of the ...
... one thing is needful." And the Holy Ghost makes ... whole Godhead according to Essence
and according to Personality. ... therefore should bow down in spirit, in humble ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxiii of the ordering.htm

"Let not Your Heart be Troubled"
... representative, but divested of the personality of humanity ... directing men to false
standards, he misshapes the ... Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 73 let not your.htm

The Time of the Evening.
... from thousands of Protestant churches, and he has to ... a few who discern the personality
and operation ... grace, attested by the personal Holy Spirit, is rejected ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the time of.htm

Contents and Character of the Extant Works.
... Christ on account of the unction of the spirit. ... of the unconfounded union we confess
the holy Virgin to be ... was Jesus of Nazareth an unique personality, or only ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/ix contents and character of the.htm