Hello brother Steward. I'm one who believes the "gift" is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You stated at one point, "The Scriptures absolutely teach that the Holy Spirit indwells the Christian (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:18-20). That’s not what’s “up for discussion” here." Since we believe the same on that point, I'm curious to know: When, at what point, does the Holy Spirt come to abide in the genuinely converted Christian? What verse (if not Acts 2:38) tells us when the Holy Spirit enters the Christian's soul? (BTiW, love your articles and appreciate your work in writing and posting. - Ray Wallace, Pine Valley church of Christ, Bayfield, CO
When a person becomes a Christian that's when the Spirit comes and dwells in the Christian - I think that's what Acts 5:32 is pointing to. Perhaps that's what Acts 2:38 is also referring to. Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm currently reading "Empowered by the Grace of God" 'A Study of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christian' by Garth W. Black. This may have some insight for you on the subject as it has for me. I'm about halfway through the book and still processing so appreciate your timely post for my consideration, too.
I appreciate your balanced view on this. I personally view the gift of the Holy Spirit as being the Spirit Himself, although my mind is not closed to the idea that the gift is salvation. I think your description of the view that it refers to miracles (and your descriptions of each of the three views you've presented) is accurate, and your critique of its pros and cons is also accurate and balanced. Good job. I appreciate your articles overall and look forward to receiving them in my inbox every day. Keep up the good work. If you would ever like to write an article once in a while for the Carolina Messenger, let me know.
I appreciate the article. I had never heard the understanding as given by Bobby Liddell. From my studies I came to the conclusion that it was referring to salvation as well but for different reason. I think your reasoning in keeping it in context to what was being taught about the promise is a more complete reasoning. I looked up other scriptures that use the phrase "of the Holy Spirit" and in context the scriptures don't refer to the Holy Spirit but something that came from the Holy Spirit. Romans 7:6 the new of the Spirit is new law of Christ not the Spirit itself. Romans 8:2 "law of the Spirit" are the words of Jesus not the Spirit. Romans 8:5 "things of the Spirit" are the things the Spirit delivered through revelation not the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "things of the Spirit of God" is the message from the Spirit not the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 "temple of the Holy Spirit" the temple is the body of the Christian not the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:6 "but of the Spirit" the Spirit delivered/gave us the new covenant it isn't talking about the Spirit but what the Spirit delivered. Galatians 5:22 "fruit of the Spirit" the fruit isn't the Spirit but what comes from having the Spirit love, joy, peace, etc. Ephesians 2:8 "gift of God" the gift isn't God but the gospel/plan of salvation of how we can have forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 6:17 "sword of the Spirit" the sword isn't the Spirit but the word of God which the Spirit delivered/gave. John 8:12 "light of the world" the light wasn't the world but it was Jesus. In all of these scriptures when the phrase "of the Spirit/God/world/Holy Spirit" is used it never is referring to the Spirit/God/world/Holy Spirit but is referring to something that was given/delivered/came into from the Spirit/God/world/Holy Spirit.
Hello brother Steward. I'm one who believes the "gift" is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You stated at one point, "The Scriptures absolutely teach that the Holy Spirit indwells the Christian (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:18-20). That’s not what’s “up for discussion” here." Since we believe the same on that point, I'm curious to know: When, at what point, does the Holy Spirt come to abide in the genuinely converted Christian? What verse (if not Acts 2:38) tells us when the Holy Spirit enters the Christian's soul? (BTiW, love your articles and appreciate your work in writing and posting. - Ray Wallace, Pine Valley church of Christ, Bayfield, CO
When a person becomes a Christian that's when the Spirit comes and dwells in the Christian - I think that's what Acts 5:32 is pointing to. Perhaps that's what Acts 2:38 is also referring to. Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm currently reading "Empowered by the Grace of God" 'A Study of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christian' by Garth W. Black. This may have some insight for you on the subject as it has for me. I'm about halfway through the book and still processing so appreciate your timely post for my consideration, too.
Thanks for all you do!
Thanks for sharing that resource with me!
I appreciate your balanced view on this. I personally view the gift of the Holy Spirit as being the Spirit Himself, although my mind is not closed to the idea that the gift is salvation. I think your description of the view that it refers to miracles (and your descriptions of each of the three views you've presented) is accurate, and your critique of its pros and cons is also accurate and balanced. Good job. I appreciate your articles overall and look forward to receiving them in my inbox every day. Keep up the good work. If you would ever like to write an article once in a while for the Carolina Messenger, let me know.
Thank you! I'm glad to hear that I was accurate and fair in presenting the various viewpoints - that was my biggest concern in preparing this article.
I appreciate the article. I had never heard the understanding as given by Bobby Liddell. From my studies I came to the conclusion that it was referring to salvation as well but for different reason. I think your reasoning in keeping it in context to what was being taught about the promise is a more complete reasoning. I looked up other scriptures that use the phrase "of the Holy Spirit" and in context the scriptures don't refer to the Holy Spirit but something that came from the Holy Spirit. Romans 7:6 the new of the Spirit is new law of Christ not the Spirit itself. Romans 8:2 "law of the Spirit" are the words of Jesus not the Spirit. Romans 8:5 "things of the Spirit" are the things the Spirit delivered through revelation not the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "things of the Spirit of God" is the message from the Spirit not the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 "temple of the Holy Spirit" the temple is the body of the Christian not the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:6 "but of the Spirit" the Spirit delivered/gave us the new covenant it isn't talking about the Spirit but what the Spirit delivered. Galatians 5:22 "fruit of the Spirit" the fruit isn't the Spirit but what comes from having the Spirit love, joy, peace, etc. Ephesians 2:8 "gift of God" the gift isn't God but the gospel/plan of salvation of how we can have forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 6:17 "sword of the Spirit" the sword isn't the Spirit but the word of God which the Spirit delivered/gave. John 8:12 "light of the world" the light wasn't the world but it was Jesus. In all of these scriptures when the phrase "of the Spirit/God/world/Holy Spirit" is used it never is referring to the Spirit/God/world/Holy Spirit but is referring to something that was given/delivered/came into from the Spirit/God/world/Holy Spirit.
I appreciate you sharing those passages!