Kommentare zu: Question: Is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit a concept or a practical reality? http://notoutofreach.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/question-is-the-indwelling-of-the-holy-spirit-a-concept-or-a-practical-reality/ worshiping god with my mind Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:31:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Von: notoutofreach http://notoutofreach.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/question-is-the-indwelling-of-the-holy-spirit-a-concept-or-a-practical-reality/#comment-6 notoutofreach Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:37:08 +0000 http://notoutofreach.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-6 I agree with the statements about NT pneumatology. I am just wondering, if even the indwelling of the Spirit in the New Covenant refers to something practical, rather than just a 'spiritual reality'. (The question goes deeper: can something be theologically but not practically true?) I like the reference to Romans 8. It looks like Paul is treating the indwelling of the Spirit as both a spiritual reality and a practical fact: "For those who are habitually dominated by the sinful nature put their minds on the things of the sinful nature, but those who are habitually dominated by the Spirit put their minds on the things of the Spirit. (...) the mind dominated by the sinful nature is hostile to God, for it does not marshall itself under the command of the law of God, neither is it able to. " (5-8) So he says that the indwelling Spirit dominates the mind (a changed mindset - repentance and faith). So if a OT believer was living a life of repentance and faith, having areas of his life brought more and more under the control of God's power - was he not indwelt? But I agree...the indwelling of the New Covenant must go somewhat deeper. I agree with the statements about NT pneumatology. I am just wondering, if even the indwelling of the Spirit in the New Covenant refers to something practical, rather than just a ’spiritual reality’. (The question goes deeper: can something be theologically but not practically true?) I like the reference to Romans 8. It looks like Paul is treating the indwelling of the Spirit as both a spiritual reality and a practical fact: „For those who are habitually dominated by the sinful nature put their minds on the things of the sinful nature, but those who are habitually dominated by the Spirit put their minds on the things of the Spirit. (…) the mind dominated by the sinful nature is hostile to God, for it does not marshall itself under the command of the law of God, neither is it able to. “ (5-8) So he says that the indwelling Spirit dominates the mind (a changed mindset – repentance and faith). So if a OT believer was living a life of repentance and faith, having areas of his life brought more and more under the control of God’s power – was he not indwelt? But I agree…the indwelling of the New Covenant must go somewhat deeper.

]]> Von: Simon http://notoutofreach.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/question-is-the-indwelling-of-the-holy-spirit-a-concept-or-a-practical-reality/#comment-5 Simon Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:21:02 +0000 http://notoutofreach.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-5 Just a few thoughts on the topic; hoping to be corrected if I am wrong in any understanding and seeking strengthening in faith by discussing theology! In the letter to the Romans Paul makes an interesting point: “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”(Rom 8:9). He states that every believer has the spirit of God dwelling in him. It is the spirit which empowers the believer to live a spiritual life which is acceptable unto God. The indwelling of the spirit ascertains the eternal destination of man; this is what we read at the beginning of the second letter to the Corinthians: “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts”. I agree that the indwelling of the spirit is a concept and a spiritual reality so to speak. Which automatically brings me to the question: What worth is a spiritual reality if it is not testified in the life of the believer? If there is absolutely no proof, no fruit at all, to see in a life of a believer, I would doubt his faith in the Lord. Is it the faith that saves? Or is it just knowledge of the one who is on the throne? Concerning the OT I believe that according to the passage in Peter there was an indwelling of the spirit. I wonder whether it was granted to every Old Testament believer though, maybe it was only given to the different writers of the bible. As for the new covenant there is a more convenient and a more general outpouring but also an indwelling of the spirit. We are guided by the Spirit and not by a pillar of fire or cloud. He sanctifies us until the day we meet with our Lord. That God would live in us, being as close to us as He could ever be, fills me with awe; Possible through true faith and essential for the Christian walk. Just a few thoughts on the topic; hoping to be corrected if I am wrong in any understanding and seeking strengthening in faith by discussing theology!

In the letter to the Romans Paul makes an interesting point: “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”(Rom 8:9). He states that every believer has the spirit of God dwelling in him. It is the spirit which empowers the believer to live a spiritual life which is acceptable unto God. The indwelling of the spirit ascertains the eternal destination of man; this is what we read at the beginning of the second letter to the Corinthians: “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts”.
I agree that the indwelling of the spirit is a concept and a spiritual reality so to speak. Which automatically brings me to the question: What worth is a spiritual reality if it is not testified in the life of the believer?
If there is absolutely no proof, no fruit at all, to see in a life of a believer, I would doubt his faith in the Lord. Is it the faith that saves? Or is it just knowledge of the one who is on the throne?
Concerning the OT I believe that according to the passage in Peter there was an indwelling of the spirit. I wonder whether it was granted to every Old Testament believer though, maybe it was only given to the different writers of the bible. As for the new covenant there is a more convenient and a more general outpouring but also an indwelling of the spirit. We are guided by the Spirit and not by a pillar of fire or cloud. He sanctifies us until the day we meet with our Lord.
That God would live in us, being as close to us as He could ever be, fills me with awe; Possible through true faith and essential for the Christian walk.

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