Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Indwelling Christ

A favorite discussion of mine with Baptists, is on the topic of the 'indwelling' of the Holy Spirit, since most Baptists become immediately defensive, fearing I suppose that they may be tempted to believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that might lead, well , who knows to a deeper commitment to the Lord and Savior. Using tried and true but scripturally incorrect arguments, I have often heard of cry of 'well, you know, "indwelling" is mentioned no where in the scriptures. ???? Truth be told, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is mentioned frequent in the Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments. While the exact phrase "indwelling" does not occur in the KJV or other widely known translations, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer, as the earnest of redemption and sealing of Salvation is seen in prophecy, types and shadows and in various references to "Christ within us, the Hope of Glory".

Before expounding the point of the Indwelling in Christian understanding, one of the clearest and most definitive foreshadowings of the 'temple within' of the dwelling of God with and within, is seen in the pattern given Moses for the Tabernacle.

to be continued.