God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

1 2 8 /

G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

C. The New Testament doctrine

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a distinctly New Testament doctrine. In the Old Testament there were visitations of the Spirit on individuals, as when God came upon a prophet or an artist to empower them for a specific ministry task. But in the New Testament, the Spirit is given as a permanent resident in the lives of those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

1. The teaching of Jesus, John 14.15-23 (cf. Matt. 18.18; 28.20)

2. The teaching of Paul

a. The physical body of each Christian is indwelt by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 6.19.

b. The Church corporately is the dwelling place of God’s Spirit.

(1) 1 Cor. 3.16

(2) Eph. 2.18-22

4

3. The understanding of the Spirit as the paraclete.

a. Paraclete

(1) Literally, “one who is called alongside of another.”

(2) Metaphorically, a Comforter, Counselor, Helper, or Advocate

b. Occurrences and implications:

(1) To be with you forever, John 14.16