Have you ever been to a service where people are calling out for the Ruach HaKodesh (known as the Holy Spirit) to descend on a body of Believers? Many times, it can get loud and even a bit chaotic in their efforts to “call the Spirit down.” Is this supported by the Scriptures?
This week at MVF’s Shavuot/Pentecost service, we will explore how the Ruach “showed up” for the disciples of Yeshua. But for right now, let’s explore what it means for the Holy Spirit to dwell within a believer, then maybe we can start answering the question of when and how the Ruach shows up.
Yeshua revealed to His disciples the role the Spirit of Truth would play in their lives by stating, “He lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). The apostle Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
These verses are telling us that when an individual accepts Yeshua as personal Savior, the Holy Spirit gives the believer the life of God, eternal life, (Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:4), and the Holy Spirit comes to live within him spiritually. The fact that the believer’s body is likened to a temple where the Holy Spirit lives helps us to understand what the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is all about.
The word temple is used to describe the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctum in the Old Testament tabernacle structure. There, YHWH’s presence would appear in a cloud and meet the high priest, who came once a year into the Holy of Holies. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest brought the blood of a slain animal and sprinkled it on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. On this special day, YHWH granted forgiveness to the priest and His people.
Today, there is no Jewish temple in Jerusalem, and animal sacrifices have ceased. Yeshua as the perfect offering was crucified for our sins to redeem us. Therefore, the believer in Christ becomes the habitation of the Holy Spirit of God. In fact, both Apostles Paul and John say that the believer is indwelt spiritually by Yeshua Messiah (Colossians 1:27) and by God the Father (1 John 4:15).
Here are some other reminders of how the Holy Spirit lives in the believer and how He brings about some life-changing results:
1) The indwelling Spirit comes to a soul dead in sin and creates new life (Titus 3:5). This is the new birth Yeshua spoke of in John 3:1–8.
2) The indwelling Spirit confirms to the believer that he belongs to YHWH and is an heir of God and fellow-heir with Christ (Romans 8:15–17).
3) The indwelling Spirit installs the new believer as a member of Christ’s body. This is the baptism of the Spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 12:13.
4) The indwelling Spirit gives spiritual gifts to the believer to edify the body and serve YHWH effectively for His glory (1 Corinthians 12:11).
5) The indwelling Spirit helps the believer understand and apply the Scripture to his daily life (1 Corinthians 2:12).
6) The indwelling Spirit enriches the believer’s prayer life and intercedes for him in prayer (Romans 8:26–27).
7) The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers the yielded believer to live for Yeshua to do His will (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit leads the believer in paths of righteousness (Romans 8:14).
8) The indwelling Spirit gives evidence of new life by producing the fruit of the Spirit in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:22–23).
9) The indwelling Spirit is grieved when the believer sins (Ephesians 4:30), and He convicts the believer to confess his sin to the Lord so that fellowship is restored (1 John 1:9).
10) The indwelling Spirit seals the believer unto the day of redemption so that the believer’s arrival in the Lord’s presence is guaranteed after this life (Ephesians 1:13–14).
When you accept Yeshua as your Savior (Romans 10:9–13), the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart, bringing with Him an entirely new life of love, relationship, and service to the Lord.
If you desire to have a new life in Yahweh, it’s important for you to claim Yeshua Messiah as Lord in your life. Upon doing so, an amazing wonderful and mysterious gift begins to change your life. It’s the Ruach HaKodesh—The Holy Spirit.
Be blessed this Sabbath as you meet in private homes. I will be looking forward to seeing you at Willamette Mission Park for the day of Pentecost.
Rollyn