I believe that everyone agrees that the moment we are talking about is when a person becomes a Christian. That is the simple part, everyone agrees. God cannot live in a dirty home, so when our sins are forgiven and we become disciples of His Son, the Spirit moves in and lives in us. Using Old Testament terminology, we are as His disciples, the temple of God. "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) The point of disagreement is the point at which a person becomes a Christian. Again, let the Bible speak for itself. If having the Spirit live in us is the dividing line between those that are saved and lost, then the Bible must make it clear to us when the Spirit takes up residence within us. Surely God would not make that hard to understand. Surely.
As you read about the Spirit of God, keep in mind that there are two distinct topics that the scriptures discuss. First we learn about the indwelling of the Spirit and secondly, we learn about the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Today, I am only looking at the indwelling of the Spirit. We will discuss the miraculous gifts at a later date. So, what does the Bible teach?
A great place to look is at the beginning of the church. The age of Christianity started on the day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts chapter 2. Peter stands up and gives the first sermon of this new age. He preaches a sermon about Jesus that brings many to the point of making a decision to follow Christ and they ask him "what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) Let's be clear here, they had heard the message and believed it! Were they saved? Some will say yes, but Peter didn't think so. So, he told them what they needed to do to be saved. And by that, he told them what to do to receive God's Spirit. Had they already received it? I guess some would say yes again, but Peter didn't think so.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38,39) Peter calls on the people to repent, (turn away from a life of sin and turn towards Christ) and be baptized (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of their sins. God is not going to move into a dirty home! Again the question that must be answered here is simply this... had the people already received the Spirit? If so, Peter didn't need to tell them how to receive it; if not, he would tell them plainly how the Spirit was to come live within them.
Some people will take this verse and twist it to say what they want it to say. (Not a good idea, 2 Peter 3:16) Peter makes it simple and clear to anyone with an honest heart and open mind. "Repent and be baptized.... forgiveness of sins.... you will receive the Holy Spirit". Where I come from when someone says "will receive", it means I have yet to received it. And when someone tells me what I must do to receive it, they are setting the conditions by which I will be receiving the gift. Again, I know many will not accept the simple message that Peter gave on that day. Many did not accept the message then, only 3000 repented and were baptized and received the Spirit. (Acts 2:40,41)
It is amazing to me how many people attack me for quoting scripture. Some will surely send me many messages (as they have in the past) for merely stating what the Bible says very clearly in these verses. They will tell me that these verses don't mean what they say. It is up to each person to make their own decision, just like it was on the day of Pentecost. Have you repented of your sins? Have you been immersed in the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of your sins? If not, Peter calls on you to do that. Not me, the apostle Peter! He calls on you to make a decision and act based upon that decision. Then he tells you that you when you obey, you will receive the Holy Spirit, not that you already have, but you will. Not when you believed, but when you believed and were baptized. (see Mark 16:16) And that my friends is the most important thing! As an engineer I like equations.... repent+baptism = forgiveness of sins..... forgiveness of sins = saved..... saved = God's Spirit living in you.
Listen, don't trust me. Trust God. Surely He communicates to us in a way that we can understand. The people on the day of Pentecost understood clearly what Peter said and made the decision and "the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (v 47) The Lord added! No vote needed, when you become a Christian, the Lord adds you. I like that! Make the decision today to follow Jesus, become His disciple. Repent of your sins and be baptized and God will come live in your newly renovated temple and then find a Bible believing church to worship with that teaches the same gospel that you just believed. May God bless you as you study His word.
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