|
 The
personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit has long been a neglected
study among brethren; treated lightly if at all, with the
observation that “good men differ on this matter.” The “personal
indwelling” school seems to be the more emotional and
subjective group; while the “through the word” school tends
to be so objective they may be on the “cool” side. I am
little concerned with personality leanings, but the revival of
Calvinistic doctrine among brethren gives reason to examine the
relation between Calvinism and personal indwelling.
Classic
TULIP Calvinism begins with Total Depravity. It denies the
freewill of man and free agency or “human implementation” in
redemption. The “elect” ones are “taught inwardly by
the Spirit,” and the inspired word, apart from
direct or immediate Spirit operation, is considered inadequate.
Even faith becomes an experience of grace, “revealed to our
minds and sealed on our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Orthodox
“Church-of-Christers” have long denied such an operation of
the Spirit in conversion of an alien. Paul said, “Faith cometh
by hearing—”and that involves an objective approach to the
word — to something outside of man. We are free to exercise
choice — to accept or reject. Faith, and the obedience of
faith, is a human response to a divine invitation. The atonement
and its message are extended to all, and all who will accept can
be saved. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35).
But
some who believe in the personal indwelling of the Spirit in
saints seem ready to say they are taught inwardly by the Spirit,
to remain faithful to God. K. C. Moser, in
| |
“Way of Salvation” wrote, “It then
becomes the work of the indwelling Spirit to keep this ‘old
man’ under subjection so that the child of God can
successfully serve Him” (p.134). He specifically denies that
this is done via the word of God (p.131). In fact, in his “Gist
of Romans” (on Rom. 8:l4) he says, “The Spirit of God may
lead in two ways. He may lead us through the word of God, or he
may lead us in the sense of inciting us to a holy life. The
context argues for the latter leading.” I cite Moser because
his works have been revived and are having an influence on young
preacher-students and others.
When
we “cold” ones point out that the Father and the Son are
said to “dwell in” saints, the usual reply is that this is
done “through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). God (deity) is ONE;
but Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct personalities, treated
as plural. It is easy to see that wherever the Spirit dwells,
“deity” is present; but this does not satisfy the
scriptures. Jesus says He and the Father (two personalities)
will dwell in the faithful (Jn. 14:23, Eph. 3:17). Further, “through
the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22), is en heni pneumati,
translated “in the Spirit” by the American Standard. Exactly
the same expression is found in 1 Cor. 12:l3 “by one Spirit
are we all baptized...“ and in Phil. 1:27 “stand fast in one
spirit, with one mind…
May
I suggest you put a lower case “s’ on all those passages,
and then restudy them carefully. We may assume (Holy) Spirit
when the scriptures refer to something very different.
(continued next page)
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
