HOLY SPIRIT

All Christians are promised the Holy Spirit to dwell in them as a gift from God. Miraculous gifts like speaking in tongues (languages not learned) and healing the sick were only given by “laying on of the apostles’ hands.” These powers obviously were not available after the twelve apostles died about 2,000 years ago (Acts 8:14-19).

The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” (I Cor 6:19) “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Rom 8:9) “…the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:32).

These passages and others teach that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey him in baptism and that the Spirit dwells in every Christian. “The gift of the Holy Spirit” and “remission of sins” are promised in Acts 2:38 when we repent and are baptized (immersed in water). Then the Holy Spirit dwells in us. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Therefore honor God with your body.” (I Cor 6:19-20).

This is why our body must be kept from all sins such as adultery and homosexuality. (Rom 1:26-32; Gal 5:19-21).