Holy Spirit: Promise of the Indwelling Presence
In our study of the Christian walk, we frequently marvel at the moments in redemptive history where God made His presence visible; for example, the pillar of cloud, the burning bush, and ultimately, the incarnate Christ walking the dusty roads of Galilee. Yet, right before His crucifixion, Jesus promised His disciples a reality that sounded almost unbelievable to their ears: it was to their advantage that He go away, because His departure would usher in a new era of intimacy (John 16:7). The transition from Christ being with us to the Holy Spirit being in us is the crowning glory of the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit is not a vague, cosmic energy or an occasional visitor; He is the permanent, indwelling presence of the living God. Through the testimony of the prophets, the prayers of the psalmists, and the teachings of the apostles, let us look at the promise, the purpose, and the power of the Indwelling Spirit. The Sent Comforter: An Abiding Presence (John 14:15-21) The foundational pr...
