Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Indwelling (of the Spirit)

The Holy Spirit's permanent presence within every believer, making the person and the church a 'temple' of God.

'In-dwelling' — God living within, not merely acting upon.

John 14:16–17 ('he dwells with you and will be in you'); Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 2 Timothy 1:14; James 4:5.

A new-covenant reality promised in Ezekiel 36:27 ('I will put my Spirit within you'); universal among believers from Pentecost onward — 'anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him' (Rom 8:9).

The indwelling grounds assurance, sanctification, the believer's union with Christ, and the sacredness of the body; it is the basis for 'do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?'

Little on the fact; some difference on whether the OT saints were indwelt in the same way or only came 'upon' by the Spirit for tasks.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.