Romans

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NASB	Romans 8:9 ¶ However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
AMPLIFIED 2015	Romans 8:9 ¶ However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. [Rom 8:14]

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Subject: filled Holy Spirit, or to walk in spirit

Bible Note: Dear Pastor Glenn,

Thank you for your questions. I'll do my best to explain.

Regarding Galatians 5:16-18, the word "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit, not a "spirit man" that exists alongside a "flesh man" inside of us. At salvation the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling place within us.

The article you sent me was speaking of believers. John 3 is speaking of salvation. Salvation is a work of regeneration, as verses 1 through 6 describes. However, it is a mysterious work that is like the wind (verse 7). Just as we can see the winds effects, we cannot account for its movements, nor how it does what it does.

Regeneration is, indeed, a spiritual rebirth. This is the metaphor that Christ used and was also used by the apostles. The BCF uses somewhat similar language. But it does not mean that there is a "spirit being" now living within me. I agree that there are metaphors that sound something like this, even to the extent of speaking of the "old man" and the "new man." But these are metaphors. I died in Christ. I am born again. I am a new creature. I am new wine in a new wineskin. I am a branch of the vine. I am a grafted in shoot. I am the son of the freed woman. Etc. Etc. We do not, however, take these metaphors as descriptions of reality.

As the BCF puts it, I have a new heart (that is my affections have been renewed -- I now love God, His Word, and His commands, desiring to obey Him) and I have a new spirit (that is my will has been restored -- I now am no longer enslaved to sin but have the ability to choose righteousness). Now, through the exercise of the means of grace (prayer, Bible study, commitment to the local church, meditation on the Word, etc.) God gives the gift of growth in sanctification.

I'd refer you to a more modern discussion of Pauline Anthropology. I apologize to the author, but I do not know his name. He is probably a professor at a seminary in Canada. Whoever he is, he does an excellent job of dealing with Paul's perspective of the nature of humanity. This paper does a far better job than I'd be able to do.

http://www.abu.nb.ca/courses/Pauline/Human.htm

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our BODY. (Romans 8:23)

"Ancient people held many different views about what made human beings the special creatures they are. Some, including many Jews, believed that to be complete, humans needed bodies as well as inner selves. Others, including many influenced by the philosophy of Plato (fourth century B.C.), believed that the important part of a human was the 'soul' (Greek: psyche), which at death would be happily freed from its bodily prison. Confusingly for us, the same word psyche is often used in the New Testament within a Jewish framework where it clearly means 'life' or 'true self,' without implying a body/soul dualism that devalues the body. Human inwardness of experience and understanding can also be referred to as 'spirit'." --N. T. Wright

Thank you, again, pastor, for the opportunity to explain. I wish I had time to do more. There is so much to discuss on this point. However, I've got to get back to my studies -- I wish I could share with everyone the exciting things I am learning.

In Him, Doc