Subject: Order of occurance |
Bible Note: Good morning New creature: You asked if: “Do you believe the Holy Spirit dwells even in unbelievers, and remains inactive in them, until some at point in their lives they become aware of His indwelling presence, and at this point they begin actively responding to Him?” No. I believe the Holy Spirit only indwells believers. The influence of the Holy Spirit is an external one (What I mean by that is He works from the outside as He influences the inside) to unbelievers. This scriptures shows what spirit is influencing unbelievers: of which we were all part of. Eph 2:1-3 1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. This scripture show that there is a big difference between the two groups and that God dwells in one and not the other. 2 Cor 6:14-18 14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 17"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 18"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Here we see that we are sealed after we believe. Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Here it says that those who believed in Him received the Holy Spirit John 7:38-39 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Grace and peace to you P.S. You say that this is a survey? Will you share with us your findings? I would love to see the results. |