Can you expound a little on this? Thanks!
Of course. This is a long pneumatological discussion, but here is a brief summary in my own words.
There are 3 ways (prepositions) in which the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Christ) interacts with people:
Along-side,
In, and
Upon.
1. Along side- He comforts and convicts non-believers and draws them to Jesus.
parakletos "one who comes alongside". (
Jn 14:26)
2. In- He permanently indwells the physical body of all who are born again
(Jn 14:23, Eph 1:13, 1 Cor 6:19) (not available to the O.T. saints...which is why David was able to say "
Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me"
Ps 51:11.
.....only the Church gets this promise and gift)......this is "
the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Col 1:26-27). If He is
in you, you are
in Christ. It was what Jesus prayed in
John 17:20-26:
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
3. Upon- He is poured out upon a believer and manifests His power through a believer, opening the door to powerful witnessing (The whole book of Acts), the gifts (
Rom 12, Eph 4, 1 Cor 12, 14) and the "fruit that remains" (
John 15:16, Gal 5:22-23: discernment, teaching, prophecy.......love joy peace.....self control (
self mastery-Gen 4:7, 1 Cor 9:25, 1 Cor 6:12, Rom 8:13, 1 Cor 7:37, 1 Pet 2:11).
The Holy Spirit was merely along side the disciples up until
John 20:22. They then believed and were born again (they received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit). Shortly after in
Acts 1:5 He told them to remain in Jerusalem and wait "wait for what the Father had promised" (the Spirit). He said "
John baptized with water, but you will be baptized (immersed and filled) with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" and "
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses..." not many days later that happened (
Acts 2)