Main Point: One of the greatest mysteries in the Bible is the fact that this Loving Community is a dwelling place for God.
We are no longer orphans
Ephesians 2:19-20 ESV
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
A Household built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 ESV
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
Christ is the cornerstone for this Dwelling Place
Ephesians 2:19,20 ESV
“Household of God…Christ Jesus being the cornerstone.”
We are a “Dwelling Place for God by the Spirit”
Deuteronomy 10:8 ESV
8“At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord to stand before the Lord to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.”
Joshua 3:3 NIV
3 “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”
1 Kings 8:6-7,10-11 ESV
6 “Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.
10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:21-22 ESV
21 In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
19“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”
Closing:
NB: This internal presence of the Spirit and inner witness of the Spirit is available at the time of salvation. This is not the same as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a subsequent act to salvation. We receive the Holy Spirit at Salvation, and this is an impartation of the spiritual life (including becoming a dwelling place for the Spirit). The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an impartation of the power of the Holy Spirit for spiritual service.
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