The idea of the Holy Spirit having a dwelling is well established in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word “shekhinah” means dwelling or settling and culminates into this Jewish idea of “Divine Presence”. We can read of God’s (e.g. Holy Spirit’s) dwelling among the people of Israel first in the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 13:21-22) and again with the dedication of the permanent temple in Jerusalem by Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).
Notably, God’s Holy Spirit did not fill the temple built by Zerubbabel in the days following the return of the Babylonian captives. Nor do we have any record of God’s Divine Presence filling Herod’s temple in the first century. So where is the Holy Spirit dwelling today?
how Scripture answers "Where is the Holy Spirit dwelling today?"
The Holy Spirit is dwelling in every baptized believer2,3,4,7,9,10,11,13,14. It is rather “matter-of-factly” stated in many places3,6,9,10,11,14. It is also a critical fulfillment to an ever-present Bible theme of God’s desire and promise11.
God literally dwelt among His people during the wanderings (tabernacle) and Solomon (temple) years. During the captivity (no temple) and remnant years He was absent but promised a day when He would return5,8. In the first century, Jesus alludes to this7,11 and we see the fulfillment of that promise on the Day of Pentecost4. From that point on we see these matter-of-fact statements by New Testament writers about the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers2,3,6,9,10,11,13,14 – and by extension, His church1,12.
Paul is in the midst of correcting the divisions (“I am of…” vs 4) that had arisn in the church in Corinth. In this context, Paul is clearly speaking of them as a collective group (“body”) or local church that he planted and Apollos watered (vs 6).
Paul states that they, as a local church, are a temple of God in which the Holy Spirit dwells.
Does it apply? Yes
Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit that’s within you who God gave you? You are not your own since you were bought with a price. Therefore, use your body to glorify God.
Paul is very clearly speaking here about sexual immorality and the Christian’s need to “flee” from it (vs 18). Therefore, in this context the “body” is the individual Christian’s body.
Paul states that the Christian’s body is the temple (dwelling) of the Holy Spirit given by God.
Does it apply? Yes
God has exhalted him [Jesus] at His right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and foregiveness of sins. We [apostles], together with the Holy Spirit – whom God has given to all that obey Him – are witnesses to these things.
In the early days of the Christian movement and God’s establishment of His “new covenant,” the apostles are carrying the message of the gospel across Jerusalem and Judea. Being confronted by the Jewish leadership, as often they were, Peter tells them, “We must obey God rather than men” (vs 29) and witnesses to them about the things he and the others have seen with their eyes. In this case, Peter may be specifically referring back to witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus documented in Acts 1.
Peter states that God has given the/His Holy Spirit to all that obey Him (believers).
Does it apply? Yes
When they heard these words, they were pierced in the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles what they should do [to be saved]. Peter told them that they each should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, and they would then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This “gift” was the promise made for all that the Lord calls to himself, even those far off.
Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Clearly, they believed his message (that Jesus was the Christ). More were continuing to be saved and they began meeting together as the Lord’s church (
Peter says their [water] baptism is directly connected to them recieving the gift/promise of the Holy Spirit.
Does it apply? Yes
Verse 6 of this passage is applied by the inspired writer of Hebrews to the second coming/final judgment of Jesus Christ (
God through Haggai assures the people His Spirit is still in their midst and promises a future glimpse of something greater. Fortunately, we don’t have to wonder about this event. The “Yet once more” statement is quoted and interpreted for us by the inspired writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 12:26-29– it was the kingdom that had been received (past tense).
The Haggai and Hebrews passages don’t explicitely speak to the dwelling of God’s Spirit. However, in Haggai God’s encouragement and promise of the future was in response to their noting the absence of God’s glory (Spirit) in their temple rebuild. Likewise with the Hebrews passage, we know of many other passages that connect the coming of God’s kingdom with His Spirit dwelling and God returning “in their midst”.
Does it apply? Probably
We know that we dwell in him and he in us because he has given us his [Holy] Spirit. We [apostles] have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God.
God dwells in us because “he has given us of his Spirit.”
Does it apply? Yes
Jesus is approached at night (in secret) by Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “ruler of the Jews” (vs 1).
Jesus references the role of the Spirit to one’s entering the kingdom of God. It was one of two “born again” elements – water (baptism) being the second.
Does it apply? Yes
I will sprinkle clean water on you to remove all sin and idols from you. And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit that I will put in you, removing the heart of stone from you. And I will put my Spirit inside you to execute/govern (Heb: “cause”) your walk in my covenant.
Ezekiel spoke God’s words during the Babylonian captivity – after the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple. Interspersed with his encourage and preaching to God’s people of that day are many references to a time that God promises a true shepherd to care for them (34:13-15), a return of “my servant David” (34:23-24, 37:24), a convenant of peace (34:25), a gathering of a single nation to their land (36:24, 37:14, 22).
God, through Ezekiel, promises a time (a “day“) when He will put His Spirit “within you.” This this theme in many other places in Ezekiel including 37:14 and37:26-28 and the last many chapters of the book. His contemporary Jeremiah also uses very similar language and identical thought (Jeremiah 31:33). Two men…but importantly prophets of God so the same author (God) and message.
While Ezekiel’s words are never directly quoted/interpreted by inspired writers in the New Testament, Jeremiah’s are interpreted in Hebrews and applied for us to the 1st century church.
Does it apply? Yes
God has called us to be holy and not to be impure. Therefore, whoever chooses to disregard this is disregarding the very God that has given his Holy Spirit to you.
Paul is giving his final admonitions in his letter to the Thessalonians and imploring them to remain sanctified especially avoiding sexual immorality (vs 3).
God gave his Spirit to those that have responded to his call for holiness.
Does it apply? Yes
After rejoicing in his own salvation and freedom from “this body of death” (7:24) through Christ, Paul is calling on the Roman Christians to remember their own calling and the triumph they share in Christ (vss 1-2). He implores them to “live according to the Spirit” (vs 5).
The Spirit of God (aka Spirit of Christ) dwells in those that are “not in the flesh”. He goes on to conclude and restate his declaration that God gives life to their fleshly bodies “through his Spirit who dwells in you” (vs 11).
Does it apply? Yes
On the last day of the feast, Jesus stood up and yelled, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture says, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. He said this referring to the Holy Spirit which was to be given to all those who believed in him after his glorification.
Jesus has begun his public ministry and is beginning to stir up Jerusalem with his controversial teaching and popularity.
Jesus speaks about “rivers of living water” coming from the believers heart. John confirms for us that he was speaking about the Holy Spirit that all believers would receive and times it for us after his ascension.
Does it apply? Yes
You are no longer set apart, but now are fellow citizens with the saints of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone, in whom the entire building joins together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ, you also are adding together to form a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Paul is pointing out to the Ephesians and Gentile Christians, that though they were at one time “called the uncircumcision by the circumcised” (vs 11), they are now part of the inheritance in Christ as a result of the “peace” that has been preached (vs 18).
The indwelling of the Spirit in each Christian forms the basis for “the household of God” (all saints) being a “holy temple” dwelling place for God.
Does it apply? Yes
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and continues with an actual prayer through verse 21.
The Holy Spirit is in our “inner being” (and in that way, Christ dwells in our hearts).
Does it apply? Yes
John is reminding Christians of what is in them using a pronoun, “he” [Holy Spirit implied].
Does it apply? Yes
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