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Grapho : Concordia Seminary Student Journal

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Holy Spirit, doctrine, gifts, christian, monad, athanasius, sanctification, origen, monotheism, Yahweh

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

At one time or another, virtually every churchgoing Christian is bound to hear the moniker of “Sanctifier” applied to the Holy Spirit. In this role, the Spirit is often described as dwelling within believers to make them holy, so that they might produce the “fruit of the spirit” as they lead good and godly lives.2 To that end, the Spirit is said to effect a complete “regeneration and renewal” of the individual, empowering them with the strength, grace, virtues, and other “spiritual gifts” requisite for Christian life.3 In denominations such as Lutheranism, faith itself is proclaimed to be impossible without the Spirit, and it is not uncommon to hear the pastor tell those about to be baptized to “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”4 But while the Spirit’s sanctifying work is widely acknowledged, the church tends to be much less clear on what it means for believers to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. How is it possible, after all, for the infinite, indivisible Deity to indwell finite human beings without being divided or diminished in His person or essence?

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

Numbers 11:17; Hebrews 6:4; Psalm 03:30; John 1:3;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

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