The Bible is a covenant book. It is so named: the Old Testament, or Old Covenant, and the New Testament, or New Covenant. If we want to learn the background and meanings of things contained in the New Testament, we can learn a great deal just by studying the Old Testament.
        God is an unchanging God. He does not change His way of doing things suddenly or without reason. His whole purpose is carried out in stages, with the principles behind His works remaining the same throughout.
        This article will deal with the Holy Spirit, especially in regard to His relationship with the people of God. In order to understand the principles involved, we must be aware that not every person who had trusted the God of the Hebrews at one time or another was involved in God's covenant with the nation of Israel. In other words, you did not have to be an Israelite in order to be saved from the lake of fire. But there was a special relationship between God and the Hebrews, and the Holy Spirit was very much a part of that relationship. In this context, the text passage casts considerable light upon the position and work of the Holy Spirit today.
         I think that one constant between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the coming of the Spirit of God to dwell with His people. One principle needs to be recognized at the outset. The filling of the tabernacle with the glory of God, constituted His taking up residence with His people in the person of the Holy Spirit, II Samuel 7:4-6: "But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 'Go and say to My servant David, "Thus says the LORD, 'Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle.'"'"
        Let us consider how and when this occupation of God's house took place, and compare it with how and when the Spirit came to dwell in the church.

1. The Holy Spirit Did Not Take Up Residence Until the Dwelling Was Ready, vs. 33, 34; Acts 1:4-8
   1. The building had to be erected, vs. 18, 19; Hebrews 3:1-6.
   2. The law of God had to be placed in the building, v. 20; Hebrews 8:8-10.
   3. The Bread of life must be displayed in the building, vs. 22, 23; John 6:48-58.
   4. The building must have lamps aglow in it, vs. 24, 25; Matthew 5:14-16; Revelation 1:12, 13, 20.
   5. There must be fragrant incense burning there, vs. 26, 27; Revelation 5:8; 8:1-4.
   6. Appropriate sacrifice must first be made, v.29; Acts 20:28.
   7. Then, and only then, did the Holy Spirit move in.
2. The Holy Spirit Dwells in the New Covenant Assembly Today, Not All the Saved, Ephesians 2:19-22
   1. To suggest that the Holy Spirit indwells all the saved is to argue with Scripture. This passage is addressed to a church, not to all the saved.
   2. The Holy Spirit did not "indwell" the saved, or even the covenant people automatically, under the Old Covenant, Psalm 51:10-12. If David was irreversibly indwelt by the Spirit, why did he ask that He not be taken from him?
   3. Saul had the Holy Spirit, but lost His indwelling presence when David was anointed to take his place, I Samuel 16:4-14. Note that the Holy Spirit came upon God's anointed; Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed of God, and the Spirit came upon Him at His baptism, Matthew 3:13-17. His church is anointed, too, I John 2:20; 27.
   4. The members of the church at Jerusalem did not have the indwelling Spirit before Pentecost, John 7:37-39.
   5. The Holy Spirit was given to the apostles before Pentecost to provide leadership to the church, John 20:19-23. Had they already been indwelt by the Spirit, this would have been unnecessary.
3. The Holy Spirit is Not Limited to the Church
   1. He convicts the world, John 16:7-11. Has He not always done this? Yes, but now He does it through the body of Christ.
   2. While He only leads the faithful into all truth, John 16:11-15, He directs others to the place of truth, the church.
   3. Everyone is admonished to hear what great promises the Spirit has made to the Lord's churches, Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26 29; 3:5, 6, 12, 13, 21, 22.
   4. Every person who is saved from the lake of fire does so because of the convicting of the Holy Spirit.
   5. Every person who is baptized into a New Covenant assembly is led to do so by the Holy Spirit.
   6. These aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit are carried out without an indwelling presence. Those who are not (continuously) led by the Spirit are not the special possession of God and are not His heirs, Exodus 19:3-5; Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Malachi 3:16-18; Titus 2:13, 14; I Peter 2:9, 10; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Romans 8:11-14.

        Most of the passages of Scripture listed above are not quoted. This article will be of little value if the reader does not locate and read each of them. The decision to agree or disagree with the points set forth herein should not be based upon a cursory examination of the thoughts presented, but rather on a thorough examination of the subject as presented in the word of God. A person may, and usually does, believe whatever he or she wants to believe. But those who claim to believe what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit had better read what the Bible says about Him. When they talk about His dwelling place, they need to see where He has dwelt in the past, and where He dwells now, according to Scripture. And those who claim to have the Holy Spirit ought to live as a people who are God's own possession.