Ques. — I find that some Christians maintain that the Holy Ghost dwells in Christendom. Now I have always thought... that the Holy Ghost dwells exclusively in the Church. I would be so glad if you would give me your thoughts about it.
Ans.—I think that a right understanding of the distinction between the Church as the "Body of Christ" (Eph. 1:22, 23), unto which believers are baptized by the Holy Ghost, (1 Cor. 12:13) and thus united to Christ, exalted and glorified in heaven (1 Cor. 6:17), and the "House of God," a "habitation of God through the Spirit," (Eph. 2:21, 22), in the world, will make the answer to your question simple and plain. When Christ was glorified as man to heaven, the Holy Ghost (not previously given, see John 7:39) descended from heaven and took up His abode in the saints, on the day of Pentecost, as God's house. (Acts 2) The Church thus begun, and set up as God's witness and abode through His Spirit, is styled "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15.) This "House" was, as it were, a co-extensive thing at the first with the "Body," its other aspect, and was the true thing which God Himself fitly framed together; a member of this house was a living one, and in union with Christ the Head, by the Holy Ghost. But we find that immediately after its being set up, men began to build on the foundation wood, hay, stubble as well as gold, silver, precious stones. (1 Cor. 3) As a consequence, the House as man built it, began to assume vast proportions, entirely disproportionate to the Body, the true thing. But still the Holy Ghost did not leave the House. And the House was as far as man's responsibility went, "God's building." "The temple of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you" (1 Cor. 3:9-17), that is, collectively as in a temple, which is a different thought from the body of the believer, being the temple of the Holy Ghost, as in 1 Cor. 6:19. The House of God drifted soon into what the Apostle speaks of in 2 Tim. 2:19-21, like to a "Great House" containing vessels to honor and dishonor. This is quite a different state of things from 1 Tim. 3:15, and has characterized Christendom ever since, and at which judgment must begin. (1 Peter 4:17.)
So that we see that the Holy Ghost in the first instance, baptizes all believers since His coming down into one Body, ("There is one body and one Spirit," Eph. 4:4) uniting them to Christ as Head, and God dwells amongst them as a habitation through His Spirit. What a wondrous thought, and what a wondrous privilege. How much has the Church forgotten her calling! But not only so, He dwells in the "House" here below, and professing Christians (as well as true Christians) are responsible for His presence, and are, as far as His presence goes, thus responsible for the presence of the Holy Ghost, although not, of course, "sealed" as the true believer, and indwelt by Him.
A right understanding of the Church as the "Body of Christ," composed of living members, and the "House," or professing church, is the key to much of the teaching of the epistles. F.G. Patterson
FORWARD!
When on the long and dreary way.
Or at the dawn of breaking day,
Or in the damp and chill night air,
Or in the noontide dusty glare.
Lord, as we march, we look to Thee,
To lead us on to victory!