Lesson by Robert F. Turner (1916–2007 about one of the most important and sometimes controversial topics in Christianity: the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

With his distinctive Texas accent and straightforward style, Turner begins with a memorable rattlesnake illustration and then delivers a clear, faith-building study of how God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit dwell with and in His people.

Turner carefully examines the biblical language of indwelling (“oikeō,” “katoikeō,” and “menō”) and shows that the Scriptures use the same terms for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He stresses that the indwelling of deity is made possible by three key factors:

1. The nature of man — created in God’s image with a spirit capable of responding to God.
2. The sacrifice of Christ — which provides forgiveness and establishes compatibility between holy God and sinful man.
3. Man’s willing response — freely submitting his spirit to the Spirit of God.

Special emphasis is placed on the objective leading of the Spirit through the Word of God (not subjective feelings or direct operations), the beautiful overlapping of terms such as indwelling, fellowship, abiding, and “knowing” God in the relational sense (see Vine on ginōskō), and the necessity of continual cleansing through Christ’s blood.

Key passages include:

1. Revelation 21:3 – God tabernacling with His people
2. Romans 8 – the five “all things” of God’s purpose and the witness of the Spirit
3. John 14:23 – “If a man love me, he will keep my words…”
4. Ephesians 3:16-19 – being filled with the fullness of God
5. John 6:63 – “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life”

Turner contrasts this biblical view with Augustinian and Calvinistic theology that diminishes man’s ability to respond to God’s call. He concludes that the New Testament indwelling is a foretaste and earnest of the ultimate heavenly reality where God will dwell with His people throughout eternity.

A timeless, thoughtful lesson from a respected gospel preacher that encourages Christians to appreciate the wonderful blessing of God’s presence in their lives today.

Original audio from circa 1970

Transcript and Outline with hyperlinks to Bible Verses and other references: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HfKbWauu9KOpfPZNzHLMfeTa0Rw4vvzQ0HWEtAr9dp8/edit?usp=sharing

Go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MwxDgSYY8qFQfw6mcsIYGy7FKcjcazftcWvYxLbg-0k/edit?usp=sharing For a summary, brief outline, detailed outline, scriptures used in the lesson quoted and hyperlinked, additional scriptures for further study, FULL TRANSCRIPT and additional aids follow this link: 

Transcript and Outline with hyperlinks to Bible Verses and other references: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HfKbWauu9KOpfPZNzHLMfeTa0Rw4vvzQ0HWEtAr9dp8/edit?usp=sharing