# “God Himself living in us” by Herman Bavinck

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2011/06/13/god-himself-living-in-us-by-herman-bavinck/
- Published: 2011-06-13T16:41:33-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“As Christ is related to the Father, so the Holy Spirit is related to Christ. Just
as the Son has nothing, does nothing, and says nothing of Himself but receives everything
from the Father (John 5:26; 16:15), so the Spirit takes everything from Christ (
John 16:13-14).

Just as the Son witnesses to and glorifies the Father (John 1:18; 17:4, 6), so the
Spirit in turn witnesses to and glorifies the Son (John 15:26; 16:14). Just as no
one can come to the Father but by the Son (Matt. 11:27; John 14:6), so no one can
say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Spirit.

But that Spirit, accordingly, also grants all the benefits acquired by Christ: regeneration(
John 3:3), conviction of sin (John 16:8-11), the gift of child status (Rom. 8:15),
renewal (Titus 3:5), the love of God (Rom. 5:5), a wide assortment of spiritual 
fruits (Gal. 5:22-23), the sealing (Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13; 4:30),
resurrection (Rom. 8:10-11).

Indeed, by the Spirit we have communion– direct and immediate communion– with no
one less than the Son and the Father themselves. The Holy Spirit is God Himself 
living in us (John 14:23ff; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:11;
Eph. 3:17; Phil. 1:8, 21).

Who can grant us all these blessings? Who can cause God Himself to dwell in our 
hearts? Who can do all these things but one, the Spirit, who is Himself God? To 
Him, accordingly, divine honor is due. The Spirit exists alongside the Father and
the Son as the cause of all blessing and well-being (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6;
2 Cor. 13:13; Rev. 1:4).

In His name we are baptized (Matt. 28:19). All life and power comes from Him. He
is the author of our prayers (Zech. 12:10; Rom. 8:15-16). In the face of all these
things the church is warned not to grieve Him (Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4:30). To blaspheme
Him, says Christ, is unpardonable (Matt. 12:31-32).”

–Herman Bavinck, _[Reformed Dogmatics](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801026563?tag=toletaupanre-20)_,(
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006), 2:278-279.

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