AboutHoyt Roberson Expertise I can answer just about any doctrinal, relational, or Scriptural question from a "traditional" church of Christ perspective, and from perspectives of somewhat more progressive congregations. If you want an answer from a particular perspective, let me know that up front, and I'll respond in that vein. If you want to peg me on the liberal-conservative spectrum, I would suggest a bit left of center. Depending on the question though, I might be far left, or perhaps rather toward the right.
Experience I am currently a shepherd of a congregation (which means, for those of you who aren't Church of Christ folk, I'm one of a handful of people responsible for the spiritual direction and maturity of the congregation, and who hire and fire the ministers). I have served in many capacities including adult class teacher (also current), deacon, administrator, and lay leader at two military bases. I am a life-long member of churches of Christ, mostly mainline congregations, but am quite familiar with more conservative and more liberal congregations and views as well. I read and subscribe to various books and periodicals for churches of Christ, and have discussed a variety of topics with representatives of our various groups both in person, and via mail.
Organizations Christian Association for Psychological Studies, American Association of Christian Counselors, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Publications www.robersonblog.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials I hold a Masters of Ministry degree from Pepperdine University, as well as a Masters of Counseling degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix.
Question How does the Holy Spirit dwell in the Christian today? Are we individually His "temples" or collectively (as a congregation)? Scripture references with explanations requested please. [I am not asking about miracles/miraclous gifts since these ceased towards the end of the first century.]
Answer I believe the answer is "both."
Passages that imply that you have the Spirit:
John 14.15-23 "...and will be in you....and I am in you...make our home with him."
Acts 2.38 "...and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
I Cor 6.19 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"
II Cor 1.22 "...and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
Eph 5.18 "...be filled with the Spirit."
1 John 3.24 "...that he lives in us...by the Spirit he gave us."
As to passages referring to the church as a whole, you might consider:
Eph 2.22
I Pet 2.12
The conclusion is that the Spirit lives in each believer, and because of that, all believers together can be said to be the "temple" of the Spirit.
Please let me know if any of that isn't sufficiently clear and I will do what I can to remedy that. Thanks for asking.
