There were two especially significant differences in the way Christians understood the presence of the Spirit. The first arose from the fact that the ancients in general thought that the divine spirit would come on only a few outstanding people. It would be a most unusual experience, reserved for those who were especially close to the deity. But the Christians insisted that all believers have the Spirit. Thus, Paul says positively, “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14), and negatively, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person is not his” (Rom. 8:9). It is nonsense to talk about a Christian who does not have the Spirit. That is a contradiction in terms. It is a distinctive of the Christian way that the lowliest believer enjoys the presence of God’s Spirit within him.
Many see the Spirit as a force, an influence. But Paul seems rather to have understood the Spirit as a person. The giving of gifts looks like the activity of a person, more particularly since Paul concludes his list by informing his readers that the division is made “according as he wills” (1Cor. 12:4-11). He speaks of the mind of the Spirit (Rom. 8:6, 27) and urges people not to “grieve” the Spirit (Eph. 4:30). The love of God is poured into our hearts through the Spirit (Rom. 5:5), and the Spirit produces love in us (Gal. 5:22), both activities being evidently personal.
New Testament Theology
by: Leon Morris
Life in the Spirit
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