The fullness of the Holy Spirit is a gift received at salvation, but it can be diminished by the believer's choices and must be restored through spiritual priorities.
Les Feldick teaches that at salvation, a believer receives all that God can put within them, including the indwelling Holy Spirit. However, the believer's daily decisions can either allow the Spirit to control their life or crowd Him out with worldly things. Restoring fullness requires a personal decision to prioritize spiritual matters over material ones.
Romans 8:9 — This verse establishes that having the Spirit of God dwelling in you is the proof of genuine salvation.
Romans 8:9-11 reveals that the indwelling Holy Spirit is the mark of a believer: 'But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.' The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 12:13 teaches that by one Spirit we are all baptized into the body of Christ, and we all drink of that same Spirit, showing that every believer shares in the Spirit's fullness.
Les Feldick explains that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is not something to be earned after salvation; it is part of what every believer receives at the moment of belief. He emphasizes that 'the Spirit of God dwell in you' is the proof of eternal life (Romans 8:9). However, the believer's responsibility is to maintain that fullness in daily life. Using the illustration of a cup filled with air, Les shows how worldly desires and material things can 'pour in' and force out the Spirit's control, causing a loss of fullness in practice. Yet, through the Word and fellowship, a believer can recognize this and choose to pour out those distractions, restoring the Spirit's rightful place of control.
Les Feldick teaches that being filled with the Holy Spirit is synonymous with having the Spirit dwell within you, which is the mark of a true believer. He says that 'if the Spirit of God dwell in you' is the proof of salvation (Clip 1, Clip 6). The Spirit's indwelling is a gift from God, not a reward for spiritual achievement (Clip 0).
Les Feldick explains that a new believer naturally overflows with excitement and fullness, but maintaining that fullness requires ongoing spiritual discipline. He warns that 'the old sin nature' constantly tempts believers to give in, which can diminish the Spirit's control (Clip 2). Restoration comes through recognizing the problem and deliberately realigning priorities toward God (summary from provided context).
All Is Received by Grace
Les emphasizes that believers have nothing of themselves; all they have, including the Holy Spirit, is received by God's grace, so glorying is inappropriate.
Indwelling Spirit as Proof
Les teaches that the indwelling Holy Spirit is the proof of salvation; without Him, a person is not Christ's.
Struggle with Sin Nature
Les acknowledges that even after receiving the Holy Spirit, believers continually battle the old sin nature, which can impact the Spirit's fullness.
Holy Spirit's Omnipresence
Les clarifies that the Holy Spirit's departure at the rapture does not remove His presence from the earth, but this clip does not directly address personal fullness.
Spirit's Work in Salvation
Les connects the Spirit's indwelling to the resurrection power that will also quicken our mortal bodies, emphasizing the Spirit's vital role.
Unity of All Believers
Les teaches that every believer is baptized into the body of Christ by the Spirit, showing that the fullness of the Spirit is universal among believers.
Proof of Eternal Life
Les directly states that the indwelling Holy Spirit is the proof of eternal life, aligning with the idea that fullness is given at salvation.
Getting the Holy Spirit
Les explains that the Holy Spirit is received by believing the Gospel, and that God does it all—putting Himself in us and us in Him.
Romans 8:9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This verse shows that the indwelling Spirit is essential for being a Christian.
Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The Spirit's indwelling ensures future resurrection, linking fullness to eternal life.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
All believers share the same Spirit, indicating a common fullness.
1 Corinthians 4:7: For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
We have nothing that we haven't received from God, including the Spirit's fullness.
1 John 3:1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Referenced in Clip 7 to show the result of being indwelt by the Spirit.
Les Feldick teaches that the fullness of the Spirit is not a second blessing but is given at salvation. He emphasizes that every believer has the Spirit dwelling within them from the moment of belief (Clip 6, Clip 7).
Les Feldick indicates that while the Holy Spirit never leaves a believer, His fullness can be diminished by allowing worldly things to crowd Him out. The Spirit's control can be lost, but restoration is possible through repentance and realignment of priorities.
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