Philippians 2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,

What is “fellowship of the Spirit?” Do you have this “fellowship?” If so, how do you know?

We often hear about fellowship with Christ, and sometimes, we hear about a relationship, or fellowship with God. But what is this business with the Spirit? What is "fellowship of the Spirit,” and why have I never heard a sermon on this topic?

[ June 12, 2002, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: Benaiah ]

Good question. The non-Trinitarian (which I am not) would say that the "fellowship of the Spirit" is cruising with Christ. However, the following passage identifies each member of the Godhead individually.

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Here it speaks of 1) grace, 2) love, and 3) fellowship. So, it makes me wonder if fellowshiping with the Holy Spirit is like hanging out with a friend? since the Holy Spirit dwells within us, seated upon the throne of our soul temple.

John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

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.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Yes Mike. You are right. I understood these texts, and how they show the members of the Godhead indivdually.

I guess this is what prompted my question in the first place, because we always here about relationship/fellowship, with Jesus, or the Father, but when I saw this verse stating the same thing, excet, in regards to the Holy Spirit, it got me to thinking. Why do not our churches, and our forums, not talk much about the Holy Spirit, and how we are to relate to Him, and, how He wants to relate to us?

I have some references in mind to look up first, before posting more.

P.S.

Perhaps brother Daryl will join us in this discussion a bit.

I see he has a three point note, written on the header of the front page @ this forum...Point #3 reads:

"The Holy Spirit is the Moderator of each forum."

Yes, the Holy Spirit is ultimately the moderator of each forum for all the reasons stated in this thread, for it is the Holy Spirit who not only dwells in us, but also convicts us when we are not posting like we should be re wrong choice and use of words, attitude etc. when participating in the various topics of MSDAOL.

The other moderators should also pray for the Holy spirit's leading before responding to, editing, etc. any posts or topics that may have something questionable in it.

How's that for a response!

[ June 13, 2002, 10:34 AM: Message edited by: Daryl Fawcett ]

I get the idea from the Bible that the Holy Spirit lives to lead us to Christ, and that He doesn't want us to become overly preoccupied with Him. Just as our gaurdian angels (mine's name is Michael) live to protect us and influence us to keep our eyes on Jesus, so the Holy Spirit lives to empower us to imitate the sinless example of Jesus.

Very good Daryl

Can you remember which verse it is found in, where the Holy Spirit "convicts" us? And, do you think that "guilty conscience" is the same thing as "being convicted" by the Holy Spirit?

It might seem like obtuse questions for now, but I am just starting to realize how vast this line of study can be, and am looking to establish some basics about how the Holy Spirit works in us.

Here it is from the NKJV:

quote:

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John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away;
for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

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There is the passage. It is my understanding that the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our mind like thought inspiration was communicated to the Bible writes and to Ellen G. White. This could be where our conscience comes into play when under the willful control of the Holy Spirit living in us.