Christ In You

The phrase "Christ In You" was a new idea recorded by Paul in the book of Colossians. Why is this topic included here? Because in the "Responding to God" topic, I talked about Christ "coming into your life". This "new" idea (over 2000 years old now, but it depends on your perspective) was and is revolutionary.

To understand the big deal this is, let's first look at a few examples of how God's Spirit interacted with man in the Old Testament times:

Old Testament Times

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given selectively and temporarily to indwell certainly individuals for special ministries. It was not universal nor was it permanent. This is illustrated by a few verses below.

Mode of Ministry	Verse	Reference
The Spirit then came upon David.	So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.	I Samuel 16:13
The Spirit left Saul and was replaced. God was taking away Saul's kingdom, and so too the Spirit that empowered him as king.	Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.	I Samuel 16:14

This is a huge subject, but the verses above illustrate how God's Spirit was given to and removed from certain people, usually prophets and kings.

A New Way

When Christ died and rose again for the sins of man, God did a completely new thing: He chose to (permanently) reside within people. Jesus Himself alludes to this change in the verse below.

Mode of Ministry	Verse	Reference
Christ explains the difference in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.	"but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."	John 14:17

The change in prepositions ("with" and "in") and tense (present versus future) suggests a difference in the ministry of the Spirit in Old Testament times (Pentecost had not yet occurred and the church had not yet begun when the Lord spoke these words) and New Testament times when the Spirit came to indwell all believers permanently.

Next, Paul describes this change:

Mode of Ministry	Verse	Reference
Paul describes this new mystery.	Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.	Collossians 1:25-27