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Can the Holy Spirit be taken away from us?

Q: I was looking at your assurance of everlasting life article and I completely agree, but I have family that are Pentecostal, and they are pretty unsure of their salvation. Although I think these doctrinal discussions are secondary issues, I believe it’s a great blessing to be at peace knowing that you have permanent salvation. I know that from a human point we don’t really know if someone else is saved for sure, but I think that from God’s perspective it is “once saved always saved.”I have looked at different passages that kind of point out that you can lose your salvation, but the one that my family always points to is 1 Samuel 16:14, where the Holy Spirit was taken away from King Saul. Why, if we can’t lose our salvation, did he lose it? And the question arises, is he in heaven or hell? I know that the passages that declare assurance are overwhelming, but I just can’t explain this passage.

A: The Holy Spirit was given to Saul in the Old Testament because he was the king of God’s people, not because he was saved.

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was only given to prophets and leaders (like the judges and kings). These people were said to be “filled” or “stirred” by the Spirit or the Spirit “rests on them” or “comes upon them” or is “put upon them” (see Exodus 31:3; Numbers 11:17,25; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 13:25; 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Chronicles 15:1; Ezekiel 2:2; etc.).

In the Old Covenant the purpose of the Holy Spirit was mainly for gifting and empowering. People like Gideon, Samson, Saul, and David received the Spirit to gift them for leadership. The prophets received the Spirit so they would speak the very words of God. Every believer did not receive the Spirit. And God’s Spirit could be taken away. This is why David (after being convicted of his sin of murder and adultery) prays, “Do not take your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11).

There are even examples the Spirit “coming upon” unbelievers in the Old Testament: Balaam (Numbers 24:2), possibly King Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1.)

At Christ’s baptism it is specifically pointed out that something different is happening. John the Baptist declares that the Spirit “remains on” Jesus (John 1:32) – the anointing of the Spirit isn’t temporary for Jesus!

In the upper room at the last supper Jesus says the Father will give them the Spirit “to be with you forever” (John 14:16). The lasting presence of the Spirit is now being given to those who are Christ’s disciples! In the New Covenant the Spirit continues to empower, but now he also seals believers in Christ (Ephesians 4:30) – like the seal placed on an envelope – it can only be opened by the owner.

Just as in the Old Covenant, in the New Covenant it is possible for the Holy Spirit to empower or use someone for ministry who isn’t saved. Judas would be a good example of this. Judas was apparently empowered to do miracles along with the rest of the group (Luke 9:1-6) and yet was always a “son of damnation” according to Jesus (John 6:70-71; 12:4-6; 17:12). Hebrews 6:4-8 would be another example of this. God will use whomever He wishes to use to accomplish His kingdom purposes, even unbelievers.

But a person who believes in Jesus is not merely used by God; He is loved by God. And once he becomes a believer, he is “sealed [strong word] guaranteeing [another strong word] his inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5).

So the bottom line is King Saul never had a heart for God, was never a believer, and the Spirit was given for leadership empowerment. It was taken away when God rejected Saul as king. But in the New Covenant, a believer in Christ receives the Spirit, not just to gift him, but to remain with him “forever.” The Spirit is a “seal” given as a “guarantee” of our salvation.

Take the time to read the verses that I have referenced. You will be greatly blessed. This teaching is VERY absolute in the New Testament and appears in the writings of John, Paul, the author of Hebrews, Peter, and Jude. See also these references: John 6:35-40; 10:27-30; Romans 5:8-10; 8:29-30, 35-39; 1 Corinthians 1:7-9; Ephesians 1:5; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 9:12,15; 10:14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 2:19,25; Jude 1, 24, 25.