Pariah: Since we have the same Bible, I can just tell you to read certain articles. Read the article on page 1918; “Personal Apostasy.” Cross reference the verses, and read all the little footnotes. I think if you do this, it will answer your question.
(I’d post the Scriptures, but it’d take me forever…it’s easier if you read them at your leisure)
The Spirit was sent, only after Jesus left the earth. In fact, He says in John 16, that if He didn’t leave, the Holy Spirit could not have come. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in us.
If we did not already know the Spirit, then how could we grieve Him, put out His fire, and harden our hearts (which implies that the heart was once open, and willing to be molded by God, i.e. saved)
Let me know if we agree, or not. Or, if I’m making sense.