Have shared in the Holy Spirit. Does this mean they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit? I do not believe so. The word shared (or partakers in the NASB) "has a range of meaning and may imply very close participation and attachment, or may only imply a loose association with the other person or persons named" (Grudem, 797). The context must determine how the word is to be understood (cf. Hebrews 3:14 where it is used as a close association and Luke 5:7 where it is used of a loose association). In this case, if the context is describing people who appeared to be believers but who really were not, then the word carries the idea of a loose association with the Spirit. It could be taken to mean that these people saw the Spirit of God at work influencing them (maybe convicting them of sin) but that they were not regenerated and indwelt by the Spirit in a saving way. We see the Spirit work in and even through people who were not truly Christ's (see Matt. 7:21-23 where Christ tells people that cast out demons and did other mighty works that he never knew them).
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