Spirit is the messenger of revelation to humankind, “And Pharaoh said unto his servants, can we find such a one as this is, and a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” Gen. 41:38.
“And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.” Num. 11:17.
The Spirit of God came upon the people in the Old Testament for the purpose of revelation, not for endorsement as a prophet. God will not use those who are not in a proper relationship with him to accomplish His purpose.
The Holy Spirit empowers and enables the people in the Old Testament to build the tabernacle, “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” Deut. 34:9. The Spirit of God selected the leaders of God’s people and empowered them to do the work He assigned to them.
The important and valuable desire of all Christians is to know God and experience a close relationship and fellowship with Him. As the children of God, we have the privilege of going to Him through the power of His Spirit that He gave to us. “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in all manner of workmanship.” Exo. 31:3.
The spirit of God filled the people of Israel with spiritual equipment and enabled them to carry out a special service to God and to be able to teach others. Believers should pray that the Spirit will bless them with wisdom and know-ledge for the physical skills, medical technological advancement, research, and knowledge that will help people find the cure for all of the deadly diseases that plague the people in the world—a spiritual gift to fulfill God’s will for their lives.
The Israelites were able to build the tabernacle and houses and to find medicine to cure sickness. “And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” Exo. 35:31.
The Spirit of God comes upon individuals with energizing power, temporarily equipping leaders for physical and military service.
The Holy Spirit supernatural power is combined with inspirational knowledge of prophecy. The Spirit inspires and empowers prophets, sending them to deliver messages to the people of Israel, guiding them where and how to proclaim the message of God’s salvation and judgment.
The Spirit was active in the writing of all the Psalms in the Bible. The writing of Psalms, such as those written by the prophet Isaiah, disclosed the coming of the Messiah as the Spirit revealed it to him. Isaiah develops this in many of his writings: that a new Spirit of judgment and fire will appear.
“When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” Isa. 4:4.
Believers will be separated from the sinful universe, cleansed from all defilement by Christ’s blood and regenerated by the Holy Spirit over them, which will fly with the glory of God like a canopy.
Isaiah’s prophecy is that the Spirit of God will empower the Messiah with wisdom, power, knowledge, and holiness. He will be poured out corporately on all of God’s people to bring about justice, righteousness, and peace for all of the people of the earth forever.
We have to consider Prophet Ezekiel’s prophecy through the power of the Holy Spirit. He experienced the Spirit power when the Spirit sometimes lifted him up from prostration and often transported him to a new location. God promised to give him a new Spirit, a new heart, and a new name.
He said, “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Eze. 36:26–27.
God promised to renew the children of Israel physically and spiritually, which required giving them a new heart that was gentle, so that they would be able to respond to God’s Word. God’s will imparted His Spirit on them, which continued with New Testament believers.
Without the indwelling Spirit, it is impossible to live a true Christian life and to be obedient to God’s commandments and God’s will. It is very important for all believers to maintain a close relationship with the Lord so that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide, control, and direct the believer according to the will of God. God sent His new Spirit to the Israelites to move them to obey the law and receive the fulfillment of His promises.
Prophet Joel’s prophecy was “And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughter shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men hall see visions, And also upon the servants, and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” Joel 2:28–32. Apostle Peter quoted this verse on the day of Pentecost when the prophecy was fulfilled.
Prophet Joel’s prophecy was that, through the Spirit of God, God would pour out His Spirit on everyone who calls on His Holy Name. This outpouring results in the flowing of the Spirit’s manifestation among the people of God. Peter explained the outpouring of the Spirit on those who believe in Jesus Christ and become baptized.
These promises to all those who accept Christ as Lord allow believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s Power. God spoke through the prophet Joel many years before it would happen. Joel envisions that, one day, the outpouring of the Spirit will be the impartation of the Spirit of God as a gift from God.
The manifestation of the Spirit through His gifts makes visible God’s presence among His people. God pours out His Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, on individuals regardless of whether they are a man or woman, whether they are old or young, and regardless of their social status or ethnicity, according to His good pleasure.
Also, other prophets, like Micah, Haggai, and Zachariah, all confirm the Spirit’s Power in their lives; they all connect the activities of its presence with their empowerment for building and rebuilding the temple the Spirit of God gives orders, commands, and directions and the people of God follow.
The same Spirit of God that became active in the creation during Old Testament times is still active in the New Testament and will continue until Christ returns. Our Lord’s earthly ministry was Spirit-led; there are many significant manifestations of this, including the fulfillment of prophecy.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isa. 61:1.
The miracles of our Lord were the activities of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ’s signs and wonders directly revealed God’s Spirit at work upon or on Him. As the Spirit empowered Jesus, Jesus promises believers the Holy Spirit that the Spirit will, in the same way, empower His believers to do the work of God.
The Spirit is the helper who will remain in us forever. The Spirit will equip and enable believers to be able to serve the Lord, boldly do the work of the Gospel, and confidently proclaim the Word of God. Believers will be constantly filled with the Spirit so that they will be able to courageously speak and preach for Christ.
The Spirit is God’s agent for bringing people to himself and helping them to mature spiritually; only through His power will individuals first receive God’s Word as the divine Word.
The Spirit makes unique spiritual insights available to all
