the identity & role of the holy spirit the holy spirit in the old testament

The Identity & Role of the HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

From the known …. to the unkown

John 14:1-23 I am going … I will come again.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper to be with you forever

… you know him, for he lives with you

and will be in you.

How did they “know him” and in what way was the Spirit “with them”?

Studying the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Plenty of detail regarding the activity of the Spirit of God

Less clarity as to his identity

The roles of the Holy Spirit Creative: Genesis 1:2

- bringing order out of chaos. Ps 33:6

Life-Giving: Genesis 2:7 - bringing life to

inanimate dust.

Ruach – Hebrew for “spirit”

(378 occurances) Air-mouth = Breath Judges 15:19

= words Ps 33:6 Air - wind = Ex. 10:13,19 Air – emptiness = Jer. 5:13; Prov 11:29 Air – Life = natural ‘spirit’ of a human

Gen 7:21-22; Eccl 12:7 Air - atmosphere = Josh 2:11; Eccl. 10:4;

Ps 51:12 parallel with joy Air - unseen = spirit beings 1 Kings 22:21

= Spirit of God, God at work Gen 1:2

(65 times)

The roles of the Holy Spirit

Fighting evil: Gen 6:3; Neh 9:19-20, 30. also continued in the N.T. and today, see Eph 6:10-18; Gal 5:16-24.

A key aspect – John 16:8-11 convicting human hearts regarding:- sin = unbelief righteousness = the uniqueness of

Jesus Judgement = Satan has been

condemned

The roles of the Holy Spirit

Truth Revealing: Zech 7:12; 2 Sam 23:2; Heb 1:1-2

GOD HOLY SPIRIT

PROPHET (priest) PEOPLE INSPIRATION: 1 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 1:21,

2 Tim. 3:16 = SCRIPTURE ILLUMINATION: – Interpretation 1 Cor.

2:10-13 COMMUNICATION: Neh 9:30, Zech 7:12

continued in the N.T. and STILL CONTINUES.

Acts 8:29; 12:2; 16:6-10; 20:23.

The roles of the Holy Spirit

Task Enabling: 101 (+) examples !– Bazalel Ex 31:1-5 – Gideon Judg. 6:14-16,23 – Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit’s work in people was varied but

with the following aims:-– Instruct – Moses, Neh 9:20 including prophecy– Lead/guide - Isa 63:11,14 both leaders

and the people– Empower/strengthen - Haggai 2:4,5; Zech 4:6

Summary of “Task-enabling” in O.T. Most commonly the H.S. was described as

“coming upon” or resting ‘on’ a specific servant of God.

H.S came to some for them to perform physical tasks, others for spiritual tasks.

Not all (in fact very few) of the people of God had experience of the H.S. in their lives (Num 11:29).

H.S seemed mainly to come upon leaders & prophets.

H.S.’s coming was very temporary on some, but more permanent to others. The resulting character and life’s work of the individual gives an idea as to how temporary the H.S. was with them.

At times the H.S. came upon men who were ungodly in character, e.g. Balaam, Samson, Saul.

2 Key Concepts ...1. The House of God: the place of His

Name, where God walks and lives among his people

2 Key Concepts ...1. The House of God: the place of His Name,

where God walks and lives among his people

2. The Pillar of Cloud: Symbol of the real presence of God. The place of the Presence - Pillar of Cloud was in and onthe Tabernacle. Exodus 40:34-38;

2 Key Concepts ...1. The House of God: the place of His Name, where

God walks and lives among his people

2. The Pillar of Cloud: The Pillar Cloud was the Holy Spirit living with God’s peopleIsaiah 63:7-14 Nehemiah 9:19-20

The Presence of God

Communion: The Tent of Meeting The Presence of God with Moses. Exodus 33:7-23

The Presence of God Sign of Separation:

The Presence of God was the sign that distinguished God’s people from all others. Exodus 34:29-35

Guidance & Direction: God’s Spirit used the Pillar of Cloud to guide and instruct the people of GodNum. 9:15-23; 12:5Isaiah 63:7-14 Nehemiah 9:19-20

The Presence of God

The Work of the Holy Spirit

He brings us the real presence of God

He brings communion with God

 He teaches and instructs

He guides and gives direction

He protects and keeps us

He gives us rest & will bring us safely home

The Spirit of God

A very busy “person” ?… or just the activity of

a very busy God?

But we are in the New Covenant …

Promise of a new relationship between God and Humanity – Jer. 31:33-34

How? By placing His Spirit inside all his people Ezek 36:26-27 Cleansing: a new heart and a new spirit.

Extent? Not just in the leaders but in all of God’s people - Eze 37:1-14 .

When? Joel 2:28-29 In the last days …!”

Summary of Spirit’s working in O.T. Most commonly the H.S. was described as

“coming upon” or resting ‘on’ a servant of God. The coming of the H.S. was specific to each

individuals, usually for one specific task to be done.

Not all (in fact very few) of the people of God had experience of the H.S. in their lives (Num 11:29).

H.S seemed mainly to come upon leaders & prophets.

H.S.’s coming was very temporary on some, but more permanent to others. The resulting character and life’s work of the individual gives an idea as to how temporary the H.S. was with them..

H.S came to some for them to perform physical tasks, others for spiritual tasks.

At times the H.S. came upon men who were ungodly in character, e.g. Balaam, Samson, Saul.

The roles of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Creative: Life-Giving: Truth Revealing: Ever Fighting evil:

Task Enabling:

The

“DUNAMIS”

of God

Ruach – Hebrew for “spirit”

(378 occurances) Air-mouth = Breath Judges 15:19

= words Ps 33:6 Air - wind = Ex. 10:13,19 Air – emptiness = Jer. 5:13; Prov 11:29 Air – Life = natural ‘spirit’ of a human

Gen 7:21-22; Eccl 12:7 Air - atmosphere = Josh 2:11; Eccl. 10:4;

Ps 51:12 parallel with joy Air - unseen = spirit beings 1 Kings 22:21

= Spirit of God, God at work Gen 1:2

(65 times)

Pneuma – Greek word for Spirit

Wind – John 3:8 Breath – 2 Thess 2:9 characteristic – 2 Tim 1:7 Non-human beings – angels Heb 1:14,

demons Matt 8:16 God – the Holy Spirit Matt 4:1 The life part of a human - Luke 8:55 The inner knowing part – Acts 17:16 Disembodied human – Heb 12:23 The Resurrected body – 1 Cor 15:45

Pictures Describing the Holy Spirit

Breath of God/Life of God Wind: - Jn 3:1-9; Acts 2:2 Water: - Jn 4:14 Jn 7:38, 39 Dew: / gentle rain . Olive oil - anoint , fuel, honoring people,

healing Dove: innocence, purity, deep emotion,

love Fire: judgment, testing, destruction or

cleansing, zeal or passion

Voice: Isa 6:8 means through whom God speaks

Seal: ownership and security Clothing: Judges 6:33; Eph 4:22-24;. Pillar Cloud: - Guidance and protection

He is the “Spirit of Jesus”

John 14:16 - The “Paraklete” …‘Para’ to be alongside ( Parallel). ‘Kaleo’ to

call – so means ‘called to one’s side’. Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26 Acts 9:31- comforter /

helper / encourager - one who is able to be right next to us at all times, able to assist in all situations; friend and companion

1 John 2:1 - advocate or intercessor, a legal assistant, counsel for defense - one who pleads our cause before God - Rom 8:26, 27

So what Christ was to the disciples, the Holy Spirit should be to us, by faith.

Jesus – the “model” of a New Covenant Person

Prophesied in the O.T– Isa 11:12 - Seven - fold character of

the H.S. which would rest on the Messiah

– Isa 42:1-4 (Matt 12:15-21). H.S. on Christ to preach to all nations and bring justice to the earth

– Is 61:1 (Luke 4:18, 19). H.S. on Christ to preach/free/heal

Incarnation of Christ– Matt 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35 - H.S. involved

in the conception in Mary of the son of God.

What OT connections are found in Acts 2:1-18?

Pentecost - Feast of Firstfruits Pentecost – Giving of the Law Powerful Wind – Sinai & Horeb Pillar of cloud & fire Tower of Babel Promise of universal outpouring of

Holy Spirit All filled with Holy Spirit