Part I From Creation Until Jesus' Ascension

God selectively filled individuals with the Spirit for a specific task/mission: 2 Peter 1:21 To inform people of God’s will/thoughts/commands through his prophets A prophet is someone who utters prophecy, or God’s message (could be specific knowledge – e.g. Nathan to king David, could be praises or could reveal something in the future -see Appendix)

1a. The Spirit comes on a person to speak or to act in a specific situation:

• 1 Chronicles 28: 11- 12 the Spirit put ideas in man’s mind –very specific design for God’s temple

• 2 Chronicles 15:1 – 7 came on Azariah to call Asa (king of Judah) to seek God and to take courage

• 2 Chronicle 20: 14-17 Zechariah encourages King Jehoshaphat and gives the battle

• 2 Chronical 24: 21 Zechariah confronts people of Israel’s rebellion – they did not want to listen The Spirit of God comes on not only godly men, but also ordinary, and even wicked men 1 Samuel 10: 19 When they (Saul and Samuel) arrived at Gibeah, a processing of the prophets met him, the Spirit of God came upon him and power, and he joined in their prophesying. (after Saul was anointed by Samuel)

• 1 Samuel 19:20-24 (after God rejected Saul as King and while Saul tries to kill David, who has been anointed by Samuel as the next King) Saul sent his men to capture David, they came to a group of prophets and joined them in prophesying, finally Saul himself went and the Spirit of God came to him and cause him to prophesy as well.

1b. The Spirit empowers a person to do miracles

• Exodus 7 – 11 Moses and the 10 Plagues

• 1 King 17:1, 7-10, 17-24, 18. 25-38 Elijah the prophet: predicted the drought (but also empowered to end it), let flours and oil not run out, brought to life a dead boy, called on the fire of God on Mount Carmel – a real cooperation between God and the prophet (God told him that the widow would take care of him. He did the miracle to get food supply, he challenged the prophets of Baal and prayed for God to answer him).

• 2 King 2:19-22 Elisha: the healing water; 23-24 curse on 42 youth; 3:17-19 predicts winning of war, 4: 1-7 multiplies olive oil; 8:16 grants the wish of a woman to have a son; 8:27 God did not reveal everything 8:32-35 restores the Shunammite’s son to life; 4:38-31 neutralizes poison in the soup; 4:42-44 feed a hundred with 20 loaves of bread; 5:1-10 cures Naaman of leprosy; 5:26-27 ‘sees’ his servants misdeed and places curse on him, 6:18 strikes enemies with blindness; and so on…

• Luke 3: 21-22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. Luke 4: 1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness Luke 4: 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. Luke 4: 32 They were amazed at his teaching because his words had authority. Jesus drove out demons, healed the sick, multiples fish and bread, and raised the dead……

These men were empowered to do miracle – using their own discretion throughout this ‘ministry’. They are ‘free’ to use their power not only in a major event, but also in day-to-day life situation. There are men who were close to God – God’s words comes to them and they do not doubt (Elijah and the widow who had not oil). God shows them things they cannot see with their eyes (Elisha) and answers their prayers (Elijah with the fire on water). Sometimes God does not tell them and they have to figure out with what they have (Elisha and the Shunammite). One thing is clear, they walk closely with God and set their hearts and mind on doing God’s will, as God’s instrument on earth.

1c. The Spirit of God resides in a person to give them gifts of ability

• Exodus 31: 2-5 Bezalel the craftsman is filled with God’s spirit to make artistic designs

• Daniel 4: 9, 5:14 In Daniel to explain God’s visions to the King

These men have extraordinary gift for an ordinary talent.

Part II After the Ascenion of Jesus

Up till the time of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came to earth and to selected people for very specific time and purpose. The prophet Joel and Jesus, however, prophecy very specifically a new kind of interaction of the Holy Spirit on earth and in people:

• Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Our sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

• Acts 1: 5, 8 Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. V8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

• John 15: 26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father -the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me. And you (the disciples) also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 14: 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

• John 14:15-17 – If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. When and how are these promises fulfilled?

2a. The Pouring Out of the Holy Spirit Prophecy was fulfilled when the gospel was first preached:

To the Jews: 

• Acts 1: 5, 8 Jesus prophecies the time when the promises of the Holy Spirit will be fulfilled. 

• Acts 2: Background: a large number of Jews from around the world visiting Jerusalem for the holiday. Firs time the gospel of Christ being preached by the apostles (v 14-36). People were baptized and the church of Jesus was formed (v. 37-47)

• Acts 2: 1-4 How the Holy Spirit comes onto people. V3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

To the Gentiles: 

• Acts 10: 1-43 background: first time ever the message of Christ was preached to gentiles (until then, the message of Christ was only shared with the Jews, as ‘Christianity’ was till considered a sect within Judaism.) 

• Acts 10: 44-48 How the Holy Spirit comes to the gentiles. V44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all wo heard the message The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking ín tongues (language) and praising God.

In Summary and comparison:

• When: watershed moments when the gospel was first preached – first time in Jerusalem to Jews and converts to Judaism, then in Corinth first time to non-Jews

• Whom: Jews and gentiles, before they came to believe in the message of Christ

• What: speaking in foreign languages

2b. Miraculous Signs and Wonders through the Holy Spirit

• John 15:26, Hebrews 2:4 God’s Spirit continues to enable individuals to do miracles to testify Jesus.

• Acts 3:6, 5: 12 Peter heals a lame beggar and the apostles (the 12 disciples of Jesus) performed many signs and wonders among the people.

• Acts 6: 1 choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom….. Stephen, Philip, v6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. Acts 6:8 Stephen performed great wonders and sings among the people.

• Acts 8: 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.

• Acts 8: 14- 17 Peter and John came from Jerusalem to pray and lay their hands on those who have been baptized. Acts 8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.

In summary

• Who: The ability to perform miraculous signs and wonders were first given to the apostles then to those on whom they laid their hands.

• What: primarily healing ? (signs and miracles)

• When: during the lifetime of the apostles and those on whom they laid their hands (when the gospel was first preached and the churches being established Hebrews 2: 3b – 4 confirmed by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles…).

2c. Gift of Ability/Faith/Character through the Holy Spirit

God’s Spirit is now generously distributed to people for the purpose of teaching and building up the church (John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.)

• 1 Corinthians 12: 4-10 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

• Romans 12: 3-8 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith, if it is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach, if it is to encourage, then give encouragement, if it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead, do it diligently, if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The Holy Spirit is very much active in maturing and strengthening Jesus’ church. He distributes gifts to the members of the church as he see fits, so that together the people of God can build up each other and glorify Jesus as a church. He will give gifts according to the need of the church, as we notice the different list in Corinth and Rome. (It’s possible that the power to heal and to do miracles are available only to those on whom the apostles had laid their hands.) Each church has a different needs – by geography and by time. The Holy Spirit will decide what gifts to give. ü

• Whom: church members / Christians ü

• What: various gifts of ability, faith, spiritual qualities 

• Why: For common good (building up the church) 

• How: We should receive and use the gift with humility 

• How: We should use our gift according to our faith (not holding back, or use our gift as a measure of our faith (the other way around)

Summary of different manifestations of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit

Study #9 The Holy Spirit

• The role of the Holy Spirit

• The Spirit-led life

• The Spirit.filled life