While there is a lot of discussion about various “spiritual gifts” that are given through the Holy Spirit to believers, we should not forget that the Holy Spirit Himself is a wonderful gift given to those who believe in Jesus. This truth was remembered and celebrated this past Sunday, as it was Pentecost Sunday. In order to understand the significance of this gift, it is wise to consider the background of the gift of the Spirit as well as the way the Spirit ministers to believers.
The Presence of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit does not appear out of nowhere on the day of Pentecost, as the Spirit is at work in the Old Testament. We read about the work of the Spirit in creation, as the Spirit hovers over the surface of the earth (Genesis 1:2) and God breathes the breath of life into humanity (Genesis 2:7). Other references to the work of the Spirit in creating and sustaining the earth can be found in Psalm 33:6, Psalm 104:30 and Job 33:4. The Spirit was at work in the writing of the Holy Scriptures, guiding those who wrote the books of the Old Testament (2 Peter 1:21). We also see the Spirit at work in various individuals throughout the Old Testament. For example, Samson receives the Holy Spirit as he fights the Philistines (Judges 14:5-6; 15:14), and Bezalel receives the Spirit to build the holy tabernacle (Exodus 31). Kings and prophets were anointed by the Holy Spirit for their work, but the presence of this spiritual anointing could be withdrawn (1 Samuel 16:14; Psalm 51:11). Therefore, the Spirit is at work in particular people for particular times and in particular ways.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit Made Through the Prophets (and Jesus!)
There was a promise made that the Holy Spirit’s work would expand among God’s people, both in terms of who would have the Spirit (all believers) and what the Spirit would do in the hearts of believers (enable holy living). We read about such promises in Isaiah 32:15, noting that the Spirit would be poured out from on high, and in Ezekiel 26:24-27 where God says that He would put His Spirit within His people to cause them to walk faithfully in His laws. Perhaps the most prominent statement of the promise of the Spirit is in Joel 2:28-29 when it says the Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, not just a select few. Jesus draws upon these prophecies in his ministry as he proclaims in John 14-16 that he would send the Spirit after he departs – in particular, saying the Spirit would now be in the disciples (John 14:17). In Acts 1:4-5 Jesus notes that he will fulfill the prophecy of John the Baptist that one would come after John who would not baptize with water, but rather with the Spirit. He told the disciples that this fulfillment would happen soon (though he did not tell them when or what exactly it would look like).
The Pouring Out of the Spirit
These promises were fulfilled at the celebration of Pentecost the year that Jesus died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven that is described in Acts 2. The signs of wind, fire, and ecstatic speech all point to the presence of the Holy Spirit due to their imagery from the Old Testament, and Peter notes that these events fulfill Joel 2. This marks a new age in which all who believe in Jesus receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, as Peter proclaims that those who repent and are baptized receive forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Baptism is not the means by which these are achieved, but rather the outward sign that signifies these inward realities. The Apostle Paul affirms the reality of the Spirit being upon every believer in his letters, noting it is the mark of a Christian (Romans 5:5; 8:9; Galatians 4:2-3; and 1 Corinthians 12:13); John also affirms this in 1 John 4:13. In fact, this reality of the presence of the Spirit in believers means that they are the temple of God both corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16) and individually (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Present Ministry in Our Lives
The reality of the Spirit within each believer is amazing, but the work the Spirit does in the lives of a believer is also amazing. There are a number of passages that explain the Spirit’s present ministry in believers; space does not allow for careful examination of each one, so we will give a broad overview of these passages. Before noting the work of the Spirit within believers, it is good to remember that the Spirit is at work in producing faith, as the Spirit gives us life (John 6:63) and causes us to be renewed and regenerated (Titus 3:5-6; also see John 3:3-8 and the reference to the wind). The Spirit guides us in truth (John 14:26; 16:13), giving us wisdom and knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17) as well as power to know Christ more (Ephesians 3:16-19). The Spirit also leads to faithful living (Galatians 5:16), helping us to overcome sin (Romans 8:13) and live holy lives (1 Peter 1:2), producing fruit of good character and conduct (Galatians 5:22-25). The Spirit gives us access to the Father in prayer (Ephesians 2:18) and intercedes for us in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit creates unity (Ephesians 4:3) and fellowship (2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1) between believers, thus both uniting us to Christ and also to each other. We are called to be filled with the Spirit so that He controls our actions (Ephesians 5:18) and to pray through the Spirit as we go through spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:18; also see Jude 20). People speak boldly because of the presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31) and know the Spirit gives gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Spirit also assures us of our salvation (Romans 8:16), being a seal to guarantee our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5). The Spirit is thus at work throughout our lives, drawing us closer to Christ and keeping us close until we are in his presence.
The next few posts will explore more of the Spirit’s work in believers, helping us further see how significant and spectacular the gift of the Holy Spirit is.
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