Bible Question:
When did the Holy Spirit come: after Jesus or before? The Old Testament also refers to the Holy Spirit. When reading John 16:7, it sounds as if the Holy Spirit is sent to replace the physical absence of Jesus. Why would the Holy Spirit be in the Old Testament then?
Bible Answer:
When did the Holy Spirit come is an extremely important question. The answer to this question unlocks the door of many mysteries about the Holy Spirit and the ministry of Jesus Christ. Two tables are provided that show the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and His ministry to Christ.
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Holy Spirit’s Ministry in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit was present in the Old Testament. He has always been present upon the earth. In the Old Testament He ministered to believers such as Moses and his leadership team, as well as to Othniel, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, Jephthah, Saul, David, and all of the prophets.
Notice that in each case the Spirit came “upon” them. He did not dwell inside them. He did not always remain with them. King David understood this when he asked God to not remove the Holy Spirit from him. This is an important point. In 1 Samuel 16:13-14, we are told that the Holy Spirit came “mightily upon” David, and then later in Psalms 51:11 David asks God to not remove the Holy Spirit from him. The Holy Spirit came “upon” people, but He did not remain, residing within them.
Holy Spirit’s Ministry to Jesus
When we come to the New Testament, we find that the Holy Spirit was also present during Jesus’ ministry, and helped Him perform miracles, and to cast out demons. The following table provides some valuable information about how the Holy Spirit helped Christ during His ministry.
This is an exciting truth because it reveals the fact that when Jesus became a human, He lived His life as you and I would. But He was God and without sin. While He lived on this earth, He depended on the power of the Holy Spirit to do the ministry. This is a great spiritual insight. This should be the pattern of our Christian life – dependence upon the Holy Spirit to work through us. Jesus is our example of human dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit’s Ministry after Jesus
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We have already seen that the Holy Spirit was active on this earth in the Old Testament and during Jesus’ ministry. Yet in John 16:7, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will come after He returns to heaven.
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7 (NASB)
Jesus said the same thing earlier in John 14:26 and John 15:26.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 (NASB)
When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, John 15:26 (NASB)
Who is the Helper? Jesus gave the answer in John 14:16.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever. John 14:16 (NASB)
The Helper is the Holy Spirit. What did Jesus mean that the Holy Spirit would be coming, since He was already present? Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit coming in a new and different way. This was prophesied in the Old Testament according to Acts 2:14-21 and it happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts. 2:1-13). With the start of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit started living inside those who believed in God.
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. . . In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance . . . Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)
Do not miss the phrase “Holy Spirit of promise.” This implies the Holy Spirit is coming in a new and different way.
Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Acts 2:33 (NASB)
. . . in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 (NASB)
Now a promise is not something that has already happened, but something that is coming – something that is in the future. The Holy Spirit would not only live in Jews but in Gentiles too! He lives inside all believers, starting on the Day of Pentecost and He never leaves (Ephesians 1:13-14). The proof or guarantee that one is a Christian is that he/she is being led by the Holy Spirit.
. . . for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:13-14 (NASB)
That was not true with David. David did not have that guarantee in the Old Testament.
Conclusion:
Why would the Holy Spirit be in the Old Testament then? Because He ministered to men and women in the Old Testament in many of the ways as He does today. Yet, He was promised to come in the future in a new and different way. That happened at Pentecost. He places every believer into the body of Christ and then remains in the believer. He places Gentiles and Jews together as equals (Gal. 3:28). He is the proof that we belong to God. He lives in us!
Suggested Links:
The Holy Spirit – identity and ministry Did the Holy Spirit come upon or fill the Old Testament saints? Was Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit before He was baptized? Baptism of Jesus Temptation of Jesus
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