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Holy Spirit in Old Testament
The document discusses the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, particularly focusing on its role as the 'paraclete' and its distinction between the Old and New Testaments. It emphasizes the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence and ongoing work in believers, contrasting this with its temporary empowerment of individuals in the Old Testament. Key themes include the Spirit as an agent of God's will, the process of revelation, and the expected new manifestation of the Spirit in the New Covenant.
In this document
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Introduction to Pneumatology, emphasizing the theological study of the Holy Spirit.
Definition of 'Parakletos' as Comforter and Advocate, highlighting the supportive role of the Holy Spirit.
Discusses the Holy Spirit being both 'with' and 'in' believers and His role as God's abiding presence.
Highlights that the Holy Spirit continues Christ’s work on earth and maintains God’s presence with believers.
Questions the presence and role of the Holy Spirit as mentioned in the Old Testament.
Contrasts references to the Holy Spirit in the OT vs. NT, noting significantly less mentions in the OT.
Notes the increase in references to the Holy Spirit in the NT compared to the OT, particularly in Acts.
Identifies the Spirit as the life-giver and Creator in the OT, contributing to the nation of Israel's identity and hope.
Describes the Holy Spirit as enabling Israel’s representatives for governance, acting as a directing agent.
Examines the Spirit’s role in moral authority and judgment over human sin and Israel's relationship with God.
Explains how the Spirit communicates God's will, including through prophecy and guidance in the wilderness.
Discusses the Spirit’s role in the regeneration of OT believers, foreshadowing new life in the NT.
Introduces themes of a new manifestation, power, and community anticipated with the Spirit in the NT.
Compares the Spirit's work in the OT to its new characteristics in the NT, emphasizing its efficacy and invisibility.
Presents distinct features of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the NT, including permanence and indwelling.
Clarifies that while the Holy Spirit is the same, His functional roles differ between the OT and NT.
Explains how the Holy Spirit empowers believers uniquely under the New Covenant compared to the OT.
Summarizes the continuity and difference in the Holy Spirit's operation in both the OT and NT, emphasizing permanent indwelling.
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Holy Spirit in Old Testament
- 1. The Doctrine ofthe Holy Spirit • Fancy theological word . . . • Pneumatology
- 2. Greek: “Parakletos” (John14) Para = “alongside” and Kaleo = “to call” or “to help” The word means Comforter, Encourager, and Advocate The Paraclete is one who pleads, intercedes, or helps another
- 3. Review of Two(2) Key Points: 1. The Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete, is not merely “with” but also “in” the believer (John 14:16) 2. The Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete, is commissioned to be the abiding presence of God (John 14:17-18)
- 4. The work ofthe Holy Spirit parallels the work of Christ. He comes to replace Christ, to carry on His work in the world, and to maintain the Lord’s presence with the believer.
- 5. What about theHoly Spirit in the Old Testament?
- 6. Spirit = “Ruach” •References to the “Spirit of God” or the “Holy Spirit” is less than 100 in the OT, whereas there are 261 such references in the NT. • The designation “Holy Spirit” occurs about 90 times in the NT and only 3 times in the OT (Psalm 51:11; Isaiah 63:10-11).
- 7. The third Personof the Godhead is mentioned more frequently and explicitly in the NT than in the OT. He is especially prominent in Acts 1-12.
- 9. Thematic Emphases ofthe Spirit in the Old Testament A) Agent of God’s Creative Will 1. He is the life-bringer and life-sustainer (Genesis 1:2; 2:7; Is. 40:13; Ps. 104:29-30), Creator and Re-Creator. 2. He is the Creator of the cosmos and the elect nation of Israel. 3. He is the Creator of Israel’s eschatological hope as He motivates a return to the land where life will flourish (Is. 32:15; 34:16; 48:16; Ez. 36; Joel 2)
- 10. Thematic Emphases ofthe Spirit in the Old Testament B) Agent of God’s Theocratic Will (He enables Israel’s representatives in the exercise of righteous government on the earth) 1) The Spirit comes “upon” or is “with” some (not all); the Spirit is a directing agent. The human agent is enabled and controlled within the providential will of God (1 Samuel 10:6; Numbers 27:18). 2) The Spirit fills (Ex. 31:3, 35:31).
- 11. Thematic Emphases ofthe Spirit in the Old Testament C) Agent of God’s Moral Will 1. Restraint (or judgment) of sin in Gen. 6:3 expresses the continuing dependence of humanity upon God by the Spirit’s presence activity. 2. Isaiah 63:7-14 speaks of the nation’s grieving the Spirit in her sin even from her creation in Egypt. 3. An increasing emphasis of the OT is upon the moral unworthiness of the nation as the reason for the departure of God’s enabling Spirit. In other words, the wickedness of the nation and remoteness of the Spirit stood in direct proportion to one another.
- 12. Thematic Emphases ofthe Spirit in the Old Testament D) Agent of Revelation of God’s Will (2 Peter 1:20-21) 1. Example of Balaam (Numbers 24:2) 2. Instruction of the nation in the wilderness (Neh. 9:20) 3. Ministry to and through the prophets. He could transport the prophets on earth (1 Kings 18:12) and in vision (Ez. 2:2; 3:24)
- 13. Thematic Emphases ofthe Spirit in the Old Testament E) Agent of God’s Regenerating Will The following texts suggest the regeneration of OT believers: Ez. 11:19; 18:31; 36:25-27; cf. John 3.
- 14. Transition to theNT In the OT, a new and fresh coming of the Spirit is anticipated: 1. New Manifestation 2. New Power 3. New Community
- 15. Transition to theNT A) The distinguishing characteristics of the Spirit’s work in the OT are indicated in John 3:8. Like the wind: 1) His work is incomprehensible / uncontrollable. 2) His work is invisible, but evident 3) His work is effectual
- 16. Transition to theNT The distinctive characteristics of the Spirit’s presence in the NT are given in John 14:16-17. 1) Forever vs. withdrawn (cf. Ps. 51:11) 2) “In” beyond “upon” or “with” 3) All vs. selective
- 17. What is thedifference between the Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT? John MacArthur: There is no difference, He is the same Holy Spirit. However, the distinction in the Spirit’s function is best made by our Lord in John 14:16-17 . . . No such promise is made in the OT. In Ez. 36:26 we see that the indwelling of the Spirit is promised to those under the New Covenant.
- 18. What is thedifference between the Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT? The Holy Spirit lives in all believers, granting us a fullness of power and accountability that is unique to those of us under the New Covenant. In the OT, the Holy Spirit would come upon someone for a specific purpose, and then depart from him (e.g., 1 Sam. 11:6; 16:14). But that doesn’t mean people who were drawn to God were not drawn and kept by the Spirit. The OT saints were empowered by God and were just as accountable to Him as we are.
- 19. What is thedifference between the Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT? It’s difficult to understand the distinction in the Spirit’s function in the Old and New Testaments, but the Holy Spirit has always been at work in God’s people. The OT saints possessed the Spirit, yet not in the same sense that we do. Under the New Covenant, He has a unique and permanent identity with those in whom the living Christ dwells.