The Holy Spirit
I was looking back through some old papers I wrote in undergrad and found this one... likely my favorite paper I ever got to write for school. I know in dialogue with people over the years that I have had more than a few requests to put this online. Hopefully, they will find this on here or my facebook notes (where it will get imported). I go through and list what the results of the Holy Spirit coming on someone (or them being filled with the Holy Ghost) were in the Bible. VERY interesting to study... This paper was written a few years ago, my second semester at college after having been cancer-free. This is not the whole paper, but simply one point so there is no intro, conclusion, etc. here. God bless!
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Biblical Evidence for Being Led/ Filled by the Spirit
In the Bible, after the Holy Spirit’s filling, manifestations include prophecy, empowerment to complete tasks, victory in intense conflict, geographical change, and life, at times, including even abundance or healing. The consequences of the Spirit’s indwelling also include speaking in tongues, boldness in speech, and, in two rare circumstances, glimpses into the supernatural before leaving earth. First, unlike the New Testament where identifying the Holy Spirit is obvious, one needs to find how to find Him in the Old Testament. This can be difficult since the Old Testament rarely uses the words “Holy Spirit.” However, “the Spirit of God” is frequently used and it comes from the two nouns Spirit and God. While some might argue that this is simply referring to God’s activity, mind, or will; after comparing Joel’s prophecy with Pentecost it is clear that this is not true (Erickson 276). Acts 2:18 quotes Joel as saying that God will “pour out my Spirit,” and then that this is done by the “Holy Spirit” (NIV Acts 1:8). Clearly, the Spirit of God of the Old Testament is synonymous with the Holy Spirit (Erickson 276). One thing that should be noted in studying the Old Testament is that the indwelling by the Spirit of God can happen either intermittently or permanently (Erickson 277).
Prophecy is a clear result of being filled with the Spirit. In the second chapter of Ezekiel, Ezekiel testifies that his gift of prophecy came about as the result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (Erickson 277). This is described as follows: “As he spoke the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me” (NIV Ezekiel 2:2). The Holy Spirit also came upon Isaiah causing him to prophesy (NIV Isaiah 59:21). In Second Chronicles, the filling by the Spirit of God occurs immediately prior to prophecy. This happens to Azariah, Jahaziel, and Zechariah in chapters fifteen, twenty, and twenty-four, respectively. In the book of Acts, Agabus prophesies as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:28). King Saul is another man who prophesies as a result of the power of the Spirit. It says in 1 Samuel 10:10 that “When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power and he joined in their prophesying” (NIV). In 1 Samuel 19, Saul tries to send men to capture David. When this group meets Samuel and a group of prophets, however, the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they prophesy. So Saul sends another group of men and again, they prophesy through the Spirit’s indwelling. So Saul again repeats this and gets the same result. Finally, Saul travels to David, but, before he can get to him, the Holy Spirit falls upon him. This prompts him to strip off his robes and then prophesy and lay down all day and night; unable to get up as a result of the power of the Spirit (1 Samuel 19:20-24).
Another manifestation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs through giving empowerment to tasks that need to be done (Erickson 277). In Exodus 31:3, the filling of the Holy Spirit results in Bezalel having “skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts” to build the tabernacle (NIV). The Spirit of God is so powerful in Joseph’s administrative abilities that Pharaoh recognized it and said, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God” (NIV)? Gideon, by the power of the Spirit becomes gifted in leadership, “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him” (NIV Judges 6:34-35).
The filling of the Holy Spirit also can precede victory in intense conflict. In the book of Judges, the Holy Spirit gives ability to some of the leaders to fight in war; this includes Othniel, Samson, and Jephthah. Like the Old Testament judges, the empowerment by the Holy Spirit prompts Jesus into conflict and victory with his temptation by the devil (Luke 4:1-2).
The Holy Spirit also can cause geographical change. He seems to transport Elijah (Barker 511). In fact, the logical conclusion by the prophets after Elijah is brought to heaven is to look in different valleys or mountains to see if the Spirit of the Lord picks up and moves him there (NIV 2 Kings 2:16). Ezekiel also experiences being moved by the Holy Spirit: “The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away…” (NIV Ezekiel 3:14, 11:1). After the Holy Spirit came on Jesus during baptism (Matt. 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32), it drove him into the desert (Luke 4:1, Mark 1:12). Philip is snatched away by the Spirit of the Lord after meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch (NIV Acts 8:39). Paul and Barnabus are sent to Cyprus as a result of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4) but are prohibited from entering the province of Asia (Acts 16:6).
The Holy Spirit’s infilling also causes life and, at times, even abundance or healing. Isaiah 32:14-15 says, “The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, tell the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest” (NIV Isaiah 32:14-15). When Ezekiel sees the valley of the dry bones the Lord tells him that, “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live...” (Ezekiel 37:14). Because of the Holy Spirit’s infilling, Jesus’ ministry statement captures the essence of the abundant life, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Similarly, Acts historically records that Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Ghost caused Him to heal and do good.
In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit’s infilling causes Christians to speak in tongues frequently. This happens first at Pentecost (Acts 2:4), then to the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46), and later to a group of twelve men who also prophesy (Acts 19:6-7).
The Holy Spirit’s infilling causes great boldness in Peter in Acts 4:8. As a result, he gives glory to God despite persecution. In Acts 4:31, the filling of the Holy Ghost causes boldness. Paul preaches with great boldness shortly after conversion due to the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-22). The filling of the Holy Spirit in Paul causes him to boldly confront Elymas and, as a result, he becomes blind (Acts 13:9-12).
The anointing of the Holy Spirit also, in two rare circumstances, brought glimpses into the supernatural before leaving earth. Stephen, when filled with the Holy Spirit, glimpses God, in Acts 7:55, immediately prior to being stoned. Since Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit before death it appears he also is filled with the Holy Spirit immediately prior to departing to heaven (2 Kings 2:9-12).
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Biblical Evidence for Being Led/ Filled by the Spirit
In the Bible, after the Holy Spirit’s filling, manifestations include prophecy, empowerment to complete tasks, victory in intense conflict, geographical change, and life, at times, including even abundance or healing. The consequences of the Spirit’s indwelling also include speaking in tongues, boldness in speech, and, in two rare circumstances, glimpses into the supernatural before leaving earth. First, unlike the New Testament where identifying the Holy Spirit is obvious, one needs to find how to find Him in the Old Testament. This can be difficult since the Old Testament rarely uses the words “Holy Spirit.” However, “the Spirit of God” is frequently used and it comes from the two nouns Spirit and God. While some might argue that this is simply referring to God’s activity, mind, or will; after comparing Joel’s prophecy with Pentecost it is clear that this is not true (Erickson 276). Acts 2:18 quotes Joel as saying that God will “pour out my Spirit,” and then that this is done by the “Holy Spirit” (NIV Acts 1:8). Clearly, the Spirit of God of the Old Testament is synonymous with the Holy Spirit (Erickson 276). One thing that should be noted in studying the Old Testament is that the indwelling by the Spirit of God can happen either intermittently or permanently (Erickson 277).
Prophecy is a clear result of being filled with the Spirit. In the second chapter of Ezekiel, Ezekiel testifies that his gift of prophecy came about as the result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (Erickson 277). This is described as follows: “As he spoke the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me” (NIV Ezekiel 2:2). The Holy Spirit also came upon Isaiah causing him to prophesy (NIV Isaiah 59:21). In Second Chronicles, the filling by the Spirit of God occurs immediately prior to prophecy. This happens to Azariah, Jahaziel, and Zechariah in chapters fifteen, twenty, and twenty-four, respectively. In the book of Acts, Agabus prophesies as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:28). King Saul is another man who prophesies as a result of the power of the Spirit. It says in 1 Samuel 10:10 that “When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power and he joined in their prophesying” (NIV). In 1 Samuel 19, Saul tries to send men to capture David. When this group meets Samuel and a group of prophets, however, the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they prophesy. So Saul sends another group of men and again, they prophesy through the Spirit’s indwelling. So Saul again repeats this and gets the same result. Finally, Saul travels to David, but, before he can get to him, the Holy Spirit falls upon him. This prompts him to strip off his robes and then prophesy and lay down all day and night; unable to get up as a result of the power of the Spirit (1 Samuel 19:20-24).
Another manifestation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs through giving empowerment to tasks that need to be done (Erickson 277). In Exodus 31:3, the filling of the Holy Spirit results in Bezalel having “skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts” to build the tabernacle (NIV). The Spirit of God is so powerful in Joseph’s administrative abilities that Pharaoh recognized it and said, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God” (NIV)? Gideon, by the power of the Spirit becomes gifted in leadership, “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him” (NIV Judges 6:34-35).
The filling of the Holy Spirit also can precede victory in intense conflict. In the book of Judges, the Holy Spirit gives ability to some of the leaders to fight in war; this includes Othniel, Samson, and Jephthah. Like the Old Testament judges, the empowerment by the Holy Spirit prompts Jesus into conflict and victory with his temptation by the devil (Luke 4:1-2).
The Holy Spirit also can cause geographical change. He seems to transport Elijah (Barker 511). In fact, the logical conclusion by the prophets after Elijah is brought to heaven is to look in different valleys or mountains to see if the Spirit of the Lord picks up and moves him there (NIV 2 Kings 2:16). Ezekiel also experiences being moved by the Holy Spirit: “The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away…” (NIV Ezekiel 3:14, 11:1). After the Holy Spirit came on Jesus during baptism (Matt. 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32), it drove him into the desert (Luke 4:1, Mark 1:12). Philip is snatched away by the Spirit of the Lord after meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch (NIV Acts 8:39). Paul and Barnabus are sent to Cyprus as a result of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4) but are prohibited from entering the province of Asia (Acts 16:6).
The Holy Spirit’s infilling also causes life and, at times, even abundance or healing. Isaiah 32:14-15 says, “The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, tell the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest” (NIV Isaiah 32:14-15). When Ezekiel sees the valley of the dry bones the Lord tells him that, “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live...” (Ezekiel 37:14). Because of the Holy Spirit’s infilling, Jesus’ ministry statement captures the essence of the abundant life, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Similarly, Acts historically records that Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Ghost caused Him to heal and do good.
In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit’s infilling causes Christians to speak in tongues frequently. This happens first at Pentecost (Acts 2:4), then to the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46), and later to a group of twelve men who also prophesy (Acts 19:6-7).
The Holy Spirit’s infilling causes great boldness in Peter in Acts 4:8. As a result, he gives glory to God despite persecution. In Acts 4:31, the filling of the Holy Ghost causes boldness. Paul preaches with great boldness shortly after conversion due to the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-22). The filling of the Holy Spirit in Paul causes him to boldly confront Elymas and, as a result, he becomes blind (Acts 13:9-12).
The anointing of the Holy Spirit also, in two rare circumstances, brought glimpses into the supernatural before leaving earth. Stephen, when filled with the Holy Spirit, glimpses God, in Acts 7:55, immediately prior to being stoned. Since Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit before death it appears he also is filled with the Holy Spirit immediately prior to departing to heaven (2 Kings 2:9-12).
posted by Seltzer at 4:27 AM
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