The New Testament Shows Us the Holy Spirit

The first time that we read anything about the Holy Spirit is in Genesis 1:2 when we are told that He was moving over the surface of the deep. However, even though He is mentioned several times throughout the Old Testament, we see Him manifested more completely in the New Testament.

Some of the things that are mentioned about the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is that it was the Holy Spirit who allowed the prophets to communicate the word of God (Numbers 11:29), it was the Holy Spirit who made it possible for Israel to create all of the artifacts used in the tabernacle (Exodus 28:3), and the Holy Spirit gave wisdom to the 70 men chosen as elders of Israel (Numbers 11:17).

There are also some promises given in the Old Testament concerning the Holy Spirit. We are told by the prophet Joel that a day would come when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32). We are also told that a time would come when God would place His Spirit in mankind (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

We can see all of these things that are hard to understand take place in the New Testament. We can see the Holy Spirit working throughout the New Testament, and we can come to a better understanding of who He is and what He does. This doesn't mean a perfect understand, for how can mortal men hope to understand deity, but we do gain a new insight.

Peter would tell us on the day of Pentecost that mankind may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when they are baptized into Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). This promise is for everyone in the world - all who are far off - bringing God's promises in the Old Testament to fruition. In the Old Testament the phrase "all flesh" referred to all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles. Peter proclaimed that now everyone may have the Holy Spirit of God if they will submit to God's commandments.

Paul would later write those who have becomes Christians are made a dwelling place for the Spirit of God (Ephesians 2:19-22). In more clear language, Paul would say that the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of God, dwells in those who are Christians (1 Corinthians 3:16). We can see in this the fulfillment of the statements made in Ezekiel 36.

It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us, that causes us to belong to Christ (Romans 8:9). When the Spirit of God dwells in us, we will be raised to life in the last day (Romans 8:11). The Holy Spirit has been given to those who are Christians, when they are baptized into Christ, as an earnest of the salvation that they will receive (2 Corinthians 1:22).

Now, having said all of these things, it is important to note that no where in the New Testament do we see people "overcome" by the Holy Spirit to the point where they are no longer able to make decisions. We still must choose whether or not we will obey the things that God has commanded. Though we may be raised with Christ and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we must choose not to grieve and quench that Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). God does not desire automatons, but He wants children who will choose to obey Him through love and faith.

We must also note that God's spirit will never tell a Christian to do something that is contrary to what the Scriptures teach. In the New Testament we have the "mind of Christ" revealed to us (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have this revealed because the Spirit of God, who searches the depths of God, has shown them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10). We must also remember that Jesus Christ Himself stated that the Spirit would only speak those things which were given to Him (John 16:13).

If all of these things are true, then we must realize that the Holy Spirit will never "speak to us" something that is contrary to the Scriptures. If we believe that He has told us something and it contradicts the Bible, then we need to make sure we are not listening to ourselves, or someone much worse: the devil.

Satan is not beyond masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He is cunning and devious. He is a liar and murderer. He walks about the planet like a raging lion seeking whom he might devour (1 Peter 5:8). We must be careful, we must be alert. We must be willing to "judge with righteous judgment" and "test every spirit" to make sure that we are following the will of God as revealed in the Bible (John 7:24, 1 John 4:1).

If you have any questions or comments about this study, please feel free to contact us. May God bless us all as we study His word and seek to become more like Jesus!