Holy Spirit is often the most misunderstood of the Trinity. He goes by several names; Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Spirit of God, and sometimes, just Spirit. Let’s jump in and start with some basic understanding.
Holy Spirit Basics
Ask Christians when Holy Spirit came on the scene, and they will likely tell you it was the day of Pentecost. That is incorrect; Holy Spirit was around long before that day, first appearing “In the Beginning” of the Old Testament:
Genesis 1:2: “now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (NIV)
Even from the beginning, we see he was a creative force that helped form the earth. Although we tend to think of Holy Spirit as more active in the New Testament, he was helping those in the Old Testament thousands of years before Pentecost. As part of the Trinity, he must interact with believers. Prophets were common and well known throughout the scriptures and a true prophet could only prophesy what he heard the Spirit of God, aka Holy Spirit, say. Peter writes about the true prophetic in 2 Peter 1:19-20:
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit & Leaders
Saul, the first king of Israel, was anointed by Samuel but was not yet officially king. When Samuel anointed Saul, he received the Holy Spirit and was changed. In 1 Sam. 10-11, we see what happened to him:
10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
In the Old Testament, the people understood that true prophecy was not attainable without the Spirit of God. The people also knew that Saul was not a prophet but recognized that Holy Spirit had fallen on him and allowed him to prophesy.
The successor to King Saul was King David. Samuel was also responsible for anointing him:
13 So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day onward. (1 Sam.16:13 NET)
David is known as a ruler and worshiper. He wrote approximately seventy-five of the one-hundred-fifty psalms. Many contained prophetic words. As stated above in 2 Peter, a person can only prophesy if Holy Spirit is present.
Holy Spirit New Testament
As discussed in my previous blog, Holy Spirit arrived on the day of Pentecost. He filled the disciples along with those who gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. When the flames of fire fell on them, they spoke in other languages and received power.
This spiritual baptism was not only for the apostles. Peter released the Spirit to the gentiles (non-Jewish). A man named Cornelius, who was a centurion in the Italian Regiment, was a God-fearing gentile. He gave gifts to the poor and prayed regularly. One day while praying, an angel appeared and told him to find Peter, who was staying in the city of Joppa at the house of Simon the tanner. While Cornelius’ men were on the way, Peter was praying and went into a trance. He saw a sheet fall from heaven that contained all sorts of animals that were unclean according to Jewish law. A voice said, “Get up Peter. Kill and eat.” (Acts 10:13 NIV). Peter refused as he had never eaten anything impure or unclean. He saw this vision three times but did not understand it. Long story short, the men arrived, and Peter went with them to the house of Cornelius and began to preach. Amid his preaching, Holy Spirit showed up!
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers (meaning Jews) who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:44-48)
This entire story was a BIG deal! As Peter pointed out in verses 28-29, Jewish law forbade him to enter a gentile house. Thankfully, Peter knew the voice of the Lord and obeyed:
28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection.”
In Acts 11, Peter’s actions were highly criticized by the Jewish believers which forced him to explain himself. He conveyed the entire story of his vision and what happened at Cornelius’ house and ended his explanation with this:
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:15-18 ESV)
Christians seem to believe God grafted that Jewish people into the Gentiles. That is incorrect; instead, God grafted the Gentiles into Judaism. In Romans 11, Paul speaks to the Gentiles, the wild olive shoot.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[b] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. (Romans 11:17-21 ESV)
I highly recommend you read Romans 10 and 11 in their entirety.
This Biblical pattern in Acts and Romans still works for us today – first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Anyone who accepts Jesus as savior, whether Jew or Gentile, has access to Holy Spirit!
Until next time under the palm, be blessed!
