The title of Holy Spirit describes the fundamental character of God’s nature. Holiness forms the basis of His moral attributes, while spirituality forms the basis of His nonmoral attributes.
God is Holy
- Isa 6:1-4, Rev 4:8 “Holy, holy, holy”
- 1 Pet 1:15-16 (quoting Lev 19:2) “Be holy, for I am holy”
Definition: sacred – set apart - dedicated
God is a Spirit
Nature: invisible, intangible, without physical attributes, intelligent, living,
God is a spirit, but when the Bible talks about the Spirit of God, it is generally in reference to the activity of God.
- The Greek word most frequently used is pneuma, which is translated Spirit, Ghost, wind, and breath in the King James.
- The Hebrew word most frequently used is ruwach, which is translated Spirit, wind, breath most frequently, along with several other usages.
God has many names and titles throughout the Scriptures. And they are used on purpose, to describe various aspects of his character. Through the use of these varied names, we see Him in a different light. For instance, “Lord” holds connotations of authority. “Father” speaks to us of his care and supply. “Savior” describes His greatest passion for us.
When he is referred to as the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God, the context is most often one of moving upon his creation. “Wind” happens when we sense the movement of something that is still at other times (at least according to our senses).
Many try to separate the Holy Spirit from God the Father in personage. We will discuss later some of the resulting problems with this attempt to divide the person of God. But it is indeed God’s intent that we get a different picture of him through the use of different names. And the name Holy Spirit gives us the sense of a God that is moving – at present – in an intangible but very apparent way.
The activity of the Spirit of God
Spirit was active in Creation – Gen 1:2… The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
- First reference to the Spirit
- Tells us that the void and shapelessness was corrected by the activity of the Spirit of God
Spirit was active in Empowerment – Zech 4:6… Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, sayeth the Lord
Spirit was active in Communication – 2 Pet 1:20-21… Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
- Seventy elders of Israel – Num 11:25
- Balaam – Num 24:2
- Saul – 1 Sam 10:10
- Simeon - Luke 2:25
The Holy Spirit is not just a new Testament thing, as we see. God was moving to interact with his creation from the beginning, and the anointing was present all throughout the Old Covenant. And when God moved – it made a noticeable, wonderful, difference. But it seem that God imposed some limitations on His movement…
Seeming Limitations during the Old Covenant
· The Holy Spirit was external to whatever it was moving on.
· It anointing was temporary.
· It was available only to a few.
Prophecies Concerning the Holy Spirit
But there are many prophecies in the Old Testament about a time when this will change. When these limitation will no longer be imposed…
Joel (2:28-29)
- Poured out on ALL flesh
- regardless of age, sex, or social status
Isaiah (28:9-12)
- through it God will speak to his people (stammering lips and another tongue)
- rest and refreshing
Ezekiel (36:25-28)
- will give us a new heart
- cause us to walk in His statutes
A Noticeable Change in the New Testament
The first activity of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is to give birth
- Old Covenant – begins with Spirit moving to create
- New Covenant – begins with the Spirit moving to give birth
- First Adam – a created man
- Last Adam (Jesus) – a born man
- Creation is from the outside, coming in
- Birth is from the inside, coming out
That’s where we will pick up next week…
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