The Holy Spirit throughout the Ages
When we
think of the Holy Spirit, we mostly think of Him in our own context, that is
how we associate and relate to Him. Yet as we examine scripture, we soon see
that the Holy Spirit both as a subject and person of the Godhead is far more
reaching and awesome than we could ever imagine.
In fact,
when we look back in time, we will find the Holy Spirit present and active
throughout the ages impacting and working with every generation. And whilst
time does not allow us to look at all events, the purpose of this study is to
highlight some of those events. Our objective is to see that the Holy Spirit
has indeed always been outworking that which the Father has spoken.
The Holy Spirit in Creation
Even in the
beginning we see the work of the Holy Spirit in creation. It is no accident the
Spirit of God is mention not only in the first book of the bible, Genesis, but
in the very first couple of verses.
Read Gen 1:2; 2:7
The same
word used here for Spirit and breath is the same word used for the Holy Spirit
throughout scripture. Job 12:10 says “In his hand is the life
of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” And Psalms 104:30 says “When you
send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground”. In Psalm 139:7-8 says “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I
flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are
there; if I
make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
In addition it was the Holy Spirit which was brooding (hovering) over creation
from the Hebrew word “rachaph”. This word speaks of a mother hen who broads
over her hatchlings in anticipation. Isaiah 34:16 & 40:7 says the Spirit
brings order and controls nature.
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
As we look at the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament it is easy to
determine that Spirit followed some sort of order or pattern when dealing with
man. Time and time again we see the Spirit working mainly with certain groups
of people.
Kings; Priests & Prophets
The work of the Spirit has always been for one main purpose, the
outworking of the plans and promises of the Father. When we look at the Spirit
in the Old Testament we see this pattern obvious and the way in which the
Spirit worked with people groups was also obvious.
Kings – Saul (1Sam 10:1); David (1Sam 16:13); Solomon (1Kings 1:38-50)
etc.
Priests – Melchizedek the King of Righteousness (Gen 14:18; Heb 7:1-2);
Aaron (Lev 8:12)
Prophets – Isaiah (1:1 & 2:1); Jeremiah (1:2-10); Ezekiel (11: 5) etc
Naturally,
there were many occasions when this pattern was not used but generally speaking
it was the norm.
Jesus – King, Priest & Prophet
Jesus whom
Hebrews (chapter 6:30) declares as both King, Priest & Prophet makes it
possible for all who have be “born again” of him to take this same function
within the Household of our God.
Just as
Jesus came to fulfil his roles as king, priest and prophet, we the offspring
of Christ (See Rom 8:29) are also called to fulfil these same functions.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit on all
Flesh
Joel the
minor prophet spoke a promise of a new time and pattern of the Holy
Spirit. Not only does Joel indicate that
the Spirit will now come upon “all who call on His name” but promised to come
to each and every generation that followed. See Joel 2
Acts 2 – The Outpouring as Promised
The book of
Acts begin with a commandment by Jesus “To Wait for that which was promised”
and most of us know the result of this initial outpouring and fulfilment as prophesied
by Joel in chapter two. Once again, it is the Spirit which is initiating
something new in the name of the Father and it is the Spirit that has always
done this.
Every
generation has had its Pentecost and every great revival in time has been
initiated by God’s Spirit. Whether it be Azusa Street in our time and the
second & first great awakening of the 1700’s to the work of the Spirit
through the early disciples, God’s Spirit has always been there to outwork the
plan and purposes of the Father in creation.
And the next
great outpouring will be initiated by the Spirit…Are you ready???
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