A Study of the Work of the Holy Spirit

1.   The Holy Spirit In the Old Testament

      a.   A dozen designations ascribed to the Holy spirit in the Old Testament (G. Workman, The Restorer, January 1995, p 2)

      b.   Gen 1:2 “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters”

      c.   Numbers 11:16-17, 24-30 — the Spirit given to the 70 elders

      d.   Number 24:1-2 — the Spirit given to Balaam

      e.   Numbers 27:18 — the Spirit given to Joshua (cf Deut 34:9)

      f.   The Judges — these are mentioned as having the Spirit of God:

            i.   Othniel - 3:10

            ii.  Gideon - 6:34

            iii. Jephthah - 11:29

            iv. Samson - 13:25; 14:6; 14:19 (cf 16:20 - “He knew not that the Lord had departed from him.”)

      g.   The Kings:

            i.   Saul - 1 Samuel 10:6-10 (departed from him in 16:14)

            ii.  David - 1 Samuel 16:13

      h.   The Prophets - 2 Peter 1:20-21

            i.   The servants of Saul - 1 Samuel 19:20ff

            ii.  Micaiah - 1 Kings 22

            iii. Amasai, chief of the captains - 1 Chronicles 12:18

            iv. Azariah - 2 Chronicles 15:1

            v.   Zechariah - 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (cf Matthew 23:35) the last martyr of the OT?

2.   The Work of the Holy Spirit

      a.   In Creation - Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4 (some cite Heb 1:3 & 2 Pet 3:5 in conjunction - but such equates the Holy Spirit with the Word . . . NOT TRUE! cf Ephesians 6:17)

      b.   In Inspiration / Revelation – 2 Peter 1:20-21

            i.   2 Samuel 23:2

            ii.  Jeremiah 1:4-10

            iii. Ezekiel 1:3

            iv. John 14:25-26; Acts 1:8

            v.   Revelation 1:10

      c.   In Salvation

            i.   Romans 10:17 / Romans 1:16

            ii.  John 16:7-15

            iii. Ephesians 6:17 the sword of the Spirit = word of God

                  (1) Acts 2:36-37 – in conversion;

                  (2) Acts 7:51-60 – in conviction

                  (3) This explains how the Lord “hardened Pharaoh’s heart”in Ex 7:13; 9:12 and “opened” Lydia’s in Acts 16:14

                  (4) Hebrews 4:12

      d.   In Sanctification

            i.   Acts 20:32

            ii.  Ephesians 3:16-19 strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.