Hey Andrew,

I am in a bible study and a question regarding the role of the Holy Spirit came up. I was wondering if you have the time, would you write a thought or two about the role of the HS in the OT. Specifically, was the HS indwelling the hearts of believers prior to Pentecost? I understand that we have the HS indwelling us “God with us” upon saving faith in Jesus. But what about the HS role in, say, David’s or Abraham’s life? Did HS indwell them, prior to the New Covenant? If not, how would hearts be quickened to faith in God for salvation and conviction of sin, faith to obey the law? Also, if not, where was the HS during that time, what was the HS doing/how did HS act with respect to believers, etc.? If you have a moment and any thoughts, I’d appreciate it.

Thanks

Great question … here are some quick thoughts.

1. Ministry of the HS is integral to the OT. This can be seen in the fact that the very first verses of the entire Bible speak of the Spirit’s involvement with creation. Nothing happens throughout God’s world that is not attended to by the HS.
2. HS is integral to redemption. Isaiah 63:10,11 is an enlightening passage, as it helps locate God’s redemptive work in the exodus as part and parcel with the HS. In many ways this sums up the work of the HS in the OT, when we peel back the layers (as is done in Isaiah 63) we find that the HS is at the core accomplishing the plans of God the Trinity, but in the OT his role is more hidden than in the NT. Another interesting note with regards to redemption is the way Jesus uses Isaiah 61 in Luke 4 talking of the Spirit being on him to accomplish redemption. Jesus’ understanding here of the role of the Spirit emphasizes the continuity of the Spirit between the testaments.
3. HS is personal in the OT. We see that in places like IS 63:11 where the rebellion of Israel is said to grieve the HS (one only is grieved in the context of a relationship), as well as in prayers like David’s in Psalm 51 where he cries, “take not your HS from me!”
4. While we emphasize the continuity between the testaments, it would be false to say that the ministry of the Spirit does not change. As I alluded to above, the Spirit is much more front and center in the NT. The ministry of the HS is still to point to Christ, but our experience of the HS is more up front than in the OT.

If you want to go into it more I would suggest Sinclair Ferguson’s book on The Holy Spirit. The first chapter deals exclusively with the topic of the HS in the OT