Monday, May 03, 2010

Old Testament doctrine of the Holy Spirit, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917)

(Note: Online, interactive quizzes with automatic scoring for these topics from Scofield are available; surf to the index of quizzes or quiz on the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.)

Summary of the Old Testament doctrine of the Holy Spirit:

(1) The personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit appear from the attributes ascribed to Him, and from His works.

(2) He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and therefore omnipotent Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Psalms 104:30 as omnipresent Psalms 139:7 as striving with men Genesis 6:3 as enlightening Job 32:8 enduing with constructive skill ; Exodus 28:3; 31:3 giving physical strength Judges 14:6,19 executive ability and wisdom ; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25 enabling men to receive and utter divine revelations ; Numbers 11:25; 2 Samuel 23:2 and, generally, as empowering the servants of God ; Psalms 51:12; Joel 2:28; Micah 3:8; Zechariah 4:6

(3) He is called holy Psalms 51:11 good Psalms 143:10 the Spirit of judgment and burning Isaiah 4:4 of Jehovah, of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, good, knowledge, the fear of the Lord Isaiah 11:2 and of grace and supplications Zechariah 12:10.

(4) In the O.T. the Spirit acts in free sovereignty, coming upon men and even upon a dumb beast as He will, nor are the conditions set forth (as in the N.T.) by complying with which any one may receive the Spirit. The indwelling of every believer by the abiding Spirit is a N.T. blessing consequent upon the death and resurrection of Christ John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 2:33; Galatians 3:1-6.

(5) The O.T. contains prediction of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel Exodus 37:14; 39:29 and upon “all flesh” Joel 2:28,29. The expectation of Israel, therefore, was twofold--of the coming of Messiah-Immanuel, and of such an effusion of the Spirit as the prophets described.

Further study
(Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

The Person of the Holy Spirit, by John F. Walvoord


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Scripture references

Malachi 2:15

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

Genesis 1:2
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Job 26:13

By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Job 33:4

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Psalms 104:30

Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Psalms 139:7

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Genesis 6:3

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Job 32:8

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Exodus 28:3

And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

Exodus 31:3

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Judges 14:6, 19

6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.

Judges 3:10

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

Judges 6:34

But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

Judges 11:29

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

Judges 13:25

And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Scofield Reference Notes (1917) index

Old Testament:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation


Note: This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials.

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