The Gift

In Old Testament times, Holy Spirit did not abide in people permanently, He would only come on an individual to strengthen and equip him or her to do a certain task for the Lord.

Here are a few examples of this: Judges 3:9-10 But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war…

Ex 31:2-4 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,

Deut 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

These persons then would stand out among others as especially gifted from the Lord to excel in the duties that they had been selected for. It would be apparent to all that they had something special, a desirable attribute that others were lacking.

The New Testament started with the death and resurrection of Jesus, not His birth (the meaning of the word testament is a legal will, a covenant between God and His people). Therefore, Jesus received Holy Spirit from His Father, as was the case in the Old Testament up until then, at His baptism to empower Him for His public ministry.

But then something wonderful happened:  Holy Spirit remained on Him! Not only was this the sign that God gave John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’), but it also was a foreshadow of the wonderful Gift all believers in Jesus would later receive – the Gift of the Holy Spirit!

 He would now not only come upon us occasionally but remain and dwell in all of us who believe, to equip and empower us for our tasks here on earth. (Eph 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit).

Pearls to ponder:

Is it apparent to all around you that you have Someone special, some extraordinary Gift that sets you apart for your assignment? Are you allowing Holy Spirit to work in you, to transform you so that His power can flow through you to accomplish His work here on earth?