Austin Bible Church
In each of the four major dispensations (the Age of the Gentiles, the Age of the Jews, the Church Age, and the Millennium), the Holy Spirit convinces of sin, righteousness and judgment. He helps communicate the Gospel to unbelievers. The Holy Spirit is responsible for regeneration in each of the four dispensations. Salvation is always the same. 1 Cor. 2:14. See category on Dispensations.
Prior to the creation of mankind, the Holy Spirit was involved in the restoration of the earth following the fall of Satan and his angels. In creation, the Father planned or designed. 1 Cor. 8:6; Psalms 102:25.
“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6, NASB)
“"Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.” (Psalms 102:25, NASB)
In creation, God the Son did the creating. Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16.
“and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;” (Ephesians 3:9, NASB)
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16, NASB)
In creation, the Holy Spirit restored the original creation of the earth after it was destroyed by Satan. Psalms 104:30; Gen. 1:2.
“You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground.” (Psalms 104:30, NASB)
“The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2, NASB)
After creation, the Holy Spirit did not leave the world, but continued to reveal God’s will to men, inspire the prophets to write Scripture, and work miracles through the prophets and preachers. 2 Peter 1:21.
“for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:21, NASB)
The Age of the Gentiles and the Age of the Jews
In the Age of the Gentiles and the Age of the Jews, the Holy Spirit empowered specific people for specified jobs. The Holy Spirit gave some people special understanding and wisdom. They became great leaders of God’s people, such as some of the judges. They revealed God’s word as writers of the Old Testament.
The Holy Spirit gave some special skills or unusual physical strength for use in God’s service such as workers on the tabernacle and Samson. The Holy Spirit was then removed because either their work was finished, or because of sin.
It was not God’s purpose to fill or live in every believer in the Old Testament. God chose to give certain believers the Holy Spirit for His purposes. The Holy Spirit empowered some believers in the Old Testament, but not all. It was not their qualification, but was God’s sovereign decision. It is not who and what they were, but who and what God is. Psalms 135:6.
“Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” (Psalms 135:6, NASB)
The Holy Spirit was with all believers because He is omnipresent, but the Holy Spirit was not in them to empower all believers. In Old Testament times, one could ask for the Holy Spirit and receive Him under special conditions. For example, Elisha’s request was granted in 2 Kings 2:9 and 2 Kings 2:15.
“When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."” (2 Kings 2:9, NASB)
“Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” (2 Kings 2:15, NASB)
The Father is the one who sent the Holy Spirit on these special missions. Matt. 10:20.
“"For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10:20, NASB)
In the Age of the Gentiles and the Age of the Jews, spirituality was actually the operation of the faith-rest life. John 7:39.
“But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39, NASB)
The universal indwelling of the Holy Spirit was not given in the Age of the Gentiles and the Age of the Jews because Christ had not yet gone to the Cross and been glorified. The universal filling of the Spirit also was not given in the Age of the Gentiles and the Age of the Jews. The Holy Spirit indwelt or endued only certain Old Testament believers to perform special functions.
Believers could be disciplined in the Old Testament by the removal of the Holy Spirit. David prayed, “do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” This prayer was a result of sin in his life. The Holy Spirit was removed from Saul as divine discipline because of sin. Psalms 51:11; 1 Sam. 16:14.
“Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalms 51:11, NASB)
“Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.” (1 Samuel 16:14, NASB)
There were three occasions in the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit had a ministry with a carnal believer. They were Balaam in Numbers 24:2, Samson in Judges 13:25, Judges 14:6, and Judges 15:14, and King Saul in 1 Samuel 19:23-24. Today in the Church Age, sin in the life prevents the filling of the Holy Spirit, but His indwelling of the believer’s body remains permanent.
“And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.” (Numbers 24:2, NASB)
“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands.” (Judges 15:14, NASB)
“He proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"” (1 Samuel 19:23-24, NASB)
Those Empowered in the Old Testament
Joseph was the first believer mentioned as being empowered. He was empowered with the Holy Spirit for the purpose of administration of the land of Egypt to preserve a nation from starvation during a famine. The Holy Spirit controlled the life of Joseph. Gen. 41:38.
“Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?"” (Genesis 41:38, NASB)
Workers on the tabernacle, Bezalel and Oholiab, were given special wisdom and ability through the power of the Holy Spirit. Exodus 35:30-35.
“Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. "And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship;” (Exodus 35:30-31, NASB)
“"He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. "He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.” (Exodus 35:34-35, NASB)
Workers were empowered by the Holy Spirit when working on Aaron’s garments in Exodus 28:3 and priestly garments in Exodus 31:3.
“"You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me.” (Exodus 28:3, NASB)
“"I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,” (Exodus 31:3, NASB)
Moses and the 70 elders of Israel who helped him were empowered by the Holy Spirit to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Num. 11:16-17; Num. 11:25.
“The LORD therefore said to Moses, "Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. "Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone.” (Numbers 11:16-17, NASB)
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again.” (Numbers 11:25, NASB)
Leaders of Israel were empowered by the Holy Spirit such as Joshua in Numbers 27:18, Gideon in Judges 6:34, Jephthah in Judges 11:29, Samson in Judges 13:24-25, Judges 14:6, and Judges 15:14.
“So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;” (Numbers 27:18, NASB)
“So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him.” (Judges 6:34, NASB)
“Now the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon.” (Judges 11:29, NASB)
“The Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.” (Judges 14:6, NASB)
“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands.” (Judges 15:14, NASB)
King Saul was empowered and controlled by the Spirit in 1 Samuel 10:9-10. Perhaps Saul could have been Israel’s greatest king, but through sin and continued disobedience, the Holy Spirit left Saul. The Lord then allowed mental illness.
“Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.” (1 Samuel 10:9-10, NASB)
David was empowered by the Holy Spirit in 1 Samuel 16:13.
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:13, NASB)
The prophets were empowered - Elijah and Elisha in 1 and 2 Kings, Isaiah and Daniel in 2 Peter 1:21, Daniel 4:8, and Daniel 5:11-14.
“for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:21, NASB)
“"But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream to him, saying,” (Daniel 4:8, NASB)
Zerubbabel was empowered by the Holy Spirit in Zechariah 4:6.
“Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, NASB)
There is a great deal of difference between the indwelling of the Spirit today and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times. When Christ was on earth, the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament sense was still functioning. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to His disciples even though they didn’t ask. Our Lord breathing on them conveyed unseen power. The conclusion is that Jesus Christ prayed for them that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. John 20:22; John 14:16.
“And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22, NASB)
“"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;” (John 14:16, NASB)
Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the disciples just before His ascension. He left them for ten days with a new means of cohesiveness. John 20:22.
“And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22, NASB)
The Church Age
The universal indwelling of the Holy Spirit is unique to only two dispensations, the Church Age and the Millennium. Once the Church Age began, every believer was indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. John 7:37-39; John 14:16-17; 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 3:2; Gal. 4:6.
“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:37-39, NASB)
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, NASB)
“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9, NASB)
“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"” (Galatians 4:6, NASB)
The Tribulation
Characteristics of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Tribulation will be identical to that of the Age of the Jews because the Tribulation is the last seven years of the Age of the Jews. It was specialized, not universalized. John 7:39.
“But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39, NASB)
The Millennium
Believers of all previous dispensations will be in resurrection bodies in the Millennium with the exception of Tribulation believers who are alive at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ and will go into the Millennium in their physical bodies. These believers in physical bodies will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
All believers in non-resurrection physical bodies will have old sin natures. Physical birth from these believers who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit will produce unbelievers with old sin natures. Therefore, they must personally believe in Christ to be saved.
The old sin nature will be restrained in the Millennium because the Lord Jesus Christ will be physically present and visible on earth. Believers in resurrection bodies will be present and observing. Elect angels will also be observing. The universal indwelling of the Holy Spirit will enable maximum knowledge of Bible doctrine, the very mind of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16.
“For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB)
When Jesus Christ returns to the earth at the Second Advent, all fallen angels will be removed from the earth, including Satan, therefore there will be no religion. Because Christ will be on the earth and it will not be necessary to produce the character of Christ, spirituality will become a matter of ecstatics - an appreciation of the person of Christ as He lives and reigns on the earth.
There will be great spirituality in the Millennium. The Lord Jesus Christ will be present and there will be perfect environment. In Joel 2:28-29, “after this” refers to after the Second Advent. “My Spirit” is the Holy Spirit. “On all mankind” refers to Tribulation believers alive at the Second Advent in physical bodies. “Your sons and daughters will prophesy” refers to the Old Testament manifestation of the Spirit’s control. “Even on the male and female servants” refers to all believers in the Millennium who will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
“"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. "Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” (Joel 2:28-29, NASB)
Isaiah 65:24 will be a prayer system of the Millennium. All believers will be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 14:16-17 refers to the system of worship in the Millennium.
“"It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, NASB)
“Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them.” (Zechariah 14:16-17, NASB)