One of my latest ventures is to undertake teaching a Bible Study on Biblical Parenting, based on the principles Dr. Joel Beeke put forth in his book, Parenting by God’s Promises. My pastor has graciously agreed to read it and check it’s content to be sure it reflects Biblical Truth. He is loving and kind in correcting me, and patient when I don’t understand something. And the first lesson brought such a point.
I made a statement that Abram did not have the Spirit of God dwelling in him permanently. My thoughts were that the Spirit came to dwell in believers AFTER Pentecost. Jesus says in John 16:7 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” And then in Acts 2, we are told that at the day of Pentecost the disciples were all gathered together in the upper room “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – (Acts 2:4 ESV)
And in explaining what the work of the Spirit will be, Jesus says “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: … When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” – (John 16:8, 13-14 ESV) We understand the Holy Spirit to live in believers, to first break their hearts of stone, and then to work faith in them, to help them to understand Scripture, to guide them in right living, to convict them of sin, and to give them assurance of faith.
But what of Abram and other Old Testament men and women of faith? Where did their faith come from? They were part of the fallen human race, so it is said of them “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” – (Ecclesiastes 9:3 ESV) In short, they were sinners, just as we are. How could they come to faith without the working of the Spirit?
The answer is, of course, that they could not come to faith without the work of the Spirit. In fact, Abraham Kuyper points out in his volume The Work of the Holy Spirit, that as part of the trinity, the Spirit is omnipresent, that is present in all time and space. As we read in Genesis 1:2 “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” , we clearly see the Spirit’s presence at creation. And the Spirit is mentioned at least 172 times more in the Old Testament.
Furthermore, the Spirit is not just seen hovering around working externally. “The Spirit of God” was said to be in Moses (Genesis 41:38), Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-3), Job (Job 27:3), and David (1 Samuel 16:13), and is mentioned as coming upon prophets and kings. We see the Spirit working upon various unbelievers, to make them act in accordance with God’s plans. And we hear David lament after sinning, “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” – (Psalm 51:11 ESV).
Which brings me to the source of my confusion. If the Spirit was working in the Old Testament, and in fact, was working faith in those who recognized Christ as the Son of God during his time incarnate here on earth, (Matthew 16:17), why did Jesus say he would send the Spirit after he ascended? Wasn’t His Spirit already here? Apparently I am not the only one who has struggled to understand this, as there are volumes written on this subject. I have read and digested many, and while I do not understand it fully, here is a summary of what I have learned.
Before Christ, the Spirit worked faith in individuals. As such, he worked in Abram to give him the faith that was counted to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6). And his faith did not waiver, because the Spirit stayed with him. God promised to build a people for himself, the elect, from every nation, tribe and tongue. (Revelation 5:9) These people would be united as one. “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5 ESV) The head of this promised body is Christ. (Ephesians 5:23) Abram’s faith was in this promised head, (Hebrews 11:13) even though Christ had not yet come to be the perfect man who could become this head.
Christ was baptized, “and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”” – (Luke 3:22 ESV). He was the perfect man, the second Adam, in whom the Holy Spirit could dwell in perfect union with His spirit, because there was no sin in him. Kuyper says that His human nature did not unfold in its fullest perfection until he was glorified and sat down at the right hand of the Father. (Kuyper 120-121) Then the Spirit could be given to the elect, not just to bring them to faith, but to unite them as one in Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – (Galatians 3:28 ESV)
All of this thinking and wrestling has given me a greater appreciation for the Spirit and a gratitude for its leading me into the truth and uniting me with other believers. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – (John 14:26 ESV)
Soli deo gloria!
Diane