The Holy Spirit in Luke's Gospel

Introduction:

I believe that it’s important for you to understand how this paper came about. It actually started here, in the Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study. Since I’ve been consistently attending, we’ve been studying the book of Acts. As we’ve study it together, I’ve become more and more convinced that it might be best titled the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The one passage that really stood out to me in light of this was Acts 16 and Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison. The only way that they could have sung praise to God at midnight would be if the Holy Spirit were producing joy in their heart.

You might be thinking, “Ok, what’s the connection to Luke’s Gospel?” Luke is most consistently credited with authoring Acts. In fact, it’s widely believed that Luke’s Gospel and Acts are to be read together.

In the Fall, I was taking a class on the Gospels in the midst of our study in Acts. I had the opportunity to pick a topic of my own. Given how the Lord was teaching me about His Spirit in Acts, I wondered to what extent Luke’s Gospel discussed the Holy Spirit like in Acts.

My research, therefore, was limited to Luke’s Gospel and researching specific references to the Holy Spirit. Thus, while there may be implicit references to the Holy Spirit, I have not considered them in this study unless there was a specific verbal tie that I found.

In what I’m going to share with you tonight, there’s going to be a level of continuity between the passages that I want for us to see. Therefore, while I’ll be asking similar questions, they will be related to different people. This effort will be to demonstrate the consistent work of the Holy Spirit in each of the individuals. His work anticipates how He will consistently work in each individual believers following Pentecost.

Additionally, we’re going to be nearly all over Luke’s Gospel. So, let’s turn to Luke 1:41-45 and consider the family of Zacharias.

Zacharias’ Family: Filled with the Holy Spirit

Elizabeth

Luke 1:41-45 “41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.””

As a point of clarification, I’m beginning with Elizabeth first on account of the fact that I want to address each individual’s relation to the Spirit in total.

Hence, I’m not necessarily undertaking this study entirely chronologically.

I’m taking it more from an individual character perspective.

The effect of this emphasizes the personal nature of the Holy Spirit’s work in each individual.

This same work is then anticipated in each believer following Pentecost.

Who is it that we’re immediately introduced to in this passage?

Elizabeth.

Who is she?

Cousin to Mary, wife of Zacharias, and mother of John the Baptist.

What is significant about Elizabeth being pregnant at the time of Mary’s visit?

Elizabeth was barren.

However, being advanced in age, she has now conceived.

Thus, the Lord has accomplished another miraculous conception that recalls another famous couple in the Scripture: Abraham and Sarah concerning Isaac’s birth.

In Luke 1:41, how is Elizabeth is described?

As being filled with the Holy Spirit.

After being told that Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” what happens?

She speaks! (Luke 1:42)

What does she exclaim?

About Mary’s blessedness.

What is it that makes Mary blessed?

She’s the mother of Elizabeth’s Lord?

Who is Elizabeth’s Lord?

Jesus.

Even developing in the womb, Jesus is Lord.

Jesus as Lord demonstrates that He possesses authority.

This authority that He possesses He will do so as the One Who will assume royal authority (Lk 1:32-3).

Thus, this announcement about Jesus’ identity is also connected to God’s Kingdom.

Let’s think about what it is that we’ve just considered.

Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit.

Filled with the Spirit, Elizabeth exclaims not just that Mary is pregnant but that Mary is pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, the Holy Spirit’s filling Elizabeth produces a true witness to the identity of Jesus Christ.

Zacharias

Luke 1:67-79 “67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 71 Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

The passage that we just read occurs just after the birth of John the Baptist.

Incredibly, Zacharias is able to speak again after having been muted by the angelic messenger who proclaimed John the Baptist’s conception.

What is it that precede’s Zacharias’ speech but follows John the Baptist’s birth and naming?

Zacharias is filled with the Holy Spirit!

Just like Elizabeth before him.

Getting the picture now?

Filling with the Spirit.

Speech follows.

However, what is the content of Zacharias’ speech?

Salvation that was promised through the prophets by the Lord.

Who is it that Zacharias declares will accomplish this salvation?

From the house of David (Lk 1:69)

The Most High, that John will be the prophet of (Lk 1:76)

Who is it that John would precede, that is from the house of David, and is the Most High?

Jesus

Zacharias is doing here what his wife before him did when she was filled with the Spirit: gave a public witness to the identity of Jesus, the Lord Who will reign with royal authority. .

So far, when the Spirit has filled these two individuals, they have testified about Jesus as Lord Who will reign with Kingdom Authority.

It’s possible that this is a coincidence.

However, let’s look next at their son, John the Baptist.

John the Baptist

In Luke 1:15, we read that John the Baptist will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb.

Thus, we have the same wording that referenced his parents’ relationship to the Holy Spirit.

What would be the significance of referencing from the womb?

We believe that, in accordance with the Scriptures, life begins at conception.

If John the Baptist will be filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb, then how much of his life will be spent filled with the Spirit?

His whole life will be spent “filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Thus, everything that we read of John’s life, we are prompted to look for the evidence of the Holy Spirit.

This brings us back to a passage that we have already considered in Luke 1:41.

Luke 1:41 “41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

What is it that John the Baptist did in this verse?

Leaped in Elizabeth’s womb.

What prompted John to do this?

He heard Mary’s voice!

Let’s look next at Elizabeth’s elaboration on this.

Luke 1:44 “44 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.”

What word did Elizabeth use to describe John’s response of leaping?

Joy.

Who is it that is responsible for producing joy?

The Holy Spirit!

This is the Holy Spirit making His presence known in the life of John!

Is it just the John recognized that it was Mary’s voice that prompted him to leap for joy?

No.

He recognized the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb.

Let’s put this together with John’s example.

He’s filled with the Spirit.

Though he’s unable to give a verbal witness, he uses what’s available to him to demonstrate the joy of the Spirit in the presence of the Lord Jesus: leaping in his mother’s womb.

Thus, filled with the Spirit, John gives a witness to the Lord Jesus.

What we find, then, is that if John is so controlled by the Spirit as to leap for joy in testifying to being in the presence of the Lord Jesus, then we can’t wait for John’s verbal witness that he will give of the same.

We see this next in Luke 3, just prior to Jesus’ baptism.

Luke 3:16-17 “16 John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 “His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.””

In these verses, John is giving an implicit testimony to Jesus, the Messiah.

Herein, John is identifying that he, John, is not the Messiah.

He also gives a clear indication as to what will characterize the Messiah.

What is it that the Messiah will baptize with that will distinguish Him from John the baptist?

The Holy Spirit and fire.

I believe that the best way to understand this reference is that, the Messiah will baptize believers with the Holy Spirit but unbelievers with fire, or judgment, as v. 17 elaborates.

Hence, John message concerning authority of the Messiah to give the Holy Spirit and to judge is yet another witness to the Lord’s coming.

So far, we’ve seen the family of Zacharias who, being filled with the Holy Spirit, each give some witness, whether verbal or even as a physical expression, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

In other words, the Holy Spirit prompted these expressions.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the empowerment behind these testimonies.

So far, we’re three for three.

Hopefully you’re seeing the pattern emerge of the Holy Spirit filling an individual who witnesses about Jesus’ Lordship in anticipation of God’s Kingdom in some way.

Let’s continue next by looking at Luke 2:25-35.

Simeon: The Holy Spirit was Upon Him

Luke 2:25-35 “25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.””

According to Luke 2:25, what is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and Simeon?

“[The] Holy Spirit was upon him.”

The term “upon” suggests the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in Simeon’s life (Harris/Sproul).

Notice how the Holy Spirit in Luke’s Gospel fleshes this out in the verses that follow.

Luke 2:26, the Holy Spirit revealed something to Simeon.

Luke 2:27, the Holy Spirit directs Simeon’s life, even when he goes to the Temple.

Thus, while the terminology “filled with the Holy Spirit” does not appear in conjunction with Simeon, Simeon’s life bears the marks of the Holy Spirit’s presence with him.

With the Holy Spirit being “upon” Simeon, what do we see him doing in Luke 2:29-32, 34-35 that is similar to Zacharias, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist?

He speaks!

In fulfillment of the revelation given to him by the Holy Spirit, Simeon verbally recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah, the salvation promised by the Lord through His prophets.

Thus, Simeon also testifies to Jesus’ identity, more specifically as the Lord’s Messiah that would bring salvation.

While Simeon is not referenced as being filled with the Holy Spirit, his life is directed by the Spirit Who leads him to testify about Jesus as the Messiah.

Thus, we see some continuity between Simeon as Zacharias’ family but with the phrase “the Holy Spirit was upon him” rather than “filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Simeon marks the conclusion of our look at other individuals and their relationship to the Holy Spirit.

The last individual that we will consider is Jesus Himself; therefore, let’s turn back to Luke 1

Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Conception

Luke 1:35 “35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

Here, we have the angelic messenger announce to Mary that she will miraculously conceive a child.

Notice that both “The Holy Spirit” and “the power of the Most High” are set in parallel with one another.

This calls attention to the fact that both references identify the same thing: the Holy Spirit is the unique agent of this unique child’s conception.

Interestingly, the term “overshadow” recalls to mind the Lord’s presence descending on the Tabernacle in Ex. 40:35.

Hence, God will make His Tabernacle in this child that will be born of Mary.

In other words, God will be incarnated in this child.

It is no wonder that the angel concludes this statement with an identification statement: He will be called the Son of God.

Thus, the Holy Spirit’s unique role in the Child’s conception is an implicit witness to the identity of the Child.

That is, if the Holy Spirit is involved in this way, this Child must be the Son of God.

What we have in Jesus’ conception, then, is an implicit witness through the Holy Spirit’s unique involvement that Jesus must be the Messiah, the Lord.

Jesus’ Baptism

Our next reference to the Holy Spirit and Jesus comes in conjunction with Jesus’ baptism in Luke 3:21-22.

Luke 3:21-22 “21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.””

What is it that immediately follows the action of the Holy Spirit “upon” Jesus?

A voice from heaven, the Father, gives a public testimony to Jesus’ identity: He’s the Son [of God].

Notice also, where have we heard the term “upon” in conjunction with the Holy Spirit before?

Simeon, Luke 2:25.

What immediately follows this reference to Jesus’ baptism is a reference that Jesus has begun His ministry cf. Lk 2:23).

Thus, what follows concerning Jesus is all undertaken with the Holy Spirit “upon” Him.

Jesus’ Temptation

The next text associated with Jesus and the Holy Spirit concerns Luke 4:1-2.

Luke 4:1-2 “1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.”

What does this passage relate to?

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.

How is Jesus’ relationship to the Holy Spirit described here?

Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit.”

Who is it that has led Jesus in the wilderness?

the Holy Spirit.

While He was led by the Spirit, what happened?

The devil tempted Him.

Does it say that the devil came to Jesus?

No.

By implication, the devil was in the wilderness already.

If the devil was in the wilderness, and Jesus was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, what does this suggest about Jesus and the devil in the wilderness?

Jesus came to the wilderness to meet the devil!

This is a holy boldness that the Holy Spirit produced in Jesus to face down evil in it’s supposed habitat.

Thus, the Holy Spirit produces boldness to face the tasks that He leads one to undertake.

We see this clearly in the disciples in Acts.

Therefore, it is something that we can rely on the Holy Spirit to give to us to undertake what He leads us to do, whether facing down the prince of darkness or otherwise.

Jesus’ Nazareth Sermon

The next reference that we see in conjunction with the Holy Spirit is in Luke 4:14.

Luke 4:14-15 “14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.”

Jesus has returned from His confrontation with the devil victorious in His use of Scripture as the Spirit led Him to boldly face His foe.

Thus, we expect that, if the Spirit led Jesus in the wilderness, the same Spirit is the one that Jesus has returned to Galilee with.

How is Jesus relationship with the Spirit described here?

“[In] the power of the Spirit.”

So far, the Spirit is uniquely responsible for Jesus’ conception, is upon Jesus, fills Jesus, and, now, empowers Jesus.

We’re prompted to ask, “What will this empowerment look like?”

The answer comes in Luke 4:15, “teaching.”

What is it that Jesus teaches?

Luke 3:18-19; the Messianic fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2.

The fulfillment includes kingdom proclamation about the Gospel.

Thus, Jesus proclaims the fulfillment of this Gospel message from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the empowerment of the Spirit.

So far, the Holy Spirit with Jesus has uniquely testified to His identity as the Son of God and has led Jesus to boldly confront the devil culminating with a Gospel witness concerning the Kingdom to His people that will include people from all backgrounds.

[Rejoiced] greatly in the Holy Spirit

Let’s turn our attention now to Luke 10 and consider a response that is identified as being in the Holy Spirit.

Luke 10:17-22 “17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” 21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 22 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.””

Herein, Jesus has given authority to His disciples, the 70, to labor as His witnesses (cf. Lk 10:1-16).

According to v. 17, what do these disciples report to Jesus?

That even the demons are subject to the disciples.

That is, the demons acknowledge the authority of Jesus extended through Jesus’ disciples.

Following a statement about rejoicing over one’s name being written in heaven (v. 20), how is Jesus’ emotional reaction to the overthrow of the devil’s sinful authority described?

Jesus rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit.

While I wish that we could probe a bit more into Jesus’ statement in Luke 10:20, two things to keep in mind.

Jesus is referring to the security associated with salvation from sin.

Jesus is also emphasizing how, in service to the kingdom that arises out of one’s secure relationship in salvation, the goal is not the results from what the disciples have done but the secure salvation relationship itself.

I thought that those two implications were too important to overlook, even among the many others that we are having to set aside for the sake of time.

Where have we seen another emotional response in conjunction with the Holy Spirit’s influence before? John the Baptist, Luke 1:44.

The context of Jesus’ disciples testifying to Jesus’ authority, His Lordship as King, and His subsequent encouragement to rejoice over one’s secure salvation in heaven leads us to some similar conclusions that we have observed before.

Namely, the Holy Spirit’s joy-filled response in Jesus is further testimony to Jesus’ identity in the proclamation of the Kingdom.

Hence, Kingdom work produces an emotional response that is in keeping with the Holy Spirit’s activity.

One thing to keep in mind is the possible question of, “Is the Holy Spirit active through the disciples by extension of Jesus’ authority that the disciples exercise?”

While I believe that this is a legitimate question, none of the disciples are said to be acting with either “fill” or “upon” terminology like we have seen with Zacharias’ family, Simeon, and even Jesus.

Instead, they are acting in Jesus’ authority Who has the Holy Spirit upon Him.

Really what we have here is just an anticipation of what the Holy Spirit will do in the individual lives of believers following Pentecost.

While this can raise another whole host of questions, the importance of this passage is the Holy Spirit’s divine testimony to Jesus’ authority by virtue of Jesus’ express statement concerning the results that the disciples witnessed in the authority of Jesus.

The Father’s Gift of the Holy Spirit

Our next passage is found in Luke 11, just following Jesus’ instruction about His model prayer in vv. 1-4.

Luke 11:5-13 “5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

I’m sure that we’re all familiar with the friend at midnight and good father illustrations pointing us to the generous nature of God the Father in giving what His children need when they ask in prayer; thus encouraging us to pray.

However, the question is, what do we pray for?

What good thing is the Father prepared to give to His children?

According to v. 13, what’s the answer to all of these question?

The Holy Spirit.

Keep in mind that this context had occurred before Pentecost and the consistent indwelling of the Spirit in believers.

Thus, Jesus’ disciples were looking forward to the Spirit’s permanent residence within them at this point.

This is fascinating that out of all the good things that one could ask for, Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as the one thing to ask for!

Hence, the value of the Holy Spirit in one’s life is emphasized in this particular section.

The value that we’ve seen so far pertains to empowerment to witness concerning Jesus and the kingdom.

The question remains, will this value be available to more than just a select few? (obviously, we’ve been answering yes as we anticipate Acts.)

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Who Equips to Testify

Jesus’ next teaching related to the Holy Spirit occurs in Luke 12:10-12.

Luke 12:10-12 “10 “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11 “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.””

In this passage, there’s an emphasis on words.

Words spoken against the Holy Spirit that will not be forgiven (v. 10).

Words spoken through the Holy Spirit to testify about Jesus and His Kingdom authority (vv. 11-12).

Thus, we’re encouraged to avoid the blasphemy of the Spirit because the same equips to testify concerning Jesus!

What emotional response forms the context for Jesus’ encouragement about the Spirit in v. 11?

Worry.

In other words, there is a legitimate temptation to be afraid before what kind of people?

Leaders.

Individuals who have the “power” to make decisions that would make someone’s life uncomfortable.

In that moment, what does Jesus promise that the Spirit will do?

Teach His disciples what to say.

By implication, what the disciples would say is what others have already been saying: Jesus is Lord over all in anticipating God’s coming Kingdom.

Out of all the texts that I have reviewed, this is the one that I have really camped on.

I have often anticipated conversations and found myself worrying about what I would say in those conversations that I knew would turn to spiritual matters about Jesus.

Herein, we are encouraged that this is the Spirit’s job.

Therefore, by implication, what is our worry replaced with?

Confidence.

Specifically, confidence in the Holy Spirit.

Thus, we must seek the Holy Spirit to teach us what He would have us say.

The Promise of the Father

Our last stop in Luke’s Gospel for tonight will be in Luke 24:49.

Luke 24:49 “49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.””

You’re hopefully thinking, “Bill, there’s no specific reference to the Holy Spirit.”

You’re right that the verse does not directly refer to the Holy Spirit by Name.

However, there are several verbal links that prompt us to conclude that Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit.

“Upon” suggests that what Jesus had with the Holy Spirit “upon” Him, the disciples will also experience.

“Power from on high” recalls Jesus’ virginal conception where the Holy Spirit and “power of the Most High”.

Thus, as the Holy Spirit was uniquely referenced in terms of Jesus’ virginal conception, it is likely that the Holy Spirit is viewed here in terms of birthing the Church as we anticipate Pentecost in Acts, Luke’s companion volume.

Therefore, while the Spirit is not explicitly referenced as indwelling the disciples at the end of Luke’s Gospel, we are expecting it in Acts and all of the emboldening for Kingdom of God and Jesus witness that we have seen in Luke’s Gospel.

Conclusion: In Luke’s Gospel, we see the formula emerge of 1) the filling of the Holy Spirit 2) with an individual who 3) subsequently testifies to the identity of Jesus in proclamation of God’s Kingdom. Thus, the Spirit is the One Who empowers truthful witness in testimony to Jesus’ identity as Lord and Messiah, the Lord’s salvation Who will reign in His Kingdom. What we have in Luke’s Gospel is but a taste of what the Holy Spirit will do with believers in Acts and beyond: He empowers our witness concerning Jesus as the Messiah, even in the face of our fear (Luke 12).