Gift of Holy Spirit

The gift of the Holy Spirit in the OT

The Spirit is given to individuals for specific tasks

1 Sa 10:6 to Saul, for kingship; Ex 31:2–5 to Bezalel, for craftsmanship

The gift of the Spirit can be withdrawn

1 Sa 16:14; Ps 51:11

See also Jdg 16:20; 1 Ki 22:24

The gift of the Holy Spirit is foretold

He is promised by John the Baptist

Matthew 3:11 LEB

11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

He is promised by Jesus Christ

Lk 24:49; Jn 7:37–39; Jn 14:16; Jn 14:26; Jn 15:26; Jn 16:7; Ac 1:4–5; Ac 1:8; Ac 11:16

The gift of the Holy Spirit before Pentecost

Individuals filled with the Spirit

Luke 1:15 LEB

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he must never drink wine or beer, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while he is still in his mother’s womb.

See also Lk 1:41; Lk 1:67; Lk 2:25–27

Jesus Christ receives the gift of the Spirit

Matthew 3:16 LEB

16 Now after he was baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him.

Jesus Christ bids his disciples receive the Holy Spirit

See also Jn 20:22

The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and after

At Pentecost

Acts 2:2–4 LEB

2 And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out.

See also Ac 2:33

The Spirit was given on later occasions

Acts 10:44 LEB

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message.

See also Ac 8:15–17; Ac 9:17; Ac 19:6; Ga 3:5; Heb 2:4

The gift of the Spirit is for all believers

Acts 2:38–39 LEB

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself.”

See also Ac 2:17; Ac 5:32; Ac 10:45; Ac 11:17; Ac 15:8; Ro 8:9; Ga 3:14; 1 Th 4:8; Heb 2:4

God’s willingness to give the Spirit

Luke 11:13 LEB

13 Therefore if you, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

See also Jn 3:34

God’s purposes require the gift of the Holy Spirit

To give assurance of acceptance by God

Acts 15:8 LEB

8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.

See also Ac 10:47; Ac 11:17; 1 Jn 3:24; 1 Jn 4:13

To convict the world of sin

Jn 16:7–8; Ac 2:37

To provide spiritual gifts

Ac 2:4; Ac 10:45–46; Ac 19:6; 1 Co 12:4–11

To work miracles, signs and wonders

Ro 15:18–19; Ga 3:5; Heb 2:4

To give boldness in preaching and witnessing

Acts 1:8 LEB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.”

See also Ac 4:31; Ac 5:32

To cultivate the fruit of the Spirit

Romans 14:17 LEB

17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

See also Ro 5:5; Ro 15:13; Ga 5:16

To sanctify the believer

2 Th 2:13; 1 Pe 1:2