The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Yes, the Holy Spirit was active in the calling of various men to certain offices and functions, e.g., Prophet, Judge, King, etc. And this calling is not only seen in godly men but also in ungodly men, e.g., Cyrus (2Chron 36:23; Ezk 1; Isa 44:28; 45:1) through whom the Lord accomplished His purpose(s). However, the question must be asked, In regard to salvation how did the Holy Spirit work in sinners during the OT administration? More specifically, were the OT saints regenerated, irresistibly draw to faith in the coming Messiah and sanctified? If so, were these things accomplished by something other than the work of the Spirit? Or, if by the Spirit, did the Spirit work externally from them or internally?

I did provide quite a number of passages where many clearly showed that the Spirit dwelt within men. Perhaps it would be profitable for you to read through them and consider what they teach concerning the indwelling Spirit.

Those given to Dispensationalism or its hermeneutical principles (no implication concerning you personally ), to one degree or another, see a great amount of discontinuity between the OT administration and the NT administration, e.g., the bifurcation of Israel and the Church, circumcision and baptism, the visible vs invisible Church, worship, the relationship between law and grace, and some even believing that God was different in the OT from the NT. I have heard/read where some believe that the God of the OT was angry, hard, strict, etc., vs the God of the NT Who is loving, merciful and full of grace. One of the most contentious verses that is often used to prove this radical discontinuity is Jeremiah 31:31 where the prophet speaks of a "new covenant". It is popular today to believe that the word "new" is to be understood to mean, 'totally different' or 'without similarity'. Classic Reformed theology, however, understands the word "new" to mean 'better', 'complete', 'fulfilled', 'mature', etc. In regard to the Holy Spirit we hold that the Spirit's work didn't change in the work of salvation but rather increased; a new universality and knowability.

So, the question that needs to be dealt with here is, Is there a difference in how men were saved in the OT vs the NT? Did the Spirit regenerate the OT saints differently than He does in the NT saints? Were the OT saints sanctified and able to delight in and keep the law, albeit imperfectly, without the indwelling Spirit?

In His grace,