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The Spirit of God

The breath of God — hovering at creation, promised by the prophets, poured out at Pentecost.

The Spirit moves across the whole Bible: hovering over the waters at creation, empowering craftsmen and judges and kings, inspiring the prophets, and then promised in a new way — a new heart, a law written within, the Spirit poured out "on all flesh." Jesus pledges another Helper; at Pentecost the promise lands in fire; and Paul calls the Spirit the down-payment of the age to come, dwelling in every believer. Follow the wind of God from Genesis to the church.
  1. 1

    The Spirit hovers over the waters

    Genesis 1:2

    And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

    At creation the Spirit of God broods over the deep, ready to bring order and life.
  2. 2

    Filled with the Spirit for work

    Exodus 31:3

    And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

    God fills Bezalel with his Spirit to craft the tabernacle — the Spirit empowers vocation.
  3. 3

    A new heart and a new spirit

    Ezekiel 36:26

    A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

    Ezekiel promises God will put his Spirit within his people and give them a heart of flesh.
  4. 4

    "I will pour out my Spirit"

    Joel 2:28

    And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

    Joel foretells the Spirit poured out on all flesh — sons and daughters prophesying.
  5. 5

    Another Helper forever

    John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

    Jesus promises the Spirit of truth to dwell with his people always.
  6. 6

    The Spirit poured out at Pentecost

    Acts 2:4

    And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

    Joel's promise lands: the church is filled with the Spirit and speaks the wonders of God.
  7. 7

    Life in the Spirit

    Romans 8:11

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

    Paul: the Spirit who raised Jesus dwells in believers and will give life to their bodies.