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
The Spirit hovers over the waters
Genesis 1:2The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
At creation the Spirit of God broods over the deep, ready to bring order and life. - 2
Filled with the Spirit for work
Exodus 31:3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
God fills Bezalel with his Spirit to craft the tabernacle — the Spirit empowers vocation. - 3
A new heart and a new spirit
Ezekiel 36:26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel promises God will put his Spirit within his people and give them a heart of flesh. - 4
"I will pour out my Spirit"
Joel 2:28“Andit shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; 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
Another Helper forever
John 14:16And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
Jesus promises the Spirit of truth to dwell with his people always. - 6
The Spirit poured out at Pentecost
Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 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
Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Paul: the Spirit who raised Jesus dwells in believers and will give life to their bodies.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.