As our ‘Holy Spirit Tuesday’ study comes to a close, we must be aware that this topic of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church and in the world is much more vast than we could cover in a study of this type.
There is so much of this subject that we did not touch upon, or were unable to go into great depth on.
Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is a vibrant, ever-changing, ever-growing expression of discovering the greatness of God and the goodness he shows us as his people. Our journey with the Holy Spirit is one of wonder and awe, as he reveals to us the nature of the Father and our identity in Christ.
I encourage you to continue to be hungry and curious for the things of God. Let your worship of God be an expression of your desire for more of him. He has so much to show you.
Is there more?
Q: Apart from the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, what other gifts might the Holy Spirit offer?
More Spiritual Gifts
The Bible describes various spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit beyond those listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8–11 (e.g., wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation). Other passages and broader biblical themes suggest additional gifts or manifestations of the Spirit’s work, though they may not always be labeled as “gifts” in the same way. Below are some examples, drawn from Scripture and theological reflection, of other ways the Holy Spirit empowers believers:
Leadership and Administration (Romans 12:8, Exodus 31:3): Romans 12:8 mentions the gift of leadership, and the ability to govern or organize is seen in figures like Bezalel, filled with the Spirit for craftsmanship and leadership in building the tabernacle (Exodus 31:3–5). This includes skills like strategic planning or guiding God’s people effectively.
Serving and Helps (Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28): The gift of serving or helping involves practical assistance to others, often in humble or behind-the-scenes roles, to support the body of Christ or meet needs.
Mercy (Romans 12:8): This gift involves showing compassion and care to those who are suffering, with a Spirit-empowered ability to empathize and act with kindness.
Giving (Romans 12:8): The Spirit can gift individuals with a generous heart to share resources cheerfully and sacrificially for God’s work or to help others.
Exhortation/Encouragement (Romans 12:8): This gift involves uplifting, motivating, or counseling others to persevere in faith, often through timely words or actions.
Teaching (Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11): Beyond the gift of knowledge, teaching involves the ability to explain Scripture or spiritual truths clearly, helping others grow in understanding.
Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11): Some are gifted to proclaim the gospel effectively, leading others to faith in Christ through Spirit-empowered boldness and clarity.
Shepherding/Pastoring (Ephesians 4:11): This gift involves nurturing and guiding believers, often in a pastoral role, to foster spiritual growth and community.
Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9–10): The Spirit may gift individuals with an ability to warmly welcome and care for others, creating spaces for fellowship or ministry.
Intercession (implied in Romans 8:26–27): The Spirit aids believers in prayer, interceding with “groanings too deep for words,” suggesting a gift of deep, Spirit-led prayer for others or situations.
Craftsmanship/Creativity (Exodus 35:31–35): Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit to create beautiful works for the tabernacle, indicating that artistic or creative abilities can be Spirit-given for God’s glory.
Discernment of Truth (Acts 5:1–11, implied in 1 John 4:1): Beyond discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10), the Spirit may enable believers to recognize truth or deception in teachings or situations, as seen in Peter’s confrontation with Ananias and Sapphira.
Boldness/Witness (Acts 4:31): The Spirit empowers believers to speak boldly about Christ, often in the face of opposition, as seen in the early church.
Joy and Peace (Galatians 5:22–23): While the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) are distinct from gifts, the Spirit may uniquely manifest these qualities in some believers as a testimony or encouragement to others.
Writing or Communication (implied in Psalm 45:1, 2 Timothy 3:16): The Spirit inspired Scripture writers, and some theologians suggest gifts of writing, preaching, or other forms of communication to convey God’s truth.
Notes:
Biblical Basis: Many of these gifts are explicitly named in Romans 12:6–8, Ephesians 4:11, or 1 Peter 4:10–11, while others are inferred from the Spirit’s work in individuals (e.g., Bezalel’s craftsmanship, see below).
The lists in Scripture are likely not exhaustive, as the Spirit distributes gifts “as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11) for the church’s benefit.
Context and Purpose: Spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the church and the advancement of God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:12). They vary widely and may include practical or supernatural abilities.
Old vs. New Testament: In the Old Testament, the Spirit empowered specific individuals (e.g., prophets, kings, artisans) for tasks, while in the New Testament, the Spirit’s gifts are distributed more broadly among believers post-Pentecost.
Filled with the Spirit of God in the Old Covenant
Q: Are there Old Testament examples of people being filled with the Spirit of God, or are there just people that the Spirit “came upon”?
Exodus 31:1-11
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence (wisdom), with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.
6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, 8 the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, 10 and the finely worked garments,[a] the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”
The Spirit’s role in the Old Testament is often functional and temporary based on obedience (enabling specific tasks), rather than relational based on covenant (indwelling for sanctification) as we see in the New Testament.
1. Being “Filled with the Spirit of God”. This phrase typically denotes a special endowment of divine wisdom, skill, or ability for a specific task, often with a sense of sustained enablement for that purpose. Key examples:
Bezalel
(Exodus 31:3; 35:31): God says, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence (wisdom), with knowledge and all craftsmanship…”
to craft the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This suggests a sustained empowerment for artistic and technical work during the construction process.
Was Bezalel filled with the Holy Spirit until his death?
Joshua
(Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9): Joshua is described as a man “in whom is the Spirit” (Numbers 27:18) and “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Deuteronomy 34:9) after Moses lays hands on him. This indicates a lasting empowerment for leadership as Moses’ successor.
It is generally believed is that under the old covenant, being “filled” often relates to a divinely granted ability or wisdom for a specific role, not necessarily a permanent state like in the New Testament.
And yet…. Q: Did the Holy Spirit ever leave Bezalel or Joshua?
2. The Spirit “Coming Upon” People. The phrase “the Spirit of the Lord came upon” typically describes a temporary, powerful divine enablement for a specific action, often prophetic, judicial, or military. It suggests a momentary or situational empowerment rather than a continuous state. Examples include:
Othniel
(Judges 3:10): “The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war.” This enabled him to deliver Israel from oppression.
Gideon
(Judges 6:34): “The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet” to rally Israel against the Midianites, indicating empowerment for leadership and battle.
Jephthah
(Judges 11:29): “The Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah,” leading him to victory over the Ammonites.
Samson
(Judges 14:6, 14:19, 15:14): Multiple times, “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him,” granting supernatural strength for specific acts, like killing a lion or defeating enemies. These are episodic, not continuous.
Saul
(1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6): “The Spirit of God came powerfully upon him,” leading to prophecy and later to military action. However, the Spirit later departs from Saul
(1 Samuel 16:14), showing the temporary nature of this empowerment.
David
(1 Samuel 16:13): After Samuel anoints him, “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.”
This is a rare case suggesting a more sustained presence, tied to his role as king, though still distinct from New Testament indwelling.
Q: Was David filled with the Holy Spirit until his death?
Psalm 51:9-12
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
The Prophets:
The Spirit often came upon prophets for specific messages or visions, e.g., Ezekiel (Ezekiel 11:5): “The Spirit of the Lord fell upon me and said to me, ‘Speak….’”
Similarly, Micah 3:8 says, “I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord,” though this may reflect prophetic inspiration for a specific moment.
Spirit of the Lord
Isaiah 11:1-3
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 2
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,
15 men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
