Theme: Understanding the Old Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Goal: Recognize that the Spirit's power in the OT was limited to select leaders—a pattern changed at Pentecost.
Introduction: An Old Testament Understanding
Many people, even in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches, have an Old Testament understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Miracles are not just New Testament phenomena—in fact, some Old Testament miracles have no comparison in the New Testament.
Consider these extraordinary miracles:
- Joshua made the sun stand still when the Israelites needed longer daylight
- Hezekiah saw the shadow go back as a sign that he would live for 15 more years
These miracles involved the movement of the earth itself!
Introductory Story: A Man Raised in Nigeria
Reinhard Bonnke ministries reported a miracle of a man raised from the dead. The reported miracle happened during a crusade while believers were praying underneath the auditorium. The dead man was brought to where they were praying—and he got up and walked away.
Question: Does this report demonstrate New Testament Christianity?
The Gifts of the Spirit were in operation in the Old Testament. Even if a person is raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, this alone cannot be called New Testament Christianity because the same power was demonstrated in the Old Testament.
Lesson Outline
- The Gifts of the Spirit operated in the Old Testament
- The ministry of the Holy Spirit operated through a limited number of anointed leaders
- The outpouring of the Holy Spirit
1. The Gifts of the Spirit Operated in the Old Testament
Key Question: If the operation of the Gifts of the Spirit is New Testament Christianity, then why do we see the dead raised in the Old Testament through the anointed ministries of Elijah and Elisha?
a) Old Testament Ministry of the Holy Spirit
- 1 Kings 17:17-22 — Raising of the widow's son in Zarephath
- 2 Kings 4:32-37 — Raising of the Shunammite woman's son. Her faith was built upon reason: God promised her a son, God gave her a son, the son dies prematurely—therefore God must raise her son because He promised.
- 2 Kings 13:20-21 — A man was raised from the dead when his body touched the bones of Elisha in his grave
b) The Ministry Has Not Changed
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit has not changed—it is the body of Christ that is different. The Holy Spirit now ministers through all believers, not just a selected few.
Personal Story: The Holy Spirit Through the Body
While teaching at a Nigerian Bible School in London, a young lady pointed out that the miracle of the man raised from the dead actually happened at the prayer meeting of believers—not through one preacher, but through the anointed ministry of the body of Christ. This is New Testament Christianity.
2. Limited to Anointed Leaders
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was through a limited number of leaders who were anointed.
a) The Holy Spirit Equipped Moses and Others
Numbers 11:14-30
- The anointing was on Moses, equipping him for ministry. When responsibility was shared, a portion of Moses' anointing came upon the 70 elders.
- The Gifts of the Spirit operated when the Spirit came upon those called to service—the 70 began to prophesy (Numbers 11:24-30)
- Two of the 70 remained in the camp among the people and began prophesying there—their ministry among the people had great impact
b) Moses Understood the Spirit's Movement
- Jealous anger can arise when people minister in the power of the Holy Spirit—some saw it as an attack on Moses' leadership
- Good leadership encourages ministry among God's people. Moses said: "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29)
Moses desired that all God's people would minister in the Holy Spirit—his desire is fulfilled in the New Testament Church, the body of Christ.
3. The Outpouring of the Spirit
The prophet Joel prophesied that the limited way the Holy Spirit operated would one day end, and the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all believers (Joel 2:28-29).
a) Old Testament Limitations
In the Old Testament, gifts of healings only operated occasionally through anointed prophets. Those desiring healing needed to go to the anointed prophet—like Naaman going to Elisha (2 Kings 5:3).
b) Promise of the Outpouring
Joel prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured upon all flesh—meaning all believers:
- Old men shall dream dreams
- Young men shall see visions
- Even upon the servants and handmaids
Acts 2:16 — Peter tells the crowd on the Day of Pentecost: "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel"
The time of the outpouring had come—the Holy Spirit upon all God's people, no longer just upon a small number of anointed leaders.
Summary
The Holy Spirit ministered in the Old Testament through a small number of people whom God raised up to lead Israel:
- Raising the dead was seen in the Old Testament—the gifts of the Spirit operated through Elijah and Elisha
- When the anointing came upon the 70 leaders, they moved in the gifts of the Spirit. This was not a threat to Moses' leadership—he desired all God's people to be anointed
- The prophet Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit upon all believers
Reflection Questions
- How does understanding OT patterns help us appreciate what happened at Pentecost?
- What is the key difference between OT and NT ministry of the Spirit?
- How should this affect our expectations for Spirit-filled ministry today?