Presentation on theology of Holy Spirit by Todd Linn, PhD; pneumatology; Holy Spirit in OT and difference in NT

1. The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
• Fancy theological word . . .
• Pneumatology

2. Greek: “Parakletos” (John 14)
Para = “alongside” and Kaleo = “to call” or
“to help”
The word means Comforter, Encourager,
and Advocate
The Paraclete is one who pleads,
intercedes, or helps another

3. Review of Two (2) Key Points:
1. The Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete, is not
merely “with” but also “in” the believer
(John 14:16)
2. The Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete, is
commissioned to be the abiding presence
of God (John 14:17-18)

4. The work of the Holy Spirit
parallels the work of Christ. He
comes to replace Christ, to carry
on His work in the world, and to
maintain the Lord’s presence with
the believer.

5. What about the Holy Spirit
in the Old Testament?

6. Spirit = “Ruach”
• References to the “Spirit of God” or the
“Holy Spirit” is less than 100 in the OT,
whereas there are 261 such
references in the NT.
• The designation “Holy Spirit” occurs
about 90 times in the NT and only 3
times in the OT (Psalm 51:11; Isaiah
63:10-11).

7. The third Person of the Godhead is
mentioned more frequently and
explicitly in the NT than in the OT. He
is especially prominent in Acts 1-12.

9. Thematic Emphases of the Spirit in the
Old Testament
A) Agent of God’s Creative Will
1. He is the life-bringer and life-sustainer (Genesis
1:2; 2:7; Is. 40:13; Ps. 104:29-30), Creator and
Re-Creator.
2. He is the Creator of the cosmos and the elect
nation of Israel.
3. He is the Creator of Israel’s eschatological
hope as He motivates a return to the land
where life will flourish (Is. 32:15; 34:16; 48:16;
Ez. 36; Joel 2)

10. Thematic Emphases of the Spirit in the
Old Testament
B) Agent of God’s Theocratic Will (He enables
Israel’s representatives in the exercise of
righteous government on the earth)
1) The Spirit comes “upon” or is “with” some
(not all); the Spirit is a directing agent. The
human agent is enabled and controlled within
the providential will of God (1 Samuel 10:6;
Numbers 27:18).
2) The Spirit fills (Ex. 31:3, 35:31).

11. Thematic Emphases of the Spirit in the
Old Testament
C) Agent of God’s Moral Will
1. Restraint (or judgment) of sin in Gen. 6:3 expresses the
continuing dependence of humanity upon God by the
Spirit’s presence activity.
2. Isaiah 63:7-14 speaks of the nation’s grieving the Spirit
in her sin even from her creation in Egypt.
3. An increasing emphasis of the OT is upon the moral
unworthiness of the nation as the reason for the
departure of God’s enabling Spirit. In other words, the
wickedness of the nation and remoteness of the Spirit
stood in direct proportion to one another.

12. Thematic Emphases of the Spirit in the
Old Testament
D) Agent of Revelation of God’s Will (2
Peter 1:20-21)
1. Example of Balaam (Numbers 24:2)
2. Instruction of the nation in the wilderness
(Neh. 9:20)
3. Ministry to and through the prophets. He
could transport the prophets on earth (1
Kings 18:12) and in vision (Ez. 2:2; 3:24)

13. Thematic Emphases of the Spirit in the
Old Testament
E) Agent of God’s Regenerating Will
The following texts suggest the
regeneration of OT believers:
Ez. 11:19; 18:31; 36:25-27; cf. John 3.

14. Transition to the NT
In the OT, a new and fresh coming of the
Spirit is anticipated:
1. New Manifestation
2. New Power
3. New Community

15. Transition to the NT
A) The distinguishing characteristics of the
Spirit’s work in the OT are indicated in
John 3:8. Like the wind:
1) His work is incomprehensible /
uncontrollable.
2) His work is invisible, but evident
3) His work is effectual

16. Transition to the NT
The distinctive characteristics of the
Spirit’s presence in the NT are given in
John 14:16-17.
1) Forever vs. withdrawn (cf. Ps. 51:11)
2) “In” beyond “upon” or “with”
3) All vs. selective

17. What is the difference between the
Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT?
John MacArthur:
There is no difference, He is the same
Holy Spirit. However, the distinction in the
Spirit’s function is best made by our Lord in
John 14:16-17 . . . No such promise is
made in the OT.
In Ez. 36:26 we see that the indwelling of
the Spirit is promised to those under the
New Covenant.

18. What is the difference between the
Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT?
The Holy Spirit lives in all believers, granting us a
fullness of power and accountability that is
unique to those of us under the New Covenant.
In the OT, the Holy Spirit would come upon
someone for a specific purpose, and then depart
from him (e.g., 1 Sam. 11:6; 16:14). But that
doesn’t mean people who were drawn to God
were not drawn and kept by the Spirit. The OT
saints were empowered by God and were just as
accountable to Him as we are.

19. What is the difference between the
Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT?
It’s difficult to understand the distinction in
the Spirit’s function in the Old and New
Testaments, but the Holy Spirit has always
been at work in God’s people. The OT
saints possessed the Spirit, yet not in the
same sense that we do. Under the New
Covenant, He has a unique and permanent
identity with those in whom the living Christ
dwells.