Throughout the Scriptures, the function of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s servants cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, this function of the Holy Spirit, is in some circles being discussed as only a New Testament event. But as we go through the whole Bible, we will see this function of the Holy Spirit as a major factor in the lives of all God’s servants.
For, Although no mention of the Holy Spirit is recorded in the calling of Moses in the wilderness, it is evident that such a thing happened at a point in his life. For, when upon the advice of his father-in-law, Jethro, Moses selected some men to help him with his administrative functions, God told him, He God, was going to take a portion of his anointing to be put on the seventy-two helpers.(Numbers 11:17). Just ‘a portion’ of Moses' seal was sufficient for the seventy. No wonder the amount of work Moses did, both in Egypt and in the wilderness.
Moses was asked by God to build a tent of meeting where God would meet with the people of Israel, through their representatives. For the purposes of the construction of the tent, Moses commissioned one Bezaleel. We are told that Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit of God for that assignment. As a result of that he could work in gold, silver, and brass. Furthermore, he could work in stones, wood and any manner of cunning work. (Ex.35:30-35). In addition, Bezaleel could also use leather and other materials for the construction work. He was also capable of teaching others all these crafts. All these came about as a result of the touch of the Spirit of God.
In Judges 13:25, we are told that when Samson was of age, “…the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan…”. Unfortunately, his immediate actions did not conform to his actual calling.
Again, in 1Sam. 10:6, we are told of Saul the king, “And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee and thou shalt prophesy”. This is another evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit In the life of an individual.
Furthermore, the Old Testament tells us, "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David..." 1 Samuel 16:13 The Holy Spirit was actually at work. And so in Ps. 51:11b, David pleaded with God not to take His Holy Spirit from him, when confronted with his sin. David knew the consequences of a person in God’s vineyard living without the Holy Spirit.
Throughout his ministry life, Ezekiel the prophet would say, “… and the Spirit of the LORD came upon me…”. This was a regular occurrence in the lives of most of the Old Testament prophets.
It is very clear then to say that no worker of God can do any good work without a touch of the Holy Spirit, no matter the form it takes.
In Is. 61:1-2, the prophet makes this profound declaration: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD hath anointed me to preach…”. This portion of scriptures is what I call Jesus’ Manifesto. In actual fact, Jesus quoted it at the beginning of His ministry. As we saw in the lives of Old Testament workers, each of them needed the touch of the Holy Spirit in order to function effectively.
Jesus, being God didn’t strictly “need” this touch of the Holy Spirit. But He was also man. However, as He told John the Baptist, “Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). So far as Jesus was concerned, the issue of righteousness through baptism was not an issue. For, He Himself, was the righteousness of God in bodily form.
But for the purposes of “proving His true identity”, He offered Himself for that ritual. Jesus knew the importance of baptism. Having identified Himself with humanity, and having decided “to dwell among humanity”, He submitted Himself to the ritual of baptism.
On that day, the Holy Spirit, who had been empowering people through the symbol of oil in the past, came down in a bodily form, descending “like a dove, and lighting upon him”(Matt.3:16). After that, we see Jesus being led into the wilderness to face one of His most trying moments as the God-Man-to be tempted by the devil.
At His baptism, His real nature was revealed. It was at this point that the manifestation of the Triune God was fully manifested. The Son being baptised, the Holy Spirit came down in bodily form with the Father confirming the Sonship of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. (Matt. 3:17).
Someone asked, where in the Bible do we have Trinity? One of the areas is this; Jesus Christ, the Son in the water, Holy Spirit descending upon Him and God, the Father speaks from Heaven. We would surely see the three distinct Personalities, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit when we all get to Heaven.
Jesus, the Messiah, needed this manifestation of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of His ministry. How much more do we, being ordinary men and women, need the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministry?
Let us realise that in almost all the examples given, including that of Jesus, the major factor of the presence of the Holy Spirit was for fruitfulness in ministry. Without Him as advocate, counsellor, helper, comforter and above all witness to our ministry and purpose on earth, humanity will end up failing and failing always.
Looking at the dryness, apathy, humanism, etc, etc, in the Church today, one cannot help but cry;
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me
Break me
Melt me
Mound me
Fill me
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me.
Let this be our clarion call as we celebrate the baptism of Christ at the beginning of another year, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen!
(credit: Rev. Dr. K. D. Ansong PhD)
