Q&A 15 - DISPENSATION & SALVATION

Q - Did Hebrews of Old Testament Days have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

A - Regarding this topic, the debate rages on. It can become very heated. Indeed there are references, such as Hebrews 11 that says that many of God's people from the Old Testament dispensation died in faith (implying a type of salvation). Verses 13-14 informs us that they had not RECEIVED THE PROMISES, but had seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them. Embracing them, and confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, seeking a country, they DIED IN FAITH.

Many would say that because they died in faith, the Holy Spirit must have indwelled them. A quick search in Strongs will verify that most references to the Holy Spirit interacting with Old Testament people uses the word "upon" rather than "in" or "within". The one time the word "within" is used in Isaiah 63:11, it is the Hebrew word "qereb" (Strongs 7130), and can also be translated "before", which seems to fit this particular passage well, as the very next verse indicates that the Holy Spirit LED them by the right hand of Moses, as though Moses was being pulled along by the arm of the Holy Spirit. Conversely the word "upon" as in Judges 11:29 is Strongs #5921. This verse reads: "29) Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon." This Hebrew word "'al" has numerous meanings such as "upon", "beside", "after", "among", "against", "between", "over", etc., but none of the options include "in" or "within". We have an instance in Exodus 31:2-3 where the Lord spake unto Moses saying: "2) See I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3) And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,". Now indeed this is the "Ruach" (Strongs 7307), but the Ruach does not ALWAYS mean the Holy Spirit. It can be the divine breath of God. It appears that is precisely what is meant hear, as these verses proceed to spell out which portions of the breath of God were conferred upon Bezaleel and for what purpose. In Exodus 28:3 indicates that a number of people had likewise been filled with the spirit of wisdom. It seems obvious to me that this is not the Holy Spirit abiding within these Hebrew people, but rather a divine breath of wisdom breathed into those of God's choosing in order to fulfill His destiny. In my particular version of King James, the word spirit in such instances is not even capitalized, though it is designated that it came from the Lord. It is obvious to that editor as well, that this "spirit" was a divine breath of God, but not the Holy Spirit. We have a similar situation in the New Testament where Revelation 3:1 speaks of the seven spirits of God. Now unless the Holy Spirit splits into seven beings, this is not referring to the Holy Spirit, but they ARE spirits OF GOD!

Ezekiel speaks of a spirit entering into him in Ezekiel 2:2 when he was conversing with someone from the heavenly realm. The voice of the speaker is not identified here. If it was not Yeshua, it was likely one of His emissaries, as Ezekiel was given a divine mission during this dialogue. The spirit which entered him seems to have provided strength with which Ezekiel was able to rise to his feet. That was evidently the only purpose for this breath of God into Ezekiel. He had to stand him up and open his mind to receive his marching orders. Later in Ezekiel 3:24, the spirit enters Ezekiel again. If this had been the Holy Spirit indwelling Ezekiel, there might have been a stirring within him, but there would have been no need for a re-entry! Psalm 51:10-11 is supposedly written by David. It states: "10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me." David is pleading for the renewal of a right spirit within him. There is never a need for the Holy Spirit within a man to be renewed. Once there, the Holy Spirit will not abandon the man or become contaminated and need renewal to become right again. Only man's spirit needs to be renewed! The following verse breaks the heart of the Believer today, as David was pleading with God not to take the Holy Spirit from him. Though the Holy Spirit did not yet indwell David, it was present with David and impacted his life. David was afraid that the Holy Spirit would be withdrawn from his realm of influence, leaving him to fend for himself. The following verse is requesting restoration unto the joy of God's salvation, and asking to be upheld by God's free spirit. "Free" here is Strongs #5082, and means "nobility" or "reputation", so he was asking for the divine breath of God's nobility or reputation to uphold him. Ironically, there is a type of salvation noted here as well in verse 12. As we will see momentarily, salvation in this dispensation was a fleeting promise for the future. Apparently he felt that he had laid hold to salvation at one point, then it was gone, and he was asking for that salvation and the joy it offered him to be restored unto him.

The New Testament equivalent to the Hebrew word Ruach would be "Pneuma" (Strongs #4151). Again one of the definitions for this term is "breath". Another is "mind". At times the translators translate this word Spirit, and at times they use the word Ghost. Both translations are usually the same Greek word, and are interchangeable. Again, we see that Elisabeth was FILLED with the Holy Ghost in Luke 1:41, and John was filled with the Holy Ghost even while in Elisabeth's womb, which is why he leaped in Elisabeth's womb when Mary entered with Yeshua in her womb. I believe all of the instances prior to the resurrection of Yeshua (Old and New Testament alike) of being "filled with the Holy Spirit", indicated a particular aspect of the breath or mind of God being translated into select people who served Him in order for some specific purpose within His will to be fulfilled. The filling could be temporal in nature, the divine touch could come and go. It would remain as long as it was needed, but it could also leave, which is why David asked God not to allow the Holy Spirit to leave.

Then we have a change in scope in John 14:16-17. Yeshua is speaking. He says: "16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you ANOTHER COMFORTER, THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER. 17) Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him, for HE DWELLETH WITH you, and SHALL BE IN you. Note that Yeshua says here that God's Spirit of Truth already dwells WITH His people, but they are told that Yeshua will petition the Father to allow this OTHER Comforter (Spirit of Truth) to abide IN them FOREVER. Though it is ANOTHER, yet they know him, for this OTHER is a part of the same spirit of God, just in a different FORM, a form that will be able to permanently abide within mankind. Yeshua further explains in John 16:7 that this cannot happen for some time yet. He states: "7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for IF I go not away, THE COMFORTER WILL NOT COME UNTO YOU; but IF I depart, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU." Well, we know then that Yeshua DID go away for a time, and He DID send the Comforter! It is after Yeshua's departure that Paul confirms in I Corinthians 3:16 that Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit. He states: "16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" During the church age the Holy Spirit has a very specific role. This is ANOTHER COMFORTER (John 3:16), more intense than the divine breath of God that would temporarily rest upon or even fill certain of His people, touching their lives, hearts, and minds. This Comforter, Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Truth, and will ABIDE WITHIN all Believers FOREVER. Abide means to take up housekeeping. This Comforter, Holy Spirit of Truth will establish a PERMANENT abode within every Believer! It is an unconditional agreement. We can please (Colossians 1:10) or grieve (Ephesians 4:30) the Holy Spirit within. We can be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), or keep our vessels (bodies and souls) empty (Matthew 25:14), bottling up the oil of the Holy Spirit in our innermost being (spirit or lamp). Regardless of our performance level, the Holy Spirit will continue to ABIDE WITHIN each Believer. The Comforter, Holy Spirit of Truth has a very specific role in the life of a Believer; i.e.. to lead the Believer to ALL TRUTH (John 16:13) and PERFECTION (Galatians 3:3).

I John 2:27 says: "27) But the anointing which ye have received of him ABIDETH IN YOU, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing TEACHETH YOU OF ALL THINGS, AND IS TRUTH, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Yeshua states in John 16:13: "13) Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and HE WILL SHOW YOU THINGS TO COME. Recall now that John 14 says that the world cannot receive this Spirit of Truth. Verse 17 says: "17) Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. SO - this OTHER COMFORTER (Holy Spirit of Truth) that has NOW (after Yeshua's departure) come to DWELL WITHIN those who Believe upon Him will SHOW the Believer THINGS TO COME and GUIDE the Believer INTO ALL TRUTH. The World (Tree 2 beings) cannot understand the THINGS TO COME of Tree 1, it is for Tree 1 only! Tree 2 beings cannot be GUIDED INTO ALL TREE 1 TRUTH. It is for Tree 1 only! Sadly though, even though they are equipped to do so, many from Tree 1 are not looking for this Truth, or seeking to understand the things to come. They are quenching the Holy Spirit of Truth that was given to them and living in the world, falling prey to the deceptions and temptations that the world has to offer them. There is a price to be paid for such negligence, but that is another subject!

Galatians 3:29 says: "29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE. Acts 2:33 tells us that the PROMISE is the HOLY GHOST! The PROMISE in Galatians 3:29 is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which enables the Believer to be accounted as Abraham's seed.

Coming full circle, Hebrews 11:13 does say that many Old Testament figures died in faith: "13) ... not having RECEIVED THE PROMISES, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. The key word here is RECEIVED. One of the main PROMISES which they were unable then to receive (but WILL one day receive) is the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit seals the Believer unto the day of redemption per Ephesians 4:30. The Holy Spirit will one day abide within them and likewise seal them unto their day of redemption. They were unable to RECEIVE this PROMISE when they were here in Old Testament Days because they could only see Yeshua "afar off", and the Comforter to abide within them would not be able to come until Yeshua had walked the earth and then departed from it. However, seeing Yeshua "afar off" and embracing Him, allowed them to died in faith, and their heir to righteousness is by faith (Hebrews 11:7). Hebrews 11:39-40 says: "39) And these all, HAVING RECEIVED A GOOD REPORT through faith, RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE: 40) God having provided some BETTER THING FOR US, that they without us should not be made perfect." Through faith of the things they could see "afar", they believed that somehow in God's miraculous plan, they would one day RECEIVE the PROMISES and BE MADE PERFECT. Indeed during the LATTER RAIN dispensation when the dried bones are once again brought to life as prophesied in Ezekiel 37 during the Millennial Kingdom, they will receive what they could not before. The bones are resurrected from the dead. They are given new skin, and given the breath of life. Then verse 14 says something worth noting: "14) And (I) shall PUT MY SPIRIT IN YOU, and ye shall live ... saith the Lord. It is then in this LATTER RAIN DISPENSATION that those who had died in the faith of the PROMISE TO COME will RECEIVE that PROMISE of the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. Just as the Holy Spirit is doing in this FORMER RAIN DISPENSATION of the church age, this same Holy Spirit will seal these precious ones unto their day of redemption and perfection in the Father's Kingdom. Regarding this redemption, the first (Abraham's physical seed) will be last, and the last (Abraham's grafted seed - Believers in the church age) will be first (Luke 13:30). Hebrews 11:40 does not say that the Hebrew people will never be made perfect, it says that they should not be made perfect WITHOUT US. The last will become the first to be perfected by the Holy Spirit, then the first will be likewise perfected! Oh what a glorious day it will be when we can all become one happy family in Christ!!!!!