References to the Holy Spirit, occasions before Pentecost

The passages quoted or referenced below are the only ones referring unambiguously to the Holy Spirit, before Acts 2, when Pentecost occurred. There are a number of references to the Holy Spirit's work in Acts, in Paul's epistles, in Hebrews, and elsewhere in the New Testament, besides in the Gospels. I used the search function of The Bible Gateway, searching in the World English Bible, which is public domain.

Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.

Isaiah 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?”

Matthew 1, Luke 1:35 refer to Mary’s pregnancy as being brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:15 says that John the Baptist will be filled with the Holy Spirit, from before his birth.

Luke 1:41 and 67 say that both Zacharias and Elizabeth were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 2:25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, 3:16 John the Baptist says that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10 warn against blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:22 John 1:33 The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended upon Jesus.

Luke 4:1 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit after he returned from the Jordan.

Matthew 28:19 Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mark 12:36 [Jesus speaking] For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’

Acts 1:16 “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.

Mark 13:11 When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Luke 10:21 In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”

Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”

John 7:39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified. [The Holy Spirit had appeared, and, at least temporarily, anointed several people, as indicated in the previously quoted passages.]

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

John 20:22 When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!

Acts 1:2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

Acts 1:5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

Thanks for reading!

 

Impressions, by Martin Wells Knapp, 45

In a previous excerpt, Knapp stated that there are four features of "impressions" from God. These are Scriptural; Right (consistent with good morals); Providential (in harmony with God's will); and Reasonable. His discussion of "Impressions from Above" continues, going from considering if, and who, to marry, to this topic:

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Every believer soon after conversion feels a heart longing for the blessed baptism of the Holy Spirit, which will fully cleanse from all inbred sin, and thus give complete victory over fear, impatience, unbelief, pride, and all the uprisings which are felt from time to time in the heart which has not accepted the Holy Spirit as its complete sanctifier. This longing may find but incomplete expression, yet a deep heart hunger it is there, and craves satisfaction.

A strong impression soon conies to such a soul that complete victory is provided through the atonement, that God requires entire holiness, and that it should be sought and received as definitely as conversion. Flying to the fourfold tests for light it is found first.

S. That the feeling is Scriptural. God commands: "Be ye holy." The Word also declares: "Be ye filled with the Spirit." "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness."

It also promises cleansing from "All filthiness of the flesh and Spirit," and that "We being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life."

Jesus also promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, and commanded His disciples to tarry until they received Him. The Apostles and members of the early church received this induement and the Word declares that it is for all believers.

Prophets, Apostles and Jesus possessed this experience, and under its influence their lives glowed with holy fire.

Scripture command, precept, promise, experience and prophecy, all combine to show that every believer may claim by faith this precious legacy, and be as conscious that the Holy Spirit fully sanctifies as he is that Jesus fully forgives. Glory be to God for such assurance!

R. In regard to the rightfulness of such an experience there can be no doubt. If it is right to obey God, to be pure, and live a holy life, then this is right.

P. Next, is it attainable? If the conditions of receiving it are such that they can not be met, then all are providentially debarred from this privilege. On the other hand, however, they are simple, plain and practicable. A complete consecration which yields every power and possession entirely to God forever, and then a present faith in the promises which offer the gift of the Holy Ghost, are the sole conditions upon which this priceless boon is granted. These conditions all can meet who will, so that
this voice unites with the two preceding in proclaiming, that the impulse to be filled with the Spirit, is of God.

R. That such an experience is "a reasonable service," is seen from the following facts: God commands it and promises it.
The wisest and most successful saints have claimed it and proclaimed it.

It satisfies the longings of the soul.

It delivers from besetments, and gives new power to work for God and resist the devil.

It convinces the world as nothing else will of the divinity of our religion.

God has given it to all who have met the conditions, and "He is no respecter of persons."

It is the only thing that will enable one to be perfectly holy.

Without it, it is impossible to be free from carnality.

With it growth in grace is greatly facilitated.

Without, our joy can not be full.

Excerpted from Impressions, by Martin Wells Knapp. Original publication date, 1892. Public domain. My source is here. The previous post in the series is here.

R. A. Torrey on how to lose the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

If there is one dread that comes to me more frequently than any other, it is that of losing the power of God. Oh, the agony of having known God’s power, of having been used of Him, and then of having that power withdrawn, to be laid aside as far as any real usefulness is concerned. Men may still praise you, but God can’t use you. To see a perishing world around you and to know there is no power in your words to save. Would not to die be better than that? . . . I see so many men from whom God has departed, men once eminently used of God, I walk with fear and trembling, and cry unto Him daily to keep me from the things that would make the withdrawal of his power necessary. But what those things are I think he has made plain to me, and I have tried in the words here written to make them plain to both you and myself. To sum them up they are these:
1) the surrender of our separation
2) sin
3) self-indulgence
4) greed for money
5) pride
6) the neglect of prayer
7) the neglect of the Word.
Shall we not, by God’s grace, from this time be on our guard against these things, and thus make sure of the continuance of God’s power in our life and service until that glad day comes when we can say with Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, “ (2 Tim. 4:7, 8.) or better yet with Jesus, “I have glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.” (John. 17:4, R. V.)

-Modified slightly from The Baptism of the Holy Spirit by R. A. Torrey. (public domain) Available here, and elsewhere.

R. A. Torrey on the baptism with the Holy Spirit

“How the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can be Obtained” (From The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, 1895, by R. A. Torrey. Public domain. The book is available here, and from other sources.) Torrey believed that the baptism with the Holy Spirit was meant for all Christians. The following is a summary of a chapter of Torrey's book.

There are seven steps to obtaining the baptism of the Holy Spirit. All seven are stated or implied in Acts 2: 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. . . .”

1 Repent. That is, change your mind about Christ, by accepting Him as Savior and Lord.

2. Repent. That is, change your mind about sin, by putting away every sin, however trivial it may seem.

3. Be baptized. Torrey points out that the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus right after His baptism. (Luke 3: 21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, 22a and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him) Torrey says that the experience of the household of Cornelius was exceptional, and that they were baptized with water immediately after they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

4. Obedience. “Total Surrender to the will of God.”

5. “Intense desire for the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.” Torrey quotes Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” This desire must be for God’s glory, not ours, and must be a desire for a more effective ministry.

6. Ask God for a definite blessing – the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

7. Believe that you have obtained this baptism. Just as we aren’t saved by feelings, but can claim salvation on the authority of the Bible, Torrey says that we can claim the baptism of the Holy Spirit, if we have met the conditions, on the authority of God’s word.