1. In the earliest period of Jewish history the Holy Spirit was revealed as co-operating in the creation of the world ((ien. i. 2). as the Source, Giver, and Sustain- er of life (Job xxvii, 3; xxxiii,4; <.Jen.ii,7); as resist- ing (if the common interpretation be correct) the evil inclinations of men (vi, 3); as tiie Source of intellect- ual excellence (xli, 38; Deut. xxxiv, 9), of skill in handicraft (Exod. xxviii, 3; xxxi, 3; xxxv, 31), of supernatural knowledge and i)ropiietic gifts (Numb. xxiv, 2\ of valor and those (jualilies of mind or body which give one man acknowledged superiority over others (Jutlg.iii, 10; vi, 34; xi, 2'J; xiii, 25).
2. In that period which began with Samuel the eflfect of the Spirit coming on a man is described in the re- markable case of Saul as change of heart (1 Sara, x, 6, !M, shown outwurdly l)y prophesying (x, 10; comp. Numb. xi. 25, and 1 Sam. xix, 20). He departs from a man whom he lias once changed (1 Sam. xvi, 14). His departure is the departure of God (ver. 14; xviii, 12; xxviii, 15); his presence is the presence of God (xvi, 13 ; xviii, 12). In the period of the kingdom the oper- ation of the Spirit was recognised chiefly in the inspira- tion of the prophets (see Witsius, Miscellanea Sacra, lib. i; .Smith [.I.], SAect Discourses, 6. Of Prophecy ; Knobel, Driiphelisiiius ikr I/ehruer). Separated more or less from the common occupations of men to a life of special religious exercise (Bull [li\).], Sermons, x, 187, ed. 1840), they were 8<jmetimes workers of miracles, al- ways foretellers of future events, and guides and ad- visers of the social and political life of the people who were contemporary with them (2 Kings ii, 9; 2 Chron. xxiv, 20; K/.ek. ii, 23 ; Nell, ix, 30, etc.). In their writinjrs are found abundant predictions of tlie ordinary ojierations of the Spirit that were to be most frequent in later times, bj' which holiness, justice, peace, and con- soliition were to be s|)read throughout the world (Isa. xi, 2; xlii, 1 ; Ixi, 1, etc.).
3. Even after the closing of the canon of the Old Test, the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world con- tinued to 1)0 acknowledged by .lewish writers (Wisd. i, 7; ix, 17; I'hilo, De (iir/dul. 6; and see Ridley, Moytr Lectures, M!Tm. ii, p. HI, etc.).
4. In the New Test., both in the teaching of our Lord and in the narratives of the events which preceded his ministry and occurred in its course, the existence and aj,'ency of the Ib.ly Spirit are freipiently revealed, and are mentioned in such a manner as shows liiat these facts were part of the common belief of the .Jewish peo- ple at that time. Theirs was, in truth, the ancient faith, but more generally entertained, which looked u])on jiropheis as inspired teachers, accredited by the power of working t<igns and wonilers (see Niizsch, Chrisll. Lfhrf,iiH\). It was made plain to the understanding of the .lews of that age that the same Spirit who wrouirht of old among llie people of liod was still at work. "The ilove forsoiik the ark of Moses and lixed its dwelling in the Church of ("hrist" ( Hull, f>n .liislijiculini, diss, ii, ch. xi, !i 7 ). TIk! gifts of miracles, prediction, and teach- ing, which had cast a lilful lustre on the times of the f;riat .bwish prophets, were r«anifesteil with remarka- ble vJL'or in the first century after the birth of Christ. AVheiher in the course of eighteen hundred years niir- !
at what definite time they ceased, are questions still debated among Christians. On this subject reference may be made to Dr. Conyers Middleton's Fret Inquiry into the Miraculous Poice/'s of the Christian Church ; Dr. Hrooke's Kxamination of Middleton's Free Inquiry ; \V. Dod well's Letter to Middleton; Bp. Douglas's Crite- rion; J. H. Newman's Essay on Miracles, etc. With respect to the gifts of teaching bestowed both in early and later ages, comp. Neander, Planting of Christianity, bk. iii, ch. V, with Horsley, Sermons, xiv; Potter, 0» Church Government, ch. v; and Hooker, Eccles. Polity, V, 72, 5-8. See Mihaci.k.
The relation of the Holy Spirit to the incarnate Son of Ciod (see Oxford translation of Treatises of Athana- sius, p. 19(5, note d) is a subject for reverent contempla- tion rather than precise deflnition. By the Spirit the redemption of mankind was made known, though im- perfectly, to the prophets of old (2 Pet. i, 21), and through them to the people of God. When the time for the incarnation had arrived, the miraculous concep- tion of the Redeemer (Matt, i, 18) was the work of the S|)irit; by the Spirit he was anointed in the womb or at baptism (Acts x, 38 ; comp. Pearson, On the Creed, art. ii, p. 126, ed. Oxon. 1843) ; and the gradual growth of his perfect human nature was in the Spirit (Luke ii, 40, 52). A visible sign from heaven showed the Spirit descending on and abiding with Christ, whom he thence- forth filled and led (Luke iv, 1), co-operating with Christ in his miracles (Matt, xii, 18). The multitude of disci- ples are taught to pray for and expect the Spirit as the best and greatest boon they can seek (Luke xi, 13). He inspires with miraculous powers the first teachers whom Christ sends forth, and he is repeatedly promised and given by Christ to the apostles (Matt, x, 20; xii, 28; John xiv, 16 ; xx, 22 ; Acts i, 8). See Spimr, Baptism