The Function & Role of the of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)

The dispensational work of the Holy Spirit requires for us to know various dispensations.

Every student of the word of God notices various divisions- periods of time marked off in scripture. The concept of a dispensation deals with the arrangement of various divisions of biblical history.

How does the Holy Spirit Function and work in various dispensations time?

Dispensation- is a period of time in which man is tested regarding obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God.

 Dispensations-Man failed God and was judged in each dispensation-In every dispensation man could be saved by “Faith” Dispensationalism- is a method of interpreting the history that divides God’s work and purposes toward mankind into different periods of time.

 In Christianity, the meaning is a distinctive arrangement or period in history or framework in which God relates to mankind. In each dispensation it suggests that God is relating to man. In each dispensation God wants to relate to man. Dispensations then become a series of chronological successive periods-periods in specific order. The numbers of dispensations held are typically three, four, seven, or eight.

 The three and four dispensation schemers are often referred to as minimalist, as they recognize the commonly held major beaks within Biblical history. The seven and eight dispensation schemers commonly associate the announcement or the inauguration of certain biblical covenants- covenants are associated with dispensations. There are eight covenants-which mark a different time period or dispensation of time.

The variance in the number of dispensations relate to the extent of detail being giving by a particular author or speaker.

Covenant OVERVIEW of Dispensation Schemers

Innocence-Edenic, Conscience-Antediluvian, Civil-Government, Patriarchal-Promise, Mosaic-Law, Grace-Church Millennial-Kingdom, Eternal State-Final

Patriarchal, Mosaic, Ecclesial, Zionic

Law Grace Kingdom

 There is a distinct difference in the Holy Spirit that worked in the Old Testament vs. the New Testament-It came to strengthen, service, or work. The indwelling/filling of the Holy Ghost was not known in the Old Testament. This does not mean that the activities of the Old Testament were small and little known. It does not make their work less important in the Old Testament as we know men who have done mighty and great things, for they knew it was not by their own power. 

Ex. 31:1-5, 35:30-35-

 The Holy Spirit imparts brings wisdom-to work in gold, silver, and brass-this is a high level overview which describes the various manners in which we are all skilled-

gifts giving unto us imparted unto us through the Spirit-

 What are your natural talents and gifts?-Judges 3:10 The Spirit came upon Othniel, and he judged Israel. We must always equate that all things of grandeur unto those for which we perceive as insignificant are all given one to another through the Spirit.

Examples of How the Spirit brought wisdom and talent

Judges-11:29, 13:25 Gideon, Sampson

 In creation:  the Holy Spirit at work in the beginning-its work was to garnish the heavens-made beautiful with stars and suns (Gen-1:2) the Spirit moved upon the face of the deep. The Law of First Mention -a principal in biblical hermeneutics-

Hermeneutics is the study of the interpretation of the principles of interpreting the books of the bible –Learn Greek and Hebrew as meaning variations have changed for full understanding as we know language translation and meanings have evolved and do not necessarily hold the same meaning.

We must know the framework to apply the scripture this occurs in hermeneutics. The Law of first mention- sets the stage for how a principle should be understood in the rest of the word of God-Rachaph-in Hebrew to flutter, hover relax, brood.

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep- And the Spirit of God (moved-Rachaph) upon the face of the waters.

 God wants us to get that the Holy Spirit is on the move.-restoring to the earth peace and tranquility out of chaos.

From the Fall of mankind to the Flood (Adam & Noah) Dispensation of Conscience –Gen 6:3 for the Holy Spirit - Strives with man through his conscience to live a better life.

  The Holy Spirit was very active before the day of Pentecost. The Lord will bear with man for 120 years longer-until Noah began to build the arch-Noah preached for 120 years telling the people to repent. If there be no repentance-Noah shared- God would send the flood. Only 8 souls were saved.

 From the Flood to the Birth of Jesus Christ –Dispensations of Promise, Mosaic, and Law

The Holy Spirit came upon men and women after the flood up until the birth of Jesus Christ and filled individuals for some special service without regard to character.  

Example: Scripture references of individuals with what we would call major character flaws, yet Jesus Christ filled these individuals with the Holy Spirit to work for some special service without regard to their character.

Balaam-Num 24-2-9

Samson Judges 13-24-25

King Saul 1 Samuel 10-6-13

Led by the Spirit into the wilderness-Matt 4:1 Luke 41-2

Performed mighty works Acts 10-38

Anointed to preach Luke 4:18

Die on the Cross Heb 9-14

Raised from the dead 1 Peter 3-18-Quickened by the Spirit- He gave resurrection by the Holy Spirit Acts 1:1-2

From Pentecost to the second coming of Christ-Dispensation of Grace-we live in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Formation of the body of Christ by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body. On the day of Pentecost it took residence. Prior to the day it was not know n that the Holy Ghost dwelled-take up residence in man. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 Jesus Christ is the Presiding Officer of the Church-divides the gifts as he will (Acts 15-13-29 13 2-4, 5:3, 20:28)