Topical Bible: Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Filled With the Holy Spirit

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Prophecy, as a divine communication, has been a significant aspect of biblical revelation, serving as a means through which God conveyed His will, guidance, and future plans to His people. Those who uttered prophecies were often filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak with authority and accuracy.

Old Testament Prophets and the Holy Spirit

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit played a crucial role in empowering individuals to prophesy. The Spirit of the Lord came upon various prophets, enabling them to deliver messages from God. For instance, in Numbers 11:25, the Lord took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed it on the seventy elders, and they prophesied. This event illustrates how the Spirit's presence was essential for prophetic utterance.

The prophet Ezekiel frequently experienced the Spirit's influence. Ezekiel 11:5 states, "Then the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and He said to me, 'Speak! This is what the LORD says: That is what you are thinking, O house of Israel, for I know the things that come into your mind.'" Here, the Spirit's empowerment is evident as Ezekiel receives and delivers God's message.

New Testament Prophets and the Holy Spirit

The New Testament continues to emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in prophecy. The early church experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as described in Acts 2. This event marked a significant moment in the history of prophecy, as the Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in various tongues and proclaim the mighty works of God.

The apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed the crowd, explaining that the events they witnessed were a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams" (Acts 2:17). This passage highlights the democratization of the prophetic gift through the Holy Spirit's work.

The apostle Paul also recognized the importance of the Holy Spirit in prophecy. In 1 Corinthians 12:10, he lists prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts given by the Spirit for the edification of the church. Paul encourages believers to "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1), underscoring the value of prophecy in the life of the church.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prophetic Ministry

Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit is depicted as the source of prophetic inspiration and authority. The Spirit's presence ensures that the message delivered is not of human origin but divinely inspired. This divine empowerment is crucial for the authenticity and reliability of the prophetic word.

The Holy Spirit's role in prophecy is not limited to the act of speaking but also includes the preparation and sanctification of the prophet. The Spirit equips and empowers individuals, enabling them to fulfill their prophetic calling with boldness and clarity.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays prophecy as a Spirit-empowered activity. From the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament apostles, the Holy Spirit's involvement is evident in the delivery of God's messages. This divine empowerment underscores the significance of prophecy as a means of communication between God and His people, ensuring that His will is accurately conveyed and understood.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:67
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
... Joel uttered his well-known prophecy: "And it shall ... Zechariah adds a beautiful prophecy
(xii.10): "I will ... Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, and they are created ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiv the outpouring of the.htm

A vindication of the Prophecy in Isa. vii. 14 against the ...
... III Chapter XXI."A vindication of the prophecy in Isa ... For truly this prediction was
uttered before the removal ... was begotten of Joseph, and that they have hope ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi a vindication of the.htm

Claiming.
... is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the ... Of course not one word can
be uttered against spending ... empty hearts, and so no wonder that they did not ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xiii claiming.htm

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... have been literally fulfilled to the letter, hundreds of years after they were uttered? ...
us that "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

John Chapter xiv. 22-24.
... cymbal; and though they had the gift of prophecy, and knew ... They come to enlighten,
we to behold; They come to ... For it was no false word He uttered when He said ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxvi john chapter xiv.htm

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... The predictions they uttered were not their own conceptions; not ... they brake not his
legs." Prophecy says, "They ... also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... Is this benediction and salutation uttered in irony? ... privileged with other prerogatives,
because they used their ... Him from every seat, whether of prophecy or of ...
/.../the second homily on the.htm

The Day of Pentecost.
... that if the women be included, the prophecy of Joel ... nations, there can be no doubt
that they were all ... composed of articulate sounds, which, when uttered by the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ii the day of.htm

Various Quibbling Arguments, Advanced by the Arians to Show that ...
... of the Father"born, I say, not uttered only"in ... Sweet is the harmony of prophecy with
prophecy, of woman ... mothers approach one another, so do they engage in ...
/.../works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix various quibbling arguments.htm

The Presentation of Jesus, and the "Nunc Dimittis. " Ch. 2:21-40
... of Jesus recorded by Luke not only add human interest to the story but they interpret
the ... To the wondering mother, Simeon uttered a dark word of prophecy. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/f the presentation of jesus.htm