The New Testament illustrates not only how the Spirit of God dwells and worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More within individual believers and the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More of God, but it also provides important insights into the presence and activity of the Spirit in the life of the one perfect man, the Lord Jesus. Here, we will explore this topic in greater detail.

Begotten by the Holy Spirit

The incarnation of the eternal Son of God is a profound truth deserving of reverence for all eternity. We will never fully comprehend this mystery—God became man in the Lord Jesus. God sent His Son, "born of a woman" (Galatians 4:4). This signifies His complete incarnation. In this sense, He was even more fully "man" than Adam, who was not born. Nevertheless, God ensures that we remember who begot Him. Joseph was not His father; the Lord Jesus was begotten by God Himself.

Before His birth, the angel told Mary, "And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More.” (Luke 1:35). Additionally, Joseph was informed, “Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More.” (Matthew 1:20).

Particularly in the Gospels, which present the Lord Jesus as the Son of Man"Son of Man" is a designation for our Lord Jesus Christ. In many Scriptures, it means that He really became man through His birth (Gal 4:4). Like every human being,... More or the ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More of God, it is emphasized from the beginning that He was begotten by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. Thus, He is the eternal Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More and the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More in human form. In PsalmPsalm simply means "song." In the Old Testament, this word only occurs in connection with the Psalms of David and the Book of Psalms. Singers sang a psalm with instrumental... More 2, God declares that His anointed one—His ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More or Messiah—would be begotten by Him: “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’” (PsalmPsalm simply means "song." In the Old Testament, this word only occurs in connection with the Psalms of David and the Book of Psalms. Singers sang a psalm with instrumental... More 2:7).

The significance of this remarkable truth is that only the Lord Jesus could be called "the Holy One" from birth. He was the only man without sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More because He was begotten by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. Both the Old and New Testaments affirm the absolute purity and sinlessness of the Lord Jesus, in whom God the Father was fully pleased.

We observe the connection between the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More and the Lord Jesus's purity in the grain offering regulations (Leviticus 2). The grain offerings symbolize Jesus' life on earth and consisted of three components:

• Fine flour
• OilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More
• Incense

The fine flour represents the purity and sinlessness of the man from heaven. This is why it is specified that the grain offering should consist of fine flour and be free from leavenA dough for the production of baked goods that is usually kept in fermentation by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The fermentation process is stopped when leaven is exposed to... More, as leavenA dough for the production of baked goods that is usually kept in fermentation by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The fermentation process is stopped when leaven is exposed to... More in the Bible symbolizes evil. There was nothing evil in the life of the Lord.

In many instances throughout Scripture, oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More symbolizes the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. The fine flour was combined with oilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More, which highlights the truth that the Lord Jesus, as a man, was begotten by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. The incense represents the consecration and devotion of this perfect man to God and the delight that the Father took in Him at all times.

Anointed with the Holy Spirit

In the Old Covenant, grain offerings were not only mixed with oil; in some cases, they were also doused or anointed with oil (e.g., Exodus 29:4). This practice reminds us that the Lord Jesus was not only begotten by the Holy Spirit but was also anointed with the Holy Spirit. Believers during the Old Testament awaited the "anointed one" of God. This is evident in Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:10, which mentions the horn of His anointed one, and in PsalmPsalm simply means "song." In the Old Testament, this word only occurs in connection with the Psalms of David and the Book of Psalms. Singers sang a psalm with instrumental... More 2:2.

The prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More Isaiah prophesied several times about the Servant of God, indicating that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon Him:

• “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counselThe counsel (purpose) of God is his plan. What God plans will happen. There is a counsel of God with his people Israel (Isa 46:10). This counsel has existed since... More and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1-2).
• “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” (Isaiah 42:1)
• “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” (Isaiah 61:1).

The Lord Jesus refers to this prophetic word directly in the synagogueAt the time of the New Testament, the synagogue was a place where people gathered to hear the law. The beginnings of synagogues probably date back to the time of... More at Nazareth (Luke 4:18). Therefore, it is clear that He is the Anointed One of God spoken of in the Old Testament. This is also affirmed by the ApostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More Peter, who stated in the house of Cornelius: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38).

In the Old Testament, people were anointed to perform specific services. Anointing was seen in the priestly role (Exodus 29) and among kings and prophets (e.g., David in 1 Samuel 16:13 and Elisha in 1 Kings 19:16). However, people often failed in these ministries. Only in the Lord Jesus do we find perfection in this regard. He was the true servant anointed by God. This anointing is evident when He was baptized by John in the Jordan. All four Gospels record this significant event, which occurred before He began His public ministry (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). During His baptismRefers to the immersion of a person (in a body of water) and has a symbolic meaning: someone who is baptized acknowledges that they deserve to die. By being baptized,... More, the heavens opened, and the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and remained on Him.

Unlike us, the Lord Jesus received the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More as a man because He was worthy to do so. We receive the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More because we have been made worthy. This difference is important. At the moment He identified with the repentant remnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More of His people at His baptismRefers to the immersion of a person (in a body of water) and has a symbolic meaning: someone who is baptized acknowledges that they deserve to die. By being baptized,... More, God marked Him out in two significant ways: first, by having the Spirit descend upon Him (and not upon anyone else), and second, by the voice of the Father declaring, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17). The Father could never allow His beloved Son to be placed on the same level as sinners.

The Spirit came upon the Lord Jesus in the form of a dove, which symbolizes His purity as a human being. The dove is often regarded as an image of purity, as noted in its first mention in the Bible (Genesis 8:8-9). However, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers at Pentecost, He did not appear as a dove; instead, "there appeared "to them cloven tongues as of fire" (Acts 2:3). This indicates that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More has a role in judging something within us—specifically, our fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More.

In contrast, the Lord Jesus was without sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More, meaning there was nothing in Him to judge. Furthermore, He was the only person in whom the Spirit could take up permanent residence without the necessity of first mentioning the blood of atonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement... More. The Savior's blood, shed on the cross, must be applied to us before the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More can possess us. Thus, here we see His uniqueness and incomparability as the Anointed One of God.

Guided by the Holy Spirit

The Spirit of God dwelt in the Lord Jesus, and as a perfect man, He also walked energized by the Spirit. Unlike anyone else, he was guided and led by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More in all the details of His life. The Spirit of God worked in Him with divine power.

The Gospel of Luke presents the perfect man who was "full of the Holy Spirit" and who went His way "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4" 1, 14). The Gospel of Mark introduces us to the perfect servant, indicating that “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness” (Mark 1:12). The entirety of the Lord's life was in the power of the Spirit. He affirmed this by stating, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28). He did nothing on His own but lived in" constant dependence on God. John the Baptist remarked about Him: “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (John 3:34). Empowered by the Spirit, He not only fulfilled His ministry but did so directly. These two characteristics defined His ministry, and He serves as a model for us. We also possess the Spirit; He dwells in us and desires to fill us in our practical lives (Ephesians 5:18). The energy of the Spirit should permeate our beings and drive our actions in service to God.

However, the presence of the Holy Spirit is not limited to the life of the Lord. The Spirit “through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God.” The Lord's devotion and consecration culminated on the cross at Golgotha when He offered Himself entirely to God through the eternal Spirit. Additionally, the Holy Spirit played a role in the resurrection: He was "put to death according to the flesh, but made alive according to the Spirit" (1 Pete "3:18). He is "manifested as the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead" (Romans 1:4).

Acts 1:2 indicates that the Lord Jesus possessed the Holy Spirit even in His resurrection. It states that He, the Risen One, had "commanded the apostles by the Holy Spirit." The fact that the Lord Jesus passed through death and arose again did not alter the reality that the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More was still in Him. Even after the work of the cross, He continued to act in concert with the Spirit working in Him.

In summary, we see that the Lord Jesus was begotten as a man by the Spirit of God, anointed by the Spirit before beginning His public ministry on Earth, and He lived in the energy of the Spirit in dependence on God. Ultimately, He sacrificed Himself through the eternal Spirit on the cross. Even in His resurrection, the Spirit dwells in Him. Thus, the eternal Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More remains for all eternity the man in whom God the Father is perfectly pleased.