FILLING OF THE SPIRIT IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES

1. A few Old Testament saints were filled with the Holy Spirit. 

a. Bezalel (Exod. 31:3; 35:31). 

b. Joshua (Deut. 34:9). 

c. Elizabeth (Luke 1:41). 

d. Zacharias (Luke 1:67). 

e. John the Baptist (Luke 1:15). 

f. Jesus (Luke 4:1). 

2. The filling of the Spirit was selective—only a few Old Testament saints were filled. 

3. The filling was given to help them accomplish a specific purpose. 

a. to give craftsmanship skills to Bezalel to make furnishings for the tabernacle (Exod. 31:3; 35:31). 

b. to provide leadership ability for Joshua (Deut. 34:9). 

c. to enable Elizabeth to receive revelation (Luke 1:41). 

d. to enable Zacharias to prophecy (Luke 1:67). 

e. to help John the Baptist carry out his ministry (Luke 1:15). 

f. to help Jesus carry out his ministry (Luke 4:1). 

4. It was temporary—given until they accomplished their service or ministry. The filling of the Spirit 
was not a requirement for daily living. Today, however, it's universal (available to every believer), 
permanent (available for life), and normal (a requirement for living the Christian life). The universal 
filling of the Holy Spirit is one of the blessings of the New Covenant (Joel 2:28–29). 

5. Filling implies a prior indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

6. John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit from birth (Luke 1:15). This is unique—others were filled 
later in life when called for special service. Jesus, for instance, was filled after his baptism. John is 
the only instance of a fetus being filled with the Spirit. Even more startling is the fact that this baby 
was filled before he was saved! Today no one is filled until they're saved. Why was he filled so 
early? Perhaps to prepare him for his unique ministry: to help him keep his Nazirite vow, to learn 
the Scriptures, and to grow spiritually. The giving of the Spirit before birth was based on God's 
foreknowledge that John would be exceptionally obedient. 

7. Old Testament saints were never commanded to be filled with the Spirit. 

8. The filling of the Spirit is not unique to the church age.