Thus in his works, his characteristics, the things he suffers, his attributes and his achievements, we have a fivefold cord of testimony that clearly demonstrates the Spirit’s personality and divinity.

IV

THE SPIRIT AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

The first mention of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is in connection with John the Baptist:  “There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah:  and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:5, 6).

This Zacharias was taking his turn in the temple service, and an angel appeared unto him and announced that in answer to his prayer his wife Elisabeth should bear a son whose name should be called John; that he should be great, and should drink no wine nor strong drink, and (Luke 1:15) “he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb”; and “his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people” (Luke 1:67, 68).

And the child John grew and “waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel” (Luke 1:80).  His private life was spent in the desert solitudes, where he was being strengthened in spirit for the great work God had prepared for him.  This work had been foretold by the Holy Spirit.  It spake through Isaiah the prophet (40:3), saying:  “The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the rough places a plain:  and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”  Again, Malachi (3:1) says:  “Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.”

In fulfillment of these predictions of the Spirit came John the Baptist in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  Great multitudes flocked to his preaching and baptism.  Among others came Jesus of Nazareth, and “on the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become before me:  for he was before me.  And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.  And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him.  And I knew him not:  but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.  And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:30-34).