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John Plunkett, in this Pentecost sermon, affirms that God's Holy Spirit was not just a New Testament phenomenon, even though it may not been given in such full or large measure. Right from the very beginning of creation, God's Holy Spirit is described as the energy of life hovering over the formless mass (tohu and bohu), giving it form and order. The Holy Spirit has always been an integral or inherent part of God the Father and Yaweh, but not initially a part of a human being. Throughout the Old Testament, God's Holy Spirit worked in the life of Joseph, Moses, in the skills of the artisan workers of the tabernacle, "dwelling upon" the assistants (or seventy elders) of Moses, residing in Caleb and Joshua, described as full of the spirit of wisdom. God sometimes placed His Spirit upon unlikely individuals such as Balaam for a special purpose, and removed it later for faithlessness, a lesson from which we should take heed. God placed His Spirit on the Judges, including Gideon, imbuing him with courage and giving him leadership qualities. Jephtha and Samson also received a measure of God's Spirit, often coming upon them mightily, although neither used it as wisely as had Gideon. We need to heed their examples not to misuse the gift of the Spirit God has given us. After the times of the Judges, Israel succumbed to Gentile peer pressure, adopting a monarchy. Nevertheless, God's Spirit came upon Saul, giving him powers to prophesy and augmenting his leadership ability, courage and bravery. When God's Holy Spirit dwells within us, we gain a significant measure of courage. Even though we have increased access to God's Holy Spirit since the day of Pentecost, the massive wholesale pouring out of God's Holy Spirit will not occur until the future.

Anger Bezaleel Courage Cowardice Divine nature Eldad Elohim Energy of life Gideon God's Holy Spirit Joseph Medad Yahweh Mind Pa am Racaph Ruach Samson Seventy elders Shekina glory Spirit of God Spirit Spiritual gifts

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