The "Spirit of the Lord" is a term frequently encountered in the Bible, signifying the presence and power of God actively working in the world and in the lives of individuals. This concept is central to understanding the nature of God's interaction with humanity and His divine influence throughout biblical history.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord is often depicted as a source of empowerment and guidance. It is through the Spirit that God equips individuals for specific tasks and roles. For instance, in Judges 3:10, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Othniel, enabling him to lead Israel to victory: "The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into his hand."

Similarly, the Spirit of the Lord empowers Gideon (Judges 6:34), Jephthah (Judges 11:29), and Samson (Judges 14:6), providing them with the strength and wisdom necessary to fulfill their divinely appointed missions. The Spirit's role in anointing and empowering leaders is further exemplified in the life of King David. In 1 Samuel 16:13, after Samuel anoints David, "the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."

The prophets also experience the Spirit of the Lord as a source of revelation and inspiration. Isaiah 61:1 declares, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." This passage highlights the Spirit's role in commissioning and empowering the prophet to proclaim God's message.

New Testament

In the New Testament, the Spirit of the Lord continues to play a vital role, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, affirming His messianic mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). This declaration underscores the Spirit's role in anointing Jesus for His redemptive work.

The Spirit of the Lord is also instrumental in the early church, guiding and empowering the apostles. In Acts 2:4, the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, enabling them to speak in various tongues and boldly proclaim the gospel. The Spirit's presence is a sign of God's active involvement in the expansion of the church and the spread of the gospel.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the Spirit of the Lord is understood as the third person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Spirit's work is essential in the process of sanctification, guiding believers into all truth (John 16:13) and producing spiritual fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Spirit of the Lord is also a source of comfort and assurance for believers, as seen in Romans 8:16: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This indwelling presence affirms the believer's identity in Christ and empowers them to live a life that reflects God's character and purposes.

In summary, the Spirit of the Lord is a dynamic and transformative presence throughout Scripture, actively involved in creation, revelation, redemption, and the ongoing work of sanctification in the lives of believers.Isaiah 11:2
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
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Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.
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John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.
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John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
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Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
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John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
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Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Romans 8:9
But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
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John 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
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Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption.
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5011. tapeinos -- low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit
... in position or spirit (in a good sense). 5011 (an adjective) -- properly, ;
(figuratively) inner lowliness describing the person who on the Lord rather than . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5011.htm - 7k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... The Lord offers to inbirth faith in each scene of life – so that each matters equally
in ... both in its initiation and every step of the way, is Spirit given . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

1783. enteuxis -- a petition, ie spec. supplication
... 1783 ("Spirit-directed ") refers to the petitions (intercessions) of believers as
they ... True intercession (1783 ) seeks to act only as the Lord directs, ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1783.htm - 8k

4561. sarx -- flesh
... Thus what is " ()" is by definition displeasing to the Lord -- even things that
"respectable ... by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

1637. elaion -- olive oil
... Spirit. While true believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, give to (see
Mt 25:3-8)! Each person must seek (find) the Lord . Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1637.htm - 7k

1248. diakonia -- service, ministry
... See 1249 (). For the believer, 1248 ("ministry") specifically refers to
Spirit-empowered service guided by faith (4102 , "the Lord's inbirthed "). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1248.htm - 7k

5241. huperentugchano -- to intercede, to make petition for
... 5241 () is used only in Ro 8:26. 5241 ("intercede") refers to the Holy Spirit
interceding in scene of our lives so we can "come in line with" the Lord's . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5241.htm - 7k

3453. mueo -- to initiate into the mysteries, hence to instruct
... of the Holy Spirit enables the ... mighty apostle Peter makes it clear that every
believer-priest lives on "level (equal) ground" through the Lord's inworkings of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3453.htm - 7k

2293. tharseo -- to be of good courage
... the Lord fusing His strength by His inworking of ("," 4102 ). Showing this unflinching,
bold courage means living out the ( bolstering) that is Spirit-produced ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2293.htm - 7k

3648. holokleros -- complete, entire
... the God of peace Himself sanctify you (3651 ); and may your spirit and soul and
body be preserved (3648 ), without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3648.htm - 7k

The Spirit is the Lord and Power; and in this is not Inferior to ...
... Book II. Chapter I. The Spirit is the Lord and Power; and in this is not
inferior to the? The Spirit is the Lord and Power; and ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i the spirit is.htm

Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?
... MICAH IS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD STRAITENED? 'O thou that art named the
house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? Are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/is the spirit of the.htm

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... "Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?". A Sermon (No.2218). ... "O thou that art named
the house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?""Micah 2:7. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

Though the Spirit be Called Lord, Three Lords are not Thereby ...
... the Three Persons. 104. But perhaps, again, you may say: If I call the Spirit
Lord, I shall set forth three Lords. Do you then when ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xv though the spirit.htm

Proof from Scripture that the Spirit is Called Lord.
... Chapter XXI. Proof from Scripture that the Spirit is called Lord. 52. ... Wherefore let
them hear yet another testimony which distinctly calls the Spirit Lord. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxi proof from scripture.htm

Fowler -- the Spirit of Christ
... entrance into the city of the great King, tho he may not push quite as far toward
the front as he might have done if he had had the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/fowler the spirit of.htm

Eternal Spirit, Lord of Grace,
... PENTECOST Eternal Spirit, Lord of grace,. tr., John Brownlie 8.8.8.8. I. Eternal
Spirit, Lord of grace,. Descend, and in each waiting heart,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/eternal spirit lord of grace.htm

Holy Spirit, Lord of Light
... No. 34 Holy Spirit, Lord of Light. PENTECOST Holy Spirit, Lord of Light.
Processional Tr. Rev. E. Caswall S. Webbe (1740-1816). Marcato. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 34 holy spirit lord.htm

Lord, May Thy Holy Spirit Calm
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH Lord, may Thy Holy Spirit calm. 8,8,8,8. Lord, may
Thy Holy Spirit calm. Our troubled souls, and give them rest; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/lord may thy holy spirit.htm

Lord, May Thy Holy Spirit Calm
... PENTECOST Lord, may Thy Holy Spirit calm. tr., John Brownlie 8,8,8,8. I. Lord, may
Thy Holy Spirit calm. Our troubled souls, and give them rest; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/lord may thy holy spirit.htm

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