The Canonical Understanding of the Spirit Dwelling Within You
This dramatic painting shows Samson tearing apart the lion (Judges 14:6), which happened “when the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him.” While the Spirit isn't visibly depicted, Peter Paul Rubens captures the moment of divine empowerment through Samson's superhuman strength.
Trinitytide and Pentecost are coming up. And, if you’re unfamiliar, Pentecost, originally a Jewish festival celebrated 50 days after Passover (Lev 23), must not be reduced to what happened in Acts 2. The Spirit's descent occurred on Pentecost, but its deeper meaning is tied to the festival’s Old Covenant roots—something I’ll explore in my next post. For now, I need to critically focus on the purpose of the Spirit’s indwelling as revealed in the canon of Scripture. Take time to reflect carefully on the list I’ve created below:
Joseph
Genesis 41:38
Spirit Activity: Pharaoh said, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?”
Accomplishment: Interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, advised a national plan to prepare for famine, and rose to become second in command in Egypt.
Bezalel
Exodus 31:1–5; 35:30–35
Spirit Activity: Filled with the Spirit of God, with skill, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship.
Accomplishment: Designed and built the Tabernacle, Ark, furnishings, and priestly garments exactly according to God's instructions.
Moses
Numbers 11:17, 25 (implicitly)
Spirit Activity: The Spirit was upon him and shared with the elders.
Accomplishment: Delivered Israel from Egypt, received the Law, served as prophet and intercessor for Israel.
Seventy Elders
Numbers 11:25–29
Spirit Activity: The Spirit rested on them; they prophesied.
Accomplishment: Temporarily enabled to share Moses’ leadership burden. Two (Eldad and Medad) continued prophesying in the camp.
Joshua son of Nun
Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9
Spirit Activity: “A man in whom is the Spirit”; filled with the spirit of wisdom.
Accomplishment: Succeeded Moses, led Israel into Canaan, directed military conquest, and oversaw land allotment.
Balaam
Numbers 24:2
Spirit Activity: “The Spirit of God came upon him.”
Accomplishment: Though a pagan seer, he was compelled to bless Israel instead of curse them through inspired oracles.
Othniel
Judges 3:10
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of the LORD came upon him.
Accomplishment: Became Israel’s judge, delivered Israel from Cushan-rishathaim, and brought 40 years of peace.
Gideon
Judges 6:34
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of the LORD clothed him.
Accomplishment: Summoned troops and led Israel to victory over the Midianites with only 300 men.
Jephthah
Judges 11:29
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of the LORD came upon him.
Accomplishment: Defeated the Ammonites, delivering Israel from oppression.
Samson
Judges 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of the LORD stirred, rushed upon, and empowered him repeatedly.
Accomplishment: Tore a lion apart (14:6); killed 30 Philistines (14:19); broke ropes and killed 1,000 men with a donkey’s jawbone (15:14); carried city gates; toppled temple of Dagon in death.
Saul
1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 11:6; 19:23
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of God came or rushed upon him multiple times.
Accomplishment: Prophesied (10:10); led victory over Ammonites (11:6–11); later prophesied again while pursuing David (19:23), marking decline of his reign.
David
1 Samuel 16:13
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him from that day forward.
Accomplishment: Anointed as king, defeated Goliath, unified Israel, established Jerusalem, and prepared for the temple. The Spirit did not depart from him.
Amasai, Chief of the Thirty
1 Chronicles 12:18
Spirit Activity: The Spirit clothed Amasai.
Accomplishment: Publicly pledged allegiance to David with his warriors during David’s rise to kingship.
Azariah son of Oded
2 Chronicles 15:1–7
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of God came upon him.
Accomplishment: Exhorted King Asa to seek the LORD and carry out national reform. Asa removed idols and renewed the covenant.
Jahaziel the Levite
2 Chronicles 20:14–17
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of the LORD came upon him.
Accomplishment: Prophesied deliverance to King Jehoshaphat, leading to a praise-led victory over Moab and Ammon without Israel lifting a sword.
Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest
2 Chronicles 24:20
Spirit Activity: The Spirit of God clothed him.
Accomplishment: Rebuked King Joash and the people for forsaking the LORD. He was stoned to death for his message.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel 2:2; 3:24; 11:5
Spirit Activity: The Spirit entered him, lifted him, and empowered him to speak.
Accomplishment: Delivered prophetic oracles to the exiles; performed sign acts; spoke of judgment, temple vision, and restoration.
John the Baptist
Luke 1:15
Spirit Activity: Filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb
Accomplishment: Prepared the way for the Lord, called Israel to repentance, baptized Jesus, and pointed others to the Messiah
Mary, mother of Jesus
Luke 1:35
Spirit Activity: The Holy Spirit would come upon her; the power of the Most High would overshadow her
Accomplishment: Conceived and bore Jesus, the Son of God, in fulfillment of prophecy
Elizabeth
Luke 1:41
Spirit Activity: Filled with the Holy Spirit
Accomplishment: Spoke prophetically, blessing Mary and recognizing the presence of the unborn Messiah
Zechariah
Luke 1:67
Spirit Activity: Filled with the Holy Spirit
Accomplishment: Prophesied the Benedictus, announcing God’s plan of salvation and the role of his son, John
Simeon
Luke 2:25–27
Spirit Activity: The Holy Spirit was upon him; revealed to him he would see the Messiah; led by the Spirit into the temple
Accomplishment: Recognized Jesus as the Christ and prophesied about Him as a light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel
Jesus
Luke 3:22; 4:1, 14, 18; Matthew 3:16, etc.
Spirit Activity: The Holy Spirit descended on Him at baptism; He was full of the Holy Spirit, led by the Spirit, returned in the power of the Spirit
Accomplishment: His entire life and ministry, as you already know, was the fullest, most powerful version of a life given over fully to the Spirit’s power
The Twelve Apostles
Acts 2:1–4
Spirit Activity: All were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and spoke in other tongues
Accomplishment: Preached boldly, performed signs and wonders, converted thousands, and laid the foundation of the Church
Peter
Acts 4:8
Spirit Activity: Filled with the Holy Spirit
Accomplishment: Boldly testified before the Sanhedrin about Jesus’ resurrection, raised the dead (Acts 9:36-42), etc.
Stephen
Acts 6:5; 7:55
Spirit Activity: Full of the Holy Spirit
Accomplishment: Performed signs and wonders, refuted opponents in debate, saw the heavens opened, and became the first Christian martyr
Philip the Evangelist
Acts 8:29, 39
Spirit Activity: The Spirit spoke to him and carried him away
Accomplishment: Preached in Samaria with miracles, baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, and evangelized along the coast
Paul
Acts 9:17; 13:9
Spirit Activity: Filled with the Holy Spirit
Accomplishment: Converted from persecutor to apostle, became the chief missionary to the Gentiles, authored much of the New Testament, performed miracles, and endured great suffering for Christ
Ananias (of Damascus)
Acts 9:17
Spirit Activity: Sent by the Lord to restore Paul’s sight and to lay hands on him to be filled with the Spirit
Accomplishment: Baptized Paul and participated in his commission as apostle to the Gentiles
Cornelius and his household
Acts 10:44–47; 11:15–17
Spirit Activity: The Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word
Accomplishment: Spoke in tongues and glorified God; marked the inclusion of Gentiles into the Church without circumcision
Barnabas
Acts 11:24
Spirit Activity: Described as full of the Holy Spirit and of faith
Accomplishment: Encouraged the church in Antioch, traveled with Paul on missionary journeys, gave generously, and made converts and discipled new believers
Agabus and other prophets
Acts 11:28; 21:10–11
Spirit Activity: Prophets moved by the Spirit
Accomplishment: Predicted famine and Paul's arrest, showing the Spirit’s ongoing guidance and warning through prophecy
Disciples at Ephesus
Acts 19:6
Spirit Activity: The Holy Spirit came upon them
Accomplishment: Spoke in tongues and prophesied after baptism into Jesus’ name
The early Church as a whole
Acts 4:31; 13:52
Spirit Activity: All were filled with the Holy Spirit
Accomplishment: Spoke the word of God with boldness; lived in unity, prayer, and power; continued to grow despite persecution
I believe reading this list should effectively communicate to you that the Spirit does not dwell within you merely so that you can die and go to heaven or so that you can know that you’re a Christian. I believe a thorough analysis of this list will demonstrate to the critical reader that you have the Spirit so that God can work mighty works through you. Put another way, your purpose on this earth is not found in your job or your family, but in being a vessel through which Yahweh will utterly dominate this earth until his return. Put another way, stop pursuing things of the world. Put another way, “If anyone does not renounce all that he has, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:25-33). Put another way, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom 12:1-2). Put another way, “That we may show forth your praise not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service” (BCP, Daily Office).
This is what Trinitytide is about. In Lent, Anglo Catholics focus on fasting, the cross, and the upcoming suffering of Jesus. Therefore, Anglo Catholics should not neglect the purpose of Trinitytide. They should focus on reproducing, be it through conversions to Christianity or making disciples—all while relying upon the power of the indwelling Spirit.