
The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ. "But when the Counsellor comes... he will bear witness to me." (1). Jesus acknowledged that he came empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" (2) The Holy Spirit would be given to Jesus' followers after he had been glorified. "Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (3). The Spirit is operative in the incarnation. This is a great mystery. Jesus asserts that the Holy Spirit will validate his ministry. "He will bear witness to me." (4)
The Messiah of the servant songs will be anointed with the Holy Spirit. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations." (5). In Luke 3.21f, Jesus on coming out of the baptism waters was anointed by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. At the birth of Christ, when the shoot comes from the stump of Jesse, then the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him. "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him." (6).
The Holy Spirit is given in immeasurable quantity to Christ. "For it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit." (7) Jesus claims that the power to do wonderful miracles is given to him by the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind." (8) Jesus is indeed electrified by the Holy Spirit and the power of God emanates from him.
The Holy Spirit is given to Jesus to confirm the promises made to the Jews and to bring in the Gentiles. "For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." (9) Miracles were performed by the power of God. "Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs." (10) Christ affirms that it is by the Spirit that he casts out demons. "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (11)
(1) John 15.26 (2) Luke 4.18 (3) John 7.39 (4) John 15.26 (5) Isaiah 42 (6) Isaiah 11.1-3 (7) John 3.34 (8) Luke 4.18,19 (9) Romans 15.8 (10) Acts 2.22 (11) Matthew 12.28ff