Have you heard there is a Holy Spirit?
As the priests were leaving the Temple, it was suddenly filled with a cloud shining with the dazzling light of the Lord’s presence, and they could not go back in to perform their duties. Then Solomon prayed…
(1 Kings 8:10-12)
…Daniel… went home. In an upstairs room of his house there were windows that faced toward Jerusalem. There, just as he had always done, he knelt down at the open windows and prayed to God three times a day.
(Daniel 6:10)
The prophet Daniel would have been exiled in Babylonia at this time (some 500 years after Solomon’s temple was first built), praying in the direction where God showed his presence. Beautiful, faithful consistency expressed in his calling upon God three times a day.
Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you!
(1 Corinthians 3:16)
This spoken some 500 years later by one of Jesus’ disciples. Really?! God’s presence in the temple was an image of what was to come?
…Paul… found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit,” they answered. “Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they answered. Paul said, “The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him—that is, in Jesus.”
(Acts 19:1-4)
“All the prophets spoke about [Jesus], saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name.” While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his message.
(Acts 10:43-44)
[Jesus speaking] “When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come.”
(John 16:13)