The subject of the Spirit of Yahweh (in short: “the Spirit”) is usually a subject surrounded with strong emotion, but often also shrouded in a cloud of mystery and major misunderstanding. In some circles, the Spirit is spoken of in a way that creates the impression that interaction and conversation with, and the frequent mention of the Spirit, is an indication of a particularly high level of faith and spiritual maturity. It can easily lead to arrogance and spiritual pride. One gets the idea that people think that if they can call on the “Holy Spirit” (or can say that the “Holy Spirit” has taught them something or revealed something to them) – that, in itself, is a guarantee that they know the truth or understand the Word correctly and are therefore beyond correction. It is one hundred percent Scriptural to have a desire to be filled with the Spirit, so that one’s words and behaviour may reflect the character of the Almighty. It is natural to long for the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit to be part of one’s make-up as a believer. But what happens so often is that many people think of the Spirit as “something” or “someone” separate from, or in addition to Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth – a way of thinking that is heavily influenced by the man-made doctrine of the Trinity and does not do justice to the consistent message of Scriptures.
The word “Spirit” is used about 320 times in Scriptures, both in the pre-Messianic and Messianic Scriptures. This does not include the references to “spirit” (in lower case). Although there were no “uppercase” and “lowercase” letters in the original text, most translations took the context into account and rendered the word “spirit” in lower case in expressions such as “his spirit was restless” (Gen 41:8); “There was a spirit of jealousy over him” (Num. 5:14) and “my spirit is confused” (Job 17:1). The expression “The Spirit” occurs 107 times, “Separated Spirit” 96 times, “Spirit of Yahweh” (including “Spirit of Elohim”, “my Spirit” – when Yahweh Himself speaks, “his Spirit” and “your Spirit”) – also about 96 times. Then there are also more general references to the Spirit of Yahweh in concepts such as “the Spirit of wisdom” (Deut 34:9), “Elohim is Spirit” (John 4:24), “the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:4 ); “One Spirit” (Eph 2:18) and “life-giving spirit” (2 Cor 4:13).
“Spirit” is a translation of the Hebrew word “ruach” and the Greek word “pneuma”. Both of these words can also be translated with the words “wind” and “breath”. A well-known passage in Scripture that illustrates this background of the concept of “spirit” very strikingly is Y’shua’s conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Early in the conversation, Y’shua tells Nicodemus “If anyone is not born again, he can not see the kingdom of Elohim.” Nicodemus takes this very literally and answers, “How can a man be born again when he is old?” Y’shua tells him that one should be born of water and the Spirit, not just of water (as happens with a normal birth). And then He adds: “The wind blows where it wants, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” When the Spirit of Yahweh is at work in one’s life, it is like the working and the characteristics of the wind. Something drastic is happening in your life. A big change is taking place. There is a newness and a freshness and a vigor and a vitality that no one can deny. But you cannot see what caused it. And there is a purpose and a focal point and a hope that was not there before. But you cannot literally see the power or the source that generates such a strong momentum for moving forward. Exactly as it happens when a strong wind (in Hebrew one would say: “ruach haghadol”!) comes up and causes havoc in the Cape!
We have seen that Scriptures refer to the Spirit as “Set-apart Spirit” about 96 times. But the Spirit is referred to as “the Spirit of Yahweh” (or the Spirit of Elohim, and so on), also about 96 times. There is no doubt: The Set-apart Spirit is nothing different from the spirit of Yahweh. When we speak of the “spirit of Yahweh”, we do not have to capitalize the word “Spirit”. And the simple reason is: We are not talking about a person other than Yahweh, the Father. We are simply talking about the spirit emanating from Yahweh, the spirit which belongs to Him. Writing a capital letter can be confusing because it creates the impression that Yahweh and his spirit are two different entities, two different persons, fulfilling two different roles in the world and in our lives. This is the doctrine of the Trinity and NOT the simple message of Scriptures. In the translation of Woord en Getuienis, concepts such as the “face” of Yahweh, the “power” of Yahweh, the “word” of Yahweh, the “light” of Yahweh, the “wrath” of Yahweh, the “hand” of Yahweh, the “arm” of Yahweh, the “eyes” of Yahweh and the “voice” of Yahweh are usually written in lower case, because it is clear that all these things belong inseparably to Yahweh and are in no way seen as something separate from Him. The same is true of the concept of “spirit of Yahweh”.
It is further interesting that the Hebrew term “ruach hakodesh” (usually translated as “the Holy Spirit” or “the Set-apart Spirit”) is never used in the Tanak (Old Testament) – and of course never in the New Testament (because the oldest available New Testament text is Greek and not Hebrew). Only three times in the Tanak, when speaking directly to Yahweh, or directly about Yahweh, will one find the terms “your set-apart spirit” (ruach kodshega) and “his set-apart spirit” (ruach kodsho – Ps 51:11; Isa 63:10 and Isa 63:11). It is probably based upon these three verses that the concept “ruach hakodesh”) was later introduced and used, first in Jewish writings and later also in the Messianic Scriptures (or New Testament). In the Jewish writings, “ruach hakodesh” is obviously NEVER used as an indication that the spirit of the Almighty has a different personality or a different character or function than the Almighty himself.
In the Dead Sea Scrolls (which are older than the oldest available writings of the New Testament) the term “ruach hakodesh” is used only once and in that single case it could be translated as “the spirit of the Set Apart One”. The term “ruach kodesh” (literally: “a set-apart spirit”, as opposed to: “The Set-apart Spirit”) occurs numerous times in the Dead Sea Scrolls (and also in the Rabbinical writings) and the intention is usually to point out that the Set-apart One (Yahweh) can work in one’s life in such a way that it is possible to sense a particular kind of spirit or disposition or equipment or characteristic or motivation, that may not have been present in one’s life before. This set-apart spirit can take on different forms, such as a spirit of inner strength, or exceptional wisdom, or the capacity to be creative and show artistic skill, or the ability to prophesy, or the boldness and perseverance to remain faithful, and so on.
In the Messianic Scriptures or New Testament, the term “set-apart spirit” is used about 90 times, and although most translations translate it as “the Set-apart Spirit” or “the Holy Spirit,” the definite article “the” is many times absent and it would be more correct to translate it as “a set-apart spirit” or “a spirit or a mindset or a form of equipment that comes from the Set-apart One”. There are cases where the definite article (“the”) does indeed occur and in these cases it would make perfect sense to translate with: “the spirit of the Set-apart One” and simply understand it as: “the Set-apart One”. It is a well-known pattern in Scriptures that something belonging to Yahweh (like his arm, or his hand, or his face, or his word, or his spirit) is sometimes used to refer to Himself. Acts 5: 3-4 may serve as an example. It is first said that GananYah (Ananias) lied to the Set-apart Spirit (with the article) and, immediately afterwards, that he lied to Elohim. This immediately brings together the two concepts “Set-apart Spirit” and “Spirit of Yahweh” (or “Spirit of Elohim”). After all, the Set-apart One is none other than Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth! He alone is the only true Elohim. His own spirit is not only an indication that He is alive, but also that He is powerful and creative and life-giving. That He can touch and fulfill and empower and equip and give new life to people. That is why “ruach” in Scriptures is often used as a symbol of life (see Ps 104:29 and Ps 146:4).
When Yahweh does His great works, it is this vibrant spirit that comes into action and may be experienced, even if the “spirit” itself cannot be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, in the description of one of the greatest works ever, creation, it is said that the spirit of Yahweh (or Elohim) hovered over the surface of creation (Gen 1: 2). His spirit was there. His spirit was at work. Because Yahweh was there. Just like with every other great work He has ever done, or will ever do. And often, when a great work is to be done in His Name, by men, here on earth, He will leave a portion of His Spirit upon those people, or fill them with His Spirit, or baptize them with His spirit, or let his spirit fall upon them or come upon them. In order to show and assure them: I am with you. Do not worry about the apparent impossibility of the task at hand. Do not fall into despair because you think you are not strong enough. Do not stare at numbers, or the lack of numbers. Do not let the obstacles and the dangers and your opponents get you down. I shall equip you. I shall make your hand strong. I shall open your eyes. It’s my own spirit that inspires you and enables you to work and stay standing and grow and even accomplish that which seems humanly impossible!
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