The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

In the following sections, I list the specific individuals and groups throughout the New Testament where the Holy Spirit fell upon and indwelt people of the early New Testament era. I will add to the list as I come across further specific instances.

The Jewish Children of God Before Jesus’ Ascension

1. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born.
   • “At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Lk 1:41
2. Zechariah, the father of John was filled with the Holy Spirit at John’s circumcision ceremony when John was eight days old.
   • “Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:”  – Lk 1:67-79
3. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born.
   • “John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.” – Lk 1:80
4. Mary, a virgin engaged to Joseph of Nazareth
   • “Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” – Lk 1:28-35
5. Jesus after his baptism as he came up out of the water
   • “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.” – Mat 3:16; Mk 1:10
   • Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River.” – Lk 4:1

The Jewish Children of God After Jesus’ Ascension

1. Apostles and other believers meeting together in one place on the day of Pentecost
   • “On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:1-4
2. Peter before the Council
   • “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, ⁹ are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man?”  – Acts 4:8-9
3. Peter, John, and other believers pray for courage
   • “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” – Acts 4:29-31
4. Seven well-respected men who are full of the Spirit and wisdom selected for ministry.
   • “Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).” – Acts 6:1-5
   • “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” – Acts 7:55
5. Saul, also known as Paul
   • ^“So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 9:17-21
6.  Barnabas
   • “Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.” – Acts 11:24

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

1. Cornelius, a Roman officer,  along with his relatives and close friends.
   • “Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.  For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.  Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”– Acts 10:44-47
2. Gentiles of Antioch of Pisidia
   • “When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region…And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 13:48-49; 52
   • “God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.” – Acts 15:8