Who pours out the Holy Spirit?
John the Baptist said that the coming Messiah would baptize believers in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). Peter, full of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, identifies Jesus as responsible for the pouring out the Spirit in Acts 2:33. Similarly, Paul tells us that Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit on us for regeneration, renewal, and justification (Titus 3:5-7). This idea comes from key Old Testament passages. For instance, in Ezekiel 36:25–27, we read of the LORD sprinkling water on us, giving us a new heart, and placing the Holy Spirit within us. In Joel 3:1ff, we read of the LORD pouring out the Holy Spirit. The New Testament authors drew the appropriate connections. So, the Old Testament clearly identifies God as the source of the Holy Spirit. In the New, however, this act is performed by Christ. Jesus is indeed Lord (1 Corinthains 12:3; Romans 10:9) Perhaps this is why Nicodemus had trouble accepting what Christ was saying in John 3. Jesus does n...