God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments (Nac Studies in Bible & Theology) (Hardcover)

by James M. Hamilton Jr. (Author), E. Ray Clendenen (Editor)

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Product Description
Does the Holy Spirit do the same things in New Testament times that He did in Old Testament times? Volume one in the NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY STUDIES IN BIBLE AND THEOLOGY series for pastors, advanced Bible students, and other deeply committed laypersons addresses this challenging subject.

God's Indwelling Presence asks and explores the question: What are the differences and similarities between Old Testament and New Testament believers? Did God dwell in Old Testament believers as He does in New Testament believers? Were Old Testament believers born again (that is, did they experience regeneration)? What do the words indwelling and regeneration mean? How is the Holy Spirit's ministry similar or different during Old Testament and New Testament times?

Users will find this an excellent extension of the long-respected NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY.

About the Author

James M. Hamilton Jr., is assistant professor of Biblical Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) on the Houston Park Place Campus in Houston, Texas. He holds degrees from the University of Arkansas (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and SBTS (Ph.D.). He has published articles in Trinity Journal, Westminster Theological Journal, and many others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: B&H Academic (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805443835
• ISBN-13: 978-0805443837
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #373,457 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound Pneumatology, September 21, 2007

By	J. Schoeman (SA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This helpful study does not cover the ecclesiology, starting from Pentecost, as most authors of the Holy Spirit usually do. It starts with a study of God's own Spirit in the OT, which strongly suggests that 'revivalism' is of no concern to Hamilton. He describes how, in the time of the theocracy, God ruled through His chosen judges, kings and prophets by anointing some literally.

Yet with the advent of Christ, the Messiah, God's 'Anointed One', the literal anointing no longer exists (and neither does the theocracy!) and the Spirit-aspect in the new life of believers is brought into proper perspective. This process, and its unique godly origin, known as the 'indwelling', is made clear to the reader. Implications regarding the 'anointing' now dwelling in us as opposed to being sought for as a special second blessing subsequently, are discussed in view of the fallacious teaching on the Holy Spirit prevalent in charismatic and pentecostal churches. 'Many assume that enabling an individual to believe is equivalent to an individual's reception of the indwelling Spirit. But John 7:39 speaks of people who had been enabled to believe in Jesus but had not yet received the Spirit.' pg 75 Hamilton sees indwelling as separate to conversion in Acts, pg 193. Believers would be well reminded that as there exists distinctions between our salvation experience and those of the apostles and their contemporaries, so there exists a clear distinction in 'the age of immediate revelation' with regard to the Holy Spirit's work in the apostolic age, especially as the Holy Spirit was active to that end primarily.

Although Hamilton is never critical of the easy-believism of revivals, one finds no mention of a 'Holy Spirit revival' in this book. What occurred at Pentecost was a once-for-all event, the revealing of the Holy Spirit's saving presence in the life of the church. 'We do not wait for the Holy Spirit to come. He came on the day of Pentecost. He has never left the church.' John Stott

Hamilton sees eschatological fulfillment taking precedence in Acts over personal conversion or regeneration, in four clear-cut instances. Specifically Acts 2, where some of those already believed in Christ prior to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Subsequent to this, Hamilton holds three other unique, though corollary salvation-historical outpourings wherein personal conversion is subordinated to eschatological advancement amongst the gentiles etc.: Acts 8, 10 and 19. 'In each instance of Spirit-baptism, those baptized were already believers when the Spirit fell on them.' pg 192 Again, this must not be seen as normative for the post-apostolic church as these were once-off occurrences germane to the apostolic era.

'Under the new covenant, God would not have a tribe of priests ministering to the rest of His people, but His people as a whole would be a kingdom of priests (see Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9; Rev 1:6). In these respects it may be said that there is discontinuity between the old and new covenants. There is continuity, however, in that the Spirit has been active in the lives of believers under both covenants.' pg 76

Whereas in the OT the Spirit only came upon i.e., Gideon and Sampson, in the NT the Holy Spirit no longer is given only to specific individuals, but to all who have experienced salvation, and gifts of diverse kinds are given to the church on the whole and to the apostles uniquely. 'The OT prophesied an eschaton of the Spirit ushered in by the Spirit-filled Messiah.' pg 114

'His anointing as the Messiah occurred when the Spirit came down upon Him. John 1:32-34' pg 111 This is the singular instance of anointing in the New Testament, and Christ remains uniquely the Anointed One of God. Whilst the indwelling Spirit as an 'arrabon' guarantees our bodily resurrection at the end of the age, our redemption, giftings and graces are applied by the Spirit in this age. Hamilton uses good examples to explain this doctrine and its implications, i.e. the eschatological church as the new temple on pgs 44, 117, and 144.

Hamilton's treatment is sound in the light of his effort to correct ahistorical attempts to glorify the indwelling Spirit, even erroneously elevating the indwelling to a special 'anointing': 'Since the stress in John 14:15-17 is not on the Spirit's teaching but on the Spirit's abiding presence with and in the disciples...' pg 77