The Holy Spirit and Eternal Salvation; Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

The word “spirit” occurs 388 times in the Old Testament. Out of a total of 592,000 words it occurs 0.12% of the time.

The word “spirit” occurs 379 times in the New Testament. Out of a total of 176,000 words it occurs 0.28% of the time… over twice as much.

Obviously the New Testament emphasizes “spirit” more than The Old Testament does.

That was fun and revealing but lets check another word. The phrase “eternal life” only occurs one time in the Old Testament (Daniel 12:2).

The same phrase occurs 42 times in the New Testament.

Colossians 2:16-17…

"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ”

Let me suggest that in the Old Testament we were introduced (foreshadowed) to and learned some things about the Holy Spirit. However, in the New Testament the concept of the Holy Spirit was more fully developed (substantiated) and especially his role in our eternal destiny.

The concept of eternal salvation for all of mankind was almost completely a foreign concept in the Old Testament. Imagine the surprise of God’s people Israel when they learned that all people of faith could share in God’s Holy Spirit and His free gift of eternal salvation.