How Was Christ In The Old Testament Prophets?

Hi Mike,

How does the Spirit of Christ in the prophets relate to the Comforter?

1Pe 1:10 Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.

This aspect of the Spirit of Christ does not function as the Comforter; correct? The choice of words here confuses me a bit considering:

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

I recall mostly reading that the Spirit in the time before Christ was either UPON men used of God or WITH them. The Spirit of Christ being in them (prophets of old) feels a little inconsistent so what is it that I'm missing? Do I need to be considering that there are different aspects of the ONE SPIRIT? Is the Spirit of Christ that was in the prophets simply the Word?

Jer 20:7 O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.
Jer 20:8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day.
Jer 20:9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.

D____

Hi D____,

Thanks for your question.

You ask:

"How does the Spirit of Christ in the prophets relate to the Comforter? ... I recall mostly reading that the Spirit in the time before Christ was either UPON men used of God or WITH them. The Spirit of Christ being in them (prophets of old) feels a little inconsistant so what is it that I'm missing? Do I need to be considering that there are different aspects of the ONE SPIRIT? Is the Spirit of Christ that was in the Prophets simply the Word?"

That is exactly right. Christ tells us in John 6:63, that His words "are spirit," and as you point out below, Jeremiah tells us that God's word was "in him as fire.

Jer 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay].

Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?

What helps most to understand how the "one God" of the Old Testament can include Christ is to understand how the word 'one' is to be understood in scripture. Look for example at this verse:

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

How are Christ and His Father one? They are 'one' as a husband and wife are 'one flesh.'

Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

The "one spirit" comes "through Him," through Christ. I explain this thoroughly in Is There A Trinity? God's Word was in David's mouth and in Jeremiah's mouth and in the mouths of all of the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets, but it was not in their hearts in the sense that it was there to change their hearts. Christ Himself tells us that could not be done until He had come to this earth in the flesh and then left this "body of sinful flesh and blood."

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you

Christ is not the holy spirit! But the holy spirit is Christ's to give to whomsoever He will. The holy spirit is God's spirit:

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].

But I think you know all of that. Your question seems to be, How can Christ be 'in' the Old Testament prophets and yet not be there in a way that would convert their hearts? And you have answered your own question, it was in their minds and in their mouths, but it could not be there for the purpose of changing their hearts simply because Christ had not yet come in the flesh and made His "expedient" exit from the flesh so as to send the "comforter which is the holy spirit."

I am sending you a list of letters, which I have cut and pasted from Dave Rogers' TOA. Every letter in this list contains 1Pe 1:11. Please read the one entitled Christ Is Yahweh, The God of The Old Testament. I think that will help you to understand how Christ was in the Old Testament prophets but not in such a way as to convert their hearts.

If you still have a question after reading this letter and the one entitled Christ Is Yahweh, please feel free to get back to me.

Your brother in Christ,

Mike

Letters containing 1Pe 1:11

1Pe 1:11 A238.0    Ears That Hear and Eyes That See a Pentecostal Spirit
1Pe 1:11 A323.0    Christ's Glory
1Pe 1:11 A325.0    Christ Is Yahweh The God Of The Old Testament
1Pe 1:11 A466.0    Is Satan Evil? Does Satan Know What We Know?
1Pe 1:11 A469.0    Is The Bible The Only Word Of God?
1Pe 1:11 A738.0    What Are The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Of Heaven?
1Pe 1:11 A775.0    What The Camp, The Court, And The Tabernacle Of Israel Foreshadow
1Pe 1:11 A828.0    Who Can Women Teach?

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How Was Christ In The Old Testament Prophets?