What does it mean that Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit in Luke 1:67?
Being filled with the Holy Spirit meant Zechariah’s words in the following verses were inspired by the Holy Spirit. He blessed the Lord God of Israel, declared that God had raised up a horn of salvation in the house of David, and spoke of salvation from enemies, mercy promised to the fathers, and God’s holy covenant oath to Abraham.
Les explains that after Zechariah regained his speech, Luke 1:67 says he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Les teaches this meant everything Zechariah spoke in the intervening verses was inspired by the Holy Spirit. His prophecy begins, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,” because God had raised up a horn of salvation in the house of His servant David. Zechariah also spoke of being saved from enemies and from all who hate us, performing the mercy promised to the fathers, and remembering His holy covenant—the oath God swore to Abraham. Les notes this is New Testament, not Old Testament, and points to that covenant.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
More Questions
When Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, was he speaking wishful thinking?
When Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, his coming utterance was prompted by that Spirit, not by wishful thinking or Jewish nationalistic and patriotic hopes.
Were Zacharias's words in Luke 1 just his own wishful thinking or words from God?
Zacharias's prophecy after being filled with the Spirit was not just his own wishful thinking as a patriotic or religious Jew; it was the very expression of God Himself concerning the nation.