Yes — before Pentecost, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:67), and the Spirit had been active since creation.
The Spirit moved on the face of the deep at creation, David pleaded that the Spirit would not be taken from him, and Luke 1 records Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost. Les Feldick teaches that Pentecost marked a new role for the Spirit, not His first appearance.
Luke 1:67 — This verse directly records Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit before the day of Pentecost.
Genesis 1:2 — Shows the Spirit of God active at creation, long before Pentecost.
Psalm 51:11 — David asks God not to take His Holy Spirit from him, showing the Spirit was present in his life before Pentecost.
Luke 1:67 says that his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied. This happened before the day of Pentecost, so it is a direct example of the Holy Spirit being active before Pentecost. Earlier, Genesis 1:2 describes the Spirit of God moving upon the face of the waters, and Psalm 51:11 records David praying, 'take not thy holy spirit from me.' The Bible, therefore, does not present Pentecost as the Holy Spirit's first activity. The Spirit was already at work in creation and in the lives of God's people centuries before Pentecost.
Les Feldick points to Luke 1:67 and teaches that Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Ghost before Pentecost. Les stresses that when the Bible says a person was filled with the Spirit, everything they speak is God-directed. Zacharias's words are not just the wishful thinking of a patriotic or religious Jew; they are 'the very expressions of God Himself concerning the nation.' Les also reminds his listeners that the Holy Spirit has always existed and has always been active. He says that the Spirit moved on the face of the deep at creation, and that David prayed about the Spirit. However, at Pentecost the Holy Spirit came 'in a role completely different than he had ever played before.' So the Spirit was active before Pentecost, but Pentecost brought a new manifestation of His power.
Les Feldick teaches that Zacharias's filling is an important proof that the Holy Spirit was active before Pentecost. Because Zacharias was filled with the Spirit, what he spoke was not his personal opinion or nationalistic hope; it was God-directed. His prophecy in Luke 1:68 opens by blessing 'the Lord God of Israel,' showing that the Holy Spirit was speaking through him about God's dealings with Israel.
Scripture shows the Spirit of God moving on the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2), and David praying that God would not take His Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11). Les Feldick adds that the Spirit 'has always been,' so pre-Pentecost activity is expected. Luke 1:67 confirms this by recording Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.
Les Feldick explains that at Pentecost the Holy Spirit came 'in a role completely different than he had ever played before.' Before Pentecost, the Spirit had always existed and had filled people like Zacharias. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down with power in a new way. The difference is in His role and manifestation, not in His existence.
Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts
the Gentiles shall flow unto it," it's the same picture here, "...if only Israel could have believed it." Well, now, let's go all the way into your New Testament, and let's just follow this same premise. As we come into the New Testament, I want to stop with Matthew 1, verse 1, just for a second, because it won't be too, too long until we'll be coming into the New Testament in our weekly study.
Zacharias Filled With the Holy Spirit
Les teaches that Luke 1:67 records Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost, and that this means his words were God-directed, not his own wishful thinking.
The Spirit Has Always Been Active
Les explains that the Spirit was present at creation and with David, so the Spirit existed and was active long before Pentecost; Pentecost was a completely different role.
Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1
When did Jesus do that? Well, at Pentecost, because that was a Jewish feast day. It was the nation of Israel that was gathered, and down came the Holy Spirit with power, and it was the Jews' valid offer again to have experienced that power of the Holy Spirit to do what? Miracles, and signs, and wonders, as Jesus had done.
What the Bible Really Says About Speaking in Tongues
Gentiles had nothing to do with Pentecost, it was Jewish. And so when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, not of fire, but they looked like little flames of fire.
Zacharias's Prophecy Is God's Expression
Les emphasizes that a Spirit-filled person like Zacharias does not speak wishful thinking, and that his opening words bless 'the Lord God of Israel,' showing God's focus on Israel.
What Really Happened at Pentecost? Acts 2 Explained
No one has told these Jewish believers or anyone else to cast aside Temple worship, or to cast aside the Law. So these Jews are still practicing these seven feast days, and here we have Pentecost. Keep that in your mind, and watch how clearly the Scripture points it out. Verse 1.
Daniel's 70 Weeks Explained — The 490-Year Prophecy Unpacked
And again, a prophecy concerning the whole flow of events. Joel 2, drop down to verse 28. Now the prophet writes, And it shall come to pass afterward. Well, you have to know what went ahead of all this. After what? Well, after his coming and being rejected, crucified, risen from the dead, ascended back to glory, and all these things are part and parcel now of this Old Testament program.
Luke 1:67: And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
This verse directly shows the Holy Spirit filling a man before Pentecost.
Genesis 1:2: And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
The Spirit of God is active in creation, long before Pentecost.
Psalm 51:11: Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
David prays about the Holy Spirit, indicating His presence before Pentecost.
Luke 1:68: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
This verse opens Zacharias's Spirit-filled prophecy and focuses on God's dealing with Israel.
Yes. Genesis 1:2 shows the Spirit of God moving on the waters, and David prayed about the Holy Spirit in Psalm 51:11. Luke 1:67 also records Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost.
Yes. Luke 1:67 says 'his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied.' This happened before the day of Pentecost described in Acts 2.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the Spirit has always been active, pointing to creation and David. He says Pentecost brought the Holy Spirit in a role completely different from any previous role, not His first existence.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts