Another thing that would mark the new dispensation is the presence of the Holy Spirit on earth. The Spirit's presence on earth proves that the old dispensation has been set aside and the new has begun. In Old Testament times, the Spirit of God worked on earth from His place of residence in heaven. He did not dwell on earth until redemption was accomplished and Christianity had begun (Acts 2:1-4; Eph. 2:22). The Spirit's presence on earth demonstrates this fact before the world in three ways:
• “Of sin”—The Spirit of God being here on earth proves the guilt of this world's sin of rejecting Christ. In order for the Spirit to be here, Christ had to leave (via the cross) and go to the Father to send the Spirit.
• “Of righteousness”—The fact that the Spirit is here in this world proves that God has righteously received the Lord Jesus on high. He had to take that place there before He could send the Spirit here (Acts 2:32-33).
• “Of judgment”—The fact that the Spirit of God is here in this world is a proof that the world and its prince (Satan) have been judged and are awaiting for the execution of their judgment.