Holy Spirit in Christianity the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit does not simply appear for the first time at Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, but is present in the Gospel of Luke (in 1–2) prior to the birth of Jesus. In , John the Baptist was said to be "filled with the Holy Spirit" prior to birth, and the Holy Spirit came upon the Virgin Mary in . In John the Baptist stated that Jesus baptized not with water but with the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus during his baptism in the Jordan River. In Jesus provided assurances
Jesus baptism in Matthew is similar. Here, before Jesus' baptism, John protests, saying, "I need to be baptized by you" (). Jesus instructs him to carry on with the baptism "to fulfill all righteousness" (). Matthew also details the three temptations that Satan offers Jesus in the wilderness (). In Luke, the Holy Spirit descends as a dove after everyone has been baptized and Jesus is praying (). John implicitly recognizes Jesus from prison after sending his followers to ask about him (). Jesus' baptism and temptation serve as preparation for his public ministry. The Gospel of John leaves out Jesus'