Before Jesus, the Holy Spirit did operate through people, however, no one had the fullness of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did. Take John the Baptist, for example. John the Baptist had the Holy Spirit, but not in its fullness.
Luke 1:15 – For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
This scripture is referring to John the Baptist.
But Jesus states in Luke 7:28 – I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Matthew 11:11 – Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus is stating the disciples who will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit will be greater than John the Baptist.
Luke 1:17 “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
The spirit of Elijah is not the same as the fullness of the Spirit Jesus had. The spirit of Elijah was also one of repentance. He was teaching people to soak and saturate their sacrifice in repentance in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent from heaven. This would signify God’s acceptance of your sacrifice.
Acts 13:25 – As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah’ No, I am not! But he is coming soon?and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’
John 1:15 – John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
Mark 1:7 – John announced: ‘Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am; so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.’
After Jesus was glorified, others were able to receive the fullness of the Spirit just as Jesus had.
John 16:7 – But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 14:16 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever–
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 7:39 – But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
John 15:26 – “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father–he will testify about me.
Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
So we are meant to have the fullness of the spirit like Jesus, that was the point of Jesus the Messiah coming.
