The disciples, David, Simeon, Zacharias, Elizabeth, John the Baptist and those at Jesus’ baptism all had heard of the Holy Spirit and were exposed to the working of the Holy Spirit long before Pentecost.  Not only is there ample foretelling in the Old Testament of the new thing God was going to do (see Appendix 1), they were privileged to experience the early fruits of the touch of God by the Holy Spirit.  After Jesus’ dissertation on the Holy Spirit at the last supper where He outlined 20 characteristics of the Holy Spirit and after Pentecost where the Holy Spirit was in pervasive mode, the functioning of the Holy Spirit became even more abundant and obvious to the believers.  But before all that, there were clues and hints and teaching that contributes to our understanding of Who the Holy Spirit is and what He does.  
Zacharias’ declarations about the greatness of God were from the Holy Spirit and from his heart. Many Scriptures he quoted were set in his training, but at that moment, the Holy Spirit drew all that out into a beautiful declaration.    

1.  Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, He will be Son of God.    Matt 1:18-20; Luke 1:35
2.  John baptizes with water, Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit & fire.    Mat 3:11, Mar 1:8, Lu3:16
3.  Spirit of God descended on Jesus after His baptism and remained.    Mat 3:16, Mar 1:10,
on Him and God’s voice from heaven declares Him His Son.   John 1:32, 33, Luke 3:22
4.  Jesus led into testing by the Spirit.   Matt 4:1, Mark 1:12, Luke 4:1
5.  When you are handed over to authorities for questioning for His names sake,
you won’t be testifying, but the Spirit of the Father is.      Matt 10:19, Mar13:11, Lu 12:12
6.  God promised-Isaiah 42:1-to put His Spirit on His Beloved Servant.    Matt 12:18
7.  Jesus’ power to cast out demons is from Spirit of God, not Satan.    Matt 12:28
8.  Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable.      Matt 12:31, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10
9.  David wrote of Jesus by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   Matt 22:43, Mark 12, 26
10.  Jesus yielded up His spirit.  (human vs The Holy Spirit?).     Matt 27:50, Luke 23:46, John 19:30
11.  Disciples to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit.  Matt 28:19
12.  Jesus knew in His spirit what they were thinking.  Mark 2:8
13.  John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb.  Luke 1:15
14.  John leaps in Elizabeth who is filled with the Holy Spirit and declares Jesus
(Mary’s baby) to be blessed.   Luke 1:41
15.  Zacharias filled with the Holy Spirit declares:   Luke 1:67-79
·      God has visited us.
·      God has accomplished redemption for His people.
·      Salvation through house of David.
·      Quoting prophets of old.
·      God showing mercy toward our fathers.
·      Remembers His covenant.
·      We are rescued to serve Him without fear.
·      We are to be in holiness and righteousness before Him.
·      Declares John’s role as forerunner of Messiah.
·      John to declare repentance, forgiveness and mercy.
·      God will shine on those in darkness.
·      God will guide our feet toward peace.
16.  Simeon, righteous, devout, waiting for Messiah—the Holy Spirit on him.   Luke 2:25-34
a.  Holy Spirit revealed to him he wouldn’t die until the Messiah came.
b.  Simeon came in the Spirit into the temple when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus for carrying out custom of the Law
c.  Simeon took Jesus in his arms saying:
·      Blessed God
·      I can now die in peace—God has released me.
·      According to Your Word, I have seen Your salvation.
·      Jesus a light to the Gentiles, the glory of Israel.
·      God prepared Him in the presence of all people—(Mary and Joseph amazed at his words.)
·      Behold this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
·      for a sign to be opposed–and a sword will pierce your (Mary) soul—
·      to the end that thoughts from many hearts will be revealed.
17.  Anna, a prophetess, is mentioned, but not the Holy Spirit in her revelation.
that Jesus was the redemption of Israel. Luke 2:36-38
18.  After Jesus tested by the devil in all things successfully He returned to Galilee.
in the power of the Spirit and began teaching in the synagogues.     Luke 4:13-17
19. Quoting Isaiah 61:1, Jesus states “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach the gospel to the poor, release.
captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and free those oppressed and proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”    Luke 4:18-21
20.  Jesus rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit when the 70 returned.    Luke 10:17-24
·      Jesus saw Satan falling from heaven.
·      Disciples saw demons subject to them in Jesus name.
·      Jesus gave them power over the enemy, nothing can injure.
·      However, we are to rejoice in salvation, not power over Satan.
·      Jesus praises Father for hiding this from wise and revealing to babes.
·      No one knows who the Son is except the Father.
·      No one knows who the Father is except the Son and who He reveals.
·      The disciples are blessed to see these things, not seen by kings and prophets.
21.  The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.                                    
( If we being evil know how to give good gifts to our kids…) Luke 11:13
22.  Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit.     John 1:32-33
23.  Must be born of the Spirit and the water to enter the kingdom.`  John 3:5
24.  Those born of Spirit are like the wind, hear, but can’t see it.     John 3:8
25.  God gives the Spirit without measure (see Luke 11:13).   John 3:34
26.  God is spirit, to be worshipped in spirit and truth.     John 4:23-24
27.  The Spirit gives life.  My words are spirit and life.  Flesh nothing.     John 6:63
28.  The Spirit was given to believers after He was glorified.       John 7:39
29.  Jesus quoted the Living waters from Isaiah, by the Spirit.     John 7:39
30.  See 20 things Jesus taught about Holy Spirit.        (Appendix 4)   John 14-16
31.  Doors locked, Jesus appears.  Peace be with you.  I send you. 
He breathed on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22