A Pentecost-al Introduction to Pneumatology

 

I. He, She, or It?
"It": Pneuma
"She": Ruah
"He": ekeinos (John 16:8, 13)

II. Pentecost: The Spirit's Narrative
One word: Connecting
Acts 2 as the center of the Church's pneumatology

1. Holy breath: Divine activity and power (2:2)
2. Fulfilling God's eschatological promise (2:33; cf. Joel 2:28-32)
3. Agent of God's harvest (2:1; cf. Lev. 23:15-21)
4. Regathering Israel (2:5; cf. Ex. 19)
5. The Spirit fills the disciples, collectively and individually (2:3)
6. Effect: Witnessing (2:4, 2:11, 2:14)
7. Chaotic, or orderly? (2:13; 2:15, 2:44)
   Revolutionary, or peaceful? (1 Cor. 14:23-33, Ro. 11:17-24)
   Icon of Pentecost
8. The Spirit reveals the Son (2:22-36; John 16:8, 13)
9. Pentecost reveals Trinity (2:33; John 14:16, 14:26, 16:26)
10. Pentecost shows and advances Jesus' exaltation (2:33a)
11. Results: The Spirit creates the body of Christ (2:22, 2:43); John 20:22)
12. The Spirit saves (or appropriates Jesus' salvation; Ro. 8:11)
13. The Spirit unfolds the new creation (11:17-18)

 

III. From Work to Personhood: Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Spirit is truly divine (2 Cor. 3:17-18)

The Spirit proceeds from the Father (and the Son?) (John 15:26)

The Spirit plays a role in creation old and new (Ps. 104:29-30; Ezek. 36:1-14, Ro. 8:11, 19-23)

The Spirit's earthly context is the Church