Third Article Theology: A Pneumatiological Dogmatics by Myk Habets

Author:Myk Habets
Language: eng
Format: azw
ISBN: 9781506416915
Publisher: Fortress Press
Published: 2016-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

The Spirit and Pentecost

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is a key event not only in the New Testament but in the entire history of redemption. Joel 2 identifies the outpouring of God’s Spirit as the eschatological work of redemption. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ reflect this anticipation. Jesus’ saving work does not reach its climax on the cross or even in the resurrection, but on the day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost is a decisive scene in the drama of redemption. It culminates the great movement of redemption that began with the Spirit hovering over the waters, breathing life into the dirt, and bringing about the incarnate life of Jesus Christ. Thus, Peter’s Pentecost sermon identifies the outpouring of God’s Spirit as the eschatological work of redemption (see Joel 2:28–32).

The baptismal narratives in the Gospels define the nature of Christ’s redemptive work in terms of pneumatology—Spirit baptism.[26] Heralding the coming of the Messiah, John the Baptist also declares the nature of his salvation—“I baptize with water, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (see Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus indicates that the goal of his work is the gift of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 11:13, he promises that the “Father in heaven” will “give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Not just one among other gifts, the promise of the Holy Spirit is the gift par excellence. The Gospel of Luke closes with Jesus assuring the disciples that they will receive the promise of the Father and will be “clothed with power from on high” (24:49).

Acts 1 continues that narrative. Jesus urges the disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to “wait for the gift my Father promised. . . . For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (1:4–5). The Acts narrative (especially chapters 1 and 2) connects the inaugural promise of Jesus’ ministry—John the Baptist’s “I baptize with water, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”—with its fulfillment on the day of Pentecost. The outpouring of the Spirit of Pentecost, therefore, is eschatological. The day of Pentecost is the goal of Christ’s ministry. Jesus comes as the Spirit-anointed Messiah (Luke 1:35; 4:17–19; Acts 2:33) so that the life the Spirit made possible in him can be shared with “ ‘all people’ ” (Acts 2:17).

That all four Gospels and Acts define the goal of Jesus’ ministry as baptism in the Holy Spirit is significant. It indicates that the fundamental nature of his ministry and Christian salvation is pneumatological—it is the reception of and participation in the Holy Spirit. The threshold from the Spirit’s work in the life of Christ to the outpouring of that possibility on all people is the day of Pentecost. The Spirit of Pentecost makes available to all people the historical realization of the life of God with humanity that took place in Christ.

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