1. The 5511 new testament theology
Class XII: Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts in NT theology
*picture from
Ethiopian orthodox art

2. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
1.1 Introduction to Holy Spirit in NT theology
Less emphasized aspect in NT theology
Number of distinct angles to Spirit in NT theology
Spirit in relation to God and Son
Spirit’s work in salvation, sanctification, eschatology etc.
Spiritual gifts
Empowerment, filling, baptism of the Spirit, and moral life
Spirit and the church
 How to synthesize divergent yet similar aspects of the Spirit?

3. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
2.1 Preliminary aspects of the Spirit in NT Theology
Spirit in OT and Judaism
Spirit in the OT*
God’s invisible activity in power (Jdg 3:10; 6:34; 11:29)
Presence in revelation and wisdom (Num 11:25-29; 27:18 Isa 48:16)
Eschatological Spirit (Isa 32:15; 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-29; Ezek 37)
Spirit of prophecy in Judaism
Charismatic revelation and guidance (Sir 48:24; 1 En 91:1)
Charismatic wisdom (4 Ez 14:22; Sir 39:6)
Inspired charismatic speech, praise (Ant ; Jub 25:14; 31:12: Philo Spec. 4.49)
Source of power and ethical transformation & worship (2 Bar 21:4; 23:5; 1QH 7.6-7)
Spirit of Messiah (Isa 11:1-2; 1 En 49:2-3; Ps.Sol 17:37; 18:7; 1QSb 5.25)
Did Jews believe that charismatic Spirit had withdrawn? (Tosefta Sotah )
Spirit of prophecy rare and weak – wisdom & Torah  eschatological Spirit
*Turner 1996: 5ff.

4. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Synoptic Gospels and Acts
Virgin birth (Lk 1:35)
Spirit of prophecy – “filling, prophecy, revelation, joy” (Lk 1-2)
Empowering, guidance, baptism of the Spirit (Lk 4:14, 16-18; Mt 4:1)
Joy (Lk 10:21); contrasted w/ evil spirits (Lk 11:24-26; 13:11)
Revelatory wisdom to the persecuted disciples (Lk 12:12)
Promise of the Spirit (Lk 3:15; 11:13; 24:48; Acts 1:4-5)
Personal nature of the Spirit
Spirit of the Lord [God/Jesus] (Acts 5:9; 8:39; 16:7)
Spirit speaks/witnesses (2:22; 5:30; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12;13:2; 20:23; 21:11)
Lying/testing the Spirit (5:3-4, 9; 15:10)
Personalizations of the Spirit “Comfort of the Sprit” (9:31; Lk 1:35)
Spirit from God but given by/through Jesus*
*Spirit seems to be more than an “extension of Father’s personhood” as Spirit is clearly given through Jesus (Acts 2:33; 16:6-7; cf. John 15:26; Gal 4:4-6) – but see also OT equivalents/similarities Isa 63:10; Ezek 2:2; 3:24.

5. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
The gift of the Spirit
Jesus – conceived by, receives and gives the Spirit (Lk 1:35; 4:14; Acts 2:33)
Verbs about the gift of the Spirit
“receive” (Acts 1:8, 2:33; 8:15-19; 10:47; 19:2); “pour out” (2:17-18, 33; 10:45)
“give” (8:18; 11:17, 15:18); “come upon” (1:8; 19:6)
“fall upon” (10:45, 11:15); “baptize” (1:5; 11:16; Lk 3:16)
Spirit’s role in Acts
Gift of the Father & Son – marks the new eschatological age
Connected to admission into God’s people, conversion, and water baptism
Guides & empowers individuals/church in and for ministry
Four main accounts of the “coming” of the Spirit in Acts
Pentecost (2:1-4; cf. 4:31); Samaritans (8:15-19);
Cornelius & friends (Acts 10-11); Ephesian twelve (19:1-7)
 How to understand the “coming/filling/baptism” of the Spirit?

6. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Making sense of the Spirit’s role in Acts
Acts 1:8 and 2:1-4 fulfillment of Lk 24:49; 3:16 (& Joel 2:28-29)
Reception of the Spirit to mark “the last days”
Communion of the believers with ascended Lord
 Conversion, empowerment, revelatory knowledge, wisdom, guidance
Tongues and prophecy as signs of Spirit’s work through Jesus*
Jews (2:4); Samaritans (8:14-18); Gentiles (10:46)**; Ephesian 12 (19:6)
Two important questions:
Can there be believers in Jesus without the Spirit? (8:14-18; 19:6)
Is the Spirit-reception connected to conversion and/or empowerment?
Are there two stages in reception of the Sprit in Acts?
Conversion-initiation and subsequent Spirit-baptism?
*OT precedent akin to this: Num 11:15; 1 Sam 16:13; 2 Kgs 2:14-15
**There is an on-going debate whether the Ethiopian was a Jew or a gentile

7. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Reception of the Spirit in Acts
1) No formula 2) Conversion-initiation 3) Spirit-baptism after conversion
Read Acts 8:1-24 – how is Spirit reception understood?
a) Sign-event to confirm the inclusion of Samaritans per apostolic hands
Not paradigmatic for current practice
b) Lucan [descriptive] anomaly – deficient/incomplete “faith” of Samaritans
Luke’s unique pneumatology – pastoral concern to remedy anomaly
c) Evidence that Spirit given after conversion (two-stage Spirit reception*)
To support doctrine of the two-stage “baptism of the Spirit”
Gentiles receive the Spirit, Cornelius as paradigmatic gentile** (10:46)
Read Acts 19:1-7 – The Ephesian 12
c) Evidence for the two-stage Spirit reception – “delay” b/w faith & Spirit***
b) Lucan anomaly per disciples of John the Baptist & salvation-history
Limited applicability
*Per combining with John 20:22
**Or the Etiophian (8:25-40)?
***When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. (19:5-6)

8. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
How does Luke depict salvation & reception of the Spirit?
Reception of the Spirit at conversion? (2:38-39 [41*]; 9:17-19; 10:44-49)
Spirit received subsequent to conversion?
Should one assume reception of the Spirit at conversion even when it is
(a) Not explicitly mentioned (“disciples” 19:1; 8:36-38; 16:16, 33; 18:8 etc.)
(b) Specifically denied (“believed…Spirit not yet fallen” 8:12-16)
Spirit-reception as conversion-initiation + empowerment + community life
Luke does not have identical pneumatology with Paul
Additional questions –
How should one see the experience of the 12 disciples? In light of John 20:22?
In what sense participating into Jesus’ kingdom activities is significant?
In what sense should Jesus’ baptism be seen as a parallel to Acts 2:1-4/1:8?
*Is this paradigmatic for subsequent conversion events? That is, the Spirit is received even when not explicitly mentioned UNLESS there is an EXPLICIT ANOMALY as in in the case of Samaritans and the Ephesian twelve.

9. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit in John’s Gospel and Epistles
Water symbolism (Jh 3:3-5; 7:37-39; 4:13-14; cf. 6:63)
Connection to salvation/new birth; revelatory wisdom/knowledge
Spirit as “second” paraclete (Jh 13-17)
Reveals Jesus/truth; presence; teaches; convicts & ethical life
Reception of the Spirit in John 20:22 – Key passage
And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)
1) Actual reception of the Spirit (cf. Gen 2:7; Wisd 15; Philo)
2) John’s “Pentecost” – replacement of Acts 2
3) Symbolic, anticipating Spirit’s descend at Pentecost (cf. 7:39)

10. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Some questions to consider*
Is the ministry of the Paraclete visible in John after 20:22?
Teaching, reminding, convicting, revelation of truth etc. (cf. 16:7)
Has Jesus been “lifted up”/fully with Father? (cf. 20:17; 7:39**)
Has Jesus departed and Paraclete replaced him (16:7; cf. 20:26-29)***
Week later behind locked doors; later lack comprehension (20:26-29; 21:1-23)
Did John know of the Pentecost experience as an event (Acts 2)?
a) Two-stage giving of the Spirit (20:22 and Acts 2)
b) Salvation-historical anomaly, not paradigmatic for present
Theologically one gift of the Spirit, two chronological foci (1996: 99)
Ascension now complete so no need to repeat the event
*Turner 1996:
**glorified
***Thomas is not convinced of the disciples’ experience nor are they able to convince him in “the power of the Spirit-Paraclete” that Jesus is risen.

11. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit in Paul’s Epistles
Spirit possession as mark of every true believer (1Cor 15:45; Rom 8:16)
Confession “Jesus is Lord” through the Spirit (1 Cor 12:1-2)
Indwells believer (Rom 8:9-11; Gal 4:6) – “in Christ/in Adam”
Psychikos vs. pneumatikos (1 Cor 2:14-15; cf. 15:44-6)
Empowers proclamation (1 Cor 2:4; Rom 15:18-19)
New covenant gift – letter-Spirit contrast (2 Cor 3:6)
Revelatory wisdom, life, righteousness, freedom, “beholding the Lord” (3:6, 9, 17)
Enables transformation and moral life (Rom 8:13-14; Gal 5:16)
“Washing, sanctification, justification” (1Cor 6:9-11; 2 Cor 3:16)
Spirit’s transforming power not automatic – spiritual battle (Gal 5:17; Eph 6)

12. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
1st fruits of the age to come & guarantee of resurrection (Rom 8:23; 1 Cor 15:42-45; 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:4)*
Spiritual gifts presuppose “Jesus is Lord” (1Cor 12-14)
Various Spirit-infused gifts (1 Cor 12-14; Rom 12)
Revelatory function of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:10-15; 12:8)
No clear distinction b/w “supernatural” and “natural” gifts
Spirit of God/Christ (Rom 8:9-11; Phil 1:19)
Spirit now related to Christ (cf. OT Spirit of YHWH)
Father, Son, Spirit (2 Cor 13:12-14; Eph 1:1-10; 4:4-6)
Trinitarian traces (1 Cor 12:1-4)
 Spirit as an eschatological gift in fulfillment of OT – now as “first fruit” and finally as full revelation of God and Christ
*downpayment (arrabon); first-fruit (aparche); seal (sphragis)

13. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit baptism in Paul – one, two, or many times?
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor 12:13)
 Does this passage talk about two-stage Spirit reception?
1) Spirit “baptized…” and 2) “…drink of one Spirit”?
Does Paul think of two separate events or one event by use of parallelism?
If two events, does it indicate two theologically distinct events?*
 Spirit is the key to all, beginning and continuing, aspects of Christian life
*Is there evidence for this in other Pauline letters? Other passages where two-stage reception of the Spirit is in view, see Tit 3:5; 2 Tim 1:6-7.

14. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Interpretation of “rebirth” & “renewal” – one or two events?
Washing, rebirth, renewal, Spirit?
Exact relationship of concepts?
“Rebirth and renewal” as the result of
“washing/baptism”
Internal washing through Spirit* OR
HS given in baptism
1) One act of grace but two separate
stages): conversion and on-going grace
of renewal through the Sprit
2) Two acts of grace: “washing of rebirth” & “renewal of the HS”
 The role of HS in transformation and renewal (cf. 1 Cor 6:9-11)
 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs… (Tit 3:5-7)
*See also Eph 5:25-27 with reference to ‘word’
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.
Tit 3:3-5

15. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Interpretative options – Tit 3:5c*
διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως πνεύματος ἁγίου
Literal translation: “Through the washing of rebirth and renewal of/by the Holy Spirit”
Interpretative options:
1) Through the washing of rebirth
and
2) (through) renewal of the Holy Spirit
Through the washing of rebirth and renewal,
by the Holy Spirit
What’s the big deal/ significance?
*See Towner 2006, Kindle loc
Background photos:
photo: Church of St. Titus, Gortyn Crete.
Two distinct operations:
“washing of rebirth”
“renewal of the HS”
Single operation+ result:
“washing”  “renewal and rebirth”
Holy Spirit as the agent
Two events:
1) Conversion
2) Baptism of HS
Single event + two perspectives “renewal & rebirth”

16. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit in Hebrews
Less emphasis – what is hinted/presupposed of Spirit’s work?
Christ offered himself through “eternal S/spirit” (9:14)
Spirit’s empowerment or eternal/God’s principle?
“share in the HS” (6:4) – Spirit connected to salvation & power
“Heavenly gift, good word, and powers of the age to come”
God testified about salvation through “signs, miracles, wonders…gifts of the Holy Spirit” (2:1-4)
Insulting the “Spirit of grace” (10:29) – Spirit as the source of grace
 Little explicit explanation of the Spirit’s work

17. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit in 1 Peter*
Trinitarian traces – divine economy of Father, Son, Spirit
Sanctifying work of the Spirit to obey Christ (1:2)
OT prophets and prophecy – Spirit of Christ (1:10-12)
Preaching “through the Spirit” (1:12)
Spirit of glory & persecuted believers – connected to “blessed” (4:14)
Made “alive by Spirit” (3:18) – reference to Christ resurrection
Spiritual gifts (χάρισμα; 4:10-11)
* 2:5; 3:4, 8; 4:6-7; 5:8 may be references to HS though unlikely

18. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
James, 2 Peter and Jude
James – wisdom “replaces” Spirit (cf. intertestamental ideas)
“jealously desires for the Spirit…in us” (4:5)
πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν*
 New covenant Spirit (cf. 1:18, 21)**
God’s Spirit or human spirit? (Cf. Lk 11:13; Gal 5:22-23)
2 Peter – OT prophecy and Scripture (2 Pet 1:21)
Jude – false teachers “devoid of Spirit” and prayer in Spirit (20-21)
*This phrase is open to multiple translations (e.g. NASB, NRSV, NIV, ESV, KJV, NKJV etc.)
**See Autero 2016, “Pentecostal Reading of the Epistle of James” at

19. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit in Revelation
John “in the Spirit” (1:10, 4:2, 17:3, 21:10)
Spirit connected to God’s revelatory activity
Spirit speaks to churches (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)
Risen Christ’s immediate message through the Spirit
“let him hear…Spirit to churches” – perception of Spirit’s voice
“Blessed…die in the Lord…Yes, says the Spirit” (14:13)
Unclean spirits as a contrast to the Holy Spirit (16:13-14; 18:2)
“Grace and peace from” the seven spirits [=HS] (1:4-5)
Angels do not occupy the throne, cannot be worshipped (4:5; 5:6; cf. 22:8-9)
“Testimony of Jesus…S/spirit of prophecy” (19:10)
Invitation of the Spirit to Jesus for life (22:17)
Spirit-guided and Spirit-conscious audience

20. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Some preliminary conclusions of the Spirit in NT
Spirit stands in close relation to the Father and Son
New covenant Spirit/Paraclete as fulfillment of OT
Eschatological Spirit now poured – already-not-yet
Personal aspects of the Spirit
Spirit essential in conversion
New birth/creation by Spirit-infused revelatory insight
On-going life of the individual and congregation
Transformation and moral life
Testimony, preaching, boldness
Spiritual gifts, charismatic praise, joy, wisdom, spiritual insight
Filling, guidance, empowerment for church and individuals

21. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit’s work objectivized = through Word & sacraments (only)
2.2 “Filling/baptism” of the Spirit – Theological perspectives
1) Cessationist view – historic protestant churches; western evangelicals
Spirit’s miraculous activity relegated to the time of the apostles
2) Conversion-initiation view – Most evangelicals
Reception of Spirit at conversion – subsequent fillings
Degrees of charismatic manifestations for today*
Charismatic Catholic, Protestant churches, some new charismatics
3) Two-stage view** – classical Pentecostalism & some Charismatics
Two theologically separate stages/events
Spirit received at conversion and Spirit-baptism as
“second blessing” for empowerment to ministry
 Which view is most faithful to the entire NT witness?
One event:
Baptism of HS (= conversion) + subsequent fillings
*see especially the Five-Views series on Spiritual gifts
**Also some charismatic Episcopalians – 1) Sprit given at baptism; 2) Empowering Spirit given at sacrament of Confirmation
***These are not necessarily two chronologically separate events – they can happen simultaneously but constitute two theologically distinguishable events.
Two*** events:
1) Conversion
2) Baptism of HS

22. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Key Scriptures and interpretative options in the debate
Cessationist debate – Is the Bible to teleion? (1 Cor 13:10)
Preliminary question (1Cor 13:8-12; Heb 2:2-4)
Importance of terminology – “filling, baptism” etc.
Interpretation of key passages in Acts 2; 8; 10; 19
Hermeneutical approach to Acts – descriptive or prescriptive?
Relationship of Acts 2 to John 20:22
Interpretation of John 20:22
Interpretation of 1 Cor 12-14, esp. 12:13 and connection to Acts
 Theological synthesis of the sections into coherent formulation

23. HOLY SPIRIT IN NT THEOLOGY
Spirit and miracles today
Esp. (24:45ff.)