The purpose of this study is to trace out the theme of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit throughout the Old Testament promises and the New Testament fulfillment. It is argued that the possession ofthe prophetic Spirit is one ofthe important identity markers of the early Christian church.
The first chapter deals with the role of the Spirit in Second Temple Judaism. Jewish texts preceding and subsequent to the New Testament are used to piece together the Jewish understanding of the Spirit in the Second Temple period. This chapter deals primarily with the theory of the cessation of the Spirit in Second Temple Judaism. It is the argument of this chapter that the Second Temple view was that the Spirit continued to be active but that the Spirit's prophetic role was transformed after the last biblical prophet.
The second chapter deals with the outpouring of the Spirit in the prophecies of lsaiah and Ezekiel. More important than Isaiah and Ezekier s original intent is how these prophecies were understood in Second Temple Judaism. It is argued that the Jewish exile was understood as continuing in a spiritual sense beyond the return to Palestine. As a result. Isaiah and Ezekiers prophecies which were originally linked to their own historical situations were given an expanded theological context. Isaiah and Ezekiers prophecies are arranged according to the following themes: 1) the Spirit and the Messiah. 2) the Spirit and eschatology. 3) the prophetic Spirit. 4) the pouring out of the Spirit upon the people, 5) the Spirit and obedience. 6) the Spirit of redemption. and 7) the Spirit of justice and reconciliation. The third chapter is an exegesis ofthe best known prophecy ofthe outpouring ofthe Spirit: Joel 2:28-32. Joel's prophecy is studied in its original historical context as well as how it was interpreted in Second Temple Judaism. The prophecy of Joel presents an eschatological outpouring ofthe Spirit upon "all flesh." Joel develops the definition of"all flesh" by specifying that all gender, age and social barriers are removed. Joel continues his prophecy by speaking ofthe judgement ofthe nations on the Day ofthe Lord.
The fourth chapter is a study of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the synoptic Gospels. the Gospel of John and the Pauline epistles. It is demonstrated that the synoptic Gospels see the coming of the Spirit primarily in terms of Jesus' possession of the Spirit, although there is a promise that Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit. John's understanding of the pouring out of the Spirit is that the Spirit would be given after Jesus' death and that the Spirit would function in the role of the "Paraclete." Paul saw the possession ofthe Spirit as being vital for the church's unity.
The final chapter deals with the outpouring of the Spirit in Luke-Acts. While the Gospel of Luke focuses primarily on Jesus' possession of the Spirit. there are hints of the future inclusive possession of the Spirit. The fulfillment ofJoel's prophecy that "all flesh" would receive the Spirit is fulfilled at Pentecost. The church struggles with the inclusivity of the Gospel. and it is only after similar Spirit outpourings that various fringe groups are accepted into fellowship.
The conclusion ofthis study is that the Spirit was an important identity marker for the early church. Possession of the Spirit broke dov.n many societal distinctions and created unity among believers. Although possession ofthe Spirit was not the only identity marker, it was an important theme for the early church. / Thesis / Master of Theology (Th.M)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/15682 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Bedard, Stephen J. |
| Contributors | Knowles, Dr. Michael, None |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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