Expectation and Fulfillment of the Gift of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John

Abstract

This study seeks to delineate the pneumatological themes that the author of John develops to create expectation and demonstrate fulfillment of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The primary question asked in this investigation focuses on the extent to which Johannine pneumatological expectation can be said to have been fulfilled within the narrative of the Fourth Gospel. A common expression of this question has been debated in terms of the relationship of the Johannine gift on Easter in John 20:19-23 to the Lukan outpouring on Pentecost in Acts 2.

In chapter 1 the three major positions on the relationship are surveyed including the Johannine Pentecost view, the Symbolic view, and the Two Gift view.

Chapters 2 and 3 consist of an exegetical analysis of what are often referred to as the πνεῦμα (1:29-34; 3:5-8; 3:34; 4:4-30; 6:63; 7:37-39) and παράκλητος passages (John 14:16-17; 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-11, 12-15). This exegesis focuses on the development of pneumatological expectation regarding the themes of revelation, witness, mission, dwelling, life and empowerment and the conditions of exaltation, the coming hour, glorification, asking, and departure.

In chapter 4 the texts that show how the narrative demonstrates the fulfillment of the giving of the Spirit are discussed (John 12:20-50; 13:1-4, 31-35; 17:1-5; 19:28-37; 20:1-18, 19-23, 24-29; 21).

Chapter 5 explores the relationship between the Johannine themes that have been identified in the previous chapters with Lukan pneumatology. A harmonization between the Johannine and Lukan accounts of the giving of the Spirit is not only possible but preferable.

In chapter 6 the results of the previous chapters are summarized. The Johannine Spirit is realized in the themes of revelation, witness, mission, dwelling, and life. An expectation of empowerment is created but not fulfilled. The Johannine and Lukan accounts of the giving of the Spirit are complementary.