An Exegetical, Theological and Pastoral Analysis of New Covenant Pneumatology in Romans 8:1-17

Abstract

In Romans 8, Paul writes exhaustively about the Holy Spirit. However, there is one title that he (Paul) gives Him (the Holy Spirit) which is the theme in Romans 8:1 –17. He calls the Holy Spirit πνεύματος τῆς ζωῆς “the Spirit of life”. This title that Paul gives to the Holy Spirit unveils one aspect of Paul’s New Covenant Pneumatology, that is, the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing the new covenant into effect. Therefore, I proposed an exegetical, theological, and pastoral analysis of Paul’s New Covenant Pneumatology in Romans 8:1 –17. Based on the research problem that I have established; I proposed the hypothesis that Paul’s reference to the Holy Spirit as “Spirit of life” serves to comprehensively depict Christian existence as a new covenant pneumatic existence and this served as a basis for his subsequent account in the letter of the Christian’s practical life. In this regard Romans 8:1-17 makes a unique contribution to understanding Paul’s new covenant pneumatology. To prove my hypothesis, I have undertaken an exegetical research project just as it was set out by Smith, Kevin G.. Firstly, I examined the context of Paul’s letter to the Romans to establish what Paul’s purpose for writing was and what theological themes he covered in the entire letter. Secondly, I examined Old Testament passages, Second Temple Judaism writings and New Testament passages to determine whether they do teach their readers about the role of the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant. Thirdly, I have done in depth exegetical analysis as well as a theological analysis on Romans 8:1-17 to determine what Paul wrote to his original readers and what his original meaning was with regards to the Holy Spirit’s role under the New Covenant. I finally did a pastoral analysis to establish how these findings would affect the teachings within the AFM which is the largest Pentecostal denomination within Southern Africa. Based on the research that was done, the findings that were made are: (1) the Holy Spirit liberates believers in Christ from sin and death by giving them life; (2) the Holy Spirit enables the believer to obey God’s law by making it a reality through His indwelling; (3) believers receive the ability to put their minds on the things of God rather than the things of the world. Some of these findings may inspire the academics within the AFM to review what they teach about the Holy Spirit, and it should also be inspiration for further study in the broader field of New Covenant Pneumatology.

In Romans 8, Paul writes exhaustively about the Holy Spirit. However, there is one title that he (Paul) gives Him (the Holy Spirit) which is the theme in Romans 8:1 –17. He calls the Holy Spirit πνεύματος τῆς ζωῆς “the Spirit of life”. This title that Paul gives to the Holy Spirit unveils one aspect of Paul’s New Covenant Pneumatology, that is, the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing the new covenant into effect. Therefore, I proposed an exegetical, theological, and pastoral analysis of Paul’s New Covenant Pneumatology in Romans 8:1 –17. Based on the research problem that I have established; I proposed the hypothesis that Paul’s reference to the Holy Spirit as “Spirit of life” serves to comprehensively depict Christian existence as a new covenant pneumatic existence and this served as a basis for his subsequent account in the letter of the Christian’s practical life. In this regard Romans 8:1-17 makes a unique contribution to understanding Paul’s new covenant pneumatology. To prove my hypothesis, I have undertaken an exegetical research project just as it was set out by Smith, Kevin G.. Firstly, I examined the context of Paul’s letter to the Romans to establish what Paul’s purpose for writing was and what theological themes he covered in the entire letter. Secondly, I examined Old Testament passages, Second Temple Judaism writings and New Testament passages to determine whether they do teach their readers about the role of the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant. Thirdly, I have done in depth exegetical analysis as well as a theological analysis on Romans 8:1-17 to determine what Paul wrote to his original readers and what his original meaning was with regards to the Holy Spirit’s role under the New Covenant. I finally did a pastoral analysis to establish how these findings would affect the teachings within the AFM which is the largest Pentecostal denomination within Southern Africa. Based on the research that was done, the findings that were made are: (1) the Holy Spirit liberates believers in Christ from sin and death by giving them life; (2) the Holy Spirit enables the believer to obey God’s law by making it a reality through His indwelling; (3) believers receive the ability to put their minds on the things of God rather than the things of the world. Some of these findings may inspire the academics within the AFM to review what they teach about the Holy Spirit, and it should also be inspiration for further study in the broader field of New Covenant Pneumatology.