Chapter 2:15 TOU AGIOU PNEUMATOS - The Holy Spirit

1.1. Tou agiou pneumatos of the Holy Spirit

τοῦDGNSὁ ἁγίουA--GN-Sἅγιος πνεύματοςN-GN-Sπνεῦμα,

Case:

Genitive indicates possession (or description). For more on the Genitive Case, see Tou patros and Case, the Nature of

Gender:

Neuter. See Gender

Number:

Singular. See 9.1.2.1.3 Number

Syntax:

Tou agiou pneumatos in the Attributive Position:

As the adjective agiou is in the Attributive Position as opposed to the Predicate Position. An adjective in the Attributive Position ascribes a quality to the noun it modifies (pneumatos).[1] According to Robertson, “the predicate presents an additional statement, is indeed the main point, while the attributive is an incidental description of the substantive about which the statement is made.”[2]

Question:

Q1. What spirit are we referring to?

A1. The ‘Holy’ spirit.[3]

Summary:

The Name in which the followers of Jesus would baptize the heathen is not just any name, not Moses’ name, not John the Baptist’ name, looking down into the future, its not even Paul’s name. It is, however, the Name owned by both the Father, and the Son and also the Holy Spirit.

Translation:

Jesus speaking: Given that all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, therefore (now, by all means - emphatically) as you are going < ● > (or ‘while on your way through life…’ or ‘as you are proceeding in your chosen manner through life …’), I (as superior to a subordinate laying aside my authority to command you) appeal to you (and particularly to your will), it’s imperative that you actively disciple < ● > (train, acquire habits, disciple oneself) (How far or how many?) all the nations, (yes, I mean ALL the nations … and you can include the Jews in there as well) (and here’s the first step ) you-pl males among you-pl actively baptizing continuously < ---- > focusing on the males among them (i.e., the gender neutral nations) (starting with them outside the Name and) with direction towards the Name (and it’s not just any name they are being moved into …i.e., not Moses, not John, etc.) … ending up with them “inside” that particular specific single Name (and reputation) THE Specific Particular Name (and reputation) that BOTH The Father as a person possesses AND (in contrast) The Son as a person possesses AND ALSO(in contrast) The Holy Spirit as a person possesses (the single Name (and reputation) possessed by all three of these Persons of the Godhead).

Question:

Q1. How are we going to distinguish which name we are talking about?

A1. It is specifically the name ‘of the Father’ and the name ‘of the Son’ and the name ‘of the Holy Spirit’.

Note:

The construction of “… kai … kai …” is translated “… both … and …” This represents the concept that there are three distinct names we are talking about…BOTH the name of the Father, AND the name of the Son, AND the name of the Holy Spirit.

Note:

The emphasis here is on the names, not the mode of baptism.

Q2. Why is it critical which name to be baptized into?

A2. There were a number of different baptisms that were extant during this time. Jesus wanted to make sure there was NO CONFUSION INTO WHICH NAME these new converts / disciples were being baptized INTO.

o Note: In Acts 2:38 Peter in his sermon “… repent and… be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ …”

o Note: In Acts 8:16, Peter questions in which name they were baptized, “… only they were baptized IN THE NAME OF the Lord Jesus Christ.”

o Note: In Acts 10:47,48 Paul indicates they were to be baptized “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.”

o Note: In Acts 19:2-6. Paul asks did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They indicated they had not heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then asked them ‘INTO WHAT WERE YOU BAPTIZED?’ Their response was John…whose baptism was a baptism of repentance. But when they heard of the Lord Jesus Christ, they were baptized “IN THE NAME OF JESUS.” Paul then laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

This indicates that the Apostles believed there needed to be a full understanding that the new converts were not just being baptized INTO Jesus, but INTO Jesus AND the Holy Spirit.

o Note: In 1 Cor 1:13 Paul questions whether the new converts were baptized INTO THE NAME OF PAUL? The implied answer is ‘NO’!!

o Note: Further in 1 Cor 10:2, Paul indicates the Jews were baptized UNTO MOSES.

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[1] An adjective in the Predicate Position, on the other hand, would ‘make an assertion’ about the noun it modifies.

[2] Robertson P. 656. Quoted in Dana & Mantey, p. 118.

[3] Dana & Mantey p35