<> Ask the Pastor Pastor Walter P. Snyder Today is the Feast of Pentecost. It began as a Jewish festival, but is now celebrated by the Christian Church as the day on which the Holy Spirit was poured out in full measure on Jesus' apostles. Pneumatology is the branch of theology devoted to the examination of the Holy Spirit, his person, and his work. "Pneuma" comes from Greek, the language of the New Testament. Besides "spirit," the word can also be translated "breath" or "wind." The "breathing" aspect is familiar to us even now, through words such as "pneumonia." Similarly, the Old Testament Hebrew uses "ruach" in the same three meanings. Latin also has multiple shadings of the word; thus both "spirit" and "respiration." We also have "inspiration," which literally means "breathed into." We use it to recognize that which is blown into the hearts and minds of people, seemingly by an outside source. In the terms of Scripture, it means that the Spirit "breathed" the holy words of God into the Biblical authors. Ezekiel 37 is a beautiful interplay of breath, wind, and Spirit. Since God doesn't do things by accident, multiple meanings of the word in the Bible must be for our benefit. We see how the Holy Spirit is the Breath of God--literally our source of life. God breathed into Adam, and he became a living soul. However, Adam's fall asphyxiated him, and Adam became (in God's eyes) a lifeless corpse. The Spirit of God had to return to man in God's words of promise. The faith of Adam and his believing children is created by the Spirit "blowing where he wills." He works through the Gospel's promise to restore us to a loving relationship with the Father on account of the work of Christ Jesus. Just as a corpse cannot know that it is dead, so a lost sinner doesn't know of his spiritual death until the Holy Spirit brings him to life. He cannot believe until the ability to believe is "inspired" by the divine breath. Thus, non-Christians do not truly know of either death or life, while Christians comprehend both. Because of the actuality of how he works and through the way the languages operate, the Holy Spirit often gives clues as to his presence. Besides the "breath" (inspiration) of God, we sometimes have evidence of his workings because of the divine winds. This is especially noteworthy in the Pentecost account in the second chapter of Acts: The Spirit came with the sound of a "mighty wind," inspiring a waiting group of disciples to go out proclaiming their crucified and risen Lord. Believers were created and sustained from the time that our first parents fell and were forgiven by God. Jesus "breathed" on his disciples more than once, each time bestowing the Holy Spirit. People are still "inspired" to believe in the Savior. Yet Pentecost remains a special focus of the Spirit's work, since it was the starting point of Christian evangelism--even of the Christian Church itself. The disciples knew the Scriptures, having been taught by Christ and given wisdom by his Spirit. On Pentecost, they were given the boldness to proclaim him to those who'd participated in his murder. Almost literally, the Spirit "blew" them out the door and before the gathered crowd. He then acted through the sermon to convert over 3000 people. While we sometimes pray directly to the Holy Spirit, asking especially for his guidance in understanding the Scriptures and his power to be faithful disciples, we usually allow him to stay in the background. In fact, the Spirit is sometimes called "the forgotten member of the Trinity." This is not necessarily due to our mistreatment or denial of him, but rather because of his primary work. Just as Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father, so the Holy Spirit comes to bring us to life (faith in Jesus), joining us together as members of the Bride of Christ, the Church. Once brought into a proper relationship with our Savior by Baptism and the Gospel, we are guided and taught by the Spirit through the words of Scripture. He thus keeps us with Christ in the Christian Faith, blessing us with his presence and his gifts. The Spirit doesn't point toward himself. He directs us to look in faith to our Savior. You know that the Holy Spirit is active in you when you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and trust solely in Christ's works and not your own. If you are truly alive in Christ, every breath you take is the Spirit breathing into you. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail ; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.