'This is My Covenant with Them': Isaiah 59.19-21 as the Programmatic Prophecy of the New Covenant in the Acts of the Apostles (Part II)

Author： Ruthven Jon

Publisher： Brill

ISSN： 1745-5251

Source： Journal of Pentecostal Theology, Vol.17, Iss.2, 2008-12, pp. : 219-237

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Abstract

Isaiah 59.19-21 provides not only a prediction of the Pentecost events, but imposes a sequential and thematic coherence on Acts 2, describing: (1) the powerful rushing sound (2) of the wind/Spirit and the 'words in the mouth'/speaking (Joel 2) (3) which cause (4) the universal (5) fear of (6) the Lord's name and his glory. (7) In this way, the redeemer (Ps. 16) (8) comes to Zion/Jerusalem (9) to Jacob/Jews, who, upon their repentance, (10) will receive the covenant/promise of the Spirit (11) that shall not depart from him (Jesus) nor from his children nor from their children forever. Thus Isa. 59.19-21 serves as the programmatic statement for the book of Acts, building upon its mirrored programmatic passage (Isa. 61.1-2) of Luke's first volume. In Luke, Jesus is the prototypical bearer of the Spirit; in Acts, the bestower of the Spirit. The Spirit, expressed in the growing and multiplying 'word', is the unifying and structuring theme in Acts. This thesis solves a number of problems in Acts studies.