The preachers in Acts are Spirit-filled people who have one message to proclaim: the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The themes of resurrection and Spirit converge at Pentecost when Peter boldly announces that the risen Christ has poured out the Holy Spirit. A new stage in redemptive history has arrived, but is it entirely new?
As it turns out, the concept of resurrection is not new at all--it goes back much farther than many people realize and has its roots in the Pentateuch. At the same time, the Holy Spirit has advanced God's agenda from the very beginning. When these two eschatological themes meet on the lips of Peter at Pentecost, thousands suddenly realize who Jesus is. They acknowledge Luke's central teaching: Jesus is Lord and Christ. Resurrection and Spirit traces these two Lukan themes from the Pentateuch to Luke-Acts and invites the reader to discover a new depth of appreciation for Jesus, the Lord and Christ.
Brian W. Lidbeck holds a PhD in biblical interpretation and theology from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He spent twenty-four years as a lead pastor and presently serves as the academic dean of Northpoint Bible College, Grand Rapids.
“A well-researched and well-written study. Starting from clearly stated assumptions Lidbeck draws out the christological significance of key themes in the Third Gospel, and integrates them with corresponding themes in the Old Testament, which are the possible groundwork for Luke’s theology. This impressive book is significant, not only for those studying the Gospel of Luke, but also for those who are interested in tracing the theological unity of Old and New Testaments.”
—Robin Routledge, former Academic Dean, Mattersey Hall
“In this timely monograph, Brian Lidbeck addresses the all too common separation of Christology and pneumatology. He traces Luke’s symphonic integration of the resurrected Jesus as bestower of the Spirit and the burden of the Spirit to reveal the resurrected Jesus. Lidbeck further locates Luke’s robust convergence of resurrection and Spirit as eschatological fulfillment of the grand biblical narrative. A comprehensive, robust, and delightful contribution to Lukan studies.”
—Martin Mittelstadt, Professor of New Testament, Evangel University
“In this ground-breaking study, Brian Lidbeck has explored the redemptive history of the Spirit-resurrection connection and demonstrated that this relationship between Spirit and resurrection has always been central to the unfolding hope, and ultimately messianic hope, of the Scriptures that Messiah would pour out his Spirit on all flesh. This hope finds its fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplished by the Holy Spirit in power. Lidbeck’s work has brought into Christology the fresh language and insights of biblical theology, particularly in his unpacking of the Spirit’s power in the resurrection as that informs our understanding of Christ. Lidbeck’s insightful and fresh approach will enrich any reader’s christological framework.”
—Douglas Oss, Professor Emeritus, The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
“Brian Lidbeck’s Resurrection and Spirit deserves a place of honor in contemporary Pentecostal biblical and theological scholarship. In the future, this work will be seen alongside the works of Roger Stronstad, Craig Keener, and Frank Macchia as a seminal and vital contribution of Pentecostal scholarship. What is particularly arresting is the breadth of Lidbeck’s biblical survey, demonstrating the continuity of the grand narrative of Scripture. In the midst of contemporary tendencies to Marcionite separation of the Old and New Testaments, it is refreshing to see a continuity-fulfillment motif expressed so well. The implications of this work for discipleship and evangelism are many, especially as believers learn of the vital unity of the triune God and the role of the Spirit in sanctification, and the empowerment of the Spirit for mission. This work is academically robust and approachable for thoughtful laity.”
—Charlie Self, Director of Learning Communities, Made to Flourish, Visiting Professor of Church History, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary