The Theological Significance of Pentecost: A Hermeneutical and Dogmatic Approach within the Eastern Orthodox Tradition

Andrew Lucas Tjong; Yohanes Bambang Cahyo Wicaksono

doi:10.69668/josaprat.v2i1.93

Authors

Andrew Lucas Tjong Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Surabaya
Yohanes Bambang Cahyo Wicaksono Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology Seminary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69668/josaprat.v2i1.93

Keywords:

Pentecost, Acts 2:1–13, Eastern Orthodox Church, Hermeneutics, Dogmatic Theology, Holy Spirit

Abstract

This study examines the theological significance of Pentecost through a hermeneutical and dogmatic approach within the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Methodologically, it integrates a hermeneutical reading of Acts 2:1–13 with a doctrinal and liturgical-spiritual analysis rooted in the dogmatic theology and liturgical heritage of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The findings reveal that Pentecost is not merely a historical event, but a mystical and sacramental reality continuously experienced in the liturgical life of the Church. The descent of the Holy Spirit is interpreted as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the transformation of the apostolic community, a universal missionary mandate, and the realization of mysterion (divine mystery) through the sacraments and worship. Thus, Pentecost becomes a convergence of Scripture, doctrine, and liturgy, offering a dynamic and Christocentric vision of the Spirit-filled life in the Church.

References

Basil the Great. (1980). On the Holy Spirit (D. Anderson, Trans.). St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Bobkova, K. (2015). The problem of the place of the person of the Holy Spirit in Orthodox ecclesiology

of the 20th century (on the example of Eucharistic ecclesiology of Nicholas Afanasiev). Review of

Ecumenical Studies Sibiu, 7(2), 198–210. https://doi.org/10.1515/ress-2015-0015

Boring, M. E. (2012). An introduction to the New Testament: History, literature, theology. Westminster

John Knox Press.

Burkett, D. (2002). An introduction to the New Testament and the origins of Christianity. Cambridge

University Press.

Diboro, P. K. E. (2019). The Pentecost event in Acts 2: Significance for contemporary Christian missions.

e-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 5(2), 100–111.

http://ir.csuc.edu.gh:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/30402/ERATS0619ART10.pdf?

sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. (2014). How to read the Bible for all its worth (4th ed.). Zondervan Academic.

Frame, J. M. (2013). Systematic theology: An introduction to Christian belief. P&R Publishing.

Grassmick, J. D. (1976). Principles and practice of Greek exegesis: A classroom manual. Dallas

Theological Seminary.

Hezser, C. (Ed.). (2010). The Oxford handbook of Jewish daily life in Roman Palestine. Oxford University

Press.

Keener, C. S. (2012). Acts: An exegetical commentary: Volume 1: Introduction and 1:1–2:47. Baker

Books.

Lambertsen, I. E. (Trans.). (2010). The Pentecostarion of the Orthodox Church. The St. John of Kronstadt

Press.

Lossky, V. (1976). The mystical theology of the Eastern Church. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Mason, S. (2016). A history of the Jewish War: AD 66–74. Cambridge University Press.

Matthews, C. R. (2011). Acts of the Apostles. In M. D. Coogan (Ed.), The Oxford encyclopedia of the

books of the Bible (pp. xx–xx). Oxford University Press. (Tambahkan nomor halaman jika diketahui)

Mauck, J. W., & Hagner, D. A. (2001). Paul on trial: The Book of Acts as a defense of Christianity. Thomas

Nelson.

Meyendorff, J. (1974). Byzantine theology: Historical trends and doctrinal themes. Fordham University

Press.

Pelikan, J. (1971). The Christian tradition: A history of the development of doctrine, Volume 2: The spirit

of Eastern Christendom (600–1700) (Vol. 2). University of Chicago Press.

Redford, D. (2007). The life and ministry of Jesus: The Gospels (Vol. 1). Standard Publishing.

Schmemann, A. (1973). For the life of the world: Sacraments and orthodoxy. St. Vladimir’s Seminary

Press.

Sulistio, T. C. (2020). Seberapa teologiskah teologi biblika? Relasi antara teologi sistematika dan teologi

biblika. Jurnal Efata, 6(2), 17–45. http://repository.seabs.ac.id:8080/handle/123456789/960

Tate, J. (1840). The Horae Paulinae of William Paley, carried out and illustrated in a continuous history of

the apostolic labours and writings of St. Paul. Longman, Orme, Brown, Green & Longmans.

Theissen, G., & Merz, A. (1998). The historical Jesus: A comprehensive guide (J. Bowden, Trans.). Fortress

Press.

Veniamin, C. (Ed.). (2023). Saint Gregory Palamas: The homilies. Mount Thabor Publishing.

Virkler, H. A., & Ayayo, K. G. (2023). Hermeneutics: Principles and processes of biblical interpretation.

Baker Books.

Ware, K. (1993). The Orthodox Church: An introduction to Eastern Christianity (New ed.). Penguin

Books.

Zeev, M. B. (2016). Roman attitudes to Jews and Judaism in the first century BCE: Between Hellenistic traditions and local realities. In “Let the wise listen and add to their learning” (Prov. 1:5): Festschrift for

Günter Stemberger on the occasion of his 75th birthday (pp. 111–125). De Gruyter.