Neotestamentica

Abstract:

The topic of ὁ παράκλητος (the Paraclete) in John 14–16 exposes not only the unique nature of Johannine Trinitarian theology, but also a pneumatological Christology. This points to the complex nature of the relationship between Christ and ὁ παράκλητος, as well as the mission of ὁ παράκλητος when Christ ascends. What primary function of ὁ παράκλητος is likened to that of Christ? What implications flow forth from an exegetical and socio-historical study of John 14:16–17, 26 and 1 John 2:1 for twenty-first-century Nigerian Christians? This study has Nigeria as its focal point, because this country is noted for numerous Pentecostal and/or charismatic movements with a variety of doctrinal and cultural claims that have met with resistance and even dismissal from mainstream Christian theologians and churches. Using a socio-historical approach, this article will deal with three issues: (1) the meaning of ὁ παράκλητος in its Johannine context; (2) the correlation between the Paraclete texts in John in their socio-historical contexts; and (3) a re-evaluation of some Nigerian Pentecostal and charismatic teachings on the working of ὁ παράκλητος in light of the socio-historical context of Johannine literature.