New Identity by the Transformation of the Holy Spirit • Micael Pecoraro

The present work finds its origin in this author’s interest in providing a more detailed Pentecostal explanation of the Holy Spirit’s pneumatological work of transformation concerning the “heart” according to Ezekiel 36:26-28. After an investigation of the Hebrew concept of “heart” (לֵב) and some of its quasi-synonyms (רוּחַ, נֶפֶשׁ), and the surgery operated by the Spirit (from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh), this research will show how this passage seems to refer to a transformation of identity of the individual operated by the Holy Spirit in the framework of the sanctification process. This view will be supported by an in-depth exegesis of the selected passage and attentive word studies of the most relevant keywords. Furthermore, this thesis offers solid intertexts between Ezekiel 36 and other chosen passages of both Old and New Testaments. These allusion-type intertexts will be consequently used to enlarge and support the Spirit’s work of identity transformation. They will also show how NT authors, especially Paul, might understand identity transformation in light of the events of Pentecost, using Ezekiel 36. Through the analysis of Ezekiel in the first chapter, the OT intertexts in the second chapter, and the NT intertexts in the third one, this research will be summarized in a conclusive chapter. Here, a broader description of the aforementioned pneumatological work will be finally offered.