More than 300 theologians, administrators, and pastors gathered in Iguassu Falls, Brazil for the ninth annual Biblical-Theological Symposium of the South American Division, May 19-23, 2011, to seek a better understanding of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Twenty-nine presenters from a dozen countries examined the topic in six main areas: Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Adventist History, Systematic Theology and Applied Theology. The lead speaker for each area surveyed the topic, followed by several presentations focused on sub-specialties within these areas. Each block concluded with the presenters fielding questions. The division Biblical Research Committee plans to publish these presentations in Portuguese in a book on the Holy Spirit.

Jiří Moskala, Professor of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis and chair of the Old Testament department at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, opened the symposium with an overview of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. “The Holy Spirit is a very humble person,” he said, denying the idea that the Spirit is merely the power of God. The Spirit is God’s special gift, calling Eze. 33:25-27 “the gospel par excellence.” John McVay, President of Walla Walla University, surveying the role of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, said “the Apostles could testify about the life, death, resurrection and ascension. What happened next had to be given by the Holy Spirit.” Connecting the dots, McVay pointed to the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost as the assurance of the exaltation and coronation of Jesus in heaven.

Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, attending the symposium for the last time in his capacity as director of the Biblical Research Institute (BRI), set out an ambitious agenda for theologians of the church in the years to come. “It is not enough,” he said, “to believe that the Holy Spirit is a person.” Touching on issues ranging from inspiration to the latter rain, he said more work needs to be done for us to establish biblically our understanding of the latter rain, encouraging the gathering to pray for the Spirit of wisdom. On the final day of the Symposium, Rodríguez was recognized with a standing ovation for the support and contributions he has made to this annual event over the years. Others from BRI also giving strong support to the Symposium by presenting papers on the topic were Ekkehardt Mueller, Kwabena Donkor, and Clinton Wahlen.

Delegates also approved a statement of consensus affirming that the Holy Spirit “is the third person of the Godhead,” and a “co-participant” in the work of creating and sustaining the world and redeeming humanity. It also affirms that the Holy Spirit respects the free will of individuals and that the church is dependent on the Holy Spirit for the completion of the gospel mission. A more detailed report of the symposium may be found online at http://www.adventistworld.com/article.php?id=1039.