Ezekiel
+ NewWord and Spirit in Regeneration — John 3:1-8
John 3:1-8: "unless one is born again... of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." The new birth is not human achievement but the sovereign work of the Spirit, who "blows where he wishes." Augustine made regeneration the prime instance of prevenient grace, and Calvin tied the Spirit's secret work to the preached word. Edwards described the new birth as a new spiritual sense, the foundation of true affections. The Spirit's regenerating work answers the inability of Rom 8:7-8 and fulfills the new heart promised in Ezek 36:26. Birth "of the Spirit" connects to the Spirit who proceeds in John 15:26.
Pentecost and the Outpoured Spirit — Acts 2
Acts 2:16-21 interprets Pentecost as the fulfillment of Joel: "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh." The ascended Christ sends the Spirit, and the last days begin with the birth of the church. Augustine preached Pentecost as the love of God poured into the church, the reversal of Babel, and Calvin treated the outpouring as the public inauguration of the Spirit's new-covenant ministry. The Spirit given here is the same who proceeds in John 15. Pentecost fulfills the promise of the Spirit in John 15:26 and the new heart of Ezek 36:27. It constitutes the one body of 1Cor 12:13 and looks ahead to the consummation of Rev 21:3.