The Holy Spirit in John Chrysostom's Fourth Homily on Acts

In this brief account we offer an analysis of John Chrysostom exegesis of the book of Acts, concretely the chapter on Pentecost. We see a central thesis emerging, that the Holy Spirit is free, that the apostles such as Peter and Paul have limits, and that while the Holy Spirit is here, we certainly do not automatically receive it, but have to be worthy of its activity (or at least worthy to discern its gifts which are in a sense always given). Chrysostom’s ideas can liberate contemporary Orthodox theology from the inability to offer creative theology (as it has always done in the patristic age). And this is achieved by providing complete exegetical freedom, while remaining firmly set in the “tradition”. We further see that in other patristic sources this thesis is the same.