The Nikolaiviertel, or the St. Nicholas Quarter, is one of the oldest sections of the city of Berlin. As one strolls through its narrow and winding streets he is reminded of a medieval village. In the center of the Nikolaiviertel stands the Nikolaikirche the oldest church of historic Berlin. On one side of the exterior of the building is a memorial to Paul Gerhardt and on the other side of the building a memorial to the composer and cantor Johann Crüger. By God’s providence these two men became coworkers in the Lord’s kingdom at the Nikolaikirche, Gerhardt as pastor and Crüger as cantor. Gerhardt wrote hymns and Crüger set those hymns to music creating wonderful spiritual melodies. This was the case with the Pentecost hymn “O Enter, Lord, Thy Temple” (ELH 400, TLH 228).

In that hymn Gerhardt asks that the Holy Ghost enter the temple of our heart and be our spirit’s Guest. This noble Pentecost guest gave us a second birth when faith in the Savior was worked in our hearts through the waters of Baptism. May He continue to make His dwelling in our hearts so that our trust in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross is strengthened and we have union and communion with God.

O enter, Lord, Thy temple,

Be Thou my spirit’s Guest,

Who gavest me, the earth-born,

A second birth more blest.

Thou in the Godhead, Lord,

Though here to dwell Thou deignest,

Forever equal reignest,

Art equally adored.

Gerhardt was called as pastor of the Nikolaikirche in 1657. He worked faithfully caring for the souls of his flock with the means of grace, holy Word and blessed Sacraments. He was loved by his people and held in high regard by all in Berlin. Even the pious Electress Louisa Henrietta was a great admirer of his hymns. He made his stand on the inspired, inerrant Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. It seemed the two coworkers in the Lord, Gerhardt and Crüger, would continue working together for many years. However the cross is always present in the Christians life and Gerhardt’s life was no exception.

Gerhardt’s sovereign and the ruler of Brandenburg-Prussia was the Great Elector, Frederick William. His grandfather left the Lutheran church and became a Calvinist mainly for political reasons. Therefore, while the vast majority of people in Brandenburg-Prussia were Lutheran, the ruling family, the Hohenzollerns, were Calvinists. The Great Elector hoped to end the distinction between the Lutheran church and the Reformed church by blurring the distinctive biblical doctrines of the Lutheran church, especially the doctrines of the person of Christ and the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Supper.

During doctrinal discussions with the Reformed in 1662 to 1663, Gerhardt staunchly maintained the Lutheran position. He refused to sign a promise not to bring polemics against the Reformed into the pulpit. The Elector considered Gerhardt to be the chief instigator of the Lutheran opposition to his plans. As a result the Great Elector deposed him from office in 1666. Although he was restored to office the following year because of a general outcry among the people, his conscience would not allow him to remain in his office. As long as he remained a pastor in Brandenburg he was compelled to remain silent concerning the false teachings of the Reformed. For a time he was without a parish and suffered in poverty, even losing his beloved wife in death, but in 1669 he was called as pastor to Lübben in Saxony where the teaching of the Lutheran Confessions was upheld.

In this time of conflict and struggle, he found comfort and strengthening in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost and all His gifts were present for Gerhardt in his burdens as they are for us in the means of grace.

Thy gift is joy, O Spirit,

Thou wouldst not have us pine;

In darkest hours Thy comfort

Doth ever brightly shine.

And, O how oft Thy voice

Hath shed its sweetness o’er me

And opened heav’n before me

And bid my heart rejoice!

Gaylin   Schmeling is president of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mankato, Minnesota and the chairman of the ELS Doctrine Committee.