a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

chanka kiya’ (the Spirit has healed me) are repeated in their testimonies. 101 When
they pray, most tribal Pentecostals use the term ‘Athma’ (the Spirit) more times
than Yesu (Jesus).
Pentecostals in Rajasthan see the role of the Spirit to explain almost every aspect
of life. For example, moving from one place to another is explained in terms of
being ‘directed by the Holy Spirit.’ Many Pentecostal leaders who began with the
vision of reaching north Rajasthan have moved towards the south over time, in
spite of their claim to have the vision of reaching the unreached. Most of them
explain their decision to move in terms of the Spirit’s guidance. While talking to
the leaders of two major organizations about the reason why they moved their
bases from the north to the south part of the state, they said that they did so in
accordance with the guidance of the Spirit of God. 102 Another example is the
explanation of the four leaders who said that they had a specific direction by the
Spirit to establish theological institutes.
However, in some cases it seems to be a Pentecostal tactic to use the Spirit to
excuse certain types of behaviour, particularly with regard to divisions. The
explanation by some leaders and laity for leaving a church is the guidance of the
Spirit following periods of prayer and fasting. It is said that two Pentecostal
denominations in the state began as schisms from another Pentecostal
organization, though later it was projected as fulfilment of divine direction.
101 I have observed several times that the pastors, particularly those who are trained theologically,
reiterate the story, saying ‘Jesus through the Holy Spirit healed our sister/ brother, and so, bolo
prabhu yesu masih ki jai (shout victory to Jesus our Lord).’
102 This information is given during the leaders meeting on 8 May 2006.
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