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

them and disqualify them from being with Christ when He returns. However,
eschatology remains the driving force of mission for Pentecostals in Rajasthan, as
in many other parts of the world. William Faupel has rightly observed, ‘The belief
in the imminent premillennial return of Christ proved to be the primary motivation
for evangelization and world mission.’ 112
3.4.5. Missiology
The mission theology and practice of Pentecostals have a vital role in the growth
and establishment of the Pentecostal movement in Rajasthan. A heavy emphasis
on mission has been evident in Pentecostalism in Rajasthan from its very
inception, as it is globally. Anderson’s research on early Pentecostalism confirms
that the ‘Pentecostal movement from its commencement was a missionary
movement.’ 113 Regarding its outstanding growth, Paul A. Pomerville argues that
the global Pentecostal Movement is a ‘modern missionary phenomenon.’ 114 This
is probably due to Pentecostal pneumatology, as they understood the Holy Spirit
as a missionary spirit. They believed that they have been empowered by the Spirit
for mission. Pneumato-centricism in Pentecostal mission is evident in every
aspect of mission in Rajasthan. Anderson’s observation of the Spirit emphasis in
both missionary calling and missionary preparation by Pentecostals 115 is found
true in the life of many Pentecostal leaders in Rajasthan. Out of the eighteen
112 Faupel, Everlasting Gospel, 21.
113 Anderson, Spreading Fires, 67.
114 Paul A. Pomerville, The Third Force in Missions: A Pentecostal Contribution to Contemporary
Mission Theology (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1985), 19.
115 Anderson, Spreading Fires, 66-67. According to him, ‘Pentecostals placed primary emphasis on
being “sent by the Spirit” and depended more on what was described as the Spirit’s leading than
on formal structures.’ Their missionaries did that job as per the direction of the Sprit, ‘often
through some spiritual revelation like a prophecy, a dream, or a vision, and even through an
audible voice perceived to be that of God.’ He notes that Spirit baptism was the most required
preparation for Pentecostals to engage in mission.
145