03.04.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community should be considered. The Holy Spirit<br />

has a role to play not only in planting and growing churches, but also in internal<br />

as well as external issues facing <strong>the</strong> church.<br />

6.2.2.1 The Spirit and Religio-Political Persecution<br />

There are examples <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit’s intervention when <strong>the</strong>re were threats to early<br />

Christians from <strong>the</strong> religio-political sphere <strong>of</strong> society. Four diverse responses by<br />

<strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit are reported in Acts. First, <strong>the</strong>re are examples when <strong>the</strong> Spirit<br />

enabled <strong>the</strong> Christians to continue to speak in <strong>the</strong> same location without fear. For<br />

example, Peter and John, <strong>the</strong> disciples <strong>of</strong> Jesus, were taken into custody by <strong>the</strong><br />

local authorities who told <strong>the</strong>m ‘not to speak at all nor teach in <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> Jesus’<br />

(Act. 4:18). On <strong>the</strong>ir release <strong>the</strong>y reported all that happened to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r disciples.<br />

When <strong>the</strong>y prayed, <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit came upon <strong>the</strong>m, and <strong>the</strong>y spoke <strong>the</strong> Word<br />

with more boldness (Act. 4:31). On ano<strong>the</strong>r occasion, Stephen, a man ‘full <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Holy Spirit,’ was empowered in his preaching in <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> persecution (Acts 7:<br />

54-56). This incident can be seen as an example <strong>of</strong> ‘supernatural Spirit-inspired<br />

defence’ in midst <strong>of</strong> persecution. 121 The Spirit empowered <strong>the</strong> persecuted<br />

believers to witness Christ even in prison (Act 16: 24-34). When Paul was<br />

opposed by <strong>the</strong> Jews in Corinth, he wanted to withdraw from his mission.<br />

However, he heard <strong>the</strong> voice through a vision in <strong>the</strong> night, saying, ‘do not be<br />

afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack<br />

you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city’ (Act. 18:9,10). As a result, he<br />

continued his ministry in <strong>the</strong> same city for ano<strong>the</strong>r one and a half years.<br />

121 Roger Stronstad, The Prophethood <strong>of</strong> All Believers : A Study in Luke’s Charismatic Theology,<br />

JPTS Series, 16 (Sheffield: SAP, 1999), 90.<br />

296

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!