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

formation of a Pentecostal church in the village of Lalpur 132 in Udaipur district
was said to be the result of the Spirit’s guidance during a threat. The Hindutva
militants threatened to burn the house of Lakshman and his family, who were
forced to leave the village. However, as Paul was directed not to leave the city of
Corinth during opposition, Lakshman was directed by the Spirit to return to his
house. Thus, he alone came back and prayed in his house the whole night. The
following morning, some of those who had threatened him were amazed to see
him and his house unharmed. They told him that they came the previous night to
burn his house down, but saw it was on fire. When they spoke to him, he said that
he had been in the house praying, and as a result, some of them believed in Jesus
and consequently a church was formed. Lakshman says that the Holy Spirit who
directed him to go back to his house in the midst of the threat sent the ‘fire of the
Spirit’ (‘Athma ki aag’) as on the day of Pentecost to protect him and his house. 133
In a third example, as Paul was directed by the Spirit to leave the city of Jerusalem
due to persecution, several Pentecostal pastors moved from north Rajasthan to
south Rajasthan during persecution, and many attributed such a move to the
Spirit’s guidance, as mentioned in chapter three.
Kaman, an FFCI pastor had a similar experience like that of Ananias who was
directed by the Spirit to go to Saul, the persecutor. When there was severe
persecution in Kherwara area Kaman was assaulted by Bhim, 134 a former RSS
leader. However, later being motivated by the Spirit through a dream Kaman went
132 Pseudonym.
133 Lakshman (pseudonym), interview by author, Kherwara, Rajasthan, 21 May 2006. On the day
of Pentecost tongues of fire appeared on the disciples. See Act. 2:2.
134 Pseudonym
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