God had to use powerful manifestation of the Spirit to break through the prejudice of his Apostles. The Apostles had a mind-set that God would move only through Jews. The powerful manifestation of the Spirit with Centurion Cornelius, I believe was a wakeup call for the apostles. God showed that his plan was to move also in the Gentile world.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. Acts 10:44-45
Furthermore the Spirit continued Jesus work of restoration of the people. People were healed and became followers of God.
It's so great that the God used the spirit to bring Jews and Gentiles even closer together. It would really be shock to grow up believing that the gentiles couldnt ever have the same "religious rights" if you will. Then for God to put the spirit into both Jew and Gentiles is awesome.
Yeah Lucas, right on! I too love the way that the Spirit was used to direct and change many of the apostles own restricting thoughts. I love that it is still going on within us today also. I constantly have to remind myself, to check and see whether I am displaying the “fruits of the Spirit” and, if not – ask Him to direct my “feet” back to those “paths of peace.” I wonder what my reaction might be if I saw tongue like flames, licking the head/s of something I considered unworthy of saving like, I don’t know, say a herd of goats (I know it is a stupid analogy), it would really rock my world but it would certainly make me question my own view of salvation. The older I become and the more I learn about God, the more I come to realise, just how much I assume I know and that I can never come close to realizing the full potential of His purposes. But I really like your saying “dream big,” because I know He surpasses all my understanding, and is able to do immeasurably more than I could hope or imagine!
Good, Lucas. The conversion of the Gentiles would not have come about were it not for the leading and guiding of the Spirit. Old prejudices are hard to bury. It took the Spirit to work to get the Jews to see that the gospel embraces the Gentiles, too, - as Gentiles.
Good points guys and good thoughts Lucas. I like thinking about the fact that the God continued to restore through the spirit. I especially like that as you mentioned, it was also extended to the gentiles.
In the book of Acts, in relation to the mission of God: •The Holy Spirit empowers His people to be witnesses for Jesus in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (1:8). •At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was made available to all who believed in Jesus. God made His presence known to the believers in remarkable way –blowing of a violent wind, tongues of fire and the Holy Spirit (2:1-4). •We cannot lie to test the Holy Spirit (5:3) or resist the Holy Spirit (7:51). •The Holy Spirit directs the life and mission of the church (13:2; 15:28-29; 16:6-7)
Good comment Dea Buo! Are you think so? about "Holy Spirit in control". We are just follow him, so some one said leadership is followship. We need to denial myself every day and every time then take away own our cross during live in this life because already we knew how much God love us and Holy Spirit came to us. I am 100% agree with your "The Holy Spirit direct to the every life and mission of the church" so we will be work with Spirit and make a system for his word instead of us. for example listen later than talking, humble later than pride, prayer later than work and thanks later than grumble. When we try like this should be Holy Spirit in control everything.
Thanks for pointing out that the Spirit empowers, made available, and directs mission of church. We are not left on our own. This is comforting and empowering.
The way the Spirit functions in relation to the mission of God in the book of Acts is similar to a printer, it’s linking chord, linked to the computer. The computer knows almost everything. The only thing a printer knows is what the computer tells it to print. How does the printer get the memo of what to print? Through the chord attaching the two to be able to do that which I will not attempt explaining for I am not a computer genius. Just in the first few times The spirit is mentioned is God relaying his mission through the Spirit in some form of message or action to Earth.
I like your creative outlook on how the spirit functions Sam :) It makes for a good mental visualization! It is so cool that God has given us the Spirit so that we may receive messages from Him!
What a creative idea! Your idea looks like jumping zebra. Yes, we have to wait until full charging. We will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and then carry on our Mission like printer does.
Sam, you are very creative in your analogies. Thanks for your creative bent. The Spirit is the "printer cord." How does the Spirit relay messages from God to his people? What do the message tell us to do?
The Holy Spirit is like God’s little helper that can enter anybody that God wants it to. God uses the Holy Spirit through the apostles so that they may be witnesses for him, according to Acts 1:8. The Holy Spirit gives the apostles powers to heal and speak in tongues and act more boldly along with other things. The spirit functions in God’s mission as stated in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams…”. This also brings about a unity to the Jews and the Gentiles because both are able to receive the Spirit.
Telah, I agree with your statement “The Holy Spirit gives the apostles powers to heal and speak in tongues and act more boldly along with other things.” For in Acts 3:1-10 we find Peter and John going to the Temple at the hour of prayer. As they entered the gate of the Temple, a lame beggar asked them for some money, but Peter replied, "Silver and gold I do not have; but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). This boldness could have only come from the Holy Spirit. And the man was instantly healed and went into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:8). This powerful healing caused a crowd to gather around Peter and John, who used the situation to preach about Jesus and His saving power.
Good, Telah. The Spirit is running the show. We have to allow him to choreograph us so that we can have a stellar performance. And it will be a stellar performance if we follow his choreographing.
I think I have something different idea about Spirit function in relation to the mission of God in the book of Acts? because I thought about Spirit is main character of this book like as hero so Spirit is same as Acts. Another word "God in control" some one said Old Testament with God, Net Testament with Jesus Christ and In this time with Holy Spirit until end of day. This mean is after Jesus Spirit came to us for God's purpose to the end of earth and judgement day. When we have a look Scripture of Acts, we can found clear and simple word of God. I think this is Spirit function for God's mission. their are "stop" and "go" Jesus said to them "wait(1:4)" and "will be(1:8)". Just our acting is following his word. We are not main character, only Spirit is hero because Spirit will be contorl everything, we are his instrument for God's purpose.
Good job 1st Peter, I too see the Spirit working that way in Acts, showing and prompting people in the way to go, kind of like being the direct will of God; intervening when we’ve run out of ideas or inspiration. I also liked how David pointed out in class the other day; after Paul’s almost, unsuccessful visits into Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and initially difficult push into Corinth, how the Lord appeared to Paul in a dream, giving him the courage he would need to stay on in Corinth for another year and a half. It must have been really hard to push on and do the right thing, when it felt like everyone was against you, but to know the Lord was with you and directly intervening when you walked in His ways must have been hugely comforting. And that is what we have – WOW!
Very good response, 1st Peter. The Spirit is the hero of Acts. God is in control. The Spirit functions as "stop" and "go" as you say "wait" and "will be." This is a very good comment. We go when he says go and we stop when he says stop.
I also think that the Spirit functions as a stop and go. I experience this "stop and go" function of the Spirit, like a quiet voice. It tells me not to do something or convicts me of what I have done. I try to keep short accounts with God and ask for forgiveness and move on. Honouring that voice and obeying it, keeps us out of a lot of trouble and makes it easier to listen to the voice. If we do not listen, it gets often more quite. As we learned through the prophet Hosea lesson: Sin destroys ability to make moral distinctions.
Holy Spirit is one of main theme in the book of Acts. We can feel the strong influence of the Holy Sprit in the book of Acts. The disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in Jerusalem (chapters 1–8:3), Judea and Samaria (chapters 8:4–12:25), and to the ends of the earth (chapters 13:1–28). Included in the last section are Paul’s three missionary journeys (13:1–21:16), his trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea (21:17–26:32) and his final journey to Rome (27:1–18:31). God used persecution to cause the quickest expansion of a "new faith" in the history of the world. God can and does do the same through us—changing our hearts, empowering us by the Holy Spirit, and giving us a passion to spread the good news of salvation through Christ. If we try to accomplish these things in our own power, we will fail. Like the disciples in Acts 1:8, we are to wait for the empowering of the Spirit, then go in His power to fulfill the Great Commission.
In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit seems to act like the director of the Movie. Showing what the producer desires and prompting the actors to move to their appropriate marks and hit their cues when required. The Holy Spirit seems to remind the cast, that, they are: Just the Cast, and that Jesus is the producer; prompting them in “the way,” alluding back to Jesus’ teaching (Luke 24:45-49), and to the mission: “to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79). I love the way that the Holy Spirit functions within the text almost as if to highlight to the reader, that despite supposedly insurmountable barriers (socially, politically or personally) before the Church (such as the case was with the mission to the Gentiles Acts 11:1-3, 15-17), The Holy Spirit rolls on in and shows the reader (and the cast) this is exactly where God wants to go with “HIS movie.” I suspect this is why the power of the Holy Spirit is emphasized more within Acts (looking more like the Spirit of the Old Testament) than other books of the New Testament, that seem more focussed on the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming the inner man (also a very important work of the Spirit).
How does the Spirit function in relation to the mission of God in the book of Acts?
In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is mentioned over 70 times. “Of these references to the Holy Spirit, we hear almost nothing about His influence on people’s lives but attention is paid most on Spirit’s POWER and EXTERNAL MANIFESTATIONS.” (Powell 2009: 209).
The Spirit functions in the mission of God as a WITNESS – “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the HOLY SPIRIT, whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Acts 5:32) The Spirit bear witness to the gospel preached by the apostles by the limited powers which He gave them to heal and work miracles, and by the conversion of many who heard the word.
References: Powell, Marl Allan. 2009. Introducing the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
I'm glad you picked this thought up from your reading. Interestingly, the Spirit's focus and work relates to the fulfilment of God's mission by God's people, and not about his work in our personal lives. We, naturally, give attention to his work in our personal lives. Perhaps we should give more attention to his work in accomplishing God's redemptive purposes in our world. Thanks.
David - scarey! Fulfilling Gods mission, accomplishing work for him in the community we live in can be just as daunting. Sometimes we look for the easy route - perhaps like the Apostles we need to step out in faith more often. I suppose the more we do it the easier it will become. I know in my heart that I can get help from the spirit if I ask, but it doesn't make me less fearful.
How does the Spirit function in relation to the mission ofGod in the book of Acts?
The Holy Spirit functions in the book of Acts, because Gods mission is for himself to be known and worshiped, and the only way he is known is by the Holy spirit pouring itself out through Gods people. The beauty of the Holy Spirit is that it works entirely on the situation, in takes shape and form depending on the need with in the context. whether it be healing, guiding, preaching or teaching. The Holy Spirit carries out Gods mission by equipping his followers with giftings and abilities.
i like how you pointed out that the spirit takes shapes and form depending on the need with in the context. the Spirit functions so much more than just working in diferent shapes and formes it has also acted as a hallucinogenic when peter got broken out of jail and woke up on the street thinking it was a dream. i dont know if i understand your thought about the Spirit doing Gods mission by equipping his followers with gifting and abilities. are you saying that the spirit hands out the gifts to his followers as Gods spechil mission for the spirit, or that the spirit works through the mission by gifting His followers with the gifts and ability's as the followers need them?
Andrew, those special gifts I believe were only for the Apostles to equip them for their mission.If we are in trouble, worried and in strife we too can get help by just asking for it.The Spirit is great and does come to our aid, it may not be in a way we expect, not tangible things but clearer thinking and peace of mind often comes my way when things get on top of me
the role of the Spirit in the book Acts is like the role of manager's or fourman's role in a job the way i understand it. the Spirit tells the workers where to go a brief descriptions of the things they are likely to do, say, or endure. the Spirit also gets God's workers out of some sticky situations, where it is benerfishi'l for the work of God, and encourages the workers to keep up the good work, even when it is going to be hard and none will listing. the Spirit functions as the power fueling the mission in the book of Acts the people are just the chess peaces.
Hey guys, just realized I'm a little bit late on the comments! Sorry! The Spirit works as a Guider and Director in the book of Acts. The Spirit chooses to send out Paul and Barnabas in chapter 13 after much praying and fasting. If you continue in chapter 13 we can see that the SPIRIT sent them to Seleucia and Cyprus. Later in chapter 16 the Spirit prevents Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia-instead they end up in Troas. After a vision from God they then go to Macedonia where they meet Lydia. The Spirit works to guide them to where the mission must go out. God is truly directing the way through the use of the Holy Spirit.
Yes I didn't think of that, they certainly got the run around until they went where he wanted. Have you ever been late to go somewhere and by leaving later thanked God you didn't go when you did, because you would have either missed out on something good or something horrid? I think that he works in and around us all the time. Just think how the Apostles changed with all that confidence - no more fear just trust in the Lord.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven Jesus saw they were troubled and opened their eyes to the scriptures. He ordered his disciples in no uncertain terms that they were not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the Helper to arrive as promised by his father. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit came into the room they were praying in as if it were a roaring wind. Tongues of fire appeared over their heads and they received many gifts. The spirit gave them comfort and courage, knowledge and the gift of many languages. They were able to heal the sick and chase out demons in the name of Jesus. Peter the Fisherman now became a “Fisher of Men” and spoke eloquently to the crowd, converting 3000 with his inaugural speech. Ancient peoples were very impressed with such gifts and the Apostles needed to impress all types of people while they preached the Gospel and completed the mission given to them by Jesus. (Acts 1:8 “but you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes on you”
When we repent and are baptised we receive the gift of the holy spirit to help us and guide us in understanding our mission in life to the Glory of Jesus Christ, just usually not that spectacularly.
Thanks, Sylvia. The disciples certainly obeyed Jesus' words to wait. And the result was 3000 followers of Jesus on Pentecost. Obedience to Jesus allows Jesus to do his work through the Spirit in accomplishing his mission.
I think this may be our problem when praying for something, we are grumpy at having to wait on God's time. I remember being very grumpy waiting for Wisdom Literature course, but when it finally came it came at a crossroads in my life and great help was at hand. God's time not mine oops!
God had to use powerful manifestation of the Spirit to break through the prejudice of his Apostles. The Apostles had a mind-set that God would move only through Jews. The powerful manifestation of the Spirit with Centurion Cornelius, I believe was a wakeup call for the apostles. God showed that his plan was to move also in the Gentile world.
ReplyDeleteWhile Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. Acts 10:44-45
Furthermore the Spirit continued Jesus work of restoration of the people. People were healed and became followers of God.
It's so great that the God used the spirit to bring Jews and Gentiles even closer together. It would really be shock to grow up believing that the gentiles couldnt ever have the same "religious rights" if you will. Then for God to put the spirit into both Jew and Gentiles is awesome.
DeleteYeah Lucas, right on! I too love the way that the Spirit was used to direct and change many of the apostles own restricting thoughts. I love that it is still going on within us today also. I constantly have to remind myself, to check and see whether I am displaying the “fruits of the Spirit” and, if not – ask Him to direct my “feet” back to those “paths of peace.” I wonder what my reaction might be if I saw tongue like flames, licking the head/s of something I considered unworthy of saving like, I don’t know, say a herd of goats (I know it is a stupid analogy), it would really rock my world but it would certainly make me question my own view of salvation. The older I become and the more I learn about God, the more I come to realise, just how much I assume I know and that I can never come close to realizing the full potential of His purposes. But I really like your saying “dream big,” because I know He surpasses all my understanding, and is able to do immeasurably more than I could hope or imagine!
DeleteGood, Lucas. The conversion of the Gentiles would not have come about were it not for the leading and guiding of the Spirit. Old prejudices are hard to bury. It took the Spirit to work to get the Jews to see that the gospel embraces the Gentiles, too, - as Gentiles.
DeleteGood points guys and good thoughts Lucas. I like thinking about the fact that the God continued to restore through the spirit. I especially like that as you mentioned, it was also extended to the gentiles.
DeleteIn the book of Acts, in relation to the mission of God:
ReplyDelete•The Holy Spirit empowers His people to be witnesses for Jesus in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (1:8).
•At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was made available to all who believed in Jesus. God made His presence known to the believers in remarkable way –blowing of a violent wind, tongues of fire and the Holy Spirit (2:1-4).
•We cannot lie to test the Holy Spirit (5:3) or resist the Holy Spirit (7:51).
•The Holy Spirit directs the life and mission of the church (13:2; 15:28-29; 16:6-7)
Good comment Dea Buo!
DeleteAre you think so? about "Holy Spirit in control".
We are just follow him, so some one said leadership is followship.
We need to denial myself every day and every time then take away own our cross during live in this life because already we knew how much God love us and Holy Spirit came to us.
I am 100% agree with your "The Holy Spirit direct to the every life and mission of the church" so we will be work with Spirit and make a system for his word instead of us.
for example
listen later than talking, humble later than pride, prayer later than work and thanks later than grumble. When we try like this should be Holy Spirit in control everything.
Thanks for pointing out that the Spirit empowers, made available, and directs mission of church. We are not left on our own. This is comforting and empowering.
DeleteThe way the Spirit functions in relation to the mission of God in the book of Acts is similar to a printer, it’s linking chord, linked to the computer. The computer knows almost everything. The only thing a printer knows is what the computer tells it to print. How does the printer get the memo of what to print? Through the chord attaching the two to be able to do that which I will not attempt explaining for I am not a computer genius. Just in the first few times The spirit is mentioned is God relaying his mission through the Spirit in some form of message or action to Earth.
ReplyDeleteI like your creative outlook on how the spirit functions Sam :) It makes for a good mental visualization! It is so cool that God has given us the Spirit so that we may receive messages from Him!
DeleteWhat a creative idea! Your idea looks like jumping zebra. Yes, we have to wait until full charging. We will be empowered by the Holy Spirit and then carry on our Mission like printer does.
DeleteSam, you are very creative in your analogies. Thanks for your creative bent. The Spirit is the "printer cord." How does the Spirit relay messages from God to his people? What do the message tell us to do?
DeleteThe Holy Spirit is like God’s little helper that can enter anybody that God wants it to. God uses the Holy Spirit through the apostles so that they may be witnesses for him, according to Acts 1:8. The Holy Spirit gives the apostles powers to heal and speak in tongues and act more boldly along with other things. The spirit functions in God’s mission as stated in Acts 2:17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams…”. This also brings about a unity to the Jews and the Gentiles because both are able to receive the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteTelah, I agree with your statement “The Holy Spirit gives the apostles powers to heal and speak in tongues and act more boldly along with other things.” For in Acts 3:1-10 we find Peter and John going to the Temple at the hour of prayer. As they entered the gate of the Temple, a lame beggar asked them for some money, but Peter replied, "Silver and gold I do not have; but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). This boldness could have only come from the Holy Spirit. And the man was instantly healed and went into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:8). This powerful healing caused a crowd to gather around Peter and John, who used the situation to preach about Jesus and His saving power.
DeleteGood, Telah. The Spirit is running the show. We have to allow him to choreograph us so that we can have a stellar performance. And it will be a stellar performance if we follow his choreographing.
DeleteI think I have something different idea about Spirit function in relation to the mission of God in the book of Acts? because I thought about Spirit is main character of this book like as hero so Spirit is same as Acts.
ReplyDeleteAnother word "God in control"
some one said Old Testament with God, Net Testament with Jesus Christ and In this time with Holy Spirit until end of day.
This mean is after Jesus Spirit came to us for God's purpose to the end of earth and judgement day.
When we have a look Scripture of Acts, we can found clear and simple word of God. I think this is Spirit function for God's mission.
their are "stop" and "go"
Jesus said to them "wait(1:4)" and "will be(1:8)".
Just our acting is following his word.
We are not main character, only Spirit is hero because Spirit will be contorl everything, we are his instrument for God's purpose.
Good job 1st Peter, I too see the Spirit working that way in Acts, showing and prompting people in the way to go, kind of like being the direct will of God; intervening when we’ve run out of ideas or inspiration. I also liked how David pointed out in class the other day; after Paul’s almost, unsuccessful visits into Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and initially difficult push into Corinth, how the Lord appeared to Paul in a dream, giving him the courage he would need to stay on in Corinth for another year and a half. It must have been really hard to push on and do the right thing, when it felt like everyone was against you, but to know the Lord was with you and directly intervening when you walked in His ways must have been hugely comforting. And that is what we have – WOW!
DeleteVery good response, 1st Peter. The Spirit is the hero of Acts. God is in control. The Spirit functions as "stop" and "go" as you say "wait" and "will be." This is a very good comment. We go when he says go and we stop when he says stop.
DeleteI also think that the Spirit functions as a stop and go. I experience this "stop and go" function of the Spirit, like a quiet voice. It tells me not to do something or convicts me of what I have done. I try to keep short accounts with God and ask for forgiveness and move on. Honouring that voice and obeying it, keeps us out of a lot of trouble and makes it easier to listen to the voice. If we do not listen, it gets often more quite. As we learned through the prophet Hosea lesson: Sin destroys ability to make moral distinctions.
DeleteHoly Spirit is one of main theme in the book of Acts. We can feel the strong influence of the Holy Sprit in the book of Acts. The disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in Jerusalem (chapters 1–8:3), Judea and Samaria (chapters 8:4–12:25), and to the ends of the earth (chapters 13:1–28). Included in the last section are Paul’s three missionary journeys (13:1–21:16), his trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea (21:17–26:32) and his final journey to Rome (27:1–18:31).
ReplyDeleteGod used persecution to cause the quickest expansion of a "new faith" in the history of the world. God can and does do the same through us—changing our hearts, empowering us by the Holy Spirit, and giving us a passion to spread the good news of salvation through Christ. If we try to accomplish these things in our own power, we will fail. Like the disciples in Acts 1:8, we are to wait for the empowering of the Spirit, then go in His power to fulfill the Great Commission.
In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit seems to act like the director of the Movie. Showing what the producer desires and prompting the actors to move to their appropriate marks and hit their cues when required. The Holy Spirit seems to remind the cast, that, they are: Just the Cast, and that Jesus is the producer; prompting them in “the way,” alluding back to Jesus’ teaching (Luke 24:45-49), and to the mission: “to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79). I love the way that the Holy Spirit functions within the text almost as if to highlight to the reader, that despite supposedly insurmountable barriers (socially, politically or personally) before the Church (such as the case was with the mission to the Gentiles Acts 11:1-3, 15-17), The Holy Spirit rolls on in and shows the reader (and the cast) this is exactly where God wants to go with “HIS movie.” I suspect this is why the power of the Holy Spirit is emphasized more within Acts (looking more like the Spirit of the Old Testament) than other books of the New Testament, that seem more focussed on the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming the inner man (also a very important work of the Spirit).
ReplyDeleteAll I can say in response is..."lights, camera, action!" Thanks.
DeletePeter that was great
DeleteYes, Peter 2!
DeleteThat's why there are many happenings which are unable to explaing something logically in this world. Thanks.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHow does the Spirit function in relation to the mission of God in the book of Acts?
ReplyDeleteIn the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is mentioned over 70 times. “Of these references to the Holy Spirit, we hear almost nothing about His influence on people’s lives but attention is paid most on Spirit’s POWER and EXTERNAL MANIFESTATIONS.” (Powell 2009: 209).
The Spirit functions in the mission of God as a WITNESS – “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the HOLY SPIRIT, whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Acts 5:32) The Spirit bear witness to the gospel preached by the apostles by the limited powers which He gave them to heal and work miracles, and by the conversion of many who heard the word.
References: Powell, Marl Allan. 2009. Introducing the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
I'm glad you picked this thought up from your reading. Interestingly, the Spirit's focus and work relates to the fulfilment of God's mission by God's people, and not about his work in our personal lives. We, naturally, give attention to his work in our personal lives. Perhaps we should give more attention to his work in accomplishing God's redemptive purposes in our world. Thanks.
DeleteRaj! I like your thoughts and the references you shared on the spirit as witness! Very cool man and I agree.
DeleteDavid - scarey! Fulfilling Gods mission, accomplishing work for him in the community we live in can be just as daunting. Sometimes we look for the easy route - perhaps like the Apostles we need to step out in faith more often. I suppose the more we do it the easier it will become. I know in my heart that I can get help from the spirit if I ask, but it doesn't make me less fearful.
DeleteHow does the Spirit function in relation to the mission ofGod in the book of Acts?
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit functions in the book of Acts, because Gods mission is for himself to be known and worshiped, and the only way he is known is by the Holy spirit pouring itself out through Gods people.
The beauty of the Holy Spirit is that it works entirely on the situation, in takes shape and form depending on the need with in the context. whether it be healing, guiding, preaching or teaching. The Holy Spirit carries out Gods mission by equipping his followers with giftings and abilities.
i like how you pointed out that the spirit takes shapes and form depending on the need with in the context. the Spirit functions so much more than just working in diferent shapes and formes it has also acted as a hallucinogenic when peter got broken out of jail and woke up on the street thinking it was a dream. i dont know if i understand your thought about the Spirit doing Gods mission by equipping his followers with gifting and abilities. are you saying that the spirit hands out the gifts to his followers as Gods spechil mission for the spirit, or that the spirit works through the mission by gifting His followers with the gifts and ability's as the followers need them?
DeleteAndrew, those special gifts I believe were only for the Apostles to equip them for their mission.If we are in trouble, worried and in strife we too can get help by just asking for it.The Spirit is great and does come to our aid, it may not be in a way we expect, not tangible things but clearer thinking and peace of mind often comes my way when things get on top of me
Deletethe role of the Spirit in the book Acts is like the role of manager's or fourman's role in a job the way i understand it. the Spirit tells the workers where to go a brief descriptions of the things they are likely to do, say, or endure. the Spirit also gets God's workers out of some sticky situations, where it is benerfishi'l for the work of God, and encourages the workers to keep up the good work, even when it is going to be hard and none will listing. the Spirit functions as the power fueling the mission in the book of Acts the people are just the chess peaces.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, just realized I'm a little bit late on the comments! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteThe Spirit works as a Guider and Director in the book of Acts. The Spirit chooses to send out Paul and Barnabas in chapter 13 after much praying and fasting. If you continue in chapter 13 we can see that the SPIRIT sent them to Seleucia and Cyprus.
Later in chapter 16 the Spirit prevents Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia-instead they end up in Troas. After a vision from God they then go to Macedonia where they meet Lydia.
The Spirit works to guide them to where the mission must go out. God is truly directing the way through the use of the Holy Spirit.
Yes I didn't think of that, they certainly got the run around until they went where he wanted.
DeleteHave you ever been late to go somewhere and by leaving later thanked God you didn't go when you did, because you would have either missed out on something good or something horrid? I think that he works in and around us all the time. Just think how the Apostles changed with all that confidence - no more fear just trust in the Lord.
Question 1 Blog 3
ReplyDelete27/5/2013
Before Jesus ascended into heaven Jesus saw they were troubled and opened their eyes to the scriptures. He ordered his disciples in no uncertain terms that they were not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the Helper to arrive as promised by his father. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit came into the room they were praying in as if it were a roaring wind. Tongues of fire appeared over their heads and they received many gifts. The spirit gave them comfort and courage, knowledge and the gift of many languages. They were able to heal the sick and chase out demons in the name of Jesus. Peter the Fisherman now became a “Fisher of Men” and spoke eloquently to the crowd, converting 3000 with his inaugural speech. Ancient peoples were very impressed with such gifts and the Apostles needed to impress all types of people while they preached the Gospel and completed the mission given to them by Jesus. (Acts 1:8 “but you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes on you”
When we repent and are baptised we receive the gift of the holy spirit to help us and guide us in understanding our mission in life to the Glory of Jesus Christ, just usually not that spectacularly.
Thanks, Sylvia. The disciples certainly obeyed Jesus' words to wait. And the result was 3000 followers of Jesus on Pentecost. Obedience to Jesus allows Jesus to do his work through the Spirit in accomplishing his mission.
DeleteI think this may be our problem when praying for something, we are grumpy at having to wait on God's time. I remember being very grumpy waiting for Wisdom Literature course, but when it finally came it came at a crossroads in my life and great help was at hand. God's time not mine oops!
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