ACTS: The Spirit of God in Mission

ACTSThe Spirit of God in MissionLec SK. KIERU

Course contents5 units, 14 chapters

Opening...

Commentary on Acts 9:1-9

Textbook

Luke again focuses the reader's attention on Saul of Tarsus. Previously, in Acts chapter 7, Saul was seen giving his assent to the murder of Stephen, and in chapter 8, he began to violently persecute and destroy the church.
Now, on the Damascus road, the direction of Saul's life was dramatically altered. There, he had a powerful, life-changing encounter with the resurrected Christ.
The arch-persecutor of the church suddenly became its ardent proclaimer.

9:1 Saul was still breathing out murderous threats

In Jerusalem Saul had been systematically moving from house to house, capturing believers and putting them into prison (8:3).
He later described his work in this way: "I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison" (22:4).
On another occasion he said, "I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them" (26:10-11).

9:3 Suddenly a light from heaven

This phrase echoes the phrase in 2:2: "Suddenly a sound... from heaven."
The phrase "from heaven" indicates the light's divine or supernatural origin (compare Luke 20:4-5; Acts 11:9).
The light emanated from the resurrected Jesus, the One who had been exalted to the right hand of God, and who had poured out the Holy Spirit from there (2:33). He now appeared to Saul in person.
This appearance is yet another theophany in Acts (compare 2:1-3; 4:31).

9:4 Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

By persecuting the church, Saul was persecuting Christ. This fact demonstrates Jesus' close identification with His church.
Paul said that Jesus loved the church so much that He died for it (Ephesians 5:25).
He often referred to the church as the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 4:12; 5:23).

9:5 Who are you, Lord?

In response to this question from Saul, Jesus answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."
Years later, in Paul's testimony before King Agrippa, he revealed that he actually called Jesus "Lord" twice (22:8-10). In the second instance Paul used the title after Jesus had clearly identified himself. Then, Saul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" (v. 10).
Saul's double use of the title "Lord" indicates that he was truly converted at this moment on the Damascus Road.
He later wrote that "no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Commentary on Acts 9:10-19

Textbook

The story of Saul's conversion and Spirit-baptism is an important episode in Acts. It sets the stage for the final sixteen chapters of the book, where Paul's ministry takes center stage.
Later in Acts, Paul will on two occasions refer back to this incident (22:4-21; 26:12-23).
Saul's being filled with the Spirit is unique among the seven key outpourings of the Spirit in Acts in that in this instance, only one person is filled with the Spirit.
We should not, however, underestimate its importance. Saul's being filled with the Spirit is a key event in his preparation as the apostle of Christ to the Gentiles and in fulfilling the Gentile mission (see Table 2.1).

9:10 A disciple named Ananias

Ananias was not an apostle (the Greek text literally calls him "a certain disciple"), and there is no indication that he was even a local church officer in Damascus.
He was simply a Spirit-filled believer in Christ. He was, nevertheless, a man of high character and good reputation (22:12).
We also know that he was full of the Spirit since he heard the voice of the Lord and since he prayed with Saul to be healed and filled with the Spirit.

9:11 Saul... is praying

Luke again emphasizes the role of prayer in receiving the Spirit.
According to Luke, prayer is the context in which Spirit baptism is received (compare Luke 11:9-13; Acts 1:14; 4:24; 8:15; 10:2-4, 9, 30-31; 13:1-3; 19:6).

9:15 This man is my chosen instrument

Saul is God's chosen instrument to carry the gospel to the Gentiles and the children of Israel.
Beyond prayer, commitment to the mission of God is the proper context for receiving the Spirit in Acts.
In Luke's view Spirit baptism is received, not for salvation or personal blessing, but for empowerment for mission (1:8; compare 5:29-32).

9:17 Placing his hands on Saul

In context it is reasonable to assume that one purpose for which Ananias laid hands on Saul was to commission him for missionary service (compare vv. 15-16; 22:14-15; 26:16-18; see the note on 8:17 in Chapter 5).

Brother Saul

Ananias' calling Saul "Brother" is another indication that Saul was a Christian before Ananias prayed for him to receive the Spirit.
Ananias, who knew why Saul had come to Damascus, would never have called him "Brother" had he not believed that he had truly become a brother in Christ.

So that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit

Ananias' twofold commission from Christ was to pray with Saul to be healed and to be filled with the Spirit. We can assume that both occurred when he laid hands on him.
As was the case with Peter (2:4; 4:8, 31), John (2:4), Stephen (6:3, 8), and Philip (6:3), Luke wanted his readers to know that Saul had been filled with the Spirit before he described his involvement in ministry.
He wanted the reader to understand that Spirit-baptism is an essential prerequisite for the most effective gospel ministry (compare Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

Important Terms

Textbook

Damascene outpouring: Saul being filled with the Holy Spirit in Damascus when Ananias laid hands on him.; Textbook: Since Saul's infilling with the Spirit occurred in the city of Damascus, we call it the Damascene outpouring. It is the fourth of seven key outpourings of the Holy Spirit in Acts. It is also the second of three outpourings occurring during the transitional period (see Table 2.1).
Transitional period: The stretch of Acts in which the church moves from a localized Jewish sect to a worldwide missionary body.; Textbook: In Samaria the church began its transition from a localized Jewish sect into the worldwide omni-cultural missionary institution that Jesus intended it to be. Like the Samaritan outpouring, the Damascene outpouring helped to prepare the church for its upcoming Gentile mission.
Empowerment-witness motif: Luke's consistent pattern: every time the Spirit is poured out, witness results.; Textbook: As a result of his being filled with the Spirit, Saul "at once" began to preach the gospel. Here is another example of how Luke purposefully combines the two ideas of empowerment and witness throughout Acts. The pattern is consistent: every time the Spirit is poured out, witness results.
Chosen instrument: God's own word for Saul: the man He picked to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.; Textbook: Saul is God's chosen instrument to carry the gospel to the Gentiles and the children of Israel. Beyond prayer, commitment to the mission of God is the proper context for receiving the Spirit in Acts.
Theophany: The word the author uses for the resurrected Jesus appearing in person in the light from heaven on the Damascus road.; Textbook: The light emanated from the resurrected Jesus, the One who had been exalted to the right hand of God, and who had poured out the Holy Spirit from there (2:33). He now appeared to Saul in person. This appearance is yet another theophany in Acts (compare 2:1-3; 4:31).
Paraklēsis: The Greek word behind the help and strength the Spirit gave the growing church in Acts 9:31.; Textbook: This is the only passage in Acts where the Greek word paraklēsis is used in relationship to the Holy Spirit. It reminds us of Jesus' words in John 14 to 16 concerning the Counselor.
Paraklētos: Jesus' name for the Holy Spirit in John 14 to 16: Counselor, Comforter, or Helper.; Textbook: Paraklētos, also translated "Comforter" or "Helper". Jesus promised His disciples that when the Paraklētos came, He would dwell in them, empower them to do "greater works", teach them all things, testify concerning Christ, aid them in evangelism, guide them into all truth, and bring glory to Christ.
Quantitative and qualitative growth: Growth in number, and growth in the church's walk with the Lord. Acts 9:31 shows both.; Textbook: As at the beginning, the church continued to experience both quantitative growth ("grew in numbers") and qualitative growth ("living in the fear of the Lord"); compare 2:41-47; 4:31-35.
Command of faith: Healing the sick by speaking a word of command, as Peter did to Tabitha.; Textbook: Peter healed Tabitha through the spoken word. This method of healing the sick has been called a "command of faith". Jesus often used this method in healing the sick.
Charismatic ministry: The author's description of Peter's Spirit-empowered ministry of healing and raising the dead in northwestern Judea.; Textbook: Months after the initial outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Peter continued to minister in the power of the Spirit. His charismatic ministry in northwestern Judea gives us insight into how the apostles engaged in pastoral care.