Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 34:1 (Oct 2022)
Article: The Pneumatological Phenomenon In Acts 2:1–6: Implications For Christian Mission In Africa
Author: Isaac Boaheng

Conspectus 34:1 (October 2022) p. 6

The Pneumatological Phenomenon In Acts 2:1–6: Implications For Christian Mission In Africa

Isaac Boaheng

CSUC; SATS; UFS

About The Author

Dr. Isaac Boaheng holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of the Free State, South Africa, an M.Th. from the South African Theological Seminary, South Africa, an M.Div. from the Trinity Theological Seminary, Ghana, and a B.Sc. degree in Geomatic Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Boaheng has over seventy publications in Systematic Theology, Ethics, Biblical Studies, Translation Studies, African Christianity, Linguistics, Pentecostalism, and Christian Mission, among others. He is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church Ghana serving the Suame circuit of the Kumasi diocese. Boaheng is married to Gloria, and they are blessed with five children: Christian, Benedict, Julia, Kalix, and Myjiloy. [email protected]

This article: https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2022.2.1

Abstract

The book of Acts presents an exciting story of the beginning and growth of the Christian Church amidst inner problems and outward conflict. As a book that gives an account of how the Christian gospel spread from Jerusalem to various parts of the known world of the first century, Acts provides a useful paradigm for Christian mission in every generation. Of interest to the present study is the place of the Holy Spirit in Christian mission in Africa as evident in the Pentecostal experience and its accompanying events. Thus, this article explores how contextual applications of missiological principles derived from the Pentecost experience might help improve Christian mission in contemporary Africa. The article conducts a textual analysis of Acts 2:1–6 to unravel the meaning of the text. After a critical analysis of relevant texts, the article argues that in order to fulfill its mandate, the Church must be called back to its Pentecostal and missionary roots, and to the absolute necessity of the Spirit’s empowerment for the effective participation in the mission of God. The article also notes that the missiological implications of the Pentecost experience include the importance of the use of the vernacular, or mother-tongues, in both missions and Christian life. After concluding that contemporary missionaries can only succeed if they are empowered by the Spirit, the study charges the Church to seek divine empowerment for mission, both locally and globally.

Keywords

Africa, Christian, Holy Spirit, mission

1. Introduction

The term missiology refers to the study of Christian missions, their methods, and purp...