The Promise of the Father—God’s mission through God’s people empowered by God’s Spirit

Over 5,000 representatives of the global church are gathered in Incheon, South Korea this week for the Fourth Lausanne Congress. And on this, the first day of the Congress, it is fitting that we look to the Holy Spirit, as we wait expectantly for what only he can do at and through this gathering.

The Holy Spirit was the power present when Jesus appeared to the apostles and directed them to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’, adding, ‘And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28: 18-20).’ 

Pentecost was a powerful moment that changed the trajectory of the church. Peter stepped forward and declared to the Jerusalem crowd that this is that of which the prophet Joel spoke: ‘And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy’ (Joel 2:28). God’s Spirit empowers and includes all of God’s people alike—men, women, old, young, sons, daughters—in this opportunity to fulfil the mission of God.

The Book of Acts describes the ways in which the Holy Spirit works through these very ordinary followers of Jesus to disciple the nations. It is the same Spirit that continues to act in our lives today, equipping the global church to fulfil the Great Commission.

United by the Spirit

In the first place, the Spirit united the disciple-makers. It was a huge advantage that, in obedience to Christ’s command, they were all together in one place when God poured out His Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). They all shared the same experience, understood the same message, and witnessed the same impact.

This unity carried on. ‘The full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul,’ Luke reports in Acts 4.32. This state of affairs was an answer to Jesus’ prayer, ‘that they may all be one, so that the world may believe that you have sent me’ (John 17:21).

Jesus implies here that unity leads to credibility. Perhaps it is this same realization that inspired Paul to exhort the Ephesians ‘to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ (Eph 4:3).

When it comes to unity, one thing is abundantly clear: the Holy Spirit has no interest in dividing the church. If we followers of Jesus fail to work together, if we allow differences of custom or tradition to deter us from making disciples, we have only ourselves to blame. Paul’s admonishment to the Corinthians shows that disobedient humans, not the Spirit, cause division in the church (1 Cor 3:1-7). Michael Oh, in his speech at the Fourth Lausanne Congress opening ceremony, pointed out that we, the body of Christ, have for too long said to one another ‘I don’t need you’, thus paralyzing the fulfillment of the Great Commission. 

Led by the Spirit

Secondly, the Holy Spirit led the leaders. Examples abound in Acts of direct guidance. The Holy Spirit took Philip to his meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). Likewise, the Spirit prevented Paul from entering the province of Asia (Acts 16:6). Mature leaders still depend on the Spirit’s leadership.

‘We see unstable situations, the need to constantly change plans,’ reports the director of an organization working with Middle East refugees. ‘It requires constant effort to be sensitive to the Spirit.’

‘Because of my culture, my personality, I tend to follow my own way,’ he continues. ’The issue of dependence and sensitivity, not following the culture or the mold, this has been a very special learning experience for me.’

Strengthened by the Spirit

Finally, the Holy Spirit supplies the strength. We were never meant to do this mission alone. Both local and global mission is impossible without the full conviction and affirmation of the role of the Holy Spirit.¹ The Father promised the church the gift of the Holy Spirit to anyone and everyone who yields to his empowerment for the mission of the church.

Released through Prayer

We have an amazing opportunity to be in partnership with God until his kingdom comes. Jesus reminded his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest for workers (Matthew 9:38). Just before Pentecost, the disciples, the women, Mary the mother of Jesus and Jesus’ brothers were gathered in a room praying (Acts 1:13-14), confirming that prayer is pivotal to releasing the power of the Spirit.

And so kingdom impact starts on our knees, but doesn’t end there. We can  intercede for unreached nations, asking the Spirit to bring fruit as we obey Jesus’ command to take the gospel to all nations. We are united, led and strengthened by the Spirit, but we cannot access this power of the Spirit until and unless we pray.

Endnotes

1. Dr Femi Adeleye, plenary session: The Coming of the Promised Spirit: No Mission without Power, Songdo Convensia, Songdo, Incheon, South Korea. Fourth Lausanne Congress. 23 September 2024.