The Spirit and Suffering in Luke-Acts: Implications for a Pentecostal Pneumatology (Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplement)

This work illuminates the tension between divine empowering and the neglected element of the work of the Spirit in contexts of opposition. This lacuna, not addressed in previous Pentecostal scholarship, is at the heart of Mittelstadt's exegesis. Thus, Jesus not only lives and ministers in the power of the Holy Spirit, but also experiences opposition and persecution as a man of the Spirit. Further, the Lukan Jesus not only transfers the Spirit to his disciples, but also anticipates a similar fate for his followers. Finally, Luke forecasts that this divine enablement of the Spirit, also available for future witnesses, brings with it a similar anticipation of the same rejection and opposition as was experienced by Jesus and the disciples. While Pentecostals owe a debt of gratitude for the pioneering work of Pentecostal scholars, this book furthers their efforts by exploring the implications of Spirit-led witness in Luke-Acts. "In this work, Martin Mittelstadt explores the tension between divine empowerment and the neglected element of the Spirit within the context of Luke-Acts. His starting point is the literary analysis of Luke's theology through which contemporary pentecostals are encouraged to pursue the fullness of the Spirit and engagement with the world around them. However, he goes on to show that far from being simply empowering, for Luke this Spirit-led witness ultimately proves costly and results in both suffering and persecution by opponents of Jesus and his message. This challenges the notion of an idealized and romanticized gospel from the perspective of a specifically Lukan Jesus who not only transfers the Spirit to his disciples but also anticipates a similar fate for his followers. In response to this, and building upon a solid base of Pentecostal scholarship, Mittelstadt looks to provide a way forward for theologians and practitioners alike."--Jacket

In this work, Martin Mittelstadt explores the tension between divine empowerment and the neglected element of the Spirit within the context of Luke-Acts. His starting point is the literary analysis of Luke's theology through which contemporary pentecostals are encouraged to pursue the fullness of the Spirit and engagement with the world around them. However, he goes on to show that far from being simply empowering, for Luke this Spirit-led witness ultimately proves costly and results in both suffering and persecution by opponents of Jesus and his message. This challenges the notion of an idealized and romanticized gospel from the perspective of a specifically Lukan Jesus who not only transfers the Spirit to his disciples but also anticipates a similar fate for his followers. In response to this, and building upon a solid base of Pentecostal scholarship, Mittelstadt looks to provide a way forward for theologians and practitioners alike.

The Spirit and Suffering in Luke—Acts Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 t