I am pleased to share seven articles centered on key passages from the New Testament, which for me have provided a profound insight into the emphasis on missions as portrayed in Scripture.

I will present these in reverse chronological order, beginning with the events that occur last within the New Testament timeline and moving backward to the earliest occurrences.

Drawing from our family's four decades of experience in missionary work, as well as my involvement in my local church and in the Missions Commission of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, I hope these reflections will inspire us to actively engage in mission work.

The message of the angels versus the message of the the Holy Spirit

In this regression of key passages concerning the mission, I will begin with the last ones. That is, among the series of passages I will discuss across seven themes, this article will focus on those that chronologically later took place later on.

There is no lack of mission-related passges in the New Testament; far from it. Rather, these are particular passages that provide a significant emphasis.

It could be said that this calling is more profound than the call of Abel's blood from the ground. Thus, let us start from the end.

I recall my introduction to what was then referred to as an "open service" of an evangelical church, where congregants freely shared passages or experiences in which they felt the Lord had "spoken" to them during the week, often with their Bibles open before them.

Expressions such as "the Lord has told me that..." and "the Lord has shown me that..." were commonplace. Initially, I found myself contemplating whether these individuals were rather whimsical; in some cases, or perhaps even somewhat delusional. Were they really hearing voices from beyond?

Ironically, I have now become one of those seemingly eccentric individuals. The fundamental premise underlying one's "walk with God" in this life, as illustrated in texts like Genesis 22 and 24, is precisely this: God communicates, and His people listen. This concept is echoed in the Scriptures with phrases such as "Hear, O Israel..." (Deuteronomy 6:4) and "Your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9).

With Pentecost, a new era begins in which God no longer speaks solely through prophets but offers prophet-like communication to all who open their hearts to receive His Spirit.

In the accounts of Acts, we find that God uses various means to maintain this communication, always reaching out to His followers.

1. Frequently, angels are employed as messengers to convey explicit instructions.

2. Illumination is provided to minds so they may comprehend the Scriptures (the Old Testament) in the context of the new times.

3. The Holy Spirit communicates with them either audibly or through seers such as Agabus.

4. Believers engage in deliberations and achieve consensus under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and...

5. Occasionally, appearances of Jesus provide his followers with words of encouragement.

In the Book of Acts, the most common channels of divine communication are angels and direct messages from the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the text, there are six instances that mention angelic interventions and seven in which the Spirit speaks.

These occurrences can be summarized as follows:

The initial observation may reveal a distinct contrast. On one hand, the interventions by angels often tend to communicate reassuring messages such as "do not worry, everything will be fine," akin to narratives found in Hollywood films.

Whereas the message from the Spirit conveys a sense of forewarning along the lines of "prepare for the troubles to come," reminiscent of themes more common in Spanish cinema.

The former includes promises and blessings; for instance, assurances of Jesus's return, protection, divine presence, answers to prayers, invulnerability, and exhortations to fear not—all elements firmly rooted in biblical teachings.

Conversely, the latter emphasizes the requisite hardships and challenges, urging individuals to overcome barriers and prejudices, eschew retreat, confront imminent difficulties, step outside comfort zones, engage with nations, relinquish personal agendas, and prepare to face afflictions, including imprisonment—also undeniably biblical.

One line of messaging appears directed towards human appeasement and the fulfillment of individual needs, which perhaps explains the six angelic interventions, with six symbolizing humanity's creation on the sixth day.

The other line seeks to honor and glorify God. This is reflected in the seven interventions of the Spirit, with seven being the day God completed creation. 2

In contemporary society, and this observation holds true within churches as well, there is an increasing prevalence of messages that emphasize prioritizing personal needs while avoiding any commitments that do not yield tangible benefits.

Particularly within the evangelical domain and its numerous global expressions, there is a conspicuous predominance of something that more resembles the "angelic message" over that of the "Holy Spirit," as evidenced by a simple exploration of platforms like YouTube or social media.

This narrative reassures believers that God will care for them, provide for their needs, heal them, grant prosperity in their work, and multiply their possessions while preventing any misfortune from occurring.

Consequently, God is frequently portrayed akin to the proverbial genie from Aladdin's lamp, existing solely to fulfill individual desires. While it is true that God makes such commitments in the Scriptures, it is crucial to acknowledge that this is not His only promise.

In fact, His care and protection serve as a foundation upon which believers are encouraged to renounce everything, to sacrifice fully, and to confront challenges for His Name and for the Gospel.

Although one key biblical message is that all will be well, the complementary admonition to prepare for forthcoming trials is even more biblically ingrained.

To put it differently, while the "angelic message" holds significance, the "Holy Spirit's message" is of even greater importance.

It does stand to reason that the Holy Spirit holds higher authority than angels. To illustrate this, if you were a soldier receiving different instructions from a lieutenant who advises you to rest and a captain ordering you to dig a trench, whose directive would you regard with greater seriousness?

What happens when listen to "the message of the angels" alone? When adversity strikes or a miracle fails to happen, we start to question God. We may feel abandoned by Him, or worse, give up before even starting any endeavor that requires "paying a price," as they say—whether that cost be a spiritual, emotional, material, or social one.

But why do we need to "pay a price"? Didn't Christ already pay a price on the cross and cancel our debt? He did. And yet it is not God who demands this new price.

Rather, it is the adversary of our souls and the world we face who won't make things easy on us if we challenge them by working to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Paul, for example, did not have it easy. Thus, perhaps it is our own "flesh" that will deceive us. This doesn't change the fact that victory is and will be the Lord's, nor does it mean that anything we sacrifice or consecrate will be in vain.

However, we are increasingly intimidated by challenges, risks, commitments, and sacrifices... all because we are too comforted by "the message of the angels".

So, what exactly is the vision imparted by the Holy Spirit in His seven interventions in the book of Acts?

Let’s review them briefly.

1) Before departing, Jesus stated, “I still have many things to say to you... the Spirit... will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12-13)

Prior to His ascension, His final words included “Go” (Matthew 28:19). Subsequently, in Acts 8, when the Holy Spirit breaks His silence for the first time, His initial directive is to “Go and approach” (Acts 8:29, NASB). This demonstrates how the Holy Spirit personalized Jesus's general command ( “you all go") into a specific instruction ( “you individually go”).

The question arises as to why the Spirit chooses to break His silence at this particular moment. One might expect this to occur in the early chapters of Acts, and yet it happens when the Gospel is about to be presented to a Gentile for the first time – someone from a different nation.

This suggests that the Holy Spirit is emphasizing a cross-cultural mission for the new era of the church. Furthermore, what is first and last said in the Bible on a particular topic often sets a precedent for that topic.

The initial statement and action of the Spirit unmistakably call for mission work. We will explore this topic more thoroughly in the next article, so I shall wrap up this point here.

2) In Acts 11:12, we read about emissaries from Cornelius who come to find Peter

The Spirit tells him to go with them without hesitation. The reason he might have hesitated is that this situation is challenging for Peter; the Holy Spirit is encouraging him to cross a significant boundary for a Jew, which involves visiting the home of a Gentile, Cornelius.

In fact, when Peter recounts the event to his fellow Jewish Christians, instead of congratulating him on witnessing the firstfruits among the Gentiles, they criticize him for going into the house of an uncircumcised person (11:3). They came close to disciplining him for this.

This is why Peter feels compelled to justify his actions by saying, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean" (10:28).

This second intervention from the Holy Spirit is a call to overcome our prejudices and any form of discrimination when spreading the Gospel. For centuries, the church has said things like, "Pagans do not believe because they are not chosen," or "Those who persecute Christians are not worthy of an opportunity," or "God will somehow manage to deliver His message to those out of our reach."

Such attitudes have tragically built walls of indifference, if not outright disdain and discrimination.

3) In the third instance of intervention recorded in Acts 11:28, the Holy Spirit forewarns His followers of an imminent famine, this time through Agabus

The question arises whether this is merely a dissemination of information akin to news broadcasts, designed to pique the curiosity of the reader or listener, or whether it serves as an exhortation to prepare for the impending challenge and to devise a viable solution?

This latter interpretation appears to align with the actions of the disciples, who amassed material assistance to aid the affected regions (Acts 11:29-30).

Their efforts were particularly directed towards supporting fellow believers, as highlighted by James, Peter, and John (Galatians 2:10), and subsequently emphasized by Paul (Galatians 6:10).

Nonetheless, this call extends beyond them. We are equally called not to remain indifferent to famines, natural disasters, economic crises, wars, pandemics, human trafficking, persecutions, and the myriad other misfortunes that continually afflict our world.

The Spirit underscores that the third focal point of mission work, similar to the imperative of “going” and the necessity of “overcoming prejudices,” is now to propagate the Gospel while concurrently addressing the physical, economic, social, and emotional needs of people, as well as ensuring the dignity, rights, and liberties of communities in a world that "groans and suffers labor pains" (Romans 8:22).

4) In Acts 13, the Spirit issues a command that sets Barnabas and Saul apart for the work they are called to

How did the recipients of this message interpret it? They not only bid them farewell but actively commended them with a send-off, releasing them rather than keeping them for themselves.

This decision was made in spite of the fact that it weakened their own ministerial team. They placed the voice of the Spirit above their personal interests. Interestingly, the Spirit did not tell Barnabas and Saul to make preparations for their journey; instead,

He appealed to the responsibility of those facilitating their mission. In the Middle East, when someone is sent off, provision is made for their journey—even today, travelers are given food and drink for the road when traveling by bus from one city to another.

The New Testament's emphasis and model, initiated by the Spirit's clear directive, is to place the responsibility of cross-cultural missions on those sending, not those going.

This means that the senders must discern and confirm the calling, providing all necessary support including credentials and spiritual and material resources. And yet we often witness an inverse logic today, in which we expect some "crazy" believer to take the initiative.

It is only afterwards that church leaders consider engaging, either supporting or dissuading them. It should be backwards; it should be the leaders who are pushing, guiding, and equipping workers to go out. Perhaps we are lacking in sufficient prayer and fasting in this regard.

5) Paul was actively engaged in evangelizing and fulfilling his mission

In continuation with the narrative of Acts, Paul was actively engaged in evangelizing and fulfilling his mission across his native region; in contemporary terms, in Asia Minor, also known as Anatolia.

Born in Tarsus, within the peninsula that today forms part of Turkey, this region was his homeland. He initially desired to travel to the Aegean region (the province of Asia) but was "forbidden" by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6).

While journeying through central Anatolia (Phrygia and Galatia), Paul considered proceeding to the western Black Sea region (Bithynia). However, the "Spirit of Jesus did not allow them" (Acts 16:7), which led them eventually to Troas on the Aegean coast, facing Greece (Acts 16:8).

It was there that they received the well-known Macedonian call. In a nighttime vision, a foreigner from Europe (another continent) implored them to cross the sea and assist with the Gospel, leaving their own land behind (Acts 16:9).

This marks the commencement of the transcontinental mission in the New Testament. Why did the Holy Spirit exhibit such determination to direct Paul towards Macedonia?

Not only does He explicitly prevent their journey to Ephesus, speaking with a clear prohibition, but when Paul and his companions failed to perceive the direction, further obstacles were placed on their path to Bithynia.

This highlights the importance of expanding our focus beyond our native land and attending to the call of other nations. Have we succeeded in embracing this fervent initiative of the Spirit?

6) The sixth message of the Spirit is persistent and relentless, while at the same time solemn and challenging

"The Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me" (Acts 20:23). The Spirit could have encouraged him to avoid these dangers, as the brothers did on other occasions (cf. Acts 9:25; 17:10, 14).

Even the Lord told his disciples, “But when they persecute you... flee to another city" (Matthew 10:23). Today, this latter message more closely resembles a message we would promote: obtaining insurance for contingencies, setting up emergency plans, and drafting evacuation protocols in advance.

While all these measures are wise and necessary, they should not deter us from carrying out our mission and accepting the inherent risks.

The Holy Spirit, who provides us with "power" (Acts 1:8), "fullness" (Acts 2:4), and "boldness" (Acts 4:31) for the task, also presents us with an extremely realistic picture. He warns us of the dangers.

This is not done to discourage us, but rather to make us aware of the risks and to continue despite them. If our expectations are not balanced, we will quickly falter or give up on the most challenging mission, which is spreading the message to the most complex regions, contexts, and cultures.

7) Ultimately, Paul converges once more with Agabus, who unequivocally proclaims a message from the Holy Spirit to him

They will bind you and deliver you into the hands of the Gentiles (Acts 21:11). This declaration is not merely a caution regarding potential hazards, as in the previous instance, but rather an assertion.

There is no uncertainty or circumlocution about what is going to transpire. It is no longer a warning of something that might happen, but a confirmation of what will certainly occur. Is the Holy Spirit a messenger of doom?

In an era where messages from the Word that emphasize personal well-being, individual fulfillment, and private blessings are predominantly sought (that is, the message of angels), does the message of the Holy Spirit have a place?

If an angel were to appear and chains fall from our hands (Acts 12:7-9) on the one hand, and on the other hand the Holy Spirit were to solemnly tell us that chains are awaiting us (Acts 20:23), which message should we embrace? Were those who were slain by the sword lesser in faith than those who escaped the edge of the sword (Hebrews 11:37, 34)?

If this is indeed the age of the Holy Spirit, as numerous scholars have termed it, then this message of the Spirit not only has a place in our lives but indeed should and must shape the priorities of every believer, particularly the priorities of the church or churches, their vision, and their mission.

The tendency of the church to ignore such a message or diminish such enthusiasm is not new. This is why the repeated warning to the churches in Revelation is significant: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".

Similarly, during His earthly ministry, Jesus often cautioned, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." For if He still speaks to His followers today—and indeed He does—His message cannot have changed so drastically as for the priorities of His people to have been altered.

In summary, what vision does the Holy Spirit aim to impart to His church, both past and present, through these seven interventions in the Acts of the Apostles?

- Go and transcend established boundaries (8:29)

- Overcome all forms of prejudice (10:19-20)

- Assist those affected by calamities (11:28)

- Send church members to aid in distant regions (13:2)

- Do not restrict your efforts solely to your own country (16:6-7)

- Be prepared to endure hardships (20:23)

- Assume the consequences of persecution (21:11)

The message of the angels, much like that of the Spirit, is profoundly genuine. However, it is crucial to recognize that this message of protection and blessing is not an ultimate goal.

Instead, it serves as a platform, a steppingstone, or a launch pad that equips us to engage with the message and calling of the Holy Spirit.

For various reasons, this message from the Word and the Spirit has been relegated over centuries despite its clarity; not necessarily to obscurity, but certainly to a position of less prominence.

The pressing question arises whether the contemporary people of God, in their engagement with the Scriptures, are still encountering the persistent barrier of an unveiled understanding (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:14).

However, as it is asserted, that veil is removed when they turn to the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:16). This transformation is anticipated to occur when we prioritize the calling and message of the Spirit.

For reflection

1. What do we believe is the dedication and mission that the Holy Spirit intended and still intends to instill in believers and convey to all His people during this "era of the Church" until the day the Lord returns? Are our churches fully embracing this vision?

2. In our churches, which "message" is more often heard: that of the angels ("His angels will be with you so that your foot does not strike a stone," Psalm 91:12) or that of the Spirit ("I have made you a light to the nations... through many tribulations," Acts 13:47; 14:22)? Who holds more "authority," the angels or the Spirit? Which one should overshadow the other?

3. What motivates us to live out our faith? Is it the assurance that the Lord will provide assistance and resolve all of our problems, or is it the call to be agents of His grace and salvation, addressing the world's issues wherever they are most pressing? This involves taking on the necessary risks and costs in the process.

For further information regarding missions, you can go here

Endnotes

1. This is a reference to Exodus 3. While in 8:26 an angel also speaks, in this instance 8:29 is an example of the Spirit completing a message. This makes the intervention more of the Holy Spirit's. The interventions involving angels still number six.

2. In the New Testament, there is a noticeable shift in which angels gradually cease to appear or communicate directly. Instead, their roles are replaced by the Holy Spirit, who inspires the prophets and New Testament authors.