The Holy Spirit and the Practice of Evangelism Among Nigerian Neo-Pentecostals

Abstract

Jesus Christ, in part of his send-forth message to his disciples just before his ascension, emphatically stressed, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . .” (Acts 1:8). If an evangelistic activity is going to be fruitful, it is very important to know and receive this power that comes only through the Holy Spirit. Just as it is very important to receive this power before embarking on evangelism, it is also important not to have a misconstrued meaning of this power. The focus of this thesis centers on how some Nigerian Neo-Pentecostals perceive the power of the Holy Spirit in relation to regarding their practice of evangelism. Notably, a misconception of Acts 1:8 can lead to a proclamation of another gospel that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. On this terrain of understanding, I delve into the common misappropriations of the work of the Holy Spirit in the gospel proclamation activities among some Nigerian Neo-Pentecostals and the effect such misappropriations have on the Nigerian church as a whole. Keywords: Holy Spirit, Nigeria, Neo-Pentecostalism, evangelism, power, anointing, prosperity, faith, breakthrough, success, healing, generational curses, miracles, signs, wonders.