Redirected by the Spirit: A Biblical Theology of Mission from Acts 16:6–10

This article offers a narrative-theological reading of Acts 16:6–10, arguing that Luke integrates negative and positive guidance—spiritual prohibitions (16:6–7) and a nocturnal vision (16:9)—with communal discernment (16:10) to redirect Paul's second missionary journey into Macedonia. Thus, the opening of the first “we” passage draws readers into a critical moment of missional discernment while validating the new evangelistic frontier. Drawing on a close reading of the Macedonian Call pericope, the essay proposes criteria for contemporary missional discernment, including attentiveness to providential constraints, communal interpretation of revelatory experiences, and readiness to carry the gospel into new theaters. The conclusion sketches several implications for contemporary mission praxis.

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Publication Details

Journal
Theology Today
Published
2026-04-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00405736261440563
Primary Topic
Christian Theology and Mission
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Redirected by the Spirit: A Biblical Theology of Mission from Acts 16:6–10

Melvin L. Otey
Theology Today
Christian Theology and Mission
article

Redirected by the Spirit: A Biblical Theology of Mission from Acts 16:6–10

Melvin L. Otey
article en

Abstract

This article offers a narrative-theological reading of Acts 16:6–10, arguing that Luke integrates negative and positive guidance—spiritual prohibitions (16:6–7) and a nocturnal vision (16:9)—with communal discernment (16:10) to redirect Paul's second missionary journey into Macedonia. Thus, the opening of the first “we” passage draws readers into a critical moment of missional discernment while validating the new evangelistic frontier. Drawing on a close reading of the Macedonian Call pericope, the essay proposes criteria for contemporary missional discernment, including attentiveness to providential constraints, communal interpretation of revelatory experiences, and readiness to carry the gospel into new theaters. The conclusion sketches several implications for contemporary mission praxis.

Theology Today
Faulkner University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Christian Theology and Mission
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