Daily Bread - 05/30/07

Acts 22:17 - And after I returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple I came into an ecstasy.

Our English word ecstasy, which means a feeling of intense delight or exceptional joy, is a word that is both derived from the Greek language and pronounced similarly. The same Greek word is used to describe the state that Peter was in when he too received a vision from the Lord Jesus (Acts 10:10; 11:5). When Jesus healed the paralytic we are told that ecstasy took hold of everyone and they were filled with awe (Luke 5:26; Mark 2:12). Most translations simply give the impression that this was a natural effect of the miracle but there exists a very real possibility that this was also a miracle experience in God. The most striking evidence of this is the unique description of the effect that this miracle had by the usage of the word ecstasy. One of the only other instances where a similar effect was experienced was when the women saw the angel in the tomb who announced to them the resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:8). The same effect was also experienced by the disciples after Jesus, who had been walking on the water, stepped into the boat (Mark 6:51).

At the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, those who heard the 120 speaking in tongues experienced this ecstatic effect (Acts 2:7). Then, finally, the miracle healing of the crippled man in Acts chapter 3 had the same effect on those who watched the miracle take place (Acts 3:10). Because this word is used to describe what may be understood as purely a human response, in the Septuagint and in Classical Greek, one might simply conclude that the meaning should not extend beyond the effect of astonishment and amazement (Genesis 27:33; Ezekiel 26:16; 27:35). However, the use of this word in association with the supernatural activity of the Spirit that allowed both Peter and Paul to receive divine revelation cannot be ignored. Such usage demands that the definition be extended to include a divine effect of the Spirit upon man. Furthermore, the usage of the associated verb "existemi," by Paul describes a unique state of the believer that is opposite of a normal state of mind (2 Corinthians 5:13).

When we consider the fact that ecstasy is associated with the activity of the Holy Spirit on men in both the Old and New Testament, then we must deal with the fact that the state of ecstasy may be extended to include every action of the Holy Spirit upon the life of the believer that infuses us with the inspiration to function in His gifts (Acts 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12, 14; Jude 1:20; Ephesians 6:18 etc...). By definition, then, this effect of the Holy Spirit would include joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8; Romans 14:17); peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7; Romans 14:17); and the love of God (Romans 5:5).

Be blessed!

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org