Acts Theology 10: Divine Encounter

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?... I am Jesus..." In Acts 9:3-6, Paul's ministry begins only after he is confronted and commissioned by the risen Jesus. This aligns with the pattern seen in Isaiah 6:1-8, where Isaiah's prophetic call emerges from a direct, cleansing encounter with God's holiness: "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne... Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts... Here I am! Send me."
The biblical understanding of a prophet is a spokesperson for God. This role fits figures like Ananias in Acts 9 and Isaiah, whose commissions are marked by direct divine encounters. The phrase "Here I am, Lord" is formulaic language for the calling of prophets, those chosen to speak for God. Jeremiah 23:18 implicitly contrasts false prophets with true ones, highlighting that those who speak for God must first hear from God through access to his presence to "see and to hear his word."
The commissioning of biblical spokespersons through direct divine encounter establishes their authority and validates their message. This process emphasizes that authentic ministry flows from God's initiation rather than human ambition. Such encounters often include an element of confrontation, humbling the individual before sending them with a divine message.
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