The Role of Baptism in the Book of Acts - Literature review Example

THE ROLE OF BAPTISM IN THE BOOK OF ACTS section number ID number, Table of Contents Introduction 3 The role of baptism in the book of Acts 3 Conclusion 12 Bibliography 13 Introduction There are various meanings attributed to baptism in the Bible. They include the analysis of the water and the individuals involved as well as its significance at the time. We see the baptism of several people in the Bible such as Jesus and the followers of John the Baptist. It was an act that in Christianity signifies repentance and the washing away of sins. Baptism involves one being immersed in water after accepting Jesus as Christ and acknowledging the power of the Holy Spirit and the Son of God. This then awards the individual a place in the Kingdom of God when Judgement day comes, and Christ comes to his followers. However, it is also believed that despite undergoing baptism one has to live according to the ways and teachings of Christ in order to reach the Kingdom of Heaven. However, this does not term baptism as irrelevant in Christianity as it is one of the first steps in Christianity towards seeing the Kingdom of God. The book of Acts is one of the Books that cover baptism in various perspectives, and it is portrayed to be in different forms. Acts mention the baptism of John, the baptism of Jesus Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is also a variation in the number of baptisms that occur at the beginning of the book and towards the end f the book. Various references to baptism portraying it to be in different forms such as water, the Holy Spirit and washing through the word makes the book of Acts seem complex when it comes to investigating the actual role of baptism in this book. As a result, various scholars have tried to analyze critically and discuss the role of baptism in the book of Acts at length with the aim of arriving at a relevant conclusion. The role of baptism in the book of Acts Lea Thomas and David Black in their book The Role of Baptism in the book of Acts, give a clear and brief introduction to the New Testament by offering readers solutions to understand the representation of baptism in the book of Acts.1 This gives the reader a clear view of what this book could mean and give a sense of understanding about the purpose of these baptisms. This powerful work goes on to further introduce the context of the New Testament with the experienced pros of writing style.2 This style of writing and content centers on particular books of the New Testament such as the Gospels, the Book of Acts, Letters written by Paul. Initially, the writing is wrote in a simple style and form. The book by Lea called the New Testament, its Background and Message ones on to further decode the message of the books found in the New Testament for both the new readers and the seasoned readers.3 The clear introduction opens up the readers mind to the different events that take place in the Book of Acts and how baptisms portrayed in the various instances where it is mentioned. The authors of this book attempt to enable the reader be prepared to go deeper in trying to find the various meanings of the meaning of Baptism in Acts and also creates for of preface for the kind of baptisms that may exist in this book. Therefore, the reader can be receptive to the knowledge about the various forms of baptism in this book. They are then able to have a full understanding of the various concepts in the book of Acts and how these concepts relate to baptism, as well as the teachings of Christ. The other authors Carson and Douglas Moo, who have written the book An Introduction to the New Testament.4 The two authors ask the right questions on the factors that are found in the New Testament, and other is the context of baptism. Carson and Moo ask a question about the History of the authorship of these books, the dates, the sources, the aims as well as the destinations of the writers of the New Testament. On the other hand, others pose this question as a unique introduction to the analysis of the various aspects of the books of the New Testament. This strategy stands out the most amongst the latest literature, which is centered on the linguistic criticism and historical analysis of the books. As a result of this, an introduction to the New Testament becomes a suitable move to the study of the role of baptism in the book of Acts through the strategy of concentrating on the basics. Using this question will enable the study of the books found in the New Testament to be done on a wide range of issues, and that surround the baptisms that are in the book of Acts. They can be viewed from a historical perspective analyzing the factors that could give the baptisms meanings based on the beliefs that were held in that time. Each of these historical factors can be used to interpret that which may be difficult to interpret using the modern times. It would otherwise be challenging to attach meaning using modern definitions. Therefore, the authors of this book make it easier for readers to ask the right questions and answer them using a critical angle and study of historical similarities and also concentrating on the right things. Pfremmer Long in the book Look, Here is Water: Baptism in the Book of Acts argues that baptisms not always a decent method to be used for sanctification.5 This is because different people have different and diverse experiences during the baptism ceremony. The experience of one individual those described in the Bible does not necessarily symbolize or define the experience of other individuals who pass through this ceremony. This goes to show that different people based on how they underwent the process and the feelings towards this practice may perceive Baptism differently. They may attach different meanings to the act of baptism that may result in a variation of meanings even in the book of acts. Pfremmer contends that baptism had a very influential role on subjects cited in the book of Acts.6 This influence was so wide to the extent that the baptism reminded them of their passage of the conversion of the Old Testament to the New Testament. The article also deduced that the book of Acts illustrates baptism by water in the name of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God and the Savior of Man Kind. This ceremony is a full reorientation and a total submersion in the redemption and mercy of Jesus Christ the Son of God. It closely relates the baptism in Christ with submersion in the Holy Ghost. This is to signify the forgiveness of sins once an individual has been submerged in water and accepted Christ through the Holy Spirit. They are then a new being that is supposed to worship and uphold the teachings of Christ leading by being exemplary examples of followers of Christ and preaching the word of God to spread the Gospel. This form of baptism that is seen in Acts is a ceremony that sanctifies the individual who wishes to follow Christ and live righteously. Another author is Arie, who wrote the book Luke’s Understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit.7 This book is written from an Evangelical perspective Arie offers evangelical insight into the role of baptism as seen by Luke in Acts. This is done by working out an investigation of the role played by baptism in the Holy Ghost as illustrated in Acts. Luke saw the work performed by baptism in the Holy Ghost as an eschatological, shared and obstacle breaking ceremony. During this ceremony, current and future factors are held tightly. Luke’s depiction of the work of the Holy Ghost repels inflexible classification and advocates the offsetting of a distinct tension between Pauline philosophies in the place of the Holy Ghost in Baptism. Arie shows the connection between baptism and the evangelism as the word is spread, and acceptance of the word signifies by going through the process of baptism and being immersed in water.8 This ceremony cleanses an individual, and they are no longer unfit for the Kingdom. Baptism involves the intervention of the Holy Ghost, which cleanses ones soul and renews their state of righteousness, which is then a part of themselves that they have to keep righteous according to the teachings of Christ. It is a significant experience that shows just how important it is to go through it in the Christian Community. The facts that even Christ himself went through this process shows just how sacred it is and how important it is to get sanctified and purified by the Holy Ghost through baptism. The Holy Ghosts intervention is the factor that combines all forms of baptism to Jesus Christ and a sense of purification, as well as the acceptance of Jesus Christ, into one’s life as their savior. Menzies Robert wrote the book Luke’s Understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Dialogues with the Reformed Tradition and the Journal of Pentecostal Theology.9Menzies prompted Arie’s article above by identifying that converted theologians were inclined to interpret Luke’s work under the influence of Pauline’s philosophy.10 This goes to show that they believe that Jesus’ teachings do not really influence the beliefs found in Christianity today but rather the teachings of Paul even in most facts about baptism. The role of Baptism was therefore among one of these misinterpreted works. These theologians reflection on baptism is focused more on the teachings given by Luke about sacraments and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit and much less on his teaching to the world of the word. Luke had a special contribution to make to an all-encompassing biblical theology of the Holy Spirit that calls for both Pentecostal and evangelical perspectives. Reaching out to the rest of the world with teachings that called more to accept the word and be baptized I order to walk in the ways of Christ and God their Father. The two theologians, therefore, dispute most of the interpretations about baptism concerned with Paul, as they believe it is misguided and not the true meaning of what Christ might have meant. Therefore, baptism in the book of Acts might have had different meanings from what is perceived by Christians today, as the beliefs in today world are more concerned with the teachings of Paul. The evangelists portray baptism to be a ceremony that has the involvement of the Holy Spirit and one that requires the consent of the individual undergoing it and the sharing in the faith and in the teachings and values that are taught in Christianity. McCollough David John wrote the article Ritual Water, Ritual Spirit: an analysis of the timing, mechanism, and manifestation of spirit-reception in Luke-Acts.11 David John McCollough’s thesis reviews the spiritual reception of Judgement, mechanism and manifestation in the Book of Acts. This shallow concentration on these three factor (judgment, mechanism, and manifestation), does not include the questions pertaining to the theological meaning of spiritual reception in the Book of Acts. Luke did not state in any way whether baptism was exceptional or standard when it comes to conversion into Christianity. He also did not mention its role in facilitating the Holy Spirit into one’s life to signify total conversion into the believing of the teachings of Christ. These factors, therefore, lead to more difference in the teachings of Luke in the book of Acts and the interpretations that are made by Christians about the act of baptism. It also brings a variation in whether the meaning attached to baptism today by Christians is truly viable and how the Holy Spirit may be involved in the whole process of conversion in connection with baptism. After hearing the word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ, it is then the common practice among Christians today to undergo the ceremony of baptism and publicly accept Jesus into one’s life. This then enables them have the liberty of taking the sacrament as they go on living according to the teachings that they were taught. They are also expected to try as much as possible to maintain their righteousness and ensure they have repented before taking the sacrament. It then brings into question the how the process of manifestation and the spirit reception into one’s soul truly works. David wishes to look into the mechanism through which all these factors work together judging from the teachings found in the Book of Acts and determining the meaning of baptism in this very book using the same measures.12 Luke gives several conversion instances in the book of Acts as he shows the way baptism works and its relation to Christ. It is portrayed as an act of saving and Christ the Saviorhence baptism is a means of saving ones soul through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. A significant symbolic act enables the individual to become a part of the other believers. It shows the conversion of various people such as Saul to Paul, the conversion of Samaritans, the as well as the Gentiles. This book shows the extremity of Christianity and how all are called and will be accepted into the Kingdom of God if they accept Christ as a part of their lives and live according to the ways of his teachings. The conversion can be seen as baptism in different forms such as water as well as the Holy Ghost. It is an integral part of joining in the world of Christians, and Luke mainly shows how the conversion of the soul is symbolic of one’s faith.13Each person is invited into this kingdom, and what is required is simply acceptance. The book gives a depiction of the Baptism by the spirit and the cleansing of one’s soul through believing in Jesus Christ. It also shows the bringing together of the various different individuals from different tribes, characters, and genders. They are united by the acts of conversion and stating one faith in Christ. This also symbolizes the baptism or conversion in the name of the Holy Spirit as a crucial factor that guides them and strengthens then as a unit. When Christ ascended, he left the Holy Spirit as a helper to the Christians and a guide as they spread the word. Their purpose would then be to continue resulting in more conversions till the day that Jesus Christ would come back for his Children which refers to those who share the same faith in his and have lived according to His teachings.Luke shows how the purpose of baptism is to cleanse one from their sins just as Christ taught it as a form of Cleansing an individual from the natural sinful nature that they are born with which is also the reason Christ himself had to go through the ceremony too. It is also significant on symbolizing ones position in their beliefs. Luke introduces his understanding of baptism in the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts in the illustrations and teachings that he gives.14 He establishes a connection between the post-resurrection dialogs of Christ and the disciples in the Gospels and the Acts. Luke shows how John the Baptism baptized individuals in water but Christ Baptized people in the Holy Spirit, thereby giving them a new status and identity as his followers. Luke then goes on to further to describe the outcome to be expected of the Holy Spirit baptism that it will give power when it comes to you and that those baptized in the Holy Spirit will be God’s witnesses on the earth. This shows that baptism in the book of Acts among the different forms also takes the form of the Holy Spirit. This form of baptismal makes one a witness on earth and in the various places signifying that they will have to carry on the work of preaching and bringing more people into Christianity. These conversions will then lead to more conversions that were the case in the New Testament. This form of baptism was seen when the disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit when it descended on them after Jesus Christ had ascended into heaven, and they started speaking in tongues and various gifts of the Holy Spirit such as healing were adorned with them. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is, therefore, significant in the Book of Acts and awards an individual the duty of spreading the word of Christ to more people. This is why in this book of Acts after baptism in the Holy Spirit the individuals were then ordered out of Jerusalem so that they could go and be witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world and spread the word of God as well. Luke does not really show a significant connection between baptism by water and baptism by the Holy Spirit. However, he does reveal the importance of baptism to an individual and what is truly expected of them once they have acquired the faith in Christ. Luke demonstrates that one is supposed to continue in the work of evangelism after understanding the teachings of Christ and accepting hi into one’s life.15 The adoption of baptism could have been as a result of the old ways of the Gentile Proselytes who in order for them to enter the Jewish faith they immersed themselves in water. This is because Christ proclaimed that He would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and not in water. This was found true by the research by Marcel, Joseph and Joshua that revealed that Christianity has adopted some of the old ways of Judaism. The baptism of the Holy Spirit as Jesus Christ foretold would be more powerful and signified the arrival of the long awaited Messiah. Hence, the most important aspect of baptism is the role of the Holy Spirit in Taking over the life of an individual and guiding them while making them stronger. This could have been the reason Luke stressed more on the significance of baptism by the Holy Spirit since it was the main factor for conversion to Christianity according to the teachings of Christ. On the other hand, baptism was a physical symbol of conversion that showed acceptance of Christ into one’s life but the true conversion is the conversion of the body and soul which is where the Holy Spirit comes in. It leads to changes in ones entire being and mode of conduct and gives them a new purpose in their life as Christians, which is to lead by example in the way they live their lives and spread the word of God and the teachings of Christ to others.16 Conclusion In conclusion, Luke talks of various instances of conversion, most of which involve conversion through acceptance of the Holy Spirit, which signifies baptism by the Holy Spirit and not necessarily by water. This form of baptism is significant to symbolizing the coming of the Messiah and the changes come from the teachings of the Old Testament.17 Christianity is, therefore, a product of the new teachings of Christ and Luke in the Book of Acts mostly centers baptism by the Holy Spirit. The book gives more in tell on the true significance of baptism and the relation of Jesus Christ’s teachings in fulfilling the Old Testament prophesies. Baptism by the Holy Spirit is also a fulfillment of these prophesies as seen in the book of Acts when Luke states the difference between the form of baptism by John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. However, baptism in itself is significant to a Christian and a believer in the teachings of Christ in that it gives them a new sense of belonging and purpose. It also awards them a new lifestyle that strengthens their quality of life as individuals and as believers. Bibliography Carson, D. A. and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. (New York: Zondervan), (2005). Galbreath, P. The Borders of Baptism: Identities, Allegiances, and the Church. Interpretation, 67, no. 2 (2013). 228. Holladay, Carl R. "Baptism in the New Testament and Its Cultural Milieu: A Response to Everett Ferguson, Baptism in the Early Church." Journal of Early Christian Studies no. 20.3 (2012): 343-369. Lea, Thomas and David A. Black. The role of baptism in the book of Acts. (Los Angeles: B&H Academic). (2003). McCollough, David John. Ritual water, ritual spirit: an analysis of the timing, mechanism, and manifestation of spirit-reception in Luke-Acts. Ph.D. thesis, Middlesex University / London School of Theology, (March 2014). Menzies, Robert P.Luke Understands of Baptism in the Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Dialogue with the Reformed Tradition. Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 16, no. 2, (2008) 86-101. Pfremmer, Kindalee De Long. Look, Here is Water: Baptism in the Book of Acts. Leaven, (2014) 197-203. Rouwhorst, Gerard. "A Remarkable Case of Religious Interaction: Water Baptism in Judaism and Christianity." Interaction between Judaism and Christianity in History, Religion, Art and Literature no. 17 (2009): 103-125. Rowe, C. Kavin. "Luke-Acts and the Imperial Cult: A Way Through the Conundrum?" Journal for the Study of the New Testament no. 27.3 (2005): 279-300. Zwiep, Arie W. LukesUnderstanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. An Evangelical Perspective. PentecoStudies, 6, no. 2, (2007) 127-149 Read More