Subject: Does N.T. tell of an apostle's baptism? |
Bible Note: Hi to the old man, Welcome to the forum. Your chosen verses are good for looking at baptism, but do not deal with the twelve, per se. Acts 2:41 tells us that the people who gladly received Peter's word were baptized. The passage deals more with the gift of the (h)Holy (s)Spirit than with water baptism. Acts 8:36 speaks of finding water and the question is raised of "What prevents me from being bapitzed?" Acts 8:38 says that Philip baptized the eunuch. Acts 8:37 which is not included in all translations says, "And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Verse 37 is included in the NKJ and the NASB. Verse 35 tells us that Philip had begun with the Scripture under study, Isaiah 53:7, and had preached Jesus to the eunuch. We learned from the eunuch's testimony of belief that the work had been fruitful. In fact all was accomplished that needed to be; but water baptism was not to be prevented. What was important was his belief and faith. Acts 10 deals with the Spirit and how the Gentiles had received the gift of the (h)Holy (s)Spirit and had been exalting God also. They, like the eunuch, were not refused water since they had been glorifying God. Acts 10:48, "And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ..." Remember that in Acts 8:16 the Spirit had not yet fallen on the Samaritans and that they had simply been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. By the time the chapter ends we know from the passage with the eunuch, that belief not water is what is important. 1) So I would have turnip know in answer to his question that Jesus baptized with (h)Holy (s)Spirit. Scripture says that there is one baptism so to my mind if there is a choice of spirit or water, I would go with the spiritual baptism. "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 2) Acts 11:14, "'and he shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy/Spirit fell upon them, just as He did upon us at the beginning.'" Acts 19:6, "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy/Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying." The important thing is that we hear the word of the Lord. (Both Jews and Gentiles) Acts 11:16 and Acts 19:10 From the heart, Ray |