Acts 19:17 biblical passage analysis

¶ … Exegesis of the Book of Acts chapter 19 verses 1 through

Outlitne

a).Purpose of the book of Acts

b).Etymology of the word "disciple" in Acts chapter 19

c).Disciples of John the Baptist.

Bringing witness to the Gentiles and correcting defects

a).Paul encounters the twelve discipleship

b).Understanding the Messianic reality through the sacrament of Baptism.

Baptism in the context of Acts 19: 1-7

-Two Baptism or the Relationship of Jesus and John the Baptist.

The Importance of the Holy Spirit in Church Ministry

Barrett, C.K. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. ICC.

New York, NY: T & T. Clark, 1994.

Bruce, F.F. Commentary on the Book of Acts. NICNT. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, MI:

Eerdmans, 1988.

Fitzmyer, Joseph a. The Acts of the Apostles: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1998.

Haenchen, Ernst. The Acts of the Apostles. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster, 1971.

Hengel, Martin. Acts and the History of Earliest Christianity. Trans. J. Bowden.

Philadelphia, PA: Fortress, 1979

Marshall, I. Howard. The Acts of the Apostles. TNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,

1980.

Talbert, Charles H., ed. Luke-Acts: New Perspectives From the Society of Biblical

Literature. New York, NY: Crossroad, 1984.

Unlike the previous passages where Paul was either evangilizing and making converts,, establishing new churches or strengthening discipleship, in Acts 19 verses 1 through 7, Paul as the Barrett Commentary

would cite it, he wins over a splinter of the church or a representation of the incorporation of a fringe group into mainstream Christianity.The episode begins with a chance meeting between Paul and a group said to be in the number of twelve men. They soon reveal to Paul that their faith and religious experience is not satisfactory and Paul makes ready to correct it. Acts 19 verses 1 through 7 is summation of one of the greater purposes of the entire Book of Acts. In addition to providing arecord of the early christian church's teaching it also emphasize the importance of the day of Pentecost and being empowered to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. Acts sheds light on the ministry gift of the Holy Spirit, which empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our Counselor.

An understanding of the word disciple as it used in this passage is crucial for a better understanding of the message of this chapter."Disciple," from the Latin discipulus, translates the New Testament (math-t-s), which at its root means "learner," or "apprentice." The word is used 261 times in the New Testament, all of which appear in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles in addition, the word for "fellow disciple,"? (summath-t-s), is used in Jn 11:16, so as to show the closeness of the disciples with Jesus, "and on this basis their fellowship with one another." Also, related verbs fill out the rich disciple-related vocabulary (manthan?), "to learn" or "to direct one's mind to something"; (katamanthan?), "to examine closely," "to learn"; maqhte>w (math-teu?), "make a disciple," or, in the passive, "become a disciple." Furthermore, the New Testament word for "disciple," (math-t-s), which can also be understood as "adherent," "student," "learner," or "follower (of a master/teacher)," is related to the Hebrew terms talmid and limmu[symbol omitted], and the Aramaic, "disciple" or "student," which may have been chosen "during the public ministry, either [by] Jesus himself or [by] his immediate followers."

Disciples of John the Baptist. Another possible background for the use of "disciples" of those associated with Jesus, may have been the use of the term, probably in Aramaic, for the disciples of JOHN the BAPTIST, Paul encounters about Twelve "disciples" in Ephesus, presumably of John, who had received John's baptism of repentance (cf. 18:24 -- 26 on Apollos), but not the Holy Spirit, and who, after being baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus and receiving the spirit through the laying on of hands, are taken from there by Paul after some stubborn members of the synagogue refused to believe (Acts 19:1 -- 10).

Bringing Witness to the Gentiles

Paul encounters all the disciples who evidently because of their ministriation with Apollos have a defective baptism. This explains the Spirit overruling Paul's personal plan. They were sincere having received John's Baptism which was not a sacrament, as it only signified the Messianic reality but it did not confer Messianic salvation.It disposed the soul to receive the great gift of the age of fulfillment, the Holy Spirit.They were already disposed to a Messianic understanding of the scripture with the tutelage of John Baptist morally in order and already awaiting the coming of the Anointed One.They had only to receive the last necessary instruction to be converted .They found themselves on the threshold of Christianity behind them was the promise and ahead of them, the fulfillment. Confessing having never heard of the Holy Spirit reveals the drought caused by the absence of that sign and the gift of salvation which only through Baptism in Jesus Christ can be given.Verses 5 and 6 posits two stages of the initiation water baptism conveys forgiveness of sin and the imposition of hands, the gifts of the Spirit.

In verse 3 it is assumed that they were baptized, the type of baptismal formula employed follows.There is a firm bond between baptism and the Spirit ( reception).The Christian assumption is the formulaic expression " in the name of" that name has power and that being baptized in the name of someone places the candidate into a relationship with the bearer of that name (cf 1 Co1: 13-15). Those who claim baptism in the name of John the Baptist would be acknowledging him as a savior. This is an affirmation of two baptisms in water followed by baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the only instance of a rebaptism in the New Testament, Paul baptizes these men in the name of Jesus in order for them to receive the Holy Spirit. It would have been inconceivable to Luke that Paul would perform Baptism in the name of Jesus and not in the name of the Holy Spirit.

The Relationship of Jesus and John the Baptist

The word "baptism" in its current context is not to be confused with sacramental Baptism. In this passage, it simply means immersion -- immersion into God in a fuller way, and being immersed in the Holy Spirit. It is the grace of God that often brings with it new spiritual gifts, and sometimes a calling and an enabling to move into new roles in serving others.The receipt of this grace is a pure gift, and the recipient does nothing to earn it, but must allow God to act, as he always respects our free will. It empowers the individual to serve others, and to move into a deeper spiritual awareness and longing to know God. It permits the person to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are always for the benefit of others.This grace speaks of a new love of God, a desire to pray and to fellowship, to join with other Christians in sharing their faith life, to serve others, to read Scripture and to learn more about the ways of God. They have a new desire to praise God, and experience a deep peace and joy as they find a new awareness of the presence of God in their lives. Similarly, Acts chapters 2, 8, 10, and Acts 19 showcase once again the intrinsic ties of Baptism in the Holy Spirit but most importantly it is spirit filled.

Two Baptisms are being reported here: a baptism in John the Baptist and a baptism in Jesus Christ.The Baptism of repentance administered by John the Baptist

, as Haenchen contends, is a preliminary, preparatory for the grace that will come from Jesus Christ. As repentance is a definite turning from wayward thought, word, deed and habit which is known to be wrong.It is not sufficient to feel pangs of remorse or to make some kind of apology to God. It is an inward change of mind and attitude towards sin which leads to a change of behavior. These twelve men have known sin at one point of their lives and had made the decision to seek to face of God through Baptism given by Jean the Baptist. However, his tutelage as important as it was for the times was still incomplete for we can only know the true glory of God through his only son Jesus Christ. This is the fact that Paul seeks to demonstrate and quickly remedy. The second baptism, through the Lord Jesus Christ, which is not just of water but f a spirit of intimacy and communion with the Holy Spirit, is a sign that initiates into a new age. The Lukan word and understanding does not separate the conception of discipleship and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an optional equipment for Christians. By its virtue, Baptism in the name of Jesus and the laying on of hands, all Christians are "charismatic"( Acts 19 vs. 6).

For the early Christians, the Holy Spirit was experienced as a real power in their lives

. The Holy Spirit empowered them to continue the work of Jesus. When a person received the Holy Spirit, they experienced a difference in their lives -- and others noticed it. That is still true today.Although all Christians receive the Holy Spirit through Baptism, God's Spirit works in many

ways in the world, in both Christians and non-Christians. Yet the experience of being 'baptised in the Spirit' is a time of entering a deeper spiritual dimension.Those who experience this deeper infilling, or new outpouring, of God's Spirit usually begin to discover new spiritual gifts

. The gift of prophesy or that of speaking tongues given to the reborn disciples imparts them with the ability to sense what God is saying to a group or an individual, and to pass on that message. This usually takes the form of encouragement, comfort, hope or exhortation.

Importance of the Holy Spirit in Christian discipleship and ministry

An individual must be spiritually filled before producing outward manifestation. As Luke clearly narrates in verse 5 and 6 of Acts 19,: " and Paul laid [his] hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them..." An outward manifestation only occurs after the spirit had taken hold of them completing their religious experience in Christ. Jesus called the Spirit "Another Counselor,"

the Spirit of truth who will remind the disciples of his words and works. The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to Himself, but points to Jesus. In John16, Jesus says, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes he will guide you in truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you; (verse 13-14).

The Believer who allows the release of the Holy Spirit in his or her life finds him or herself drawn to Jesus as never before.Certainly, the Spirit is not to be slighted, for He is coequal with the Father and the Son, but His purpose or mission is to strenghthen the Church for spreading the good news of Jesus

. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus.The works of the spirit edifies the speaker for the benefit of the hearers.Much like the Pentocoastal charismatic doctrine, the Spirit of Baptism is premised upon the activity of Jesus as the agent of the Baptism.