Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

The First “Rebaptizers”

Episode Summary

Acts 19:1-10 The reach of John the Baptist's ministry was extensive from Egypt to Turkey. But his call to repentance was combined with his prophecy of the Messiah coming to baptize in the Holy Spirit. Even if we are convicted by the Holy Spirit of our sin, we must do the repenting. When we receive the Holy Spirit it is Jesus who does the work as a gift! Such grace and such mercy!

Episode Notes

The “rebaptizers” or Anabaptists in Germany. Almost a curse word.  We fought the wrath of both the catholics and the Lutherans as they held to a very traditional understanding that the sprinkling of water made you a “Christian”. The act of faith was not needed or involved in the act of salvation. Gal.5:6 says circumcision is nothing, only faith expressing itself through love!

A bold start: The extent of John the Baptist’s ministry: at least from Egypt to Turkey.  The preparation for Jesus to come was significant. But it did need to be followed up with the introduction of Jesus into the lives of those who who had repented.  Just acknowledging the truth that we are sinners is not enough. Paul’s approach to Jews, Gentiles, and now disciples of John.

The event with these disciples of John – who believed in the One God! – shows us several important aspects of what receiving Jesus into our lives and being empowered by the Holy Spirit looks like in the lives of believers:

  1. The two events of baptism in water (into the death and resurrection of Jesus) and being baptized with the Spirit, can be separated by time, though not necessarily essential.  We do not know when the disciples were baptized in water, but we know when Paul was baptized in the Spirit and then in water in Acts 9:17. Cornelius was baptized in the Spirit and then in Water.  The Eunuch was baptized in water and we know nothing after that. Paul only baptized a few in Corinth but it is not recorded in Acts, but they obviously were actively using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 
  2. Luke sketchily records the events, not the teaching about why, function, usage, etc. for that we turn to the letters of the NT.  
  3. We do know that Jesus empowers his disciples to use the gifts he gives them.
  4. Who has the power to lay on hands? Disciples, Ananias, Timothy, and Hebrews is a foundational teaching not just for special people.
  5. All gifts from God are valuable and serve a function
  6. The baptism in the Spirit is accompanied by the Gifts, Fruit, Presence, and Activity of the Holy Spirit. He never changes, he is God! Those who say that the gifts stopped with the Bible completion have no biblical evidence for that.  How can they think that and then not say the same for the fruit of the Spirit? Or the functions of the Spirit listed in Romans 12:6-9 
  7. If you want to learn about the variety of gifts, then I am happy to do that on Wednesday nights where we can discuss and ask questions and share experiences. Acts only shows what happens.
  8. There is a difference between phenomena and repeated and taught matters in Scripture.  For example, the tongues of fire is phenomena and not repeated.  God can do it, but that would not be something one can expect to happen. The gifts taught in scripture can be expected to be a part of normal Christian life and used for the benefit of others, not to puff oneself up with pride. 

Focusing on building a firm foundation

  1. Separating the unbelievers from believers to invest in: for understanding the Scriptures, for training in righteousness, for correction, 2 Tim 3:16
  2. Modeling and mentoring and releasing into ministry
  3. Fulfilling the task, especially if you think Jesus is coming soon!  That is the attitude we all must have

The fruitfulness of God’s method

  1. The disciples were able to spread the Gospel through out their region!
  2. The investment was significant and life changing
  3. The true power of the Gospel is evident in the fact that God is magnified by real growth

Who do you invest your Christian life into?