Page 86 - Acts Student Textbook

key to salvation, but the heart of the person being baptized. To view the formula as the key is to
place the emphasis in the wrong place. Salvation is not the sacramental correctness of a rite, but an
entering into a repentant/faith relationship with Jesus. However, I would view Matthew giving a
prescription which he draws directly from Jesus, and Luke’s statement as a summary of the same
Method which Matthew provides. Such kinds of Summaries are common in narratives. I would also
like to exercise care here that I do not advocate ‘modalism’, the theology of the United Pentecostals,
which states that Jesus is the Father and He is also the Holy Spirit, therefore to say Jesus you mean
the Father and the Holy Spirit. This is wrong theology! The Bible clearly teaches monotheism, that
God is one being in nature/essence, but three distinct persons. Therefore, God is three in one. This is
called the Trinity. No body fully understands this reality, it is beyond us.

Do we all need the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit?

Luke describes that, "Paul had laid his hands upon them, and the Holy Spirit came on them"(19:6).
The laying on of hands is often mentioned in connection with the Spirit (cf. 8:16-17; 9:17), but not
always (cf. 10:44). The Bible links the Spirit with the believer in three different ways: (1) at the time
of belief. (2) at the time of baptism (3) with laying on of hands.

This diversification should warn us against dogmatism in the matter. Acts is not intended to teach a
set pattern, but to describe the dynamic movement of the Spirit.

How should we view vv. 2-6 regarding rebaptism and the laying on of hands to receive the
subsequent blessing of speaking in tongues?

We are not to view vv. 2-6 as a proof-text for rebaptism of some believers and the laying on of hands
to receive the subsequent blessing of speaking in tongues. As far as we know, Apollos, who also only
knew the baptism of John, was not re-baptized! And certainly nothing about tongues is said about
him. The Spirit was obvious in his powerful preaching and teaching. Luke here is not pretending to
give us the doctrine of baptism, tongues, and prophecy. He is merely describing what happened. A
lot of care has to be exercised in how we interpret and choose what to exercise in all generations.

What about prophecy?

Luke adds that these 12 disciples also started ‘prophesying’ when Paul laid his hands on them. This
term has OT connotations of ecstatic behavior (cf. 1 Sam. 10:10-12; 19:23-24). The context may
support this interpretation. However, this term in I & 2 Corinthians (cf. 1 Cor. 11:4, 5, 9:14:1, 3, 4, 5,
24, 31, 39) implies a bold proclamation of the gospel. It is difficult to define prophecy in the NT. Since
the filling of the Spirit is often linked with a bold proclamation of the gospel, this may be the intent of
this context also.

Excursus: Salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit

Text People Conversion Baptism Spirit Explanation
comes
2:38-41 Hebraic and repent; received for forgive- promise of no time lapse or
Jerusalem Hellenistic the message ness of sins gift of Spirit outward sign of Spirit
Jews
8:12-17 Samaritans: believed and immediate Time lapse: confirms conversion
Samaria schismatic received the via apostles and seals unity with
Jews word Jerusalem church

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