THE ROLE OF THE SPIRIT BAPTISM IN PAULINE ESCHATOLOGY

This paper presents the eschatological view of the Spirit Baptism in Paul’s writing. The Spirit Baptism and eschatology in Paul’s perspective are thoughts that function hand in hand with each other and cannot be separated. In Paul, Spirit Baptism is the fulfilment of the Old Testament promise in which God declares to His people that He will be with (stay among) His people through the pouring out of His Spirit. This promise is understood by His people as the eschatological promise of God. This pouring out of the Spirit upon God’s people should be understood as the doctrine of Spirit Baptism which has eschatological role in Paul’s theology. This paper will emphasize the background of Paul’s understanding of the Spirit Baptism as it relates to the soteriological dimension work of the Holy Spirit.

Wesley, Fletcher, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Long regarded as a spiritual grandfather of sorts for the Pentecostal movement, John Wesley has been credited by some as paving the way for their doctrinal distinctive of Spirit baptism through his teaching on entire sanctification. Yet, Wesley’s language surrounding Spirit baptism and the meaning of Pentecost differs significantly from that of classical Pentecostalism, calling into question whether a direct line can be drawn from Wesley himself to this Pentecostal distinctive. This article makes the case that their doctrine of Spirit baptism owes much more to the theology of Wesley’s intended successor John Fletcher and the Holiness movement that followed than Wesley’s doctrine of entire sanctification, and that one may find in Fletcher’s theology the seeds that would culminate in this Pentecostal doctrine easier than one could in Wesley’s theology.

A Biblical Theology of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

This article will discuss the issue of the baptisim of the Holy Spirit: what it is, how is it manifested, and what are its fruits. In the introduction, the problem and the questions pertaining to the Holy Spirit baptism are stated together with the thesis that will be tested. The thesis is that the baptism of the Holy Spirit biblically understood is a unique and unrepeatable event universal to all Christians, which happens instantaneously with salvation (when the believer is placed in Christ and joined to his body) and that this baptism is not marked by any immediate and special outward sign. First, this article will present different views on the doctrine of Holy Spirit baptism with historical developments of the views. Then it will deal with biblical data, focusing on all major passages. Special attention will be given to the Book of Acts, and “the second blessing” theology, which is the crux of the doctrine. Then the relation of hermeneutics and experience will also be discussed. Finally, the conclusion and the practical implications of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and biblical admonishments for the Christian life will be given.

SAKRAMEN BAPTIS SEBAGAI SAKRMEN KESELAMATAN DAN PERSEKUTUAN PARA MURID KRISTUS

Baptism is a sacrament instituted and used by God Himself through Christ to purify, sanctify and to save human being out of the power of evil spirit. Baptism celebration maintaining in a proper and faithful manner will be brought about the fullness grace and favor of God to the Catholic faithful. The experiences of the Catholic faithful regarding God’s grace and favor should not be only responded by full faith but also be properly responded by full action to bring it to the entire nations and human races. The Catholic Church as a communion of Christ disciples has been sent and guided by the Holy Spirit to spread out such grace and favor of God to all nations. Pastoral assembly of Surabaya Diocese conducted in 2019 strongly articulated that Baptism is a mean exactly used by God Himself to channel His grace and salvation to the entire human beings. Hence, the Disciples of Christ have to fully respond it by full faith and opened hart. Christ Himself has sent His disciples to collectively spread out the grace, favor and salvation of God to all over the world. This good news has to be brought firstly to the inner circle of the Catholic families, neighbours, communities, parishes, and diocese then to the society in general.

Spirit baptism and the doctrine of initial evidence in African Pentecostal Christianity: A critical analysis

Pentecostalism is known for the belief in Spirit baptism that is accompanied by the doctrine of initial evidence, that is, speaking in tongues. The practice of the doctrine of initial evidence has become a unique feature of Pentecostalism for many years since its beginning. Similarly, Spirit baptism and the doctrine of initial evidence are practised in African Pentecostal Christianity, especially in classical Pentecostal churches and charismatic movements. However, there are challenges with this doctrine: speaking in tongues is perceived as the only evidence, and there is an emphasis on gifts than fruit of the Holy Spirit and a great emphasis on public spiritual experiences than personal encounters with God. In re-imagining the doctrine of initial evidence in African Pentecostal Christianity, speaking in tongues should not be emphasised or practised as the only evidence of Spirit baptism because there are other evidences that demonstrate the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The emphasis should be on prayer than the speaking of tongues. In addition, priority should be given to the fruit of the Spirit and on a personal encounter with God. Finally, speaking in tongues should be accompanied by interpretation in a public service because the public cannot understand the language.

Spirit Baptism and Spiritual Formation: A Pentecostal Proposal

The Pentecostal understandings of baptism in the Holy Spirit hold potential for a more substantively pneumatological understanding of spiritual formation, but there are conceptual barriers to overcome before this potential can be realized. Specifically, the emphasis of revivalism on crisis experience and individualistic piety must be set within a larger framework that is more expansively ecclesiological and eschatological. A more expansively eschatological view of Spirit baptism can provide this framework, opening breathing room for prioritizing a pneumatological vision of spiritual formation in the life and mission of the church. Spirit baptism can still refer to new breakthroughs in the life of the Spirit (moments of Spirit filling) but those experiences would be couched within a larger vision of spiritual formation.