Twice in recent months the significance of the baptism of John has been discussed in the Testimony (May, 1946, p. 138; and July 1946, p. 186). During the discussion many profitable suggestions have been made, and many useful facts have come to light. But I feel that it has been discussed too much as an isolated “problem,” whereas—to Luke—the events at Ephesus were of the utmost significance, and played a vital part in the development of the early Church.
A careful study of the Acts of the Apostles shows that Luke was very careful in his choice of incidents and in his use of words. Generally speaking, he used in history only those incidents which played an essential part in the development of the Church and of Paul’s character and message; and his words and phrases were intended to be read with an eye to their real meaning. Not for him the present-day blunder which treats “Christ” and “Jesus” as synonymous terms.
In the light of this, Luke’s account of the entry of Apollos into the work of the Christian Church makes extremely valuable reading, particularly as it is rendered by the Revised Version, which is supported by other competent authorities. We find this account in the last 14 verses of Acts 18.
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Author: D. A. Lund
Keywords: rebaptise, rebaptize, rebaptism, baptize, baptise, baptism, water baptism, baptism of John, anabaptist, anabaptism, John's baptism
Bible reference(s): Act 18:25-26, Acts 19:1-5
Source: “The Baptism of John: Its Place in the Early Church,” The Testimony, Vol. 16, No. 190, October 1946, pp. 275-8.
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