Acts 19:1-7 (NRSV)
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Chapter 19While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. Verse 2He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Verse 3Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism." Verse 4Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." Verse 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Verse 6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied- Verse 7altogether there were about twelve of them.
Devotion
This reading is fraught with "ammunition" with which Christians have sometimes hurled at one another about the nature and practice of baptism. Baptism is a sign of the unity of Christians. But, because of our disagreements about its nature and practice, baptism also reveals the brokenness of the church. At times, Christians have turned God's gift of visible grace into another way of separating ourselves from other Christians, as well as people of other faiths.
The Apostle Paul, at least, is consistent in insisting on the one thing—the one person—who unites us: Jesus Christ. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the one clear window who reveals the nature of God and the nature of our relationship with God, and through God, with one another. "Jesus loves me; this I know. Jesus knows me, this I love." Everything about our life together starts from there.
Prayer
Gracious God, forgive us when we turn your gifts of grace into laws that people must obey in order to be considered as your children and entitled to your gifts. Help us to understand and believe that the life you give to us, is a life to be lived for others in grateful response to what you already have given—yourself. Amen.