Studies in Acts No.1 - Immersed in Him
Immersed in Him
Studies in Acts No. 1
Luke was an excellent historian. His Biblical writings are filled with names, places and time references that allow his readers to verify his assertions. The book of Acts is filled with information that gives us a reliable record of events surrounding the lives of the Apostles in the early days of the Church. It also gives us insight into the good news of Jesus Christ. In this study of Acts, I hope to highlight some of the things that stand out most to me.
Acts 1:4–8 (NASB 2020)
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority;
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
“Baptize” is one of those words that comes to us directly from Greek in a transliterated form. The Greek word is “baptízō” (bap-teed-zo). Spiros Zodhiates, in The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000) defines and explains it this way:
βαπτίζω to dip. Immerse, submerge for a religious purpose, to overwhelm, saturate, baptize (John 1:25).
(I) Washing or ablution was frequently by immersion, indicated by either baptízō or níptō (3538), to wash. In Mark 7:3, the phrase “wash their hands” is the translation of níptō (3538), to wash part of the body such as the hands. In Mark 7:4 the verb wash in “except they wash” is baptízomai, to immerse. This indicates that the washing of the hands was done by immersing them in collected water. See Luke 11:38 which refers to washing one’s hands before the meal, with the use of baptízomai, to have the hands baptized.
It is helpful for us to keep in mind this idea that baptize carries with it the thought of immersion. When we substitute the word immerse for baptize, clarity about what is happening is often the result. When thinking of baptism in the Spirit, this is especially poignant. It helps us to be clear about what happened when we were reborn. We were immersed in Him. It is for this reason that the New Testament uses “in Christ” language some 90 times. (see Romans 6:11 & 23, Romans 8:1, Romans 12 5)
The world in which we live teaches us that seeing is believing. The focus of life is what we can see, touch, feel, smell, and hear for ourselves. The world system is based on empirical evidence that is verifiable by observation or experience. This form of navigating life, this mindset about how to live, is what the Bible refers to as “the flesh.” It is walking—living day-to-day life—according to our senses. It is reliance on our knowledge and strength. It is dependence on ourselves rather than dependence on God.
This daily pressure to live as everyone else on earth lives can tempt us to think of God as “up there” or “in heaven.” But He has made it very clear that He is in us. (see 1 Corinthians 6:19 & 12:13, Colossians 1:27, Romans 8:10, 2 Corinthians 13:5)
Understanding that we have been baptized in Him, immersed in Him, helps us in those moments when we feel far from Him. Understanding that He lives within us underscores the fact that He is not far from us. Indeed, we are one with Him in spirit. (see 1 Corinthians 6:17)
When you hear that you need to get closer to God, remember what He has to say about it—you are immersed in Him, and He is living in you.
When you feel like you must navigate complex and out-of-control situations, remember that you are immersed in Him and He is right there with you guiding you into the truth.
In Acts 17:27-28 Paul said that He is not far from us and that we live and move and exist in Him. So it is with you, Saint. You have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. You are immersed in Him and He lives in You.
