Baptismal Rite and Decimation of Christianity: An Expository Study of Acts 19:1-7

Abstract

Twelve disciples found by Paul in Acts 19:1-7 were believed to go through a second baptism for their salvation to be  valid. The passage as it were does not give a definite statement on the purpose of baptism whether for salvation or for  identification. There are, however, four probing questions likely to agitate probing minds. These are: is baptism  important or unimportant to Christian Kerygma? Why was it important for the disciples in this passage to do it right? If  baptism is once and for all as claimed by Paul in Ephesians 4:5, why must Paul encourage these disciples to do it again?  What should be the implication of this re-baptism to the unity of Christian Kerygma as taught and followed by Apostle  Paul? This paper is an expository study of Acts 19:1-7. It adopts an exegetical and comparative analysis where necessary.  It agrees with Pauline polemic that baptism irrespective of where it is done and as long as it is done right is  right for Christian Kerygma. It recommends that any Christian subjected to the rite of baptism on account of a change of  place of worship is nothing but a decimation of Christianity. Christian baptism must, therefore, be seen and  approached in light of Christian unity all over the world.