Why Is John Wesley's Heartwarming Experience At Aldersgate Center

Pope Francis expounded the Gospel reading taken from Luke 12:49-53, which says Jesus has “come to set the earth on fire.” He explained that the fire here is the one that causes people to change their thinking and emotions.

Baptism is often understood to symbolise the resurrection of Christ-the revival of the sinner to a life of righteousness. Romans 6:3-11: “Do you not know that all of

Fire might be a double-edged sword. To begin with, it is fire which has brought the world to that situation, for everything around the father and the son is completely burnt and they are making their way through ashes. Here we see fire as an unpredictable and destructive force. However,

Importantly, “The Spirit of truth who ‘unveils’ Christ to us ‘will not speak on his own’” (CCC 687). The Holy Spirit is divinely self-effacing, in that he keeps himself in the background. Returning back to the beginning of our discussion, this is the opposite of the idea of “feeling” the Holy Spirit, for inherently, the Spirit points us away from himself and directs us toward the knowledge that “God is Love” (1 John 4: 8, 16). It is in this context that we are able to understand the Holy Spirit’s movement and work in the economy of salvation as a gift from God, out of God’s goodness and love (CCC

entails the person being saved, and then baptize them as an outward desire to show union with

Often held as a rite of passage and entrance into the Christian church, baptism is much more than just symbolic ritual. Baptism was commanded by Jesus Christ in the Great Commission recounted in the book of Matthew. Even though we are simplistically called to be obedient by being baptized the Christian church has long debated the aspects of this ordinance. Denominations are divided on the basic meaning, types and modes of baptism even two thousand years after the founding of the Christian church. Just as the other ordinance, the Lord’s Supper, congregations find themselves at odd with tradition, biblical interpretation and even individual understanding. However, the simple message of this awe inspiring act can be explained out of the

In assessing theology and culture, as an African American woman recently thrust into the role of full time ministry, the theologians that spoke most intensely to me were James Cone and John Wesley. Cone brings tenacity that far exceeds that of other theologians I have studied. His approach is very direct, and relevant to my theological studies in relationship to the black church. His writings though applied to generations prior, his antiquities are yet still quite applicable. While, Wesley is also relatable, his methods differ greatly from those of James Cone.

The characteristic of little to no symbolism leads to the next foundational Quaker practice: spiritual baptism. Quakers believe that water baptism is a public way to express your decision to follow Christ and that the practice is not wrong, but also not necessary for one to be saved. Spiritual baptism derives from the Bible verse, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (New International Version, Matt. 3.11). This verse was spoken by John the Baptist, a man who frequently baptized people in the Jordan River. He was describing to those listening that after the coming of Jesus, there would be a greater baptism than that which used water—a baptism of the Holy Spirit

In some newer, churches pool are built and filled with holy water. An individual is then dipped into the water after they pledge their love to God. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", as described in the bible. (Bible getaway, Matthew 28:19) Jesus commanded that his disciples must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The physical act of cleaning the body after pledging devotion acknowledges the removal of a person 's sins and makes them clear to start again before death. After death depending on the sins created the person is appointed a long lasting afterlife in heaven or hell.

Just when there’s no hope for Humanity, The Holy Spirit (the third Godhead in the trinity) sent from the father as a promise to aid humankind to inspire and empower Theophilus (The ones who loves God) to spread the “Good News” on the Salvation of Jesus Christ. The necessity of the Holy Spirit is to increase effectiveness of churches and personal testimony and become witnesses in all the Earth. In addition, it gave the disciples a power to perform miracles and healing.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will guide and lead us into all truth to do all that Jesus has said to us to do, purifying our mind, body, soul and spirit by the washing of His word.

The elements of this practice equip the individual to perform this ritual in a successful manner and allow adherents to be disciples of the Lord in the Christian community. The use of water signifies the spiritual cleansing of the individual and reflects the discussion of rebirth through water in the Gospel of John - “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water” (3:5). The use of water also unifies the individual with the ministry of Christ as we take part in the same ceremony as him. The bible highlights the eternal connection established with the Christian community as the word stresses the importance of this practice. Furthermore, the white garment symbolises the pure and virtuous nature of this ritual and signifies the releasing from the chains of sin and being reborn into a new life with Christ. Pope Francis’ statement that the “people of God have become missionary disciples” highlights the communal aspect of baptism and its contribution to Christianity as a living tradition as it is the individuals moral duty to baptise non-believers and unite them with the Christian community. The Gospel of John reinforces this obligation and the importance of baptism for the individual and the community as a whole in “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mttw

I am reminded of Moses and the burning bush. If Moses had not felt disturbed by the bush that was on flames and yet not burning, his attentiveness is praiseworthy because he addressed the situation by walking toward it and investigating it. As a human being, he could have thought that a bush would not be able to hear his questions then what is his reason of walking up to a bush. The other concern he could have was how to put out the fire of that burning bush that was on Mount Horeb. Did he have a bucket to draw water from, or was there any well? (These exemplify a connection with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well asking Jesus that the well is deep and Jesus has no water.) I see a connection of these two stories in my interaction with Muria case. I was attentive to noticing her sitting all by herself, eating a bagel and did not know that God’s word is already on fire in her mind and heart and wanting some attention, though apparently that was not visible to human eyes. Secondly, if one is spiritually thirsty, one needs to ask Jesus Christ to help one receive the water that will not only help receive that everlasting water but quench the thirst that involves worry, questions, doubt, suspicion, and impossibilities. Just like the Samaritan woman became the first female evangelist, and Moses became the liberator of the people of Israel, my words of encouragement to Muria helped her see the consequences call stories have when they come to

All Christians know about the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, English Standard Version). In that command, Jesus tells us to baptize in the name of the Trinity. What does the word “baptism” mean? Baptimsa and sometimes baptismos, the Greek word origin of “baptism”, can translate to “immersion” or “bathing” without any religious implications (McGowan, 2014). Nearly every Christian church practices baptism with a religious implication; however, they do not agree on God’s activity in, the qualifications for admitting a person to, and methods of administering baptism. For instance, many churches do not baptize people until they become adults and make a profession of faith, while others encourage baptizing an infant soon after they are born. The practices and philosophy for baptism changed throughout its use in the New Testament, the Early Church, and the Medieval era.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: OUR FRIEND, COMFORTER, TEACHER, AND PART OF THE TRINITY