Who is Hermen and what does he have to do with me?
At least that is what most people think when the word “hermeneutics” (her-men-new-tics) is mentioned.
the theology professor says to his students, “Today, we are going to learn the practices of hermeneutics.” Those who are unfamiliar with the term respond: “Hermen who?”
An odd word it may be, but crucial to our understanding of the Bible.
Hermeneutics is a practice that most of us do on a regular basis. That is if you are a Christ-follower, and assuming that you read your Bible (personally, I am way behind in this area).
Every time you open your Bible and attempt to gain some relative understanding of what it is you are reading, you are using a process which is within the category of the hermeneutics.
It helps you understand what you are reading, as well as give insight to how the text you are reading relates to everything else in Scripture.
By definition, Biblical hermeneutics is the science of interpreting the Scriptures. It seeks to establish an understanding of Scripture that is consistent with the Biblical worldview.
Therefore, it is a practice that is not denotative; rather it is connotative to the rest of Biblical text.
This is, as I use the words of Hank Hanegraaff, the process of interpreting Scripture in light (as in illumination) of Scripture.
This series will address a meaning of hermeneutics I believe to be a great necessity. What you will not see here is a full analysis of the process of Biblical Hermeneutics. I am not going that deep, but I will discuss:
As always, thoughts are welcome!
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If you look at proper hermeneutics in the book of Acts, as well as in the Gospel, you will see why I am a baptismal regenerationist. Try it, trust me.
(You know I had to dig at you here, right? Wouldn’t be proper otherwise.)
Do you have examples in mind?
haha. this made me laugh… and the fact that it made me laugh is scary…
In the book of Acts chapter 2:38, we read:
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
After this point, Baptism becomes a component of EVERY salvation mentioned in the NT. The key line is “for the forgiveness of sins.”
Even in the Great Commission we see the command for us to baptize:
herefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
we can argue this makes a “works based” salvation, but isn’t our salvation to be “worked out” with fear and trembling? And the book of James explains the importance of works. I am not saying that our works save us, Jesus does. But He is doing so through a process that includes (and really begins with) baptism.
Check out Acts 10. It starts off with Cornelius receiving a vision from God, and then Peter receiving one too. Peter was basically told that God does not show favoritism, to share the gospel with Gentiles also. Verse 34 starts with Peter addressing the Gentile crowd, preaching the gospel. He talks about how Jesus is Lord of all and in verse 43 he says, “To him (Jesus) all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
This is totally an act from God, because earlier in verse 41 he says, “not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God….”
Well, later on in verse 44 it says, “44While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.”
1st – Holy Spirit fell on those who heard
Then, begining with Verse 46, “46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
2nd – received the Holy Spirit, i.e. Salvation. How can someone receive the Holy Spirit without Salvation?
Then in verse 48, “48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”
3rd – They were baptized. Baptism came after reveiving the Holy Spirit, which is salvation. How can anyone be saved without the Holy Spirit? It is our “Seal” of salvation. I can pull from Romans, but I really don’t have the time to right now and since you used Acts, I figured it was a sufficient passage.
Here’s what I get out of this:
1. One must hear the gospel
2. One must recieve the Holy Spirit for salvation
3. Baptism is a command we must follow, just like “love your neighbor”.
If we ignore the command, our salvation can be question as to why would we want to ignore such an important command. However, not always is it ignore, but could be prevented.
We see this passage of scripture as one of two where the Holy Spirit moved before baptism occurred, but it still occurred. Not only did it still occur, it was deemed as a part of the salvation (“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?…And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ”)
The flaw in your hermeneutic is this: You read into the text with the Holy Spirit being Salvation. It says the Holy Spirit fell on them and they received it. It never says that they had salvation. The Holy Spirit and the gift they received was grace and an invitation to be apart of what was purely held by the Jews.
Baptism in Christ is so important that later (Acts 19) we would see Paul baptism some who “had not received the Holy Spirit” upon their belief due to not being baptized.
Baptism is central and a command. Look at your own words. Why is it a command if it is not central to salvation? If it was not central, it would not be a command at all.
Ephesians 1:12-14:
“12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Here it says the Holy Spirit is the seal and deposit guarantee.
“Love your neighbor” is a command also. Could the same be said about that?
As far as works, I agree, “work out your salvation.” But how is this done?
John 6:28-30
28Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
I agree that baptism occured, and is important. I don’t believe that it is necessary for salvation. What about the person on their death bead who makes an authentic repentence toward Christ? Are we then to say that no one on their death bed does such a thing? If one does make this decision, what happens if they either die, or can’t make it to somewhere to be baptized?