Research Paper Bibliography

Research Paper Bibliography

Akin, Daniel L., Bruce Riley Ashford, and Kenneth Keathley. A Theology for the Church. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2014.

“Christian theology is disciplined reflection on God’s self-revelation.”

The authors offer a multifaceted understanding of different subjects that generally concern the Church. Unlike other edited publications, the chapters of the respective book are framed around four pertinent questions, specifically the assertions of the Bible, the convictions of the church, the approaches in which both aspects fit collectively, and the impact of the Doctrine on the present church. These issues are imperative as far as the book is concerned due to the role that they assume in conventional theological subjects such as God, revelation, humankind, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the last things, Jesus Christ, and the Church. After all, the doctrines asserted by the Bible and the manner in which they have been interpreted today clearly impose a significant level of significance to the way the Church conducts its business and activities while managing the lives of Christians in the present-day setting.

Atkinson, William. “Baptism in the Spirit, The Lutterworth Press, 2012”. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=3328489.

 “To this extent, their later reception of the Spirit would not usher them, either, into the new covenant, but rather empower them to follow Jesus’ example in fulfilling God’s mission to the nations.”

The scholar Dunn was reviewing the meaning of baptism today, and he explained that the reception of the spirit assisted Jesus from converting from the old to the new covenant. His views were, however, wrong because Jesus did not need to enter into the new covenant. The purpose of the reception of the spirit was a sign of empowerment that people were given so that they can go and preach God’s word to all the nations. The article indicates the purpose of baptism. The primary function why people are baptized is so that they can go and witness to other people the goodness of the Lord. The second Reason is that it acts as an empowering tool that guides believers so that they can preach and spread the gospel to others who are non-believers. The reception of the spirit also indicates that one has accepted to be a child of God and be used by him to fulfill his mission.

Callam, Neville. “Baptists and the Subject of Baptism Any Real Progress during the Last 25 Years?” John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2015. DOI: 10.1111/erev.12168

“The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, leads them to repentance, and bestows on them the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ “

Baptists believe that the main work of the Holy Spirit is to draw people to Christ. They are hence marked as belonging to God. Baptism is a public profession of one’s faith in Him. It represents death of the old by going under water and rising from the water, and this is symbolic of a new life.

Erickson,  Millard. Introducing Christian Doctrine, 3rd Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2015

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

This quote shows the importance of studying theology and it indicates that one must have a good relationship with God to please Him. The quote also explains that it is also important for one to believe in God for so that an individual can affirm his belief in the humanity of Jesus. In the Bible, it is stated that the belief in God if one confesses with his tongue and beliefs in his heart he shall be saved by the resurrections of Jesus Christ. The next reason indicated why someone should study theology is the connection between experience and truth. People tend to take the thrill of the experience with more importance than the truth. In the same light, the doctrine teaches that simply feeling good about Jesus does not prove he is really the son of God but rather his resurrection from the grave proves so. Additionally, it is important to learn such principles because there are many secular religions that try to compete with the real doctrine and they have close similarities, so the in-depth understanding of correct theology helps to discern which is true and which is false

Hying,  Donald. “What Is the Meaning of Jesus’ Baptism?” The Catholic Answer.

“Allow it now, for thus it is for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

At the time, John the Baptist was the one baptizing people. It had been prophesied that John would baptize Jesus. Baptism was meant to cleanse people of their sins and start a new life in salvation. Jesus Christ did not have any sins, but he had to be baptized to fulfill the prophecies. Additionally, the act also fulfills the prophecy of imminent emergence of one greater than John who would “baptize with fire. Another reason for baptism was for Christ to be identified with sinners. The immersion in the waters of river Jordan, Jesus was seen needing of repentance and forgiveness of sin. This action shows Jesus is already embracing humanity sinfulness, just as He would carry a heavy cross on his day of crucifixion. In the above, it clearly shows that there are two types of baptism, that is baptism by water, which is down physically, and by fire that is personal and it involves an person’s confession by heart in private and public.

Spruce, Jim. Baptism: An Important Step in Your Life with Christ. Nazarene Publishing House, 2012.

“Beyond all the officials, bureaus, and agencies, God has the greatest interest in who we really are.”

The article indicates that God has a bigger purpose for our lives and is more interested in who we are. The act of God offering his only son to die for us shows that he is deeply concerned about our welfare. When baptized, we affirm that we have accepted all that the death of Christ meant to our Lord into our own being and purpose for living. The article illustrates some importance of baptism such as transformation. After baptism, our lives are reordered in the way we think, live, and act. Another importance is absolving ourselves of sin. Our baptism is a sign and seal of our death to sin, our severance from sin. Baptism also serves as proof that we are serious enough to cut all our links from sin and this is why baptism is carried out publicly. Perhaps the greatest reason for baptism is to give us a new identity. When we are baptized by water, it provides an affirmation of our determination to live like Christ. Notably, water baptism is a precursor to initiation by the Holy Spirit and is the only to be saved and enter God’s Kingdom.

Wright, David. Baptism: Three Views. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009

The author reviews the views of different scholars who have opposing views about baptism. One scholar who is a Baptist dismisses the idea of infant baptism. He indicates that baptism is an indication of a person leaving behind his old ways and regeneration of a new life. The author argues that an infant or toddler should not be baptized since they do not have any sin to be cleansed. Additionally, the author indicates that baptism should happen only after repentance and infants lack sin. The second author who supports infant baptism indicates that it is important to have child disciples and that is why infants should be baptized. The third author who is in support of the two theories states that the introduction to a life of Jesus is more important than the implication of when a person is baptized.

Wilson, Christopher Walker. Passage into Discipleship: Guide to Baptism. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2009.

“Through the baptismal process, a person enters into the Christian faith blessed and strengthened by God.”

Preparation for baptism is an essential aspect of the Christian’s journey. Indeed, most young people do not possess an adequate understanding of the importance that encompasses the act of baptism as an outcome of limited models of learning regarding the activity in question. Most persons, despite being believers of salvation, do not recall why they underwent the process in the first place. Furthermore, the role that baptism assumes in drawing people to a fruitful relationship with God places utmost significance on remembering how one was nurtured for the respective act. However, to gain significant knowledge regarding Christ and the relationship that the baptismal process possesses in this regard, the author establishes four learning models that help illustrate the dynamic nature of baptism and the way it signifies an active life with Jesus Christ.