The Spirit-Baptized Church: A Dogmatic Inquiry (T&T Clark Systematic Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology)

All four Gospels and the book of Acts describe the Son of God as sent of the Father to baptize humanity in the Spirit and fire, and Christ receives the Spirit towards this end. Frank D. Macchia suggests that the Son fulfilled this mission by pouring forth the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (and continues to fulfill it), incorporating others into himself and into the love of the Father. By focusing on the event of Spirit baptism, Macchia proposes a Pneumatological ecclesiology that is dominated by a Pentecostal confessional concern but is also open to a larger ecumenical conversation. This ecclesiology will begin by exploring the dogmatic (Trinitarian) foundations of the Spirit-baptized church. The church is born in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and in the incorporation of believers into Christ’s life, and into the love of the Father and the Father’s cause in the world (the communion and Kingdom purposes of the Triune God). Lastly, this Spirit-baptized ecclesiology helps us to appreciate the richly Pneumatological (vastly participatory and far-reaching eschatological) nature of the church’s marks (starting with the church’s charismatic structure and apostolicity but also including its unity, holiness, and catholicity) and its kerygmatic, sacramental, and missional practices Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 9 Preface 10 Abbreviations 11 Introduction 14 Beyond Machines of Salvation 15 Spirit Baptism: A Point of Integration 18 Chapter 1: The Spirit-Baptized Church 24 Spirit Baptism as the Point of Departure 24 Toward a Theology of Spirit Baptism 26 Spirit Baptism: Old Testament 29 Spirit Baptism: New Testament 33 Spirit Baptism and Trinitarian Communion 48 Toward an Ecclesial Personality 61 Conclusion 69 Chapter 2: The Elect Church 72 A Timeless Decree or an Anointing in Time? 73 Election: New Testament Voices 80 Election in Christ and by the Spirit: Final Reflections 109 Chapter 3: The Pilgrim Church 118 Models of the Church 121 Marks of the Church 138 Conclusion 171 Chapter 4: The Witnessing Church 174 The Church and Ecclesial Mediation 174 The Church and the Example of Cornelius 182 The Church and the Word 185 The Church and the Sacraments 198 Vocation: Spiritual Gifts and Mission 213 Conclusion 223 Author Index 226 Subject Index 228 Scripture Index 230 "Frank D. Macchia argues that the Son of God baptized (and continues to baptize) humanity in the Spirit by pouring forth the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. All four Gospels and the book of Acts describe how the Son is sent of the Father and empowered by the Spirit to fulfil this mission; Macchia in turn claims that Christ succeeds by incorporating others into himself and into the love of the Father. The Spirit-Baptized Church proposes a richly pneumatological ecclesiology that is dominated by a Pentecostal confessional concern, while also open to a larger ecumenical conversation. The volume focuses not only on the dogmatic (Trinitarian) foundations and election processes of the Spirit-baptized church, but also on its marks and witnessing practices. As an exceptionally detailed study of the Spirit-baptismal metaphor, this volume is a valuable resource for scholars of ecclesiology, Pentecostalism, and systematic theology."-- Publisher, page four of cover "Frank D. Macchia argues that the Son of God baptized (and continues to baptize) humanity in the Spirit by pouring forth the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. All four Gospels and the book of Acts describe how the Son is sent of the Father and empowered by the Spirit to fulfil this mission; Macchia in turn claims that Christ succeeds by incorporating others into himself and into the love of the Father. The Spirit-Baptized Church proposes a richly pneumatological ecclesiology that is dominated by a Pentecostal confessional concern, while also open to a larger ecumenical conversation. The volume focuses not only on the dogmatic (Trinitarian) foundations and election processes of the Spirit-baptized church, but also on its marks and witnessing practices. As an exceptionally detailed study of the Spirit-baptismal metaphor, this volume is a valuable resource for scholars of ecclesiology, Pentecostalism, and systematic theology."-- Provided by publisher "This work by a leading Pentecostal theologian is not just a constructive theology of the church for Pentecostals but also for the wider church. Its ecumenical breadth and distinctive Pentecostal perswpective make it a significant contribution to the current conversations on ecclesiology." -- Back cover