Solving The Samaritan Riddle [Hardcover]

This book attempts to solve the Samaritan riddle that is the focal point of the Dunn Debate. Dr. James D. G. Dunn's first book, Baptism in the Holy Spirit (1970), claims the New Testament says baptism in the Holy Spirit always occurs simultaneously at conversion-initiation. In contrast, classical Pentecostals contend that Spirit baptism always occurs subsequent to conversion and is evidenced by tongues-speaking. They mostly cite Acts 8:4-25 for subsequence. It says Philip preached to the Samaritans and they believed, but they did not receive the Spirit until Peter and John came days later and laid hands on them. Dunn says these Samaritans and Jesus' 120 Jewish disciples in Acts 2 were not Christians until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Zarley agrees with Pentecostals about subsequence in both cases. But he claims these Samaritans and the Gentiles in Acts 10 were Spirit baptized due to Peter's presence, using his metaphorical keys of the kingdom Jesus had promised to give him in Matt 16:19. After Peter opened kingdom doors for all three of these biblical classifications of people, all people afterwards are Spirit baptized simultaneously upon conversion, as Paul teaches and Dunn says, except for the Ephesians anomaly in Acts 19:1-7. A bold and adventurous book by a non-specialist Bible reader of uncommon determination . . . It is a wonder that someone has not suggested this theory before because, as anyone who reads Acts 10 knows, Peter was there and opened the doors for the Gentiles. I commend serious engagement with Kermit Zarley's proposal. --Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary The debate over 'Baptism with the Spirit' and its connection with conversion is long-standing and divisive. It is in need of fresh eyes, and Zarley has provided that. I strongly recommend this book as an important new approach to this issue. --Grant R. Osborne, Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinityl'