Baptism in the Spirit: Luke-Acts and the Dunn Debate

This book is about that treasured doctrine of Pentecostalism: baptism in the Holy Spirit, understood as a work subsequent to conversion to Christ. Since James Dunn’s publication of Baptism in the Holy Spirit, there has been heated response from Pentecostals in defense of the doctrine. Key players are Roger Stronstad, Howard Ervin, David Petts, James Shelton, Robert Menzies, and ex-Pentecostal Max Turner. This book reviews Pentecostal criticisms of Dunn with respect to Luke-Acts, concluding that Pentecostals are right: for Luke, receiving the Spirit was not the inception of new covenant life. It was a powerful enabling for prophecy and miracles; for the church’s outward mission and its internal life. After placing Luke-Acts in a wider canonical context, the book closes with some practical lessons from Luke-Acts for today’s Pentecostal churches.

William Atkinson grew up in London, England and studied medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland. After working briefly as a medical doctor, he heard God’s call to church ministry and took up a position on the ministry team at Kensington Temple, London. He gained a Master’s Degree in Theology from London Bible College. In 1997, William became principal of Regents Theological College. While there, he completed a PhD with Edinburgh University in 2007. In the same year, he moved back into local church ministry in southeast England. Since 2011, he has worked at the London School of Theology, where he was a vice-principal. He continues there as a senior lecturer in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies. He is on the Board of Advisers of the Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship and is a member of the European Pentecostal Theological Association. He has written several books as well as both scholarly and popular articles. William has been married to Alison since 1983. They have two sons: Iain and Stephen.