Thoughts on Today’s Text
We may be permitted to wonder a bit, especially when we note that in all the other instances in Acts where the “name” of Jesus and baptism are associated, there is no indication that such baptism is lacking in any way (see, for example, 2:38; 10:38; 19:5; 22:16). At Jesus’ baptism we hear of the Spirit’s presence and of God’s delight in a chosen Son. Yet we hear nothing as yet about where that Spirit will now lead this chosen One.
Perhaps this “addition of the Spirit” in this narrative instance now suggests that, even when having received the outpouring of God’s gifts in baptism, one should not be surprised to see that God’s Spirit still awaits with even more wondrous gifts for us. Such is the promise that will continue to accompany and empower this community and our communities of faith for the life and mission to come.