Page 85 - Unseen Hands by Nona Freeman

Baptism in the Name
of water and Spirit (Colossians 2:11-14). Abraham's cove nant removed only the foreskin; the new covenant, brought in by Jesus, puts off the whole sinful Adamic body to replace it with the body of Christ (John 1:12-14; 3:1-6; I Corinthians 15:39-50; Galatians 3:27-29; Ephesians 2:13-19; Philippians 3:20-21).
4. "The crossing of the Red Sea provides a clear in dication of water baptism's key role in the plan of salva tion (I Corinthians 10:1-2). The crossing of the Jordan River and the water springing from the rock at Horeb are also significant in this regard.
Tekle saw clearly: a refusal to be circumcised excluded an Israelite male from God's covenant in the Old Testa ment, and any person who refuses to be baptized in the name of Jesus is excluded from the New Testament Church of Christ. He is not identified with the body of Jesus.
After reaching this conclusion, he opened the booklet again. This time, he read it through with joy. Everything in it agreed with his new understanding of the Scripture.
Tekle found himself in a dilemma. He had no choice but to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Would he become a stumbling block to the Christians who had confidence in him? What of the thousands he had won to Christ? Would this step confuse them? Would the judgment of Godfall on him because he had become a stumbling block? He did not find immediate answers to his questions.
This disclosure from the Word moved him profound ly. He could not be silent. He dismayed his friends by harp ing on the subject. Several told him sharply, "Stop; I do not want to hear another word."
Erkenesh thought, I will divorce him if he persists 83