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implies universal invisible members or "This is that which was spoken of by the
body parts. The terms are used generi- prophet Joel," in Joel 2:28, where God
cally. Similarly, in Ephesians 5:23, the said, "I will pour out my spirit upon all
terms, "the husband," "the wife," and flesh . . ." (Jew and Gentile, male and
"the church" are spoken of in a generic female). There was a similar immersion
sense. In that verse, nothing universal in the Holy Spirit of those Gentiles who
and invisible is implied by "the church" were saved at Cornelius’ house in Acts
any more than is by "the husband" or 10, to demonstrate God’s approval that
"the wife." they also could be baptized and orga-
In Acts 2, we have the record of Je- nized into a church of Christ’s. It is
sus baptizing the church He had built Christ’s design that His approval,
with the Holy Ghost, just as He had authorization, and accreditation of His
promised. It was an accreditation or successive churches be demonstrated by
showing of His approval of His church the deliberate action and intention of an
before men. It was proof and assurance already existing, or "mother church."
that He was still with it. Verse 16 says,
IF TWO OR THREE SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED BELIEVERS
COULD ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO A TRUE CHURCH,
SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE ACTION AND INTENT OR
APPROVAL OF ANOTHER CHURCH, WITH THE ONLY
AUTHORITY COMING "VERTICALLY," AS MANY BAPTISTS
ARE NOW TEACHING, THERE WOULD BE THE NEED OF RE-
PEATED DEMONSTRATIONS LIKE THAT ON THE DAY OF
PENTECOST IN ACTS 2.
What is Baptism?
how is ‘baptism’ to be performed?
A BRIEF RESPONSE THROUGH THE BIBLE
BY PASTOR NATHANIEL HILLE
Ephesians 4: 5- "One Lord, believe? We know that the word of
one faith, one Baptism” God is infallible (perfect & flawless)
because its author is God who cannot
e Bible has a lot to say con- lie (Tts.1:2). We know that men and
cerning baptism. People and churches are NOT infallible. So when
Th churches have a lot to say inquiring about a subject, we must
about baptism. Sadly, people, chur- believe what the Bible has to say
ches and the Bible are not always sa- about it, including, but not limited to
ying the same thing. Who are we to Baptism. We cannot look to
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