Bible Discussion Thread

Hi every one . Any one who has any doubts about the validity of water baptism today , PLEASE read Acts Ch 8 very carefully . In V 16&17 we see that the Holy Spirit was given by the act of laying on of hands by the apostles , a separate thing to water baptism . Also in V 26 we see that the Spirit expressly sent Philip to a certain place with the only purpose to baptize some one by full emersion in water , I say it again ! Philip was sent by the Spirit , to a specific place in order to baptize some one by full immersion in water ! The whole chapter is very clear and how any one can disregard what it is teaching us , me and you , is beyond me . Faith without works ? We express our faith by doing what we are told to do by God through His messengers . Read this chapter carefully pleeeeease .

Sasha, good post.

When I read what Jesus said to the disciples before he ascended in Matt.28:18-19 & Mark 16:15-16, take it as a command for all time. If we believe that we are commanded by the risen Christ to preach the gospel across the whole earth, we must also believe that we are to heed His command to baptize those new to believing. he even goes as far as to say that those who believe and are baptized will be saved ( Mark 16:15-16). I for one, believe it is best to follow these commands of Christ and that they go hand in hand. I pray for unity in the church on this matter, because Jesus put it forth as important concerning bringing people to salvation in Christ.