Bible Q&As
Question: Would you mind explaining why you do not believe it matters whether you are baptized, even when Christ said that to fulfill all righteousness, you must be. Please, I need to know. Answer: The text to which you allude was spoken by Jesus at the time of His baptism in the River Jordan by … [Read more…]
Question: In your response concerning foods clean and unclean you make the statement that “Baptism was a definite command to some, but not to others.” How do you get past the words of Acts 2:38-39, “Be baptized everyone of you”? Verse 39 goes on to include as many as are called by the Lord. Answer: … [Read more…]
Question: What is the one baptism of Eph. 4:5, a baptism into Christ’s death? Answer: The “one” baptism, is a spiritual baptism, not to be confused with literal baptism in water. [Romans 6:3-4; Col. 2:12-13, 1 Peter 3:21 are all excellent examples of the “one” spiritual baptism.] Of the two, the “one” baptism ranked highest … [Read more…]
Answer: No, our church does not practice any form of immersion in water. Water baptism was dispensational (that is, belonging only to the people of a particular age) and here are a few additional thoughts on this. Remember, though, that the point is one of emphasis and not correctness for the command to baptize was … [Read more…]
Question: Your views, on baptism as being synonymous with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gift of miracles, appear baseless. None of the references to baptism I could find support a parallel with the bestowing of the Holy Spirit gifts that I could see, and most mentioned nothing of the Holy Spirit gifts on the … [Read more…]
Question: I read in your literature that the Trine Baptismal formula stated by Jesus in Matt. 28:19 may not be authentic text. What is your authority for this statement? Answer: Although its authenticity has been questioned by many serious students of Scripture, the so-called Trine Baptismal Formula, (“in the name of the Father, and of … [Read more…]
Answer: Baptism for the dead is mentioned only once in Scripture, in Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians (15:29). All through this chapter Paul’s theme has been the resurrection of the dead. The text reading: “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why … [Read more…]
Question: It seems that the Message breathes the atmosphere of the Old Testament primarily. Would you please comment? Answer: We believe that the whole Bible is the Word of God and contains all that we need to obtain salvation. The apostle Paul stated that we are built upon the “foundation of the apostles and prophets, … [Read more…]
Question: I was looking in the Bible Encyclopedia for the meaning of the word ‘precept’ but could not find it. Webster’s Dictionary says it is ‘a rule of conduct.’ Is this fairly accurate in the Bible sense? Answer: In the Bible the word precept is used seldom, except in the plural form, in which it … [Read more…]
Answer: As everyone knows, there are many Bible translations available today, all of which are the work of human hands and minds and none of which are completely accurate. But the imperfections in the translations are not an obstacle that keeps one from understanding the Bible. The variety of translations are actually a help, providing … [Read more…]