water baptism

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Baptism is an authoritative act in which sins are remitted and the person is accepted into the congregation. As an authoritative act, it requires a man to perform.

So did Cornelius receive the Holy Spirit before his sins were forgiven?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Jason B

So did Cornelius receive the Holy Spirit before his sins were forgiven?

Yes.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Baptism is an authoritative act in which sins are remitted and the person is accepted into the congregation. As an authoritative act, it requires a man to perform.

So if a woman is a missionary in a foreign land where there is no male available to baptize, and someone needs baptism, she has no authority to do so?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Barb

So if a woman is a missionary in a foreign land where there is no male available to baptize, and someone needs baptism, she has no authority to do so?

I suppose we could find a hypothetical situation to allow for EVERY excuse not to be Biblically consistent.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Jason B

So did Cornelius receive the Holy Spirit before his sins were forgiven?

Actually, salvation is a covenant we make with God, God's part is to fill us with the HG, and our part is to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins.

So God gives the HG as a down payment on our inheritance, but without baptism the covenant is null and void.

And scripture makes it evident that you can receive the HG before you are baptized.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

As far as I know in scripture, there is no specific scripture which says "who" can be the baptizer. We do not know whether it was the deacons, the elders, the disciples, the apostles, the pastors, teachers, evangelizers or prophets who baptized. All we know is that there is no mention of a woman ever doing it, but plenty of references to men who did it. But there is no specific scripture saying who can or can't be the baptizer.

I agree. There is no record of a woman performing water baptism. However, it was a very male dominated culture. First, women would not be expected to baptize. Second, even if they did, it probably wouldn't receive the same amount of press as prominent men in the church doing the baptizing.

So, while I agree that Scripture shows only men baptizing, I have to ask, is their a Scripture that would forbid a woman from baptizing a convert?

[Aquila]

I would imagine that anyone could water baptize, if led by the Spirit to do so. After all, we are all a part of a royal priesthood:

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I agree. There is no record of a woman performing water baptism. However, it was a very male dominated culture. First, women would not be expected to baptize. Second, even if they did, it probably wouldn't receive the same amount of press as prominent men in the church doing the baptizing.

So, while I agree that Scripture shows only men baptizing, I have to ask, is their a Scripture that would forbid a woman from baptizing a convert?

No in any reflection on the nature of the subject, but the idea of wondering what does the bible forbid as opposed to what it does not mention is not a good route. The bible said don't add to what it says. I think that settles it.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by mfblume

No in any reflection on the nature of the subject, but the idea of wondering what does the bible forbid as opposed to what it does not mention is not a good route. The bible said don't add to what it says. I think that settles it.

Are you saying that a prohibition on women baptizing, or a saint baptizing, be adding to the Scripture?

Many fail to see that the ministry (the five fold ministry) is called to perfect the saints to perform ministry on their own?

Ephesians 4:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

We often lose sight that spiritual leadership is service to the body. The body doesn't serve the ministry. A local house church elder once said, "My calling is to equip you and make myself unnecessary." I then asked, "And what will you do if you succeed?" Renes then smiled and said, "That's when I move on to establish another house church."

I believe prohibitions on any part of the body as it relates to performing the ministry hinders the body's growth and denies the priesthood of believers.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Are you saying that a prohibition on women baptizing, or a saint baptizing, be adding to the Scripture?

Many fail to see that the ministry (the five fold ministry) is called to perfect the saints to perform ministry on their own?

Ephesians 4:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

We often lose sight that spiritual leadership is service to the body. The body doesn't serve the ministry. A local house church elder once said, "My calling is to equip you and make myself unnecessary." I then asked, "And what will you do if you succeed?" Renes then smiled and said, "That's when I move on to establish another house church."

I believe prohibitions on any part of the body as it relates to performing the ministry hinders the body's growth and denies the priesthood of believers.

I'm just saying we can't say make stipulations either way, for or against, for anything the bible did not comment on.