Subject: Holy Spirit without evidence of tongues? |
Bible Note: The Englishman's Greek New Testament reads: "Repent, and be baptised each of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins" The Good News for Modern Man reads: "Turn away from your sins, each of you, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven you" I don't know of any version or translation of the Bible that reads as you have suggested. Note that is "repent AND baptism" Acts 2:38 "believe AND be baptised" Mark 16:16 I am not sure what you mean by 'outward baptism is not required for salvation and it does not have to be immersion'. In at least two passages water is clearly mentioned, Acts 8:36-39; 10:48. In Eph 4:5 we are told there is ONE baptism. Rom 6:3-6; Col 2:12 tells us we are 'buried' in baptism, and only immersion fits that description. Acts 8:36-39 says that both Philip and ther eunuch went 'down' into the water, and came 'up' out of the water. Only immersion will fit. If the baptism you consider necessary is 'baptism of the Holy Spirit', please could you describe what it is, and how it is received. (scriptures please). There is a description given in Acts 2:1-4 that it came direct from heaven and with a "sound as of a rushing mighty wind" and "cloven tongues like as of fire" that sat upon each of the apostles. The only other time this occurred is in Acts 10:44-46, which Peter explained a little more in Acts 11:15-17 "the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning". In Acts 15:7-8 Peter makes another reference to this same event in Acts 10 by explaining that to the Gentiles he (God) "gave them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us" There is no other mention of this baptism. The one baptism left is water baptism. You are quite correct that Simon wanted to buy the ability that the apostles had. However Peter said in verse 21 "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter". As only the apostles were given this ability, Simon could have no part as he wasn't a part of the apostleship. Neither could he obtain by 'lot' as did Matthias in replacing Judas Iscariot, Acts 1:20-26. I hope this clarifies what things for you. |