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NASB | 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed--united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life]. [Rom 3:22; Gal 3:28] |
Subject: Baptized before serving in choir |
Bible Note: Justme, We are certainly in agreement that a church choir should consist only of believers, but that was not the essence of Azure's question as I understood it. She specifically referred to baptism as I understood her question. Baptism certainly doesn't make a believer as we both know. Nor does the lack of baptism negate the power and work of the Holy Spirit that He has begun in any person. In any case, I believe that what you are responding to has more to do with my disagreeing with your guidance suggesting that Azure, or perhaps believers in general, should follow church imposed guidelines with a safe assumption that because it's the churches rule it is biblical. I felt and feel like a statement with such a potential for misguidance must be addressed. As for my comments about the stray nature of today's church, your response leads me to believe that I now have the responsibility to further clarify my statements. The Lord Jesus Christ is in charge and total control of His Church and no harm comes to It that He does not allow. I believe we will agree on that. For the sake of clarification let me acknowledge that I do not have researched evidence that the church is at a degraded state in these times nor did my earlier statements intend to qualify such an argument as you possibly believe they did. I will say, however, that the position is absolutely biblical. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Many so-called Christian denominations today are very clearly rising to new levels of anti-biblical, antichrist teachings and practices such as accepting, approving of and even ordaining homosexuals for example. Let's not for a moment ignore the obvious. God's word says it will happen and it is happening whether we agree on it or not. We can at least be thankful for the new technologies in media that are able to clearly point it out. I hope this response helped to clarify as well as reiterate my concern. God bless you brother, Jeff |