From the beginning of the church until the end, it was supposed to be thus and so:
The baptism with the Holy Spirit (with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues)
was to be a pre-requisite for being chosen to be a part of the 5-fold ministry …
Ephesians 4:11 -- apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher.
This baptism also was (more than generally) a pre-requisite for receiving
one or more of the 9 spiritual power gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
All of the above was how God used the early church to successfully evangelize
wherever they went (as described in the Book of Acts).
If God’s method (the truth of the gospel being confirmed by signs and wonders)
had been utilized, the whole world would have been converted many years ago!
Notwithstanding the considerable negative disruptions of Satan and his demons.
However, men who desired to be church leaders (but who were not chosen by God)
got in the way of God’s perfect will … yes, Martha, God did not kill them off.
And we won’t get into all of the many reasons why they sh_t-canned God’s will.
Too embarrassing! … And so ths was the beginning of the RCC and EOC.
The RCC’s primary focus has always been on the crucifixion of Christ.
The EOC’s primary focus has always been on the resurrection of Christ.
And I have been told that this is the main reason why they split.
A quick explanation of the 4 different Christian baptisms:
• Baptism into the church (salvation); the Holy Spirit is the baptizer
-- 7 verses say the Holy Spirit takes up residence INSIDE the believer)
• Baptism in water (symbolic demonstration of faith); man is the baptizer
• Baptism with the Holy Spirit (mostly power for ministry); Jesus is the baptizer
-- 7 verses say that for this baptism the Holy Spirit comes UPON the believer)
• Baptism with fire (extreme suffering for the gospel’s sake); Jesus is the baptizer
The baptism with the Holy Spirit (with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues)
was to be a pre-requisite for being chosen to be a part of the 5-fold ministry …
Ephesians 4:11 -- apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher.
This baptism also was (more than generally) a pre-requisite for receiving
one or more of the 9 spiritual power gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
All of the above was how God used the early church to successfully evangelize
wherever they went (as described in the Book of Acts).
If God’s method (the truth of the gospel being confirmed by signs and wonders)
had been utilized, the whole world would have been converted many years ago!
Notwithstanding the considerable negative disruptions of Satan and his demons.
However, men who desired to be church leaders (but who were not chosen by God)
got in the way of God’s perfect will … yes, Martha, God did not kill them off.
And we won’t get into all of the many reasons why they sh_t-canned God’s will.
Too embarrassing! … And so ths was the beginning of the RCC and EOC.
The RCC’s primary focus has always been on the crucifixion of Christ.
The EOC’s primary focus has always been on the resurrection of Christ.
And I have been told that this is the main reason why they split.
A quick explanation of the 4 different Christian baptisms:
• Baptism into the church (salvation); the Holy Spirit is the baptizer
-- 7 verses say the Holy Spirit takes up residence INSIDE the believer)
• Baptism in water (symbolic demonstration of faith); man is the baptizer
• Baptism with the Holy Spirit (mostly power for ministry); Jesus is the baptizer
-- 7 verses say that for this baptism the Holy Spirit comes UPON the believer)
• Baptism with fire (extreme suffering for the gospel’s sake); Jesus is the baptizer