Was anyone water baptized on the day of Pentecost?
- Where in the passage from acts does it specify water baptism?
- Could the baptism mentioned not refer to baptism by the holy spirit?
It doesn't have to specify water baptism since baptism by definition is water baptism. The only time it's not is when the passages specify some other type of baptism (i.e., baptism with the Holy Spirit). If there is no qualifier then baptism means baptism in water.
The baptism in this passage could not be refering to baptism by the Holy Spirit because it was administered by men.
No I do not, sorry.
However the Salvation Army has two forms of church membership.
Salvationists wear uniform and adhere to the doctrines of the Salvation Army and also abstain from tobacco and Alchohol.
Adherent members do not wear uniform and are permited to Smoke and consume alchohol.
It might be a small number of Salvationists that are baptised. Where as many adherents are often baptized having been members of other churches.
There are a lot of thing that Jesus never did that we are supposed to do. Besides if we are to follow Jesus example of being baptized then someone has to do the baptizing. Baptism cannot be done solo. Even Jesus didn't baptize Himself.Okay. First I ask, who is to administer Baptism? From my limited knowledge only certain God called individuals could. Did Jesus himself ever baptise? Seeing as how the answer is no, this is where the grand debate started. If we are to be like Jesus, then our teachings must be in form with Him. Since he never baptised, why should someone claiming to follow him have to do it? Yes the argument can be made "Well Jesus was baptised by John." But if you look carefully when offered the chance to batpise another Jesus did not, because he knew he must follow the prophecies. So. We say repent and be baptized by the Holy Spirit, be washed not by droplets of water, but by the blood of the Risen Lamb. Just my two cents on that one.
Where is it expressed in SA doctrine that adherents are permitted to use alcohol or tobacco.
It would seem to me that it would be a foolish thing for the army to accept the use of alcohol among its ranks since the SA deals with alcoholics more than any other denomination.
It is common knowledge that a man or woman who has given up alcohol and then takes even one glass begins the fight with the bottle all over again. The same is true of most smokers and drug users as well.
I know that like most Evangelical denominations the Army is leaning more and more to liberalism, but I hardly see them accept alcohol when a good percentage of those they have helped in the past are prime canidates for re-starting down skid-row again with just one weak moment and one drink.
I won't talk about Baptism here, as that has been covered already. Except to say that, AFAIK, Salvationists are not prevented from being Baptised elsewhere if they feel that is Gods will for their lives.
Good day sir ...it seems that the Army is struggling with this baptism and communion more often then not.
Our last General made the Officers that were graduating sign a paper saying they would not baptize or preform communion either. Sadly our officer did being young and not know the scriptures well.
Lately the Army is having issues filling the Officer ranks with newbies...only 7 in the last session? Not enough to take care of those retiring.
I believe it is time to get off the pot and reexamine the scripture in regards to these topics and others.
I put it to you that it may not be happening at the upper ranks but it is in the lower ranks hence the falling off of Officers and memberships.
Don't even get me going about the back tracking on things like Holiness and what is included the the extras that Soldiers sign onto when becoming Soldiers.
I agree with you. I believe that there is a growing debate within the rank and file on the issue's of Baptism and Communion. Personally, I would be in favour of the Army re adopting these.
I also think that the Army WILL do this in time, but not any time soon.