Baptism, enforcement of church discipline, fellowship, and salvation as the cooperation of flesh and spirit are themes, today. Given the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus as a complete and finished work on behalf of mankind, many mistakenly think that divine law has been completely rescinded, and there are no longer any sacred practices or rules that should be obeyed among believers. Often, those who hold such a view are relying upon their unseen character, individuality, and inner being to be acceptable to GOD, and therefore, deny that others in the flesh like themselves may hold them accountable for what they do and say within the church. It remains, there is a need for vigilance. While clergy and fellow worshipers may have no authority either to approve or eternally condemn the spirit nature of others, every believer is required to maintain a clear separation from unrighteousness. The flock must be protected from counterfeit believers and “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Consider again the following from the Bible, and the points appearing below: 1st Samuel 16: 7, King James Version (KJV): 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Also, James 1: 26-27, KJV: 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Spirit Of All” (Level 5 with 9,701 points, a member since February 16, 2014) posted the following:
Can Christians deny someone baptism?
I was about to be baptized last night but I was refused. It was cold out so I had vodka to warm me up and got slightly drunk. People noticed and I was rebuked for doing so. How is this fair?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8: 29-38, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Baptism, Then Communion (09/02/2015); Going to Church Before Baptism? (05/05/2015); Partially Baptized? (01/22/2015); Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); The Rich in Divine Relationship? (11/29/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); Relating to GOD? (11/05/2013)
“Spirit Of All”, to truly understand why you were refused baptism, you would have to ask, How was this (my behavior) godly? On the basis of their attitude, behavior, and conduct, a person may be denied fellowship (i.e., continuing association; intimate and personal relationship) and recognition as a Christian believer as well as membership, ordination to serve in leadership roles, and such privileges as burial in consecrated ground or sharing the Lord’s Supper. Because the church brings together diverse people having different levels of sacred knowledge, maturity, and preparation, discipline (i.e., training; restraint) and divine order must be maintained for management of the broad range of emotional, psychological and spiritual challenges every believer is required to face. Consider again the instruction to the church from the holy writings:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 6: 9-11, King James Version (KJV): 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
(2.) 2nd Timothy 3: 1-5, KJV: 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
(3.) 1st Corinthians 14: 26, KJV: 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
(4.) 1st Corinthians 14: 40, KJV: 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) 1st Corinthians 5: 9-13, KJV: 9 I wrote unto you in a epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without, God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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