By
Shelby G. Floyd
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
-Galatians 2:9 KJV
THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP
PART THREE
FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRISTIANS Continue reading “THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP NO. 6”
By
Shelby G. Floyd
We had a great week at the Heartland Church of Christ. Three were baptized into Christ and one identified with the congregation. We praise God for his amazing love, mercy and grace!
While Paul was beginning his third evangelist tour, Apollos came to Ephesus.
THE CHARACTER OF APOLLOS
The Bible tells us several things about his character and abilities as a preacher of the word. (1) He was a learned man; (2) He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures; (3) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; (4) He spoke with great fervor; and, (5) He taught about Jesus accurately. These things were all positive and good. However, there was one negative—he knew only the baptism of John. This means that he baptized people into John’s baptism (Acts 18:24-26). The problem was that the baptism proclaimed by John the Baptist was no longer valid after the day of Pentecost, and the inauguration of the kingdom of heaven—the church.
APOLLOS CORRECTED PRIVATELY
Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus when he returned to Antioch in Syria, thus ending his second tour. Unlike some, Aquila and Priscilla did not publicly correct Apollos and humiliate him. They took him aside and “taught him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
DISCIPLES BAPTIZED INTO JOHN’S BAPTISM
When Paul arrived at Ephesus, he found twelve men who were disciples. They had not received the Holy Spirit because they had been baptized into John’s baptism. After the great commission was given, John’s baptism was not any longer in force. Therefore, Paul “baptized them into the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
SOME PEOPLE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED AGAIN
People need to be baptized again if any or all of the following are not true: (1) Who should be baptized?—a penitent believer, not an infant or small child; (2) What is the action of baptism? It is an immersion, not sprinkling or pouring some water on someone; (3) What is the purpose of baptism—It is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38)? It is not because one is saved and then wants to be baptized. If any or all of these are not true in your life, you need to be baptized again into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
NKJV
Amen.
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
Copyright © 2011-2016 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved