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William Stewart

Holy Spirit or Water Baptism? The Truth about Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16

baptism
via PxHere / CC0

The necessity of baptism is evident to any honest Bible student, as dozens of New Testament texts require it. However, some will dispute whether it is water or Holy Spirit baptism required. We’ll address this question today.

Here are some texts that I’ve been told are Spirit, not water baptism:

  • Mark 16:16
  • Acts 2:38, 41
  • Acts 22:16
  • Romans 6:3-4
  • 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • Galatians 3:27

Before we look at these, consider a few important principles for Bible study.

The Spiritual Water Cycle: How the Bible Produces Growth in You

water cycle
via gpm.nasa.gov/education/water-cycle

Hydrogeology is the science of water cycle and distribution through the earth. Consider a simple description of the cycle:

  1. The ground is watered by the falling rain and snow;
  2. The water runs off into the oceans by the river system;
  3. Then the water returns to the sky by the process of evaporation.

With the water back in the sky, it is set to fall yet again.

The prophet Isaiah uses the hydrological cycle to tell us about the working of God’s word. Consider:

Is the Death of Innocent Children Justified? | Answering the Atheist

Inquiry:

Answering the Atheist, innocent children

In 1 Samuel 15:3 God orders the slaughter of men, women, and children, including infants. Isn’t that a contradiction to the fact that God is reluctant to punish the innocent with the guilty (Genesis 18:23-33), especially infants and innocent children that can’t make moral choices. How is gthe killing of innocent children and infants justifed? Is there a contradiction?

A Pillar of Salt: A Warning from Lot’s Wife

Pillar of salt
via Federico Bottos | Unsplash.com

On the western shore of the Dead Sea, on Jebel Usdum (the Hill of Sodom), is a pillar of salt known as Lot’s wife. Is it her? I don’t know. What I know is that there is a lesson about faith and obedience to learn from her.

Lot’s family were warned,

Escape for your life! Do not look behind you… (Genesis 19:17)

2 Versions Of The Ten Commandments? | Answering The Atheist

Answering the Atheist, Ten Commandments

Inquiry:

Traditionally, the Ten Commandments are known as the commandments stated in Exodus 20:1-17. In Exodus 34:1-2, Moses is told to get another set of tablets to rewrite what was on the first tablets. In Exodus 34:10-26, Moses was told a number [ten] of things of what to and not to do. In Exodus 34:27-28, God tells Moses to write the words he told him on those very tablets and name them the Ten Commandments. These aren’t the same commandments in Exodus 20. Is there a contradiction?

What Happened to the Epistle to the Laodiceans?

Laodiceans
via agusgeno | Pixabay.com

At the conclusion of the epistle to the Colossians, the apostle Paul wrote, “…when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16). Where is this epistle that Paul wrote to the church at Laodicea? Why is it not in the New Testament?