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J_Edwards said:

First, baptism was so important to Paul, because it was saving so many people, that he said, “for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” and “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor 1:17, 2:2) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/drop.gif" alt="" />

Although the church is to both preach and baptize, the chief calling of ministers to preach. Only ministers may publicly preach in the church but, in cases of necessity, even a woman may baptize.

Without the spoken word of the gospel, there is no baptism. The priority given to preaching, in no way, devalues Baptism as a means of grace.

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Second, was it not Paul that said; “Therefore if any man be in Christ (not in the baptismal waters), he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ (not in the baptismal waters), reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word (not the waters) of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17-19).

Without the word of reconciIiation which the Holy Spirit alone brings, we would never know that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing our trespasses to us. The work is finished. Christ has acquired our salvation by His suffering, death, and resurrection. Through the word of reconciliation in preaching and baptism, God imputes to us the righteousness that we could not obtain for ourselves through any work, merit, prayer or resident change.

Last edited by speratus; Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:34 PM.