The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum HowWouldYouAnswerThis?

My question is, who is it that appoints people to places of authority in the church? is it man or is it God? If it is man, then where do they get their authority, and how can I be sure that their selection was by divine appointment? If it is God, who is it that can question the authority God places on an individual? The problem with the church today is that the church has taken upon themselves something that belongs to God alone. They hinder those God has truly appointed and instead, set up their own lawyers and scribes.

We take from God what is His right alone. Yes, men did appoint other men to offices in the church, but that was a priviledge only for a few chosen disciples during the establishment of the early church. Today, we have no power to convey some special office or authority on anyone, but it seems the church believes they do. What is required of the church, is to recognize those individuals God has called. Recognizing and ordaining those whom God chooses, those who demonstrate they are filled with the Spirit and called of God. Sadly, the church today is blind, choices are made for many of the wrong reasons, much like the choosing of Saul as King over Israel.

Now, back to whether a woman or child can baptize, I think that goes against the set order of the church and the family, it has nothing to do with God's choosing, it is unnatural to the body of Christ. We are speaking of men only, and I believe Grace2U assumed we understood that. As for who can baptize, mortal men can not give others that authority, only God can, we can only recognize it. Would you prevent someone appointed by God from baptizing another in His Name? To do so is to act against the set purposes of God, which is dangerous indeed.