The Berean Expositor
Volume 1 - Page 88 of 111
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baptism of I Cor. 12: is essentially connected with miracles and supernatural gifts. Is it so
now? Do members of the one body possess the power to prophesy, speak with tongues,
take up serpents, and drink deadly things unhurt? Why not? Do Christians really believe
the words to be true of themselves; "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover?"
The baptism of the Spirit in pentecostal times was subsequent to salvation, often by
the space of days, weeks and months, whereas Eph. 1: 13, 14 says that "we are sealed
upon believing with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance."
Eph. 2: 15, 16 links the one body with Calvary; "For to make in Himself of twain one
new man." "That He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross." When the
Holy Spirit quickens a dead sinner into life, He at the same moment links him for ever
with Christ. This union with the risen Saviour makes the believer a member of the one
body, and neither the laying on of hands can confer, nor the excommunication of men
take away this blessed grace-given position. This difference between the baptism of the
Spirit before and after Acts xxviii needs careful consideration. The one body of I Cor.
xii was evidenced by "signs and wonders." The unity of the Spirit is without any such
evidence; it is among the things "not seen" yet "eternal," which are seen by faith.
Some have made havoc of truth by the failure to realize that the one body of Eph. 4:
is not the same as I Cor. 12: If we look for corporate unity on earth we shall be sadly
disappointed, but if we obey the Word of truth, and "endeavour to keep the unity of the
Spirit," we may expect blessing as a result.
Jn. 3: 12
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Acts 1: 5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 11:
14. Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Mark
16
14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their
unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was
risen.
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they
shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the
right hand of God.
20.  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Acts
2
33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the Promise
of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.