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

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.

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

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.

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.