Expert: Ernie Laurence, Jr. - 9/7/2010

Question
Dear Ernie,

Is it essential that a person who gives baptism to another person be a member of the Lords Church i.e can any one offer baptism to the one who wants to obey God.

Is it necessary for a person to be rebaptised who has already been baptised in a denomination Church, before he becomes a member of the Lords Church.

Can you suggest some websites where i can learn about the parables of Jesus

Thanks & Regards,
Praywin

Answer
1.  No, it is not essential that the person who immerses someone into Christ be a member of the church.  Who immersed the first Christian?  A non-Christian!  In 1 Cor. 1:10f, Paul says it is irrelevant who immerses you.  The only things the scriptures teach is that it be done for the right reasons.

2.  This questions gets into the identity of the church.  Is a person who is a member of a denomination part of Christ's church, the body of the saved (Eph. 5:23)?  If yes, then we are just another denomination/division (which we are not and which Christ condemns 1 Cor. 1:10).  If no, then by definition they are not saved and need to obey the gospel including being immersed in water into Christ to receive remission of sins (be saved) - Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; etc.  I believe a person who is a member of a denomination is NOT a part of the body of Christ and therefore needs to be immersed into that body.  What they did before was just get wet.

3.  http://www.saintsmeet.com is a website for members of the church of Christ.  There you can ask any number of people about the parables and study the scriptures with them.  I don't normally recommend non-interactive study such as commentaries, even web-based.

In Truth and Love,

Ernie