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Question
thanks for your time. I was just wanting to know your thoughts on these two questions.
1. Do you think the spiritual gifts ceased after the Apostles died, or do they still go on today? Do you believe demons also stopped when Christ died?
2. Do you believe you have to be baptized to be saved?
Hi!
Josh, I do not need an opinion or belief on these, as the Bible speaks too plainly on both topics.
Peter says baptism saves us in 1st Peter 3:21, and Jesus said the same thing in Mark 16:15-16. Paul said baptism washes away sin, and Luke records such in Acts 22:16.
Micah 7:15-20 speaks of a time of miracles. It says this time of miracles would happen when sins were cast into the sea instead of being rolled back year by year at the Day of Atonement. This is the time of miracles that would begin with the ministry of Christ. Then, it says this period of miracles would be like the days Moses led Israel in the wilderness. Since that period was 40 years, so were the miracles of the New Testament. Since the miracles commenced about 30 AD, then they ended about 70 AD according to prophecy. If they did not end then, God is a liar and no one should follow Him. If He removed the ability to remove demons, then it would be an injustice (and God cannot be the author of injustice since He is infinite Justice), then He also removed the ability of demons to possess men. This is what is meant by Satan being bound in Revelation. They did not even last till all the Apostles were dead.
Josh, thank you for the chance to show you these passages in the Bible.
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Answers by Expert:
Marvin Howard
Expertise
I consider myself to be a "doctrine specialist" if there is such a thing. I offer scripture to support or refute (as needed) any doctrine practiced within what is commonly termed "Christianity" today. I am willing to try questions on prophecy and history, though they are weak points. I have learned a little, however. Also, as I am disabled, I have time to research many things. For example, I can find a congregation of the church within twenty miles of your ZIP Code if one exists. If traveling, I can locate a congregation for your visit. I am accountable in this ministry to a group of Christians. I will share my answers with them for review. If a question is private, I will redact the names for privacy.
Experience
I became a Christian on April 7, 1969. I have been a substitute, spur-of-the-moment preacher for thirty years. My last pulpit was with the congregation in Braswell, GA. My sermons have always contained at least fifty percent scripture. On occasion, I have preached in seven states, and four foreign nations. This is beside my online ministry. I am now, officially retired.
I hope to never mislead anyone saying I'm a member of one group, when I'm really in another as one here does. By his own admission, he isn't a member of the church, but of the "Christian Church" (sic) denomination. If I can be honest, I don't know why others would want to lie.
Education/Credentials
Having already acquired significant Bible education from self-study, I attended 1.5 years of Bible college through the church at Dyersburg, TN (before my health waned) in an attempt to get paper to say I know what I know.
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