[Sidenote: Called of God.]
[Sidenote: Heb. 5: 4.]
[Sidenote: Exod. 4: 14-16.]
The Scriptures also teach that, for the ordinance to be effectual, it
must be performed by one authorized to act in {153} the name of the
Lord; for "no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called
of God, as was Aaron." Aaron was called by the voice of God, through
Moses.
[Sidenote: Divine authority.]
[Sidenote: Matt. 28: 19.]
[Sidenote: Mark 3: 14.]
[Sidenote: John 15: 16.]
The Savior commanded His Apostles to "teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." But
He had given them the divine commission to act in His name wheresoever
He should send them: "He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him,
and that he might send them forth to preach." The divine authority
which they possessed was the source of their power. This fact He
impressed upon them, saying: "ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen
you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and
that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the
Father in my name, he may give it you." If they had started out on
their own authority without being chosen, God certainly would not have
recognized ordinances performed by them in His name.
[Sidenote: Imperfect baptism is not baptism.]
[Sidenote: Acts 19: 11-16.]
[Sidenote: Acts 19: 1-6.]
The Apostle Paul, by the power of God, cast out evil spirits; but when
the sons of Sceva, on whom the divine authority had not been conferred,
attempted to do this, they met with failure. When the Apostle went to
Ephesus, he found certain persons who claimed to have been baptized
"unto John's baptism." Paul discerned that they had not received
John's baptism, for they knew nothing of the Holy Ghost. Probably some
unauthorized person--perhaps with good intent, but nevertheless without
authority--had been along that way baptizing "unto John's baptism,"
but not with it, for that could only be done by a duly commissioned
servant of God. After they received a proper understanding of the true
ordinance they were baptized again, "and when Paul had laid his hands
upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues,
and prophesied."
[Sidenote: Go thou and do likewise.]
The experience of the men of Ephesus affords an interesting lesson.
They had been mistaken, but when the truth was presented to them they
accepted it gladly. They received the Gospel ordinance, viz.: Baptism
by immersion for the remission of sins, administered by one having
divine authority; the burial in, and the birth from the watery element,
without which ordinance the Lord has said that no man can enter the
kingdom of heaven. "Enter ye in at the strait gate" that leads to life
eternal.
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