Hello Pilgrim.
First of all, feel free to call me Steve; all my friends do.
Originally Posted by Pilgrim
grace2U,

1. Is not the Church ruled by Christ? And thus do you not think that He by His Spirit knows the situation described? And, do you not suppose that the Head of the Church is capable to providing what is needed in that situation? Perhaps this man is not a true Christian? Perhaps his gospel is false? Perhaps Christ has no intention of building a church in that area? Lots of possibilities, eh?
1. Yes.
2. I'm quite sure He does.
3. He certainly is, and perhaps He has.
4. Possibly not, but perhaps the man sent from the church 300 miles away will not be a Christian. Perhaps he will be from PCUSA or some other apostate body. What then?
5. What the man needs may be teaching. He needs a Priscilla and an Aquilla to come and help him. We should be praying that God will send him such. There are false teachers ordained all over Britain and America. Ordination by men, at its best, only witnesses to what God has already done.
6. If Christ does not wish to build His church there it will not be built.
7. Yes indeed, but not all of them are relevant.
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2. God ordains but not without MEANS, which is always through men. As in #1, the sovereign Lord is more than knowledgeable of the situation and capable of providing ALL that is needed for those whom He has called to Christ and given repentance and faith. He has set forth the order to be followed for His Church to which we are to simply and graciously submit.
God has indeed ordained the means. He has granted these poor, benighted folk a preacher and brought them to faith. They now need to be baptized.
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3. Is baptism so indispensable that without being baptized one is not saved? Is baptism so essential that one cannot progress in sanctification without it? Why is it therefore so expedient that these people be baptized, particularly when there is no organized church there?... again, refer to #1.
Baptism is an ordinance of God. If you can show me one incidence in the Bible of anyone waiting to be baptized while some 'ordained' person was found, I will submit to your wisdom. Otherwise I offer you Acts 8:12, 36ff; 9:18. Who was Ananias? 'A certain disciple.' No more.

These folk in Pakistan have placed themselves in deadly danger by trusting in Christ. They need to be baptized without delay in order to confirm them in their faith.

Steve Owen

Itinerant Preacher & Bible Teacher in Merrie England.
1689er.
Blogging at
http://marprelate.wordpress.com