CarpentersApprentice said:
OK. Who were the Christians from 100-1100 who did care about Scripture and who were doing what God wanted to keep the church on track?
...
On what basis can we maintain that the people who lived closer to the NT time period and in that part of the world did not understand that period and area?
...
I appealed to men who lived about 100-200 years after the apostles. You appealed to men who lived 2000 years later. The trick is how to discern if I am hearing the voice of God, or the clang of my personal likes, dislikes, fears, and aspirations.
CA
You appeal to opinions. I appeal to factual data. Ancient people did certain things; ancient people had certain views; Greek words/verb tenses meant certain specific things.
Now, as far as documenting inconsistencies with Scripture. 1 Peter 3:21 refers to Noah’s Flood and relates baptism to it as so: “which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism,| not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a |clear conscience” (ASV|NASB|RSV 1952); the passage indicates that where there is no repentance for baptism to represent, there is no baptism.
By the turn at the beginning of the 200's, people were baptizing infants, who know nothing of the Gospel, let alone to respond to it.
. In c. 100 C. E., the Didache in chapter 7 has “pour” as a second-rate alternative to baptism, and calls for a delay of baptism for at least one full day to “fast” = not eat:
“Now concerning baptism, baptize as follows: after you have reviewed all these things, baptize `in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ in running water. But if you have no running water, then baptize in some other water; and if you are not able to baptize in cold water, then do so in warm. But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times `in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit.’ And before the baptism, let the one baptizing and the one who is to be baptized fast, as well as any others who are able. Also, you must instruct the one who is to be baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.”
The baptism was to be “in” water as immersion, with pouring as a viable alternative when enough water is not available. Further, the baptism involved a delay of at least one full day.
The Greek word transliterated "baptize/baptism" means immersion, per common knowledge. In Scripture, baptism was commanded. Nowhere in Scripture are we encouraged to delay obedience to the Lord.
The church is very simply the collective body of followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus said at Matthew 16:15-8 that "and the gates of death will not overcome it" (TNIV). The church will never be snuffed out, and every follower of Jesus Christ will live forever. This will be in spite of our imperfections.
