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The testimony in which Christians are called to walk in these days is of deep importance. It has two great features:
1st, the unity of the Church — the Body of Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven.
2nd, a remnant character, separated from the evils of the professing body around, in witnessing to this truth.
There never can be a restoration to original state. Still, the Word of the Lord abides forever, and there is no deprivation of power which can hinder obedience to it. It is always incumbent on the saints to bow to it, and everyone who names the name of the Lord is to depart from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)).
We are called to follow Paul in the truth given us through him. His ministry takes a twofold character. He is the minister of the Gospel to every creature under heaven, and of the Church to fulfill or complete the Word of God. The revelation of the mystery of Christ and the Church completed all the circle of revelation (see Eph. 3:6-96That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:6‑9); Col. 1:23-2523If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (Colossians 1:23‑25)).
Creation, Providence, the Law, Incarnation, etc., all had been revealed. One subject remained to complete the circle of revelation; this was the Church — the body of Christ, constituted and formed on earth by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)), while Christ as Man having ascended up on high remains there, and till He comes again with its collateral truths.
As following Paul, and as baptized into one body by one Spirit — the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, the Church has no commission to baptize, like that of the Twelve to the nations in Matthew 28. Our business, as serving the Lord and His people, is to seek to bring Christians into the consciousness of their position, as members of Christ, in the midst of a great baptized house.
Paul was converted to testify of the union of Christ and the Church — His body, subsequently to this House or habitation of God having been formed at Pentecost. He was received into it by baptism himself, and found baptism there; not abrogated by his subsequent commission, but was not sent to baptize (1 Cor. 1:1717For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17)). Still, finding it there, and not set aside by his commission, which was subsequent to that of the Twelve, he did baptize when needful. He took it up and used it, and left it down again, making no more of it than was necessary. He owned its importance in the place God had given it — used it — but was not sent to baptize. It formed no part of his commission and I believe it is in such a Spirit we should view it now. It was unquestionably an initiatory ordinance, yet was not set aside, as we shall see.