Ques. 99. Who is the one to take the place of Philip? (Acts 8.)
Who has authority to baptize others?
W. B.
Ans. Christ in glory is the source of all true ministry. (Eph. 4:8, 11.)
Paul was an apostle, "not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead." (Gal. 1:1.)
Elders and deacons were appointed to these offices by apostolic authority.
All gifts come from Christ in glory.
The servants of Christ, therefore, local or otherwise, who can act on Mark 16:15, 16, are by that word authorized to serve the Lord. Philip had to act on the Word alone. (Acts 8:4, 5.)
Ques. 100. What is the difference between Matt. 28:9, "And they came and held Him by the feet," and John 20:17, "Touch Me not"?
W. H. W.
Ans. Matthew presents the Messiah, risen from the dead, to His earthly people, the remnant of Israel, beginning anew with Israel, therefore you get no ascension. but He sends out the disciples to the nations, and it ends by His saying, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (or age).
In John 20:17-23, we have the blessing of the present time, when the Lord is ascended to His Father and our Father, His God and our God. We know Him by faith up there. We do not know Him after the flesh, or as a man down here. (2 Cor. 5:16.) Not as the Messiah on earth, but as the glorified Christ at God's right hand.