Ques. What is the use of baptism in water? Is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost enough?
Ans. The baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost (Acts 2); by it the body of Christ was formed, and it cannot take place again. (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:4.) Since then every believer sealed with the Holy Spirit is a member of the body of Christ. "There is one body."
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, He took His dwelling among the disciples. All who came among them, did so by baptism in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. (Matt. 28:19.)
This is the use of baptism: it brought the one baptized from off the ground of Jew or Gentile, on to the ground of the profession of Christ's name, as the house of God; and though men have greatly abused this use of baptism, it is still the same with God. God will not allow man to take His name in vain.
We could not have fellowship with those who deny this use of baptism by determinedly remaining unbaptized. If once baptized it would be folly to repeat the form. In the sight of God it is done, whatever mode may be used. Therefore the word of God abides, and baptism is just as much needed as ever.
Ques. Is all the professing church Laodicea now?
Ans. No. Revelation 2:25,28 shows a remnant in Thyatira who are waiting for the coming of the Lord. He has not come yet.
Revelation 3:3 tells that the church in Sardis will be treated as the world—the Lord coming as a thief to them.
Revelation 3:11 shows a remnant looking for the coming of the Lord, keeping His word, and not denying His name. Overcomers are there also.
Revelation 3:20 has overcomers even in Laodicea who sup with Christ and He with them.
The truth that there is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling, continues till the Lord comes. Our responsibility and privilege is to walk worthy of that vocation, with all lowliness and meekness, and the Lord's care of the church, and provision for its needs, will not cease till the perfect Man is reached. (Eph. 4:4-16.)
Ques. How could Hebrews 11:9 be true when the persons spoken of there were not living at the same time?
Ans. It is their character as strangers dwelling in tents that is the point, not that they were living together at the same time. Jacob built a house for himself at Succoth, that was failure; but in the New Testament, God speaks of the faith of the Old Testament saints, not of their failures.