Pastor Scott Markle

Question:  Is Romans 6:3-4 talking about "water" baptism or about "Spirit" baptism? 
(Note: From my understanding "Spirit" baptism is NOT an event wherein the Holy Spirit is the agent who baptizes us.  Rather, from my understanding "Spirit" baptism should be viewed as an event wherein Jesus Christ is the agent who baptizes us in the "substance" of the Holy Spirit, as per Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16.)
Additional question:  Is Galatians 4:26-29 (specifically verse 27 in the context) talking about "water" baptism or about "Spirit" baptism?
Another additional question:  Is Colossians 2:10-14 (specifically verse 12 in the context) talking about "water" baptism or about "Spirit" baptism?

Question:  Is Romans 6:3-4 talking about "water" baptism or about "Spirit" baptism? 
(Note: From my understanding "Spirit" baptism is NOT an event wherein the Holy Spirit is the agent who baptizes us.  Rather, from my understanding "Spirit" baptism should be viewed as an event wherein Jesus Christ is the agent who baptizes us in the "substance" of the Holy Spirit, as per Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16.)
Additional question:  Is Galatians 4:26-29 (specifically verse 27 in the context) talking about "water" baptism or about "Spirit" baptism?
Another additional question:  Is Colossians 2:10-14 (specifically verse 12 in the context) talking about "water" baptism or about "Spirit" baptism?

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"They forsook all, and followed him." (Luke 5:11)
Theme:  Forsaking all, and following Christ.
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Church motto:  Exalting the name of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word.

"They forsook all, and followed him." (Luke 5:11)
Theme:  Forsaking all, and following Christ.
________________________
Church motto:  Exalting the name of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word.

I am a God-called pastor.  I have two children, both sons.  One is now 27 years old, is called of the Lord our God to the ministry of the pastor, and is presently the assistant pastor of a church in Pennsylvania.  The other is now 22 years old, is called of the Lord our God to the ministry of the evangelist, and is presently in his senior year of college training for that purpose.  I most certainly DID train/groom my sons to be faithful servants of the Lord our God in their daily walk and in the Lord's ministry, just as all children should be.  I most certainly DID include my sons in the ministry work that the Lord our God has called us as a family, such that they ever observed the life and work of a pastor, both good and bad.  (Note: I DID let them see and know the negative side of pastoral ministry, as well as the positive.)  However, I very carefully did NOT "push" my sons to a call for pastoral/evangelist ministry.  Did I desire it?  Yes.  Did I pray for it?  Yes.  Did I ever communicate that directly to them.  NO!  Did they guess that their father might desire for them to follow in his footsteps?  Probably, even as most children probably guess such in relation to their own parents and their own parents' profession(s).  However, I very purposefully waited for the Lord to communicate His will unto my sons; and I very purposefully communicated to them in my parental training that they needed to follow God's will for their lives, whatever THAT might be.  In addition, when they communicated their thought that the Lord was calling them toward pastoral/evangelist ministry, I very carefully questioned them concerning that thought, in order to discern if their reason was truly from the Lord, or only from some emotional feeling.  I did this because I KNOW that emotional felling will NEVER sustain through the difficulties of pastoral/evangelist ministry, and that ONLY the Lord can sustain through those times.  I KNOW that if they pursue a pastoral/evangelist ministry that is not of the Lord, then they most definitely are on the path of failure; and I really, really, REALLY do not want my sons on the path of spiritual failure.  Now, do I believe that some are daddy called and mama sent?  Yes; and that is precisely what I was seeking to avoid in the upbringing of my sons.

Well said bro. Scott. Thank you for your thoughts on this matter and even more so for your Godly and fatherly guidance for your sons.

I am a God-called pastor.  I have two children, both sons.  One is now 27 years old, is called of the Lord our God to the ministry of the pastor, and is presently the assistant pastor of a church in Pennsylvania.  The other is now 22 years old, is called of the Lord our God to the ministry of the evangelist, and is presently in his senior year of college training for that purpose.  I most certainly DID train/groom my sons to be faithful servants of the Lord our God in their daily walk and in the Lord's ministry, just as all children should be.  I most certainly DID include my sons in the ministry work that the Lord our God has called us as a family, such that they ever observed the life and work of a pastor, both good and bad.  (Note: I DID let them see and know the negative side of pastoral ministry, as well as the positive.)  However, I very carefully did NOT "push" my sons to a call for pastoral/evangelist ministry.  Did I desire it?  Yes.  Did I pray for it?  Yes.  Did I ever communicate that directly to them.  NO!  Did they guess that their father might desire for them to follow in his footsteps?  Probably, even as most children probably guess such in relation to their own parents and their own parents' profession(s).  However, I very purposefully waited for the Lord to communicate His will unto my sons; and I very purposefully communicated to them in my parental training that they needed to follow God's will for their lives, whatever THAT might be.  In addition, when they communicated their thought that the Lord was calling them toward pastoral/evangelist ministry, I very carefully questioned them concerning that thought, in order to discern if their reason was truly from the Lord, or only from some emotional feeling.  I did this because I KNOW that emotional felling will NEVER sustain through the difficulties of pastoral/evangelist ministry, and that ONLY the Lord can sustain through those times.  I KNOW that if they pursue a pastoral/evangelist ministry that is not of the Lord, then they most definitely are on the path of failure; and I really, really, REALLY do not want my sons on the path of spiritual failure.  Now, do I believe that some are daddy called and mama sent?  Yes; and that is precisely what I was seeking to avoid in the upbringing of my sons.

I know a few as well.  It is somewhat of a "gift" (although NOT a "spiritual gift" per se).  However, more could develop this "gift" if they would take the time to learn English grammar more thoroughly and if they would be more habitual readers and students.  

I know a few as well.  It is somewhat of a "gift" (although NOT a "spiritual gift" per se).  However, more could develop this "gift" if they would take the time to learn English grammar more thoroughly and if they would be more habitual readers and students.  

I know a number of pastors who've written books. And I think it's great. 

Actually, Biblical revival is not so much a 24 hr. day after day "worship time" wherein all other responsibilities of life are disregarded and neglected.  Rather, Biblical revival is a genuine return of walking with and for the Lord after a time of walking for self apart from Him.  It is always entered by a believer through broken-hearted repentance, wherein the believer humbles himself in repentance and returns unto the Lord with complete heart submission.  It then is engaged moment by moment, day by day through abiding in Christ, and Christ in us, through being filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in and after the Spirit, wherein the believer lives in daily fellowship with the Lord, allowing the Lord to govern the priorities, thoughts, attitudes, decisions, communication, and conduct, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in the daily responsibilities and relationships of life.  Biblical revival does not so much remove us from the daily responsibilities and relationships of life, but changes the way that we interact with those responsibilities and relationships.

For clarification -- Asbury University is not officially affiliated with any particular denomination, but its own statement of faith clearly centers it within the Wesleyan-Arminian system of belief.  The following are direct quotes from their statement of faith:
"Asbury University is a Christian liberal arts university which stands in the long succession of Christian orthodoxy. Although no official denominational emphasis exists at Asbury University and all may participate fully in the spiritual life of the campus, the institution maintains its commitment to an evangelical Wesleyan-Arminian perspective and requires all who affiliate with the university community to live within the guidelines of this commitment."
"Asbury University stands in the Wesleyan theological tradition—believing that an act of God’s grace upon which one receives the offer of salvation through the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ can indeed transform a human heart in such a way that through His mercy they can experience holiness of life, have a heart that exhibits His love, and become an agent of His grace for the advancement of God’s Kingdom here on earth."
"The institution maintains its historic Christian commitment and resists the public practice or propagation of beliefs alien to its Wesleyan Christian orthodoxy.  It welcomes students though who have not come to that faith but are respectful of the institution, its mission, and its commitment."

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It doesn't matter how much personal experience we provide. The lost need to hear the word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit...  John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

He teaches against a certain type of hyper-dispensationalism but he still over divides and wrongly adds to salvation. Anyone who adds man's efforts, works or law keeping, in ANY dispensation to gain eternal salvation is wrongly dividing a work that belongs to God alone. Eternal salvation of the soul by GOD has ALWAYS been and will ALWAYS be by Faith in Christ Alone. Though they may not have known the method of salvation (on a Cross) nor received the promise before us (had to wait with Abraham) they always had faith on the object of their salvation which was Christ. Anyone who teaches otherwise is wrong and hyper-dispensational. You can follow him if you want but I stand by my statements.
Hebrews 11:39-40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Wow, what a confusing mess this thread discussion has become.  The original question appears (to me at least) to be a question about the "calling" and/or "desire" for pastoral ministry (for the responsibility to pastor a flock of believers).  Yet quickly the discussion was clouded and confused by a multitude of passages concerning: (1) God's call of lost sinners unto faith in Christ for eternal salvation; (2) God's call upon all believers to be His children with all of the benefits thereof; (3) God's call of all believers to witness/preach the gospel unto the lost world; and (4) God's call of certain individuals to serve in the ministry of apostleship.  
Now, it appears to me that #1, #2, and #3 of my listing above have no bearing upon the subject of the original question.  However, it also appears to me that the phrase "called to preach" allows for a great deal of confusion in relation the original question and #3 of my listing above, because the same phrase "called to preach" could apply for two different contexts of subject.  On the one hand, "called to preach" might refer to God's call of all believers TO PREACH the gospel unto the lost world.  On the other hand, "called to preach" might refer to God's (supposed) call of certain individual believers to pastor a flock of believers.  This is where Biblical confusion becomes possible.  When an individual asks for Scripture concerning the call of certain individual believers "to preach" (to pastor a flock of believers), and Scripture concerning the call of all believers "to preach" the gospel unto the lost world is provided -- this is Biblical confusion.  ALL believers are indeed called of God "to preach" the gospel unto the lost world, and the Scriptural passages which speak to this matter make such clear.  However, NOT all believers are called to pastor a flock of believers; and pressing Scriptural passages from the wrong context upon this matter only confuses the Biblical doctrine of pastoral ministry.
Thus I would contend that in discussions such as this thread presents, we should quit using the phrase "called to preach," and should rather use the phrase "called to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, or pastor/teacher" (using the list from Ephesians 4:11).
Now, in relation to this subject, Brother Rando has called for a definition -- What is a "calling"?  Generally, a calling can either be an invitation to partake of some experience or an appointment to experience some privilege or to engage in some responsibility.  In relation to the specific subject of the divine "call" to pastor a flock of believers, I would contend that this "calling" should be defined as a divine appointment to engage in the responsibility of pastoring.  With such a definition before us, I believe that New Testament passages can indeed be provided to support the Biblical existence for such a "calling," as follows:
Acts 20:28 -- "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
1 Corinthians 12:18 -- "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."
1 Corinthians 12:28 -- "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Ephesians 4:11 -- "And he [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."
Now, from these passages it is worthy to note that all three members of the Godhead are specifically referenced as being involved in the "calling"/appointment process.  In addition, it is worthy to note that some of the passages reference the "calling"/appointment of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers in the same context.  Thus it would seem that the "calling"/appointment of the New Testament apostles would have at least some bearing on the subject (as per #4 from my lising above).  Indeed, I would contend that the matter of divine "calling"/appointment is indeed a Biblically valid doctrine.  However, the question might then be raised -- By what means is this "calling"/appointment revealed? 

Wow, what a confusing mess this thread discussion has become.  The original question appears (to me at least) to be a question about the "calling" and/or "desire" for pastoral ministry (for the responsibility to pastor a flock of believers).  Yet quickly the discussion was clouded and confused by a multitude of passages concerning: (1) God's call of lost sinners unto faith in Christ for eternal salvation; (2) God's call upon all believers to be His children with all of the benefits thereof; (3) God's call of all believers to witness/preach the gospel unto the lost world; and (4) God's call of certain individuals to serve in the ministry of apostleship.  
Now, it appears to me that #1, #2, and #3 of my listing above have no bearing upon the subject of the original question.  However, it also appears to me that the phrase "called to preach" allows for a great deal of confusion in relation the original question and #3 of my listing above, because the same phrase "called to preach" could apply for two different contexts of subject.  On the one hand, "called to preach" might refer to God's call of all believers TO PREACH the gospel unto the lost world.  On the other hand, "called to preach" might refer to God's (supposed) call of certain individual believers to pastor a flock of believers.  This is where Biblical confusion becomes possible.  When an individual asks for Scripture concerning the call of certain individual believers "to preach" (to pastor a flock of believers), and Scripture concerning the call of all believers "to preach" the gospel unto the lost world is provided -- this is Biblical confusion.  ALL believers are indeed called of God "to preach" the gospel unto the lost world, and the Scriptural passages which speak to this matter make such clear.  However, NOT all believers are called to pastor a flock of believers; and pressing Scriptural passages from the wrong context upon this matter only confuses the Biblical doctrine of pastoral ministry.
Thus I would contend that in discussions such as this thread presents, we should quit using the phrase "called to preach," and should rather use the phrase "called to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, or pastor/teacher" (using the list from Ephesians 4:11).
Now, in relation to this subject, Brother Rando has called for a definition -- What is a "calling"?  Generally, a calling can either be an invitation to partake of some experience or an appointment to experience some privilege or to engage in some responsibility.  In relation to the specific subject of the divine "call" to pastor a flock of believers, I would contend that this "calling" should be defined as a divine appointment to engage in the responsibility of pastoring.  With such a definition before us, I believe that New Testament passages can indeed be provided to support the Biblical existence for such a "calling," as follows:
Acts 20:28 -- "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
1 Corinthians 12:18 -- "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."
1 Corinthians 12:28 -- "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Ephesians 4:11 -- "And he [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."
Now, from these passages it is worthy to note that all three members of the Godhead are specifically referenced as being involved in the "calling"/appointment process.  In addition, it is worthy to note that some of the passages reference the "calling"/appointment of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers in the same context.  Thus it would seem that the "calling"/appointment of the New Testament apostles would have at least some bearing on the subject (as per #4 from my lising above).  Indeed, I would contend that the matter of divine "calling"/appointment is indeed a Biblically valid doctrine.  However, the question might then be raised -- By what means is this "calling"/appointment revealed? 

You're absolutely right Brother Jerry.  I am at times a hypocrite and other times fall and immediately catch myself and repent.  

You are not alone brother....
Rom 7:22-25
(22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
(23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
(24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
(25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
 

After the world-wide flood in Noah's day, the Lord our God gave a promise which seems to relate unto the climate change issue: Genesis 8:22 - "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."  Thus until the Lord our God Himself destroys the earth with His own judgment fire, the climate of the earth will continue to bring forth spring and fall, simmer and winter, cold and heat, day and night.

There are MANY dispensationalists that believe salvation has always been by grace through faith in the Messiah - the level of knowledge has differed, but since the first sacrifice offered in the Garden of Eden, all true believers have believed in a Substitute who would pay for their sins one day.

Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:3-8 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Genesis 15:6 is quoted in Romans, in the NT - showing that salvation is the same in both Testaments. Galatians and Romans are both excellent for showing that the OT Law was to show people their need of the Saviour BECAUSE IT PROVED THAT NO ONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COULD FULFILL THE LAW 100%, which was the requirement if someone desired to be saved by the Law. Otherwise, they were under the curse of the Law. Good thing Jesus bore our curse and paid our full debt!
Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Jesus said on the cross before He died that It is finished. If anyone every tried to work their way to Heaven and did not trust in Christ's finished work - whether looking forward from the first sin or backwards to the cross of Christ, they are lost and condemned.
Salvation has always been by grace through faith in the Messiah and the work He would do to die/pay for our sins, with no works added EVER.
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Throughout history, God had different rules for how His people were to live (which is what the word dispensation literally means - house rules, rules for that period of time), which differed depending upon when they lived - BUT only one plan of salvation.