g the ordinances and reflecting the spiritual gifts (Towns, 1993, p. 14).
God has ordained the act of baptism as an act of obedience to his will. This rite separates those that belong to God's kingdom and church from those that do not. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is a demonstration to the world and church of a person's commitment to serving God, therefore if a church is to be under God's rules its individual members must also abide, and wish to be bound by God's desires. An emerging church does not yet have God's authority to baptize in normal situations. The emerging church must wait until it is recognized as a church with God's authority to begin baptism
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