IS JESUS THE AUTHORITY IN HIS CHURCH?  by steve finnell

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (NASB)

Does Jesus have the authority to sanctify the church by cleansing her by the washing of water with the word? It would seem many deny that Jesus has the power to sanctify the church.

Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having  cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.(NASB)

Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word.( CEB)

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify it, cleansing by the laver of water in the word of life:(DRA)

Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word; (TLB)

When believers in Christ are baptized in water it is Jesus that sanctifies them and makes them clean. It is not a good work of the believers.

It is beyond comprehension that men try to limit the authority of Jesus by denying that He has the power to make men holy by washing them in water with the word of God.

There are many who deny the water baptism is essential to becoming holy and blameless. Some men are honestly ignorant, but is that a valid excuse after they have read the truth as written in their Bible.

Ephesians 5:26

Acts 2:38

Mark 16:16

 Act 22:16

Colossians 2:12-13

Romans 6:3-7

1 Peter 3:21

Galatians 3:27

John 3:5

Does Jesus have the authority to sanctify the church using water baptism according to God's word? YES.

You can trust your local preacher, Bible commentaries, CHURCH CREED BOOKS or other uninspired books written by men,but as for me I will trust Jesus.