So, he is showing that spiritually there is a unity. It is men who are divided. But we have to endeavor to make this unity occur. And God, knowing how difficult it is going to be, gave gifts to the church. Those gifts are in the form of men—ministers—that He gave to the church. (We will get back to that, a little bit later.) The ministry has been given, by God, to this Body to bring us to a common body of beliefs (doctrine). What you believe is what you act on! That determines what we are going to do.
Baptism is the greatest step a person can take. And, true baptism—that is, one that is genuine and valid in God's sight—is an once-in-a-lifetime step.
It is God who ordained the baptism ceremony and its deep significance. And God's word reveals that unless the right ministers of God with the right understanding carry out baptism in the right attitude, with the right knowledge, in the right manner, it is not honored and recognized by God.
Turn with me to Ephesians 4, verse 3. Now in contrast, Babel is the center of Satan's kingdom and of human rebellion. It ignores God and the true bond of union, therefore, it is the city of confusion. As Babel's sin disunited the people, the Spirit of God given on Pentecost unites God's church in peace.
