>>509268024
No, I think you've suggested that you have some years under your belt. Otherwise, yes, I believe you're rooted to a belief system that has all sorts of holes if you're willing to see them.
>>509268103
>So it should be easy to cite chapter, verse, and edition of the Bible for you to prove
I prefer to let people use their own version of the Bible to avoid that whole swamp. But certainly I can list off some references for you.
Matt 3:14 (Baptism being an expression of worthiness)
Matt 16:18-19 (Establishment, endorsement of the church, explicit authority given to exercise power)
Matt 28:19-20 (Mission of the disciples, baptism)
Mark 16:16 (Necessity of baptism)
Luke 9:1 (Authority given to exercise power)
Luke 24:53 (Worship inside a temple)
Baptism is how one becomes a member of the church, requires authority, Christ set up a church and gave his disciples authority to continue it. I'm also willing to list some references outside of the gospels, but I'd better post since we're on page 9.
>yet you claim to be a Christian Bible scholar here
what I claimed was
> I've spent years going to church and I've read the bible cover to cover. I've engaged in numerous religious debates, even [anecdote]
which is all quite true
>>I'm not pagan
Correct. I'm not a pagan.