Jesus replies: "Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things that are appointed for thee to do."
In Damascus, Ananias, finding him a believing penitent, tells him not to tarry, but "be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name."
Further study of the New Testament merely adds other instance of similar teaching, but reveals nothing else being required, nor is a single instance found where believers were added without obedience to all these commands. It is thus clear that, under the ministry of inspired men, souls were brought into Christ by believing through hearing, repeating and being baptized into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Their obedience made them Christians.
They were united in the new-found brotherhood in Christ.
This law of induction has neither been changed nor abrogated.
Membership in the New Testament church was limited to those who had obeyed all these divinely authorized commands.
A Scriptural basis of unity will include all that was obligatory when the New Testament was written, and exclude everything not then imposed. So much for the plan whereby Christians entered the common fellowship.
The Scriptural basis for the practice or maintenance of Christian unity will be found in the practices or customs of the New Testament church which were authorized by express command or approved precedent of the apostles.
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