The first record that we have concerning baptism appeared in the Essene sect of the Pharisees. This is the sect that John the Baptist belonged to. This Essene sect broke off of the Pharisees about 100 years before Jesus Christ was born. They were a fundamental branch of the pharisees. They condemned the pharisees for about the same reasons that Jesus did. They said that they were worldly, and more concerned with their high positions and money than they were about the things of God. These men did not marry and have families, instead, they devoted their lives to the study of God's word, living holy lives, and doing good works. They preached repentance, good works, and holy living to all that they came in contact with. The bible says that they baptized in water unto repentance. These are the people that God prepared to make the paths strait for the way of the lord. We don't know the words that John used when he baptized, but we do know that he baptized Jesus. Later on in the book of acts there is an account of those that were baptized in John's baptism. When they found out about Jesus they were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 19: 3,4)
So, let's see how the apostles baptized and why they baptized the way they did. Go to Luke 24 : 46-47 Thus it is written and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send you the promise of my Father upon you: Of course, you know what the promise of the Father is; it's the holy ghost. If you have a red letter bible you can see that these words were spoken to the Apostles by Jesus himself. This commandment in Luke tells them to go to all the nations preaching repentance and remission of sins in his NAME. And He would send the promise of the Father upon them. This promise is the Holy Ghost. It speaks nothing about the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, only the name of Jesus Christ. Many people don't realize that Jesus himself tells us that we must use his name in the baptism. This scripture should prove it to them. Now, PLEASE go to Acts 2:38 to see that Peter spoke these very words when he was asked how they might be saved. This is exactly why Peter did not say to be baptized in the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost! And this is the way all Christians should be baptized.
Acts 2: 37-38; And they said to Peter, and the rest of the apostles , "Men and brethren what must we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized on the NAME of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins , and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." He preached baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and that repentance brings about remission of sins. Peter confirms the commandment given by Jesus in Luke 24: 46-47. He also adds that baptism in his NAME will bring about the gift of the Holy Ghost. Do you see why Peter didn't baptize in the titles, Father , Son, and Holy Ghost? Jesus himself gave this commandment, and, Peter obeyed his commandment in Luke 24. Why do most of the churches use the titles in the baptism instead of the NAME? It's the NAME that has the power. But, we're not through yet, now go to Acts 10 : 43-44.
Acts 10: 43-44; (Peter is speaking to those in the house of Cornelius the gentile.) To him gave all the prophets witness that through his NAME whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins. While Peter was still speaking to them the Holy Spirit fell on them who HEARD the word. Right here we see that God himself confirmed the words that Peter spoke in Acts 2:38, that the Holy Ghost would be given through his NAME. Then in ACTS 10: 48; Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the LORD. What is the name of the Lord? It's Jesus isn't it? Thus we have here three instances in God's word for the remission of sins by his NAME, as well as, the gift of the Holy Ghost being given in his NAME. These three scriptures follow each other in their sequence. If this doesn't tell us how to be baptized in no uncertain terms, What does?
This is the scripture in Matthew given as the reason whereby most churches baptize in the titles. The early church did not use the titles, Father Son and Holy Ghost. This came about many years after the death of the early church fathers. In Matthew 28: 16,18,19; Then the eleven disciples went away into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, all power is given unto ME in heaven and in earth. Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, Son, and The Holy Ghost. Please note that Jesus said ALL power is given to me in heaven and earth. We know that Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles only. But what is the NAME? The name is Jesus the Christ. All power in heaven and earth has been given unto him. THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY MAN IS TO BE SAVED EXCEPT THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Why do we refuse to use the NAME in baptism?
Acts: 2:41 3000 people were baptized IN HIS NAME. ( Because Peter had commanded them to in Acts 2: 38 )
Acts 19:2-6 He said unto them have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? They answered, "We haven't even heard of the Holy Ghost. And He said to them, unto them unto what were you baptized? They said, unto John's baptism. Then Paul said, "John surely baptized unto repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him who would come after him, that is, Jesus Christ. Then when they heard this, they were baptized in the NAME of Jesus Christ. And when Paul laid his hands on them they received the Holy Ghost. Even though these people were baptized by John the same way that Jesus received his baptism, they knew the necessity of being baptized in the NAME of Jesus Christ. When Peter spoke in Cornilius's house he said that even the prophets gave witness that it is by the NAME our sins are remitted.
Acts 4:11,12 This is the stone that was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner, Neither is there salvation in any other NAME under heaven given among men where by we must be saved.
There are many other places in the scripture where it strongly implies that the early church was baptized in the NAME of Jesus. When they said they were baptized in the NAME of the Lord, we must ask; what is the name of the Lord? It is Jesus isn't it? Doesn't it seem strange to you that the churches of this day refuse to use his name in baptism yet the apostles who walked with him and got their instructions directly from him, used his NAME in their baptisms by the commandment of Jesus in Luke 24: 46-47? These same churches who refuse his name in their baptisms will give THANKS in his name, they HEAL in his name, they CAST OUT DEVILS in his name, they ASK OF THE FATHER in his name, yet, they refuse to have their sins remitted and receive the Holy Ghost in his name. Not long ago I wanted to give out some tracts that I had written on eternal life to a prayer group that meets where I work.. However, in this tract I stated that we must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The leader of this group refused to let me pass them out because I made this statement. He asked me if I was a "Jesus only". I told him that I believed in three members of the Godhead. I said that my bible says that If I deny the Father I deny the Son as well. The very word Son denotes that there has to be a Father. Certainly no one will ever know the Father except he receives the Holy Ghost. And we cannot receive the Holy Ghost except by the NAME of his son, Jesus Christ. The only NAME given under heaven whereby we must be saved. Many good people do not really understand the oneness of God. The creator God IS love. It is hard for flesh to comprehend the fullness of love. God's love has no self in it. God loves the son Jesus Christ. Love itself can hold nothing back from that which it loves. This is the very nature of love. Since God is complete, entire and lacks nothing; that which he loves also becomes God. Jesus said, All that the Father has, he gives to me, and all that I have, I give to the Father. Because of this Jesus and the Father are ONE. God has all power and He is infinite love. How can they not be one? Would you hold anything back from your Son?
John 20 :31 But these things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and believing you might have life through his NAME.
One other thing I would like to point out to you This is found in Romans 6:3: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are burried with him by baptism into death. It says here we are baptized into Jesus christ. Unto his death. God did not die and the holy ghost did not die so we are baptized into Jesus Christ. How much plainer can you get?
May God bless you who have already been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. And may he show those of you who haven't been, the necessity of having your sins remitted and the receiving of the Holy Ghost. Those of you who believe that Matthew 28:19 is a direct commandment of Jesus please note that Luke 24: 46,47 is also a direct commandment of Jesus to the disciples. Peter obeyed Luke 24 when he told them how to be baptized. The Father has ordained this NAME above all names that are spoken under heaven. It is only by this name that salvation comes, no other. What God has ordained MUST stand. If you haven't been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, are you sure you're getting all that God has in store for his Sons? have your sins been remitted?
This tract was not written to cause division among God's people. This writer loves all people who believe that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way we will ever enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear let him hear"! That's Why this tract was written.
|
