|
2. Question: How did the Apostles interpret the instructions of Jesus to baptize in the “name” of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit which are actually the titles of the Trinity Godhead?
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19
Answer: In every instance and account of baptism recorded in the New Testament book of Acts, we read that every Believer was commanded and instructed to be (and was) baptized in the singular name of the “Lord” and/or “Jesus Christ.” Yet there is not one recorded instance where it is written in the New Testament that anyone was ever baptized using the titles of the Trinity. Therefore it is only logical to conclude that the Apostles understood that Jesus was instructing them to baptize in the singular “name” of “Jesus” as it is written:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
Not Jesus Only but Jesus Everything!
Sadly, there are those in today’s Church who have become bitter in a spirit of envy and strife that has defiled so many in relation to controversies concerning the Trinitarian and Oneness Teachings. There is one Apostolic Radio Preacher out of Detroit who actually teaches that 1st John 5:7 was added to the Bible to purposely deceive God’s people into believing in the Trinity. Yet there are a lot of Trinitarian Preachers who are just as dishonest in rejecting the message of Acts 2:38.
God help those people who can’t read Scriptures like 1st John 5:7 and Acts 2:38 without rejecting them as being heresy because some other group uses them to teach errors of extremism. This is the Word of God we are talking about here and I’m not about to tear it out of my Bible or fear teaching it because of other people’s unwarranted errors and/or another’s religious politics against those errors.
It is really wrong how every one wants to put you in a certain denominational box and label you for expressing your convictions. If you believe in the “Trinity” then one group says that you are a Trinitarian and they assume that you must therefore be baptized in the titles of: “The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” Yet if you believe in being baptized in the singular name of “Jesus” then another group will say that you are a “Unitarian” and they will assume that you do not believe in the Trinity.
Yet I happen to believe in the Trinity and I also believe in Baptism in the singular Name of “Jesus” just as all the Apostles believed and baptized according to the Biblical record. Yet I do not believe a person is saved by the terminology that is used during baptism. Nor does my theology exclude people from being saved because they were baptized using the titles of the “Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost” instead of the singular name of “Jesus.”
The Apostles taught and believed in the Three Persons of the Godhead and they also baptized in the singular Name of the Lord which is “Jesus.” So both the Trinitarians and the Unitarians have a problem. Because one group rejects baptism in the name of Jesus and the other rejects the Trinity, and yet both are Biblical realities. And to be honest, many (“MANY”) of those who believe in the Trinity and use the titles of “Father, Son and Holy Ghost” to baptize. Can be just as exclusive and Cult like in their formulas and methods of baptism as those who baptize in the name of “Jesus” only.
I personally believe that behind all this confusion, there is this simple reality that it is not merely the “name” of Jesus as a term that we are to be baptized in. But, rather; it is the “person” of Jesus who we are identifying with in baptism. Thus one might be baptized in the name of the “Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost” using the Trinity formula or method or terminology or whatever you want to call it? And yet, still be just as saved as if they were baptized in the singular name of Jesus. Because in their heart of hearts, they themselves are looking unto “Jesus” as their Savior and in baptism they are identifying with Him in His Death, Burial and Resurrection as a public confession of their Faith.
It is sad that so many Trinitarians label anyone who was baptized in the singular name of “Jesus” as being a cult member. Some even go as far as refusing to accept any one as being saved who was not baptized in the Trinity titles of: “Father, Son and Holy Ghost;” Thus, the accusation of being a “Cult” can be laid on both sides of the fence here, against both the Trinitarians and the Unitarians. Because in reality, those (Trinitarians and Unitarians) who are legalistically basing their hope of salvation upon the method in which they were baptized in; rather than basing their Hope and faith in the Man Jesus - are dangerously treading very thin theological ice at best, and are actually fallen through the cracks of a false theology at worst.
In other words: The letter of the Law kills but the Spirit of the Word gives life. The difference between a true and false believer in this context; is that, one has faith in their method of using a name (or titles of that name) in baptism and makes an idol out of their methods and calls it salvation and the other has faith in a Man called by that name and makes Him the Lord of their lives in obedience to His Word unto Salvation.
Believe, Be Baptized and Be Filled
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Saving yourselves from this untoward generation.” Acts 2:38-40
I declare God's grace to you JESUS CHRIST is God in truth
His Word it tells us that we must repent To turn from our sins and be born again
This is the glorious gospel that saves Believe and Be Baptized In Jesus Name
Renounce the hidden deeds you've done Confess you're lost and so undone
Reject the world and its pleasures loved Be filled by the Spirit from up above
His Cross no more to despise and hate His Word to love, to live and pray
Hear the Holy Spirit calling unto you What with this JESUS shall you do? © 1996 Raymond Bolton Pena
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
Though the Articles and Poetic Contemplations on this Website are copyrighted, you are most welcome to make printed copies for free distribution only according to these conditions: You must copy them in their entirety, including the copyright notice at the end of each poem along with this notice of permission. Thank You. RemnantLifeMinistries.Net <<<<{{{{((((((((R.L.M.)))))))}}}}>>>> |