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4. Question: In light of Acts 2:38 does this mean that those who have not been baptized in the singular name of “Jesus” are not really and truly saved? Or in other words, are those Believers who were baptized in the titles of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit really still lost?
“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.” Acts 2:38
Answer: No! Because though I personally believe that all Believers should be baptized in the singular name of “Jesus” after the Biblical pattern and in obedience to the Lord's commandments. I also believe that regardless of the method used, be it the singular name of Jesus or the titles of the Trinity Godhead? What really matters is the heart of the individual who is not just placing their faith in the spoken or written name of Jesus during the act of baptism; But, they are actually expressing their faith in the living Christ who that name and/or the titles of that name represents. In other words, such Believers may very well be ignorant of and might be in disobedience to the exact letter of the law as interpreted by those who demand the strictest compliance. But yet they are obeying the Gospel from their true hearts of faith in obedience to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:8-11
In reference to the preceding text, I personally do not know of any true Believer who is serving the Lord and was baptized in the titles of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who does not also confess the Lord Jesus Christ both verbally and heartfully by the manifested light of God’s Word and Holy Spirit in their lives. Many are even filled with the Holy Ghost and walk in the gifts of the Spirit. And yet I've known others who have been baptized in the titles of the Trinity and also some who were baptized in the singular name of Jesus whose very lives deny the reality of both their verbal confessions and their baptisms. Therefore, what difference does it really matter how they were baptized when they are going to hell anyway if they do not repent?
You see, there are much deeper issues involved in this matter of being saved that are of far greater consequence than simply getting the terminology correct at one's baptism. Like, how about trying to contend for at least getting the heart right before being baptized? Now there’s a Biblical concept worth contending for. Yet sadly, there are many who believe that their only hope of salvation is in being baptized correctly. And just like those who embrace the delusion of being “Unconditionally and Eternally Secure,” (simply because they once said a prayer in an emotional moment of faith;) so in like manner, such as these believe that they are “Unconditionally and Spiritually Secure” because they were once baptized using the correct terminology.
It is really a matter of common sense to understand that new converts are not yet confused by all these legalistic demands about baptism that are out there. They are simply walking in the light as they know it and as their "Trinity" or "Oneness" leaders have taught it to them. Yet God accepts their humble hearts and the child like faith which they express in dependence upon Him for their salvation through His Son. It's not our business to condemn and damn such simply because we disagree with the method in which they were baptized. To do so would be to forget the Person and Character of whom that Holy Name represents and which we are contending for. God knows their hearts and motives and God forbid that we allow ourselves to be the instruments of Satan in offending such believers who are only innocent victims caught in the cross fire of this controversy over the issue of baptism. Because while it is important to contend for the full Gospel message, we must do so in meekness towards those seeking believers who are still growing in the grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as we ourselves are.
And while it is sad that there are whole denominations out there whose leaders reject the name of Jesus Christ in baptism because they fear that they will be misjudged as an Oneness Apostolic? We must realize that our enemy is not those who were, and are, baptized in the titles of the Trinity Godhead. Our enemy is the spiritual kingdom of darkness which seeks to corrupt both Trinity and Oneness Believers with bitter envying and strife’s which are rooted in the religious pride of men's hearts against the very love of God for those He died to save. Yet if we are wise and remain faithful to preach and teach the Gospel without such bitter envying and strife’s, we might very well become the vessels of light which shall lead those straying Trinity and Oneness Believers out of the darkness and back to the true path of God's love for His Church.
Is it not strange that when hearing or reading of these debates concerning the Trinity and Oneness doctrines of baptism and salvation, we rarely if ever hear anyone talking about the love of God for those we differ with? And what about our love for one another, Is it not written that if we love not our brother we abide in death?
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1st John 3:14-24
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1st John 4:7-21
In light of the preceding Scriptural text, where does that leave all those Trinity and Oneness leaders who are so quick to condemn and damn each other's innocent converts as being unsaved “Trinity” cult followers on the one hand and brainwashed “Jesus” name deniers on the other? Are they so blind that they do not realize they are walking in hate and as doing such they abide in death and do not have eternal life abiding within them?
In conclusion, If you are following another man's teaching which provokes bitter envying and strife in your own heart against other Believer's over the method they use in baptism, be it the titles of “The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” or the singular name of “Jesus.” It might be wise to consider the following Scriptures. For it is written:
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1st Corinthians 3:1-3
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:13-18
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