Baptism- Fact or Fallacy?
By Timothy McQueen
There is much controversy about baptism. Both mode and formula are in question. Lets study this question together in the light of God’s Word.
MODE OR FORMULA
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.Ephesians 4:5 John also was baptizing at Aenon because there was much water. John 3:23 And they went both down into the water.Acts 8:38-39
We are buried with Him by baptism into His death. Romans 6:4 Jesus said, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Luke 16:16 Peter said, eight souls were saved by water in Noah’s time.. the like figure doth also save us. I Peter 3:20-21
Since baptism is important to salvation don’t you think you should check it out for yourself, and make sure you were baptized like the early church, (by immersion) which is baptism. Romans 6:4; Gal. 3:27.
Now let us look into the second question of baptism, taught and used by the early church.” How can we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which began to be spoken by the Lord first and confirmed by thosethat heard Him. Hebrews 2:3
SPOKEN BY THE LORD
“Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”Matt. 28:19
Now let’s be honest with ourselves, for we must stand before God and give an account for every word and thought. It is our soul at stake! Let’s take time to analyze this verse.
Is Father a name?
Is Son a name?
Is the Holy Ghost a name?
These are all titles, not names. This verse is not a formula, but rather a prepositional phrase, describing a name.
Let’s look into the Word of God for the name, (name is singular) of the Father. In Malachi 1:11, the Father said, “His name would be great among the Gentiles”
That through the name (Jesus) whosoever believeth in Him shall have remission of sins. Acts 10:43 See also: Matt. 12:21; Phil. 2:9-10; Romans 1: 16; Acts 8:12, 1 Corinthians 2:2. As you can clearly see, the only name that was ever great among the Gentiles is Jesus, which means Jehovah Saviour.
Jesus said, “I come in my Father’s name”. John 5:43
THE NAME OF THE SON
There is no need to waste valuable space, and time to explain the name of the Son, for everyone knows the name of the Son is Jesus. Matt: 1:18-21
THE NAME OF THE HOLY GHOST
First of all the Holy Ghost is the Father (Matt. 1:18-21). Mary conceived by the Holy Ghost. Whosoever a person is conceived by is their father. Jesus was a child of the Holy Ghost, also in Eph. 4:2, there is one spirit, God is a Spirit. John 4:24. Holy mans pure. Ghost is a spirit. If then there is only Spirit the Father and the Holy Ghost are the same, and have the same name. Jesus said, “The Holy Ghost would come in His name.” John 14:26
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
So it is plain that Jesus opened up the understanding of the Apostles, Luke 24:45, and taught them that remission and repentance of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-48
The thing we should be concerned with, is the thing spoken by the Lord, and confirmed by His Apostles. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sin should be preached beginning at Jerusalem, in His name. Luke 24:47 “But tarry in Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high” verse 49. The plan of salvation was not preached until the Holy Ghost came.
Now we have found what was spoken by the Lord. Let’s see if it was confirmed by the Apostles, as the Apostles were waiting in Jerusalem as instructed, the Holy Ghost came as promised. Acts 2:1-4. Then Peter being the spokesman for the group stood up, with all the other Apostles, and as they stood, no doubt the Holy Ghost brought to their remembrance the thing spoken by the Lord. John 14:25 “Then Peter said unto them, REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.”Acts 2:38
Here we have REPENTANCE and REMISSION of sin, preached in His name. Beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47. How can we escape if we neglect! Heb. 2:3
Jesus said, “Peter, what you loose or bind on earth is bound in heaven.” Matt. 16:19 We know there is no salvation in any other name, but Jesus name. Acts 4:12. The Samaritans were baptized in His name. Acts 8:16. Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized in His name. Acts 10:48. The followers of John the Baptist were re-baptized in Jesus’ name. Acts 19: 1-5. Paul also insinuated that
the Corinthians were baptized in Jesus’ name. I Corin. 1:11-13.
We see in the hour of darkness in which we live, that people are coming to the truth which has been hidden by the beast for so long. Whose bride are you? The Church is the bride and Jesus is the Bridegroom. The bride always wears the name of the Bridegroom. Do you?
