Repentance and Baptism - PART 80

Luke 24 : 45 He opened their understanding enlightening them to the meaning of the scriptures. Within the scriptures, it is written that Christ should suffer and arise from among the dead on the third day. If we continue reading, we see in verse 47 that repentance and remission of sin should be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem. This signifies the commission. 


Reading on, Acts chapter 2 records that in Jerusalem, Peter, being one of the twelve equals was preaching. Actually it was the first time that public preaching had voiced/occurred since the disciples had received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. In verse 36, the scriptures proclaim that all of Israel should know assuredly that God has declared that Jesus who was crucified is both Lord and Christ. Upon hearing this in verse 37, the people were moved to the depths of their hearts.


They asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, what are we to do? The response? Repent, change your views, and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting Him. And, as an expression of your repentance, let every one of you be baptised (immersed) into the name of Jesus, that you may have your sins forgiven, and you shall receive the promised free gift of the Holy Spirit.


This promised gift is to you and your children and also to those who are not as yet born, according to verse 37. Yes indeed! The promise is to everyone who the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Him. As a consequence, all who welcomed the message were gladly baptised, adding 3000 persons to the number of believers that day.


The following scriptural references uphold the continuance and practice of the great commission as outlined in the scriptures - Acts 2:41 Acts 12 :16 Acts 10 :48 Acts 16 :14 - 33 Acts 18: 8 Acts 19 : 16 Gal. 3 : 27 Col. 2 :12 Rom. 6 :1-4.

So what do the church fathers advocate in contrast to the above renderings? They asserted that all of the above was in need of their interpretation. Apparently, in their opinion, the ones chosen by Jesus to be His witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth were incapable of discerning what Jesus meant when He said "they were to be baptised in His name."


What Jesus was really saying is that they were to baptise using the authority of His name, but not actually in His name, They were to baptise in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit but not in the name of Jesus who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The question then begs to be asked. Is the word of God coming to you OR is it coming out from you?


Father, Son, and Spirit are descriptive titles. A partial list of authorities that challenge their deception include the Canney Encyclopedia of Religion (p. 53) and the Catholic Encyclopedia. In the latter text, the Catholics acknowledge that baptism into Jesus' name was changed by the Catholic Church (p. 263). Another text that alludes to the same is the Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion which states “in the name of Jesus” (Volume 2, page 378 and page 389). In another reference of the Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion -Volume 2 p. 377, it elaborates on Acts 2:38. The New International Encyclopedia in Volume 22 p. 477 as well. Indeed, the list goes on and on. 


The key to this post then is that the scriptural version remains correct.  The above encyclopedia references trace the origin of baptism using descriptive titles. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (the now Pope) said that the origin of trinity baptism as it relates to the interpretation of Matthew 28 :19 came from the city of Rome. I hope this helps to clarify the scriptures. Jesus sent the apostles to Jerusalem to preach Jesus, and His holy Spirit -- the Holy Ghost - confirmed the apostles doctrine with signs -and wonders. (Acts 2:37-42) 

God Bless!