In contrast to the ultimate salvation
message of our Lord God and Saviour, the spirits of this world continually work
– ever zealously -- to create a world full of division and chaos, whereby Jesus’
teachings are often misinterpreted by the status quo religious of this day. Indeed,
even our Lord God and Saviour Jesus faced this same type of situation when the
Pharisees heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than his
forerunner, John the Baptist.
However, as we read in John chapter four, the
Lord already knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John the Baptist. Still, had the Pharisees searched their
scriptural premises, these would have recognized that Jesus Himself had not baptized anyone.
Rather, according to John chapter four, Jesus’ disciples baptized people. (John 4:1-4)
This raises an interesting point. Certainly,
if Jesus’ disciples were responsible for baptizing those who believed while
Jesus walked on earth, then these same disciples would have understood the
principles and teachings associated with water baptism. These would have
aligned their actions with the Master’s teachings.
For example, when Peter, standing with
the eleven in Acts chapter two said to the three thousand on the Day of Pentecost,
“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” the
disciples would have already been acting in accordance with the teachings of
Jesus. After all, Jesus had instructed them that in whatsoever they do in word
or deed, do all in the name of Jesus.
Further, as we know from Matthew chapter 28, Jesus confirmed
His teachings when He spoke with His disciples on the mountain. Jesus said, “All
power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore 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 always,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mark chapter sixteen elaborates further on this point, Therein,
Jesus appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with
their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed that Jesus
had risen, as they had been informed by Mary Madgalene.
Herein, Jesus said, “Go
ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And
these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out
devils, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents and if
they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on
the sick, and they shall recover.”
As we know also, the disciples went forth, “preaching the
good news gospel message of Jesus everywhere, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the Word with signs following.” (Mark 16:15-20) Preaching the good news gospel of the Kingdom –
His Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Throughout the book of Acts, the
disciples baptized people in the name of the Lord Jesus. In fact, there are no
examples of baptism written in the book of Acts whereby a person (or persons)
were baptized using any reference other than the name of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus.
So why then do so many churches today baptize
parishioners and people within their congregations using any other reference
than the name of Jesus? The same Christ who people said, “Never man spake like
this man.” (John 7:46) The same Jesus whereby the scriptures record as the “only
name” under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. Jesus -- the King
of kings and Lord of lords whose footstool is earth itself. The same God in the
flesh who commands the winds to stop.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He that follows
Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) “I
am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John
10:11) “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25) “I am come a light into the world,
that whosoever believes on Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46) Jesus
said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth on
Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water.” (John 7:37-38)
Like the disciples, we need to align our hearts and
actions with the Word, doing all things that we do in word or deed – in the
name of Jesus. (John 1:1-18) This includes water baptism – because at the end
of the day, our focus should be to “willingly do His will” conforming not to
the spirits of this world, and the divisions and havoc that result.
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