As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if [it] so be [that] you have tasted that the Lord is gracious --- to whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light -- which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2:2-10)
Yesterday, we spoke about wisdom and how God was not the author of confusion. Today, we are informed that we will not "stumble at the Word" because the Lord will give us understanding. He will guide us into all truth. This direction and instruction will not just be given in our day to day but in Biblical truths as well. Therefore, our learning will not end at the gospels but we will progress to the Book of Acts, and read how the apostles implemented Jesus' teachings in ministering.
Therein, water baptism, for example, is clearly explained. As we journey through the book of Acts, we read that every individual baptized did so in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first 3,000 people to be saved on the Day of Pentecost were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Indeed, these pricked in their hearts asked Peter, standing with the eleven, "What must we do to be saved?" The answer was specific, and it did not lead to confusion, as some church denominations claim this scripture does today.
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 God shall call ... and [the 3,000] continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, and fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done y the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things in common."
No divisions. No confusion. No arguing about church doctrines. Just a simple acceptance of the truth. In the book of Acts, there are nine accounts of water baptism taking place. Seven of the nine records of baptism pertain to the establishing of six different churches. The remaining baptisms refer to the baptism of the Ethiopian and the baptism of Paul, who was formerly Saul.
So, just to be clear, the message from Peter and the eleven in Acts chapter two was directed to the church at Jerusalem. Later, in Acts 8:12-17, the people of Samaria believed Phillip's preaching concerning the Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ. There, both men and women were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. How did Phillip know to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ? From his home church in Jerusalem. (Acts 8:34-39)
Water baptism to the church at Caesarea is elaborated on in Acts 10:42-48. While Peter preached Jesus to the Gentiles, the Holy Ghost fell on all that heard the Word. (As an aside, note in Acts 10:36 "The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all). The baptisms followed immediately.
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:44-48)
The church in Philippi had a similar experience in Acts 1:14-34. The first convert was a woman named Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened at the preaching of Paul. As a consequence, both she and her household were baptized. Then the Philippian jailer and his household were baptized, together establishing the first church at Philippi. Although the name of Jesus is not specifically mentioned here, it can be assumed that since Paul baptized the Ephesians in the name of Jesus, he also did so for Lydia and the jailer, and their respective households.
In Acts 18:1-11, we read about Paul's ministry at Corinth. We read that Justus and also Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue believed on the Lord with all his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized. Note that Paul talks about baptism in I Corinthians 1:13 when he states, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I baptized in mine own name ..." (I Corinthians 1:13-18)
Again, in Acts 19:1-7, we read that Paul baptized those who up until that point knew only the baptism of John -- in the name of Jesus, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues and prophesying. The last record of water baptism is explained in Acts 9:1-35, after Saul is converted. Therein, he is instructed to bring the name of Jesus to the Gentiles. "But the Lord said unto Him, Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, for I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16)
Continuing on to verse 27, Barnabas brings Paul to the apostles, declaring unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
"And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus ..." (Acts 9:29) Chapter 22 elaborates further on Paul's testimony. "The God of our fathers has chosen thee that thou shouldest know His will and see that Just One and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth ..." (Acts 22:14-15) Then Ananias, a devout man according to the law asks, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Paul further confirms his baptize in the name of Jesus in Romans 6:3 when he writes, "so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death."
As for Matthew 28:19 (admittedly changed by the Roman Catholic Church), you need to understand that the "name" of the Father, and the "name" of the Son, and the "name" of the holy Spirit is Jesus, and Jesus alone. Praise His holy name.
Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment