Jesus Said, "Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me" - Part 1072

Often, we see Peter taking centre stage. He is usually "standing with the eleven" with singleness of heart, but Peter is speaking. (Acts 2:14) This is the case in Acts 10 when Peter was speaking with Cornelius, his kinsmen and near friends.

And he said unto them, "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore, came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?" (Acts 10:27-29)

And Cornelius answered Peter, saying, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thine alms are had in remembrance in the site of God." Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter, [he] is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side; who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee." (Acts 10:30-32)

What did Cornelius do? The scriptures state that "immediately" Cornelius sent for Peter, announcing to one and all upon his arrival, "Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." (Acts 10:33)

Then Peter started speaking. He said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The Word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all -- that Word [I say] ye know, which was published throughout all Juda-ea and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached -- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hung on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.

And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead, to Him give all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:34-43)

If Peter was part of the modern day religious culture, he would have stopped preaching here. As in you believe in Jesus, you shall receive remission of sins. But what significance happened that is not taught in our churches?

 "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all 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." (Acts 10:44-46)

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)

And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:48) The same name of the Lord Jesus whereby the first 3,000 believers in the early Church were baptized in Acts 2:37-42. Note that in that instance too, Peter, standing with the eleven preached. The same name was used when the eunuch was baptized by Phillip. "See [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (Acts 8:36)

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Phillip, that the eunuch saw him nor more, and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:37-40)

Saul is yet another example. When Saul, who later became Paul received back his eyesight, Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt [there], said, "Brother Saul, receive thy sight. The God of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:10-16)

Note that earlier Saul/Paul had asked, "Who art Thou Lord?" and Jesus answered, "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest." (Acts 22:8) You see, Paul knew who the Lord was. In fact, there wasn't any doubt in his mind. This is why Paul, by then a servant of Jesus Christ, called an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures wrote: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3)

The question is -- do you know? Are you aware that in every water baptism recorded in the scriptures, every single one was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus? There was no trinity or tri-une God, or God in three persons, or Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the churches openly proclaim. Indeed, beyond the revisions made by the Roman Catholic church in third century AD -- whereby Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19 were changed -- there is NO record of a believer ever being water baptized in any form other than in the name of Jesus.

So, what does that mean for us today? It means we need to be baptized into the precious name of Jesus Christ too. (Romans 6:3) "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

It does not mean "else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand in jeopardy every hour?" (I Corinthians 15:29-30)

Rather, as believers in Jesus by faith, seeking His righteousness, we need to firmly take hold of the Lord Jesus -- just like Paul and Peter standing with the eleven took hold of the victory "through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57). We need to embrace His truth. We need to awaken to righteousness and sin not, and be steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58)

Stand in the offering plate.