Continuing from the last post (on the subject of water baptism) - noting baptism is one of the foundational doctrines cited in Hebrews 6:1-2, we delve into the relationship between the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and how it relates to water baptism in the new testament scriptures. The pivotal point herein -- to reconcile Matthew 28:19 with Peter and the other apostle's teaching in Acts 2:36-41.
Note that there is a specific purpose for water baptism. In the last post, we confirmed that water baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God. (I Peter 3:21) We also described water baptism in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus as a means for becoming clothed in His righteousness.
In Paul's instruction to the Romans, he describes baptism in this way: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)
As a side note, apostle Paul was baptized when he was with Ananias, after meeting the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. Here again, Paul confirms that he was baptized into Jesus Christ when he writes -- that so many of "us" as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. This is important because there are church leaders who do not believe Paul was water baptized -- even though the scriptures clearly state he was.
Moving forward, we also recognize that the act of being buried is not a sprinkling of dirt on top of us -- as some man-made religions perform for infant baptism -- but going into the water and coming forth - buried with Him; raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. Why? So that we can walk in newness of life. Before we get too far ahead, we should also note that repentance /faith in Jesus/ believing in Him precedes water baptism (which should unequivocally end any arguments advocating infant baptism).
"... by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (I Corinthians 15:2-4)
If we examine this scripture further, we can see the direct connection to Acts 2:38. That is, repentance - "how that Christ died for our sins"; water baptism -- "and that He was buried"; receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost -- " and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
In the last post, it was reiterated that God is not the Author of confusion. All the scriptures must align perfectly; being given for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16)
So when we return to the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19, we understand that His instruction refers only to the element of baptism, or the burial in the water that apostle Paul speaks of in Romans. In contrast, Acts 2:38 contains all the necessary components of the born-again, salvation experience -- both water and Spirit. As Jesus said to Nicodemus, "ye must be born of water and of the Spirit." (John 3:5)
In speaking of salvation with Nicodemus, Jesus answers, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, "Ye must be born again." The wind blows where it lists, and thou hear the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8)
Equally important, the "risen" Jesus instructs His disciples (120 praying in the upper room) to tarry at Jerusalem until they receive the power from on high. In the first chapter of Acts, we see the Lord ascend. "After He was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen ..." (Acts 2:2-3)
It is in this context that we begin to understand the difference between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. For one, Peter and the apostles in one accord were where they were supposed to be - the place where the new testament church was to begin -- "beginning at Jerusalem." Conversely, Matthew 28:19 did not occur in Jerusalem.
"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:16-19)
Both repentance and remission of sins are both mentioned by the apostles (in one accord) in Acts 2:38, whereas repentance and remission of sins are not mentioned in Matthew 28:19. The referenced name in Matthew 28:19 is singular -- meaning only one name was intended. Although His Name was not specifically mentioned in Matthew 28:19, Jesus would have known the name that was above every other name; the only name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
The other point to remember is that the salvation message could only be given -- after Jesus ascended -- and when the apostles were tarrying in Jerusalem. Only then could the salvation message of repentance, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus and the receiving of the Holy Ghost occur, as per Acts 2:38. Note also that water baptism was not mentioned by the apostles until the day of Pentecost, when the good news gospel message would be disseminated -- beginning at Jerusalem.
From the end of Matthew to the beginning of Acts, we see the revealed name -- the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38 is the revealed consequence of Matthew 28:19! The apostles now understood that this same Jesus whom had been crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
When Peter told the crowd at Jerusalem, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" he followed up quickly with an explanation of why baptism should be in the name of Jesus Christ -- for the remission of sins. This is the same message we read in Luke 24:47 - in My name.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Thus, the revealed name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is Jesus Christ -- the name given to the apostles at Jerusalem. The same name given by the angel -- "And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)
So what led to the current modern day religious culture adopting a practice that is contrary to the apostles in the book of Acts -- even though this same Jesus -- through the Holy Ghost gave the apostles whom He had chosen the instructions they were to follow?
As S. Criss so rightly states: "Carnal-minded men during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, who had lost sight of the one God in Christ, resorted to formulating a "trinity" concept of God: they made the error of reaching back prior to the apostles' message at Jerusalem, using Matthew 28:19 made at Galilee as a basis for their triune godhead concept. They merely repeated Matthew 28:19 over a baptismal candidate instead of looking to Jerusalem (Acts 2:38) to understand how Matthew 28:19 is fulfilled in Acts 2:38. These carnal men failed to look ahead to Jerusalem in scripture. They failed to use the response the apostles gave to the crowd at Jerusalem (Acts 2:38) They failed to see in scripture and realize that Matthew 28:19 was not fulfilled until Jerusalem! The Apostles understood that our great God created all things, including humanity---He is our Father in creation!
The same Spirit that was upon the "face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2) is the same Spirit within the manifestation of flesh (Son)--"the Father that dwells within Me He does the works".....and that same Spirit from the departed one (Christ) lives within believers today
"Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you ..." (II Corinthians 13:5)
"And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:5).
The name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is Jesus the Christ! The disciples never understood the words of "Father", "Son", and "Holy Ghost" found in Matthew 28:19 to relate to "persons" of a trinity, but as roles (titles if you will) of a relationship between God Himself and humanity -- the Creator (Father); the Redeemer (Son); the spiritual regenerator within the believer (Holy Ghost).
Therefore, salvation began at Jerusalem and not Galilee. For the record as well, salvation did not emanate from Rome. Just as the Old Testament priests invoked the name of God over the Jewish people as a sign of a covenant relationship, so did the apostles invoke the Name of Jesus over the believers at baptism as the sign of a new covenant relationship with God.
"And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15)
Yes, the risen Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords; the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the ending; the Great I AM -- the Great Shepherd who laid down His life for you and I. Don't get caught up with the traditions of men but with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, ask the Lord God (who willingly became our Saviour) to reveal Himself to you.
This same Jesus who said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
Stand in the offering plate.
The other point to remember is that the salvation message could only be given -- after Jesus ascended -- and when the apostles were tarrying in Jerusalem. Only then could the salvation message of repentance, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus and the receiving of the Holy Ghost occur, as per Acts 2:38. Note also that water baptism was not mentioned by the apostles until the day of Pentecost, when the good news gospel message would be disseminated -- beginning at Jerusalem.
From the end of Matthew to the beginning of Acts, we see the revealed name -- the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38 is the revealed consequence of Matthew 28:19! The apostles now understood that this same Jesus whom had been crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
When Peter told the crowd at Jerusalem, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" he followed up quickly with an explanation of why baptism should be in the name of Jesus Christ -- for the remission of sins. This is the same message we read in Luke 24:47 - in My name.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Thus, the revealed name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is Jesus Christ -- the name given to the apostles at Jerusalem. The same name given by the angel -- "And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)
So what led to the current modern day religious culture adopting a practice that is contrary to the apostles in the book of Acts -- even though this same Jesus -- through the Holy Ghost gave the apostles whom He had chosen the instructions they were to follow?
As S. Criss so rightly states: "Carnal-minded men during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, who had lost sight of the one God in Christ, resorted to formulating a "trinity" concept of God: they made the error of reaching back prior to the apostles' message at Jerusalem, using Matthew 28:19 made at Galilee as a basis for their triune godhead concept. They merely repeated Matthew 28:19 over a baptismal candidate instead of looking to Jerusalem (Acts 2:38) to understand how Matthew 28:19 is fulfilled in Acts 2:38. These carnal men failed to look ahead to Jerusalem in scripture. They failed to use the response the apostles gave to the crowd at Jerusalem (Acts 2:38) They failed to see in scripture and realize that Matthew 28:19 was not fulfilled until Jerusalem! The Apostles understood that our great God created all things, including humanity---He is our Father in creation!
The same Spirit that was upon the "face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2) is the same Spirit within the manifestation of flesh (Son)--"the Father that dwells within Me He does the works".....and that same Spirit from the departed one (Christ) lives within believers today
"Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you ..." (II Corinthians 13:5)
"And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:5).
The name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is Jesus the Christ! The disciples never understood the words of "Father", "Son", and "Holy Ghost" found in Matthew 28:19 to relate to "persons" of a trinity, but as roles (titles if you will) of a relationship between God Himself and humanity -- the Creator (Father); the Redeemer (Son); the spiritual regenerator within the believer (Holy Ghost).
Therefore, salvation began at Jerusalem and not Galilee. For the record as well, salvation did not emanate from Rome. Just as the Old Testament priests invoked the name of God over the Jewish people as a sign of a covenant relationship, so did the apostles invoke the Name of Jesus over the believers at baptism as the sign of a new covenant relationship with God.
"And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15)
Yes, the risen Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords; the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the ending; the Great I AM -- the Great Shepherd who laid down His life for you and I. Don't get caught up with the traditions of men but with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, ask the Lord God (who willingly became our Saviour) to reveal Himself to you.
This same Jesus who said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
Stand in the offering plate.
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