Since the days of the early apostolic church, we have witnessed many doctrines being corrupted and changed. There is one doctrine in particular -- water baptism -- which the modern day religious culture has changed from the answer of a good conscience toward God (I Peter 3:20-21) to instead, a commitment to man-made, institutionalized religion. The recent movement to plant churches over the good news gospel message of inviting people to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus comes to mind, wherein we will endeavour to do things for the benefit of men, but not as the scripture states -- to do everything we do, in both word and deed, in the precious name of the Lord Jesus.
Over the centuries, the number of perversions made to the foundational doctrines cited in Hebrews 6:1-2 has not helped. Sadly, this includes the rejection of water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as taught and administered by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the new testament. (Acts 2:36-41)
One may be asking -- why is this important? As we know from the scriptures, Apostle Paul warned that wolves in sheep's clothing would come after him -- and he did this so that we who believe Jesus is both Lord and Christ would not be led astray. (Acts 2:36; Revelation 1:8) Indeed, Paul felt so strongly about this that he stated twice that if any man or angel preaches another gospel (a gospel other than the message he taught), let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)
Regarding water baptism specifically, many of today's religious institutions rely on Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19 as the accepted formula for water baptism. As we also know, this one scripture has also led to church goers believing in a triad god, a god with more than one head rather than the One and Same God who created us in the beginning personally delivering His message of salvation -- when He Himself decided to become a man. (I Timothy 3:16; Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11)
"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself ..." (II Corinthians 5:17)
So, in terms of water baptism, the question is this --did Jesus really intend for Matthew 28:19 to be used as a baptismal formula? When Jesus spoke, did He mean for these words to form the basis of a man-made formula for water baptism. Moreover, if we consider that the apostles never once baptized anyone in the titles (Father, Son, Holy Ghost/Spirit) -- not once, not ever -- but baptized always in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus, there emerges a problem.
But we know that God is not the author of confusion.
Thus, how do we reconcile these seemingly different intents? First, when we are confronted with scriptures that seemingly appear to be in conflict, we need to delve into the Word of God for clarity. The example which often comes to mind for me, is the world view that holds Jesus died on Friday and rose again on Sunday. But this is not the 3 days and 3 nights which Matthew refers to in the scriptures when he writes the Son of man will be in the bowels of the earth for the same time frame which Jonah was inside the body of a whale. That is, three days and three nights. We know Jesus rose on the first day of the week, but now we know He did not shed His precious, holy blood on that cross (for our salvation) on a Friday. One single verse provides sufficient proof that the worldly view about Easter is not accurate.
As James further points out, we who believe are to study the scriptures to ensure accuracy, and in so doing, ensure that none of the church plants or the preachers/teachers therein err in a way that leads us away from the truth.
Again, the foundational doctrines for the new testament faith are found in Hebrews 6:1-2. The beginning of the new testament church displayed in Acts 2.
Thus, how do we reconcile these seemingly different intents? First, when we are confronted with scriptures that seemingly appear to be in conflict, we need to delve into the Word of God for clarity. The example which often comes to mind for me, is the world view that holds Jesus died on Friday and rose again on Sunday. But this is not the 3 days and 3 nights which Matthew refers to in the scriptures when he writes the Son of man will be in the bowels of the earth for the same time frame which Jonah was inside the body of a whale. That is, three days and three nights. We know Jesus rose on the first day of the week, but now we know He did not shed His precious, holy blood on that cross (for our salvation) on a Friday. One single verse provides sufficient proof that the worldly view about Easter is not accurate.
As James further points out, we who believe are to study the scriptures to ensure accuracy, and in so doing, ensure that none of the church plants or the preachers/teachers therein err in a way that leads us away from the truth.
Again, the foundational doctrines for the new testament faith are found in Hebrews 6:1-2. The beginning of the new testament church displayed in Acts 2.
Getting back to Matthew 28:19, the question is -- which baptismal formula is correct? Should a water baptism include the following -- "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19) or as the apostles continually stated, -- "in the name of Jesus Christ ...?" (Acts 2:38). When someone studies the scriptures, the Lord reveals unto them the truth of the gospel. He leads and guides us into all truth. This should explain why a quick comparison of the wording within both scriptures and the context in which each verse occurs will bring us all to a right conclusion ... as we read in Acts 2:36-41.
Also, when we read the scriptures around Matthew 28:19, the context of a God made up of three different heads does not hold. From Matthew 28:18-20:
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in 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: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19)
Later, in Acts 2, Peter is standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost confirming the apostles were in one accord when the first 3,000 souls repented and were water baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Is this contrary to what Jesus said, as some might have us believe? Again, no, God is not the author of confusion. What we do see here is that the writers of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) each documented Jesus' instructions in the particular gospel they penned. But Jesus also made it quite clear to His disciples that these instructions would begin at Jerusalem. (Acts 1:19)
"Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold I send the promise of My Father upon you [the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost] but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." And Jesus led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy ..." (Luke 24:45-52)
Also, when we read the scriptures around Matthew 28:19, the context of a God made up of three different heads does not hold. From Matthew 28:18-20:
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in 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: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19)
Later, in Acts 2, Peter is standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost confirming the apostles were in one accord when the first 3,000 souls repented and were water baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Is this contrary to what Jesus said, as some might have us believe? Again, no, God is not the author of confusion. What we do see here is that the writers of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) each documented Jesus' instructions in the particular gospel they penned. But Jesus also made it quite clear to His disciples that these instructions would begin at Jerusalem. (Acts 1:19)
"Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold I send the promise of My Father upon you [the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost] but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." And Jesus led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy ..." (Luke 24:45-52)
Who did these worship? Jesus! These did not worship multiple (small g) gods but instead worshipped "the Lord our God; the One and Only God whose name in this current dispensation of grace is Jesus.
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" (Acts 2:38).
In other scriptures where baptism took place -- "...only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus"(Acts 8:16) "... they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:1-5) "Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38) "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48) "Be baptized...calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16) "so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death" (Romans 6:3)
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
"Buried with Him in baptism." (Colossians 2:12)
So again, what did Jesus have to say about repentance? "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
So again, what did Jesus have to say about baptism? "... he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned."(Mark 16:16)
You see, Jesus linked believing in Him by faith and water baptism as one. But He did not stop there. What did Jesus have to say about the Spirit? In speaking with Nicodemus, Jesus answered, saying, "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." (John 3:5)
Particularly noteworthy is Jesus' statement to His disciples later -- "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost!" (John 20:22).
If we summarize Jesus message herein, we discover that Acts 2:38 contains the very same components for salvation. That is, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, receiving the Holy Ghost. Therefore, when we repent, and are water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we become clothed in His righteousness, having received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
There is much more to be discussed but this should serve as a starting point -- that the Great Shepherd we serve willingly laid down His life for His sheep.
Stand in the offering plate.
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