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Why So Many Churches and Which One is Right?

By Irvin Baxter, Jr.

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, I should go to church, but there are so many different kinds, which teach so many different beliefs, that I would have no idea which one to attend? Why are there so many different “Christian” churches?!

Do you know that it was prophesied in the Bible that there would come a time when there would be many different churches which would go under the banner of Christianity? Not only that, the Bible revels in this prophecy which explains all this unveiled in the following study.

Revelation 17:1-3, “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters; With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”

The importance of this study in every individual's life is shown in the very first verse. The angel said, “I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore.” Here God has pronounced judgment upon someone or something. The question immediately arises; “Am I going to be included in this judgment?” if we don't know who or what is destined to be judge, then we cannot act to disassociate ourselves from that which is to be judged.

The first and foremost question we must ask is, “who is this woman?” as we search for the answer to this question, we will find that every symbol which surrounds this woman is interpreted in plain language-in this very same chapter.

WHO IS THIS WOMAN?

Rev. 17:18 states very plainly, “And the woman which thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” So the first thing we discover is that the woman represents a city. There is a city somewhere on earth right now upon which God has pronounce judgment. We need to moved out so that God’s judgment will not fall upon us also. Rev. 18:4, speaking of the same city says, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

The next clue in Rev. 17:9 tells what these seven heads symbolized. “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth” (or on which the city sitteth).

We now know two things: the woman is a city, and this city is located upon seven mountains or hills. There is only one city in the world today that is known as the city of the seven hills. If you will look in many encyclopedias under Rome, it is referred to as the city of seven hills. If Rome is this city, then the rest of the clues in this chapter should fit her too.

Again in Rev. 17:18 – “And the woman… which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Does Washington D.C. reign over the kings of the earth? Does Moscow? New York? London? Paris? The answer, of course, is definitely not! We can prove, however, that Rome does reign over the kings of the earth. In 1951, the Roman Catholic Church had the right to guide the political thinking of any and all of its members. That states very plainly that if a pope should choose to issue an order to a head of states who is a Catholic, he is bound by the laws of Roman Catholicism to obey. Do you realize that many heads of the state today are Roman Catholic? One pope emphatically declared, “Popes have the right to remove kings and emperors, since spiritual rules over temporal.” during the middle ages, 500-1,500 A.D., the Pope named, remove, and replaced kings in Europe at will. European rulers, as recently as 100 years ago, went to be crowned by the pope, but a rift develop between his country and the Vatican, which prevented it. In the pope’s coronation ceremony, he is pronounced “king of kings and ruler of rulers of the earth.” God foresaw all of this before Catholicism ever existed, and foretold it in minute detail so that honest-hearted individuals would not be deceived. The remarkable things is that Catholicism issues statements which are worded almost exactly like God’s prophecies concerning her!

In Rev. 17:1 again, the woman is shown sitting upon many waters. The angel tells John in Rev. 17:15, “The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Roman Catholicism claims 800,000,000 subjects or members. (Catholics are many times referred to as subject of pope.) These members are in virtually every kingdom of the world. What an accurate description of Catholicism given by God before Roman Catholicism ever existed! Roman Catholicism – a city and yet an international system.

Rev. 17:4 further described Catholicism, “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.”

In a description of papal parade, the attire of the pope and the cardinals was described using almost the identical words as those above. Scarlet (red) is the color worn by cardinals; purple is worn by bishops and archbishops. The pope’s crown is gold, his throne is gold, the pope and the cardinals always have gold crucifixes hung about their necks. Pearls are used by all members in the form of their rosary. The astonishing thing is that the Catholic Church claims to be the true church, yet Paul taught against the wearing of pearls, gold, and costly array (I Timothy 2:9). If you will take notice of the different doctrines of Catholicism, you will find that hardly any are the same as those of the early church. That’s the reason God hates Catholicism so and has vowed to send terrible judgment upon it.

Rev. 17:6—” And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with blood of the martyrs of Jesus. :”

Of all the persecutors of the true saints of God, Roman Catholicism ranks number one. In her history she has killed in the neighborhood of 68,000,000 Christians because they would not bow to her false doctrines. In one six-year period alone, Roman Catholicism was responsible for 6,000,000 deaths (not mentioning the unspeakable torture that came before death). There are countries today in which one may not preach contrary to Catholicism with our endangering his life. This seems so foreign today in the midst of the ecumenical movement, but the history books shout a warning to us if we will but listen. Not only has Catholicism been a persecutor in the past, but the Bible prophecies that in the immediate future she is going to be a party to the persecution such as the world has never seen. It is no wonder that God said that Catholicism was drunken with the blood of the saints.

Rev. 17:5 – “And upon her forehead was the name written, Mystery Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.”

To understand the first part of this name which was written upon the forehead of this woman, “Mystery Babylon the Great,” we must know something about Babylon. The first time we hear of Babylon is at the tower of Babel. This was shortly after the flood. The idea behind building the tower which would reach high into the heavens was that if another flood came, the people could save themselves by going up into the tower rather than depending on God to save them. Thus, Babylon became the origin of man-made religion. Also, this great tower would weld the people together into a single nation and government. So the spirit of Babylon which began at the tower of Babel was the spirit of self-sufficiency. One ruler, one government, one religion, and one economy: Give us this and we can solve all our problems.

The spirit of Babylon got into Nebuchadnezzar one night causing him to forget that God held control over the earth and c
ould bring about the exaltation or the downfall of any ruler or kingdom. In his pride he exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” immediately, the kingdom was taken from Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven into the field to roam there as a maniac until he acknowledged the supremacy of God.

This lesson was remembered but a short time. Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson Belshazzar held a great feast at which he was the center of attention, praise, and exaltation. In his exalted condition he sent for the gold and silver vessels which were dedicated to the worship of God. As he drank from those forbidden vessels, God wrote a message to Belshazzar in the plaster of the wall. “God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it. Thou art weigh in balances, and art found in wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” The Spirit of Babylon once again brought God’s judgment, as it always does.

The spirit of Babylon is still working in our times. When Hitler rose into power, his message and goal was to bring 1000 years of peace to the earth (with the Germans as rulers). The reason Satan inspired Hitler to attempt this 1000-year reign was simply because Satan has always tried to do what God has promised he will do. Every saint of God longs for the return of Jesus Christ to set up His millennial (1000-year) Kingdom on earth. (Rev. 20:2-3,6) Before Hitler’s 3rd Reich, it was the 1st and the 2nd Reich, all inspired by the spirit of Babylon, and all with the same vision: to establish a world kingdom that would last 1000 years. Undoubtedly, we will soon see the emergence of the 4th Reich, preaching the same Babylonian message of one world government, one world religion and the promised of 1000 years of peace and prosperity.

The Bible did not say the woman’s name was to be Babylon; it said, “Mystery Babylon.” In other words she will not be called Babylon, but she will have the same spirit and doctrine that Babylon has always possessed. True to form, Catholicism does not believe that Jesus Christ is going to return to earth in person and set up a thousand-year kingdom of peace, but rather, they believe that through the spreading of the influence of Catholicism, they eventually will gain enough power to rule the world and to establish the Pope as the “King of Kings.” Isn’t it amazing how accurate Bible prophecy is, even though written 2000 years ago? It is not fulfilled in just one or two points but in every single detail, no matter how small.

THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS

This last portion of the name that God gave to Catholicism is, undoubtedly, the most important in opening our understanding. Here we can know the true from the false.

Notice, first of all, that Catholicism was called a harlot. Now God is saying that she is not only a harlot but is also the “Mother of Harlots.” A harlot is a woman who bears children having no husband.

Throughout the New Testament God’s true church has been called the bride of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 11:1-3 and Rev. 21:2). In order to be in the bride, we must take the name of the bridegroom. The way we can take the name of Jesus is through baptism (Gal. 3:27). Except we are baptized in the name, we can’t be in the bride.

This brings us to a crucial question: how does your church baptize? There are principally two formulas which have been used for baptism by present-day churches: 1) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; 2) In the name of Jesus Christ. If you will look in most encyclopedias, they will tell you that until 325 A.D. baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was the accepted formula (Canny Encyclopedia pg. 53; Dictionary of the Bible by Scribner’s, pg. 241; Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings; Encyclopedia Britannica, the 11th edition, Volume 3, pp. 365-366).

On the other hand, no one in the Bible was ever baptized using the titles “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Until 325 A.D. this formula was never used or recognized as valid.

Then in 325 A.D. the Nicean council was called by what had become the Catholic Church. At this council the mode of Baptism was change from “In the name of Jesus Christ” to “Father, Son, Holy Ghost.” Also at this council the doctrine of the trinity was formulated. This was the founding of the great whore, the “Mother of Harlots.” She became a woman with no husband. She bore no man’s name.

In the 16th century Martin Luther lead the Reformation, carrying with him millions. The Roman Catholic Church hastily called the council of Trent in am attempt to stem the tide away from Catholicism. At this council many decrees were made condemning the Protestants; however, the council decreed that the Protestants, at least, had not forsaken the Mother Church’s baptism. With this fatal mistake, the Protestant movement was doomed to eventually be nothing but a lot of little harlots following the footstep of their Mother. We see the doom being fulfilled today with the Protestants turning back to Mother. In an effort to lure her daughters home, the Catholic Church issued this statement: “We the Mother Church are opening our arms to all of our daughters to return home. Anyone who holds to our baptism may return without being rebaptized.” How accurately it is being fulfilled!

Finally, God said of Mystery Babylon in Rev. 18:7: “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow?” Simply articles like this and God’s true preachers are going to be preaching loudly, “You’re a widow. Before 325 A.D. you bore the name of Jesus Christ, but now you’re widow and a harlot. You are soon to be judged.” In defense she is going to say, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. ” But Rev. 18:8 says, Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine: And she shall be utterly burned with fire: For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”

Judgment is coming to Catholicism! Judgment is coming to Protestantism, her daughters! All this is in your Bible, whether a Protestant or Catholic Bible! Get your Bibles down and read for yourself. Are you going to reap the wrath of God, or are you going to wake up and obey the truth?

Remember, the point on which the entire issue turn is the formula of baptism used. Ecumenical leaders are saying, “We have a basis for unity. It is our common mode of baptism… Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” All churches will soon be divided into two basic groups: those who baptize using the phrase that was never used for an actual baptism in the Bible…Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or those who baptize using the phrase that was used every single time by the New Testament Church…In the name of Jesus (or Jesus Christ). See Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5. In the Bible God’s true church is symbolized as a virgin bride. A false church is also symbolized as a woman, but the woman is a harlot. The bible prophesied that there would be many false “Christian” churches-the Mother harlot and all of her daughter harlots. Their relationship is cemented by their common baptism. As the dark cloud of ecumenism closes in on the world, there are many honest-hearted and sincere individuals in these false churches that God would like to save. The Word of God rings out, “Come out of her, my people, that ye by not partakers of her sins, and the ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4).

[Tonycb]

The Greatest Lie Ever Told
by Stan Hallett

2 Corinthians 11:14,15

Who could tell the greatest lie? The answer is simple, the father of all lies who is none other than satan himself (John 8:44). What would one consider a perfect crime? Would it not be a crime where any evidence to the contrary would be hidden or could not be found? A perfect lie is one that is so near the truth that the person being deceived actually believes they have obtained what it is that the liar does not want them to have.
He starts out by telling them that this Christianity stuff isn't for them, and it works most of the time. But when they insist, he tricks them into accepting a fake form of Godliness. The apostle Paul talks about this in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 where he says: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Most “Christians” today have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof. These are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth. The deceived person believes that they in fact have obtained it.

Slick sales people try to do this all the time. They try to convince you that what they are selling you is the best buy for your money, it's the genuine article, it's the best there is, and they have the best deal for you. You've been fooled this way before. We've all been taken by the con artist, the liar and the thief. How much better at lying and deception is the master of liars, the master of con men, the master of thieves?

You say “how could he do this”? Surely you'd recognized satan and his lies. But the Bible says that satan can appear as angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Further it says in the very next verse: “it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness”. That's right! There are men appearing as great men of God preaching to great crowds that they gather unto themselves. They are ministers of satan sent to deceive the masses, and indeed the masses are being deceived.

What is this greatest lie ever told? What is this great deception that is being preached by ministers of satan that are posing as great men of God across this country and the world? What is this lie that has deceived millions into believing that they are saved? The lie is the one that says that all you have to do is: “accept Jesus as your personal savior and you are saved.”

There are slightly different versions and variations to the lie, such as saying a little prayer, or asking forgiveness for all your sins, or a prayer of repentance along with accepting Jesus as your savior, but they are all lies, all deception and all part of the greatest lie that satan ever told.

You may say; “Wait a minute, isn't this in the Bible?” . . . Nope, not there. There is not one word in God's Word that says that all you have to do is accept Jesus as your personal savior and you are then eternally saved.” There is not one word that says “simply say a little prayer and perhaps ask for forgiveness, or a prayer of repentance and you are saved.” There is not one single verse that says that “if you believe in Jesus Christ you will be saved”. . . not one.

So where did this come from? It came from satan influenced, twisting of scripture and adding and taking away from the Word of God.

Here are some of the popular verses that you might be quoted that are in the Bible that satan tries to twist to get you to swallow his lie:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

They use this scripture to say that if you just believe in Jesus you'll be saved. The devil takes this one scripture, twists it and makes a doctrine out of it. What this verse is saying in truth is that if you believe in him, or in other words if you believe that he is Lord and Savior then with that belief you should obey the word of the Lord and be saved. If you indeed believe that He is Lord and Savior then you should not perish but act on what you believe and act on the gospel and be saved.

Jesus never said all you have to do to be saved is just believe in me. The Bible says that even the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). What He did say is “except a man be born or water and of Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). What He did say was “…strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”. (Matthew 7:14) Paul said: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

There's another scripture that says; “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

This may seemingly give credence to the belief that “if you'll just receive Jesus as your personal savior and you'll be saved”. But that's not what it says at all! What it does say is that IF you truly receive Him as your Lord and Savior then you have the power to BECOME the son of God, even to them that believe on His name. It does not say if you believe in him you ARE saved, but that IF you believe on Him and IF you receive Him as your LORD and SAVIOR then indeed you HAVE the power to BECOME the sons of God and be saved.

satan twists the meaning of Ephesians 2:8,9 which says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” He tries to get this to mean that we do not have to do anything including obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. This doctrine claims that obeying John 3:5 or Acts 2:38, or any other scripture is a work and not required to be saved.

Yes, it is true that Jesus paid it all on the cross. It is true that we cannot earn our own salvation by doing good works or any other means. But obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT a work, it is obedience. Neither can you earn it by obedience, but only it is only through obedience to the Gospel are you saved.

2 Thessalonians 1:7,8 says; “…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If indeed obedience to the Gospel is a work, if true repentance is a work, if being baptized in His name is a work and not necessary for salvation, then indeed praying the “sinners prayer” or “accepting Jesus as your personal savior” is also a work and not needed by the rules of this very same twisted doctrine.

No, we cannot earn salvation. We are not worthy of it no matter what we do. It is indeed by grace we are saved and not of ourselves lest any man should boast. However, if we truly accept Him as Lord and Savior, then being our Lord means that we are to be obedient to Him. If we are not obedient to Him then we are saying He is not our Lord thus we have NOT accepted Him as Lord and savior and we are liars.

In Acts 16:30 the jailer asked Paul and Silas; “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Many again use this to somehow say that all is needed is to believe in Him. But Paul sand Silas were not saying that they needed to believe in Jesus like some children believe in Santa Claus. To believe on Jesus means to put our
trust in Him for who He is, our Lord and our Savior. For indeed if he is our Lord we will be obedient to His Word. If we do not obey His Word then we are liars and He is not our Lord and we do not believe on Him.

Most “Christians” today want the Savior part, but do not want a Lord. They want the benefit, but not what they consider to be a price that comes with it. They want to be saved but still do as they please. They want to be assured they are going to heaven and still enjoy the pleasures of this world. satan gives them exactly what they want. . . at least they think they have it. They've been duped by the greatest lie ever told!

We are either a slave to satan or a servant of Jesus, there is no in between.

What to know how to be saved, really? Read “Salvation in a Nutshell” at http://apostolic-voice.org/tracts/nutshell.htm

[Tonycb]

The Greatest Lie Ever Told
by Stan Hallett

2 Corinthians 11:14,15

Who could tell the greatest lie? The answer is simple, the father of all lies who is none other than satan himself (John 8:44). What would one consider a perfect crime? Would it not be a crime where any evidence to the contrary would be hidden or could not be found? A perfect lie is one that is so near the truth that the person being deceived actually believes they have obtained what it is that the liar does not want them to have.
He starts out by telling them that this Christianity stuff isn't for them, and it works most of the time. But when they insist, he tricks them into accepting a fake form of Godliness. The apostle Paul talks about this in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 where he says: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Most “Christians” today have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof. These are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth. The deceived person believes that they in fact have obtained it.

Slick sales people try to do this all the time. They try to convince you that what they are selling you is the best buy for your money, it's the genuine article, it's the best there is, and they have the best deal for you. You've been fooled this way before. We've all been taken by the con artist, the liar and the thief. How much better at lying and deception is the master of liars, the master of con men, the master of thieves?

You say “how could he do this”? Surely you'd recognized satan and his lies. But the Bible says that satan can appear as angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Further it says in the very next verse: “it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness”. That's right! There are men appearing as great men of God preaching to great crowds that they gather unto themselves. They are ministers of satan sent to deceive the masses, and indeed the masses are being deceived.

What is this greatest lie ever told? What is this great deception that is being preached by ministers of satan that are posing as great men of God across this country and the world? What is this lie that has deceived millions into believing that they are saved? The lie is the one that says that all you have to do is: “accept Jesus as your personal savior and you are saved.”

There are slightly different versions and variations to the lie, such as saying a little prayer, or asking forgiveness for all your sins, or a prayer of repentance along with accepting Jesus as your savior, but they are all lies, all deception and all part of the greatest lie that satan ever told.

You may say; “Wait a minute, isn't this in the Bible?” . . . Nope, not there. There is not one word in God's Word that says that all you have to do is accept Jesus as your personal savior and you are then eternally saved.” There is not one word that says “simply say a little prayer and perhaps ask for forgiveness, or a prayer of repentance and you are saved.” There is not one single verse that says that “if you believe in Jesus Christ you will be saved”. . . not one.

So where did this come from? It came from satan influenced, twisting of scripture and adding and taking away from the Word of God.

Here are some of the popular verses that you might be quoted that are in the Bible that satan tries to twist to get you to swallow his lie:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

They use this scripture to say that if you just believe in Jesus you'll be saved. The devil takes this one scripture, twists it and makes a doctrine out of it. What this verse is saying in truth is that if you believe in him, or in other words if you believe that he is Lord and Savior then with that belief you should obey the word of the Lord and be saved. If you indeed believe that He is Lord and Savior then you should not perish but act on what you believe and act on the gospel and be saved.

Jesus never said all you have to do to be saved is just believe in me. The Bible says that even the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). What He did say is “except a man be born or water and of Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). What He did say was “…strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”. (Matthew 7:14) Paul said: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

There's another scripture that says; “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

This may seemingly give credence to the belief that “if you'll just receive Jesus as your personal savior and you'll be saved”. But that's not what it says at all! What it does say is that IF you truly receive Him as your Lord and Savior then you have the power to BECOME the son of God, even to them that believe on His name. It does not say if you believe in him you ARE saved, but that IF you believe on Him and IF you receive Him as your LORD and SAVIOR then indeed you HAVE the power to BECOME the sons of God and be saved.

satan twists the meaning of Ephesians 2:8,9 which says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” He tries to get this to mean that we do not have to do anything including obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. This doctrine claims that obeying John 3:5 or Acts 2:38, or any other scripture is a work and not required to be saved.

Yes, it is true that Jesus paid it all on the cross. It is true that we cannot earn our own salvation by doing good works or any other means. But obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT a work, it is obedience. Neither can you earn it by obedience, but only it is only through obedience to the Gospel are you saved.

2 Thessalonians 1:7,8 says; “…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If indeed obedience to the Gospel is a work, if true repentance is a work, if being baptized in His name is a work and not necessary for salvation, then indeed praying the “sinners prayer” or “accepting Jesus as your personal savior” is also a work and not needed by the rules of this very same twisted doctrine.

No, we cannot earn salvation. We are not worthy of it no matter what we do. It is indeed by grace we are saved and not of ourselves lest any man should boast. However, if we truly accept Him as Lord and Savior, then being our Lord means that we are to be obedient to Him. If we are not obedient to Him then we are saying He is not our Lord thus we have NOT accepted Him as Lord and savior and we are liars.

In Acts 16:30 the jailer asked Paul and Silas; “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Many again use this to somehow say that all is needed is to believe in Him. But Paul sand Silas were not saying that they needed to believe in Jesus like some children believe in Santa Claus. To believe on Jesus means to put our
trust in Him for who He is, our Lord and our Savior. For indeed if he is our Lord we will be obedient to His Word. If we do not obey His Word then we are liars and He is not our Lord and we do not believe on Him.

Most “Christians” today want the Savior part, but do not want a Lord. They want the benefit, but not what they consider to be a price that comes with it. They want to be saved but still do as they please. They want to be assured they are going to heaven and still enjoy the pleasures of this world. satan gives them exactly what they want. . . at least they think they have it. They've been duped by the greatest lie ever told!

We are either a slave to satan or a servant of Jesus, there is no in between.

What to know how to be saved, really? Read “Salvation in a Nutshell” at http://apostolic-voice.org/tracts/nutshell.htm

[Tonycb]

The Truth About Water Baptism!

IS WATER BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION?

Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
Paul said, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. (How?) by the WASHIING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5.
“In the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by WATER. The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US.” 1 Peter 3:20, 21. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, “Repent, and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS…” Acts 2:38. To the Gentiles Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized…? And he COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED…” Acts 10:47, 48.
Water baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, and is also an act of obedience to the command of Christ. Therefore, it is definitely essential to salvation.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT MODE FOR WATER BAPTISM?

The word baptize is derived from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to dip, immerse, plunge or sink. Greek-English Lexicon. A careful study of the New Testament Church will prove that immersion was the original mode used for water baptism.
Paul said, “We are BURIED with Him by baptism.” Romans 6:4. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, He came straightway up out of the water. Mark 1:9, 10. When Philip baptized the eunuch, both went down into the water and then came up out of it. Acts 8:36-39.
World Book Encyclopedia, 1984 Edition, Vol. B, p. 71, 72—The “Early Christians” practiced immersion (submerging a person in water) as a method of baptism.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 2, p. 378—The original mode of baptism was by immersion of the entire body in water, but a wide accepted method since the 2nd century has been baptism by affusion (pouring) water on the head employed by the Roman Catholic Church).
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 2 p. 56—It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion. Vol. 2, p. 65—The Didache (Christian writings around the second and third centuries) and Cyprian (Bishop of Carthage) are generally cited as the earliest evidence for the allowance of affusion instead of immersion. Baptism by sprinkling is admitted by the present discipline of the church (Roman Catholic).
Nowhere will you find that the New Testament Church baptized by sprinkling or pouring. They baptized by immersion of the entire body in water.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT FORMULA FOR WATER BAPTISM?

“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 28:19. Confusion has been left in the minds of people, because of the misinterpretation of this Scripture by some who have used the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost as a formula for water baptism and a basis for the Trinity doctrine. Matthew 28:19 was neither intended to be used as a formula, nor was it meant to support the Trinity doctrine. It is the commission to the eleven apostles and must be fulfilled. Notice that Jesus said, “…baptizing them in the NAME (singular).” Father, Son and Holy Ghost are only titles or offices of the one true and living God — This is not His Name! To repeat the titles and refuse to state the Name is failure to fulfill the commission of Christ. Therefore, to obey the commission, the NAME must be used. What is the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?
Name of Father — Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s Name.” John 5:43.
Name of Son — “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS.” Matthew 1:21. (Also see Luke 1:31.)
Name of the Holy Ghost — Jesus said, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY NAME, He shall teach you all things.” John 14:26.
Emphatically the NAME IS JESUS! Paul declared the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15.
Then Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples to the Scriptures, and said, “…That repentance and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:45, 47.
In obedience to Christ, Peter stood with the other apostles in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and fulfilled the commission when he said, “Repent, and be baptized everyone 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. To question the words of Peter is to doubt the divine wisdom of Heaven. Matthew 16:13-19. Certainly the apostles were authorities on the correct formula for water baptism. (Also see Ephesians 2:20.)
When Philip preached Christ in Samaria, they that believed were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16.
To the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius in Caesarea, Peter said, “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.” (R.V., Weymouth, Vulgate — “Name of Jesus Christ.”) Acts 10:47-48.
According to Paul’s testimony, he was baptized, washing away his sins, calling on the Name of the Lord (R.V. — “His Name.”) Acts 22:16.
The believers in the church at Rome were baptized into Jesus Christ. Paul said, “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…” Romans 6:3, 4.
To the church in Corinth, Paul asked the question, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12-15. This indicated that Jesus was crucified and they were baptized in His Name.
The believers in the churches of Galatia were baptized into Christ. Paul said, “For as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.
Certain disciples at Ephesus were REBAPTIZED in the Name of the Lord Jesus, when they heard the preaching of the apostle Paul. Acts 19:4-5.
The believers in the church of Colosse were buried with Christ in baptism. Paul said, “Ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism…” Colossians 2:11, 12.
History also proves that water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ was universally practiced by the New Testament Church for many years after Christ, and was changed by the Roman Catholic Church with the development of the Trinity.
Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings, Thirteenth Edition, Vol. 1, p. 241 — The original form of words was “into the Name of Jesus Christ” or “the Lord Jesus.” Baptism into the Trinity was a later development. (Also see Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible, Revised Edition, Vol. 1, p. 88.)
Canney Encyclopedia, p. 53 — The early church always baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterwards they were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 13, p. 1012 — The first use of the Latin word “trinitas” (trinity) with reference to God is found in Tertullian’s writing (about 213 A.D.). He was the first to use the term “persons” (plural) in a Trinitarian context. (Also see Encyclopedia Americana, 1983 Edition, Vol. 26, p. 527.)
Encyclopedia Americana, 1957 Edition, Vol. 27, p. 69 — The word “Trinity” is not in Scripture. The term persons (plural) is not applied in Scripture to th
e Trinity.
World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 Edition, Vol. T, p. 447 — “Belief in Father, Son and Holy Spirit was defined by early general councils of the Christian Church. The council of Nicaea in 325 and the council of Constantinople in 381…” (For Nicene Creed see Encyclopedia Americana, 2004 Edition, Vol. 20, p. 310.)
Brittanica Encyclopedia, Eleventh Edition, Vol. 3, p. 365, 366 — “The triune and trinity formula was not used from the beginning, and up until the third century, baptism in the Name of Christ only was wide-spread…” (Baptismal formula changed by the Roman Catholic Church). “Now the formula of Rome is I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 22, p. 476 — The Trinity doctrine, the Catholic Faith is this: We worship one in trinity, but there is one person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost. The Glory equal; the Majesty coeternal. The doctrine is not found in its fully developed form in the Scriptures. Modern Theology does not seek to find it in the Old Testament. At the time of the Reformation the Protestant Church took over the doctrine of the Trinity without serious examination.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 18, p. 226 — The doctrine of the Trinity did not form part of the apostles’ preaching, as this is reported in the New Testament.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 396 — No record of the Trinitarian formula can be discovered in the Acts of the Epistles of the Apostles.
Is this not sufficient proof? Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, will you find that the New Testament Church baptized using the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Honest hearts, receive the truth! It is of utmost importance that water baptism be applied in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. “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.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For IN HIM DWELLTH ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are… BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:8-12. Ye are WASHED, ye are sanctified, ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Colossians 3:17. There is only ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, AND ONE BAPTISM. Ephesians 4:5.
“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

[Tonycb]

The Truth About Water Baptism!

IS WATER BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION?

Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
Paul said, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. (How?) by the WASHIING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5.
“In the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by WATER. The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US.” 1 Peter 3:20, 21. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, “Repent, and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS…” Acts 2:38. To the Gentiles Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized…? And he COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED…” Acts 10:47, 48.
Water baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, and is also an act of obedience to the command of Christ. Therefore, it is definitely essential to salvation.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT MODE FOR WATER BAPTISM?

The word baptize is derived from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to dip, immerse, plunge or sink. Greek-English Lexicon. A careful study of the New Testament Church will prove that immersion was the original mode used for water baptism.
Paul said, “We are BURIED with Him by baptism.” Romans 6:4. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, He came straightway up out of the water. Mark 1:9, 10. When Philip baptized the eunuch, both went down into the water and then came up out of it. Acts 8:36-39.
World Book Encyclopedia, 1984 Edition, Vol. B, p. 71, 72—The “Early Christians” practiced immersion (submerging a person in water) as a method of baptism.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 2, p. 378—The original mode of baptism was by immersion of the entire body in water, but a wide accepted method since the 2nd century has been baptism by affusion (pouring) water on the head employed by the Roman Catholic Church).
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 2 p. 56—It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion. Vol. 2, p. 65—The Didache (Christian writings around the second and third centuries) and Cyprian (Bishop of Carthage) are generally cited as the earliest evidence for the allowance of affusion instead of immersion. Baptism by sprinkling is admitted by the present discipline of the church (Roman Catholic).
Nowhere will you find that the New Testament Church baptized by sprinkling or pouring. They baptized by immersion of the entire body in water.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT FORMULA FOR WATER BAPTISM?

“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 28:19. Confusion has been left in the minds of people, because of the misinterpretation of this Scripture by some who have used the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost as a formula for water baptism and a basis for the Trinity doctrine. Matthew 28:19 was neither intended to be used as a formula, nor was it meant to support the Trinity doctrine. It is the commission to the eleven apostles and must be fulfilled. Notice that Jesus said, “…baptizing them in the NAME (singular).” Father, Son and Holy Ghost are only titles or offices of the one true and living God — This is not His Name! To repeat the titles and refuse to state the Name is failure to fulfill the commission of Christ. Therefore, to obey the commission, the NAME must be used. What is the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?
Name of Father — Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s Name.” John 5:43.
Name of Son — “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS.” Matthew 1:21. (Also see Luke 1:31.)
Name of the Holy Ghost — Jesus said, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY NAME, He shall teach you all things.” John 14:26.
Emphatically the NAME IS JESUS! Paul declared the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15.
Then Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples to the Scriptures, and said, “…That repentance and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:45, 47.
In obedience to Christ, Peter stood with the other apostles in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and fulfilled the commission when he said, “Repent, and be baptized everyone 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. To question the words of Peter is to doubt the divine wisdom of Heaven. Matthew 16:13-19. Certainly the apostles were authorities on the correct formula for water baptism. (Also see Ephesians 2:20.)
When Philip preached Christ in Samaria, they that believed were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16.
To the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius in Caesarea, Peter said, “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.” (R.V., Weymouth, Vulgate — “Name of Jesus Christ.”) Acts 10:47-48.
According to Paul’s testimony, he was baptized, washing away his sins, calling on the Name of the Lord (R.V. — “His Name.”) Acts 22:16.
The believers in the church at Rome were baptized into Jesus Christ. Paul said, “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…” Romans 6:3, 4.
To the church in Corinth, Paul asked the question, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12-15. This indicated that Jesus was crucified and they were baptized in His Name.
The believers in the churches of Galatia were baptized into Christ. Paul said, “For as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.
Certain disciples at Ephesus were REBAPTIZED in the Name of the Lord Jesus, when they heard the preaching of the apostle Paul. Acts 19:4-5.
The believers in the church of Colosse were buried with Christ in baptism. Paul said, “Ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism…” Colossians 2:11, 12.
History also proves that water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ was universally practiced by the New Testament Church for many years after Christ, and was changed by the Roman Catholic Church with the development of the Trinity.
Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings, Thirteenth Edition, Vol. 1, p. 241 — The original form of words was “into the Name of Jesus Christ” or “the Lord Jesus.” Baptism into the Trinity was a later development. (Also see Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible, Revised Edition, Vol. 1, p. 88.)
Canney Encyclopedia, p. 53 — The early church always baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterwards they were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 13, p. 1012 — The first use of the Latin word “trinitas” (trinity) with reference to God is found in Tertullian’s writing (about 213 A.D.). He was the first to use the term “persons” (plural) in a Trinitarian context. (Also see Encyclopedia Americana, 1983 Edition, Vol. 26, p. 527.)
Encyclopedia Americana, 1957 Edition, Vol. 27, p. 69 — The word “Trinity” is not in Scripture. The term persons (plural) is not applied in Scripture to th
e Trinity.
World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 Edition, Vol. T, p. 447 — “Belief in Father, Son and Holy Spirit was defined by early general councils of the Christian Church. The council of Nicaea in 325 and the council of Constantinople in 381…” (For Nicene Creed see Encyclopedia Americana, 2004 Edition, Vol. 20, p. 310.)
Brittanica Encyclopedia, Eleventh Edition, Vol. 3, p. 365, 366 — “The triune and trinity formula was not used from the beginning, and up until the third century, baptism in the Name of Christ only was wide-spread…” (Baptismal formula changed by the Roman Catholic Church). “Now the formula of Rome is I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 22, p. 476 — The Trinity doctrine, the Catholic Faith is this: We worship one in trinity, but there is one person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost. The Glory equal; the Majesty coeternal. The doctrine is not found in its fully developed form in the Scriptures. Modern Theology does not seek to find it in the Old Testament. At the time of the Reformation the Protestant Church took over the doctrine of the Trinity without serious examination.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 18, p. 226 — The doctrine of the Trinity did not form part of the apostles’ preaching, as this is reported in the New Testament.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 396 — No record of the Trinitarian formula can be discovered in the Acts of the Epistles of the Apostles.
Is this not sufficient proof? Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, will you find that the New Testament Church baptized using the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Honest hearts, receive the truth! It is of utmost importance that water baptism be applied in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. “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.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For IN HIM DWELLTH ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are… BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:8-12. Ye are WASHED, ye are sanctified, ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Colossians 3:17. There is only ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, AND ONE BAPTISM. Ephesians 4:5.
“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

[Tonycb]

The Truth About Water Baptism!

IS WATER BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION?

Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
Paul said, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. (How?) by the WASHIING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5.
“In the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by WATER. The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US.” 1 Peter 3:20, 21. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, “Repent, and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS…” Acts 2:38. To the Gentiles Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized…? And he COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED…” Acts 10:47, 48.
Water baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, and is also an act of obedience to the command of Christ. Therefore, it is definitely essential to salvation.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT MODE FOR WATER BAPTISM?

The word baptize is derived from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to dip, immerse, plunge or sink. Greek-English Lexicon. A careful study of the New Testament Church will prove that immersion was the original mode used for water baptism.
Paul said, “We are BURIED with Him by baptism.” Romans 6:4. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, He came straightway up out of the water. Mark 1:9, 10. When Philip baptized the eunuch, both went down into the water and then came up out of it. Acts 8:36-39.
World Book Encyclopedia, 1984 Edition, Vol. B, p. 71, 72—The “Early Christians” practiced immersion (submerging a person in water) as a method of baptism.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 2, p. 378—The original mode of baptism was by immersion of the entire body in water, but a wide accepted method since the 2nd century has been baptism by affusion (pouring) water on the head employed by the Roman Catholic Church).
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 2 p. 56—It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion. Vol. 2, p. 65—The Didache (Christian writings around the second and third centuries) and Cyprian (Bishop of Carthage) are generally cited as the earliest evidence for the allowance of affusion instead of immersion. Baptism by sprinkling is admitted by the present discipline of the church (Roman Catholic).
Nowhere will you find that the New Testament Church baptized by sprinkling or pouring. They baptized by immersion of the entire body in water.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT FORMULA FOR WATER BAPTISM?

“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 28:19. Confusion has been left in the minds of people, because of the misinterpretation of this Scripture by some who have used the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost as a formula for water baptism and a basis for the Trinity doctrine. Matthew 28:19 was neither intended to be used as a formula, nor was it meant to support the Trinity doctrine. It is the commission to the eleven apostles and must be fulfilled. Notice that Jesus said, “…baptizing them in the NAME (singular).” Father, Son and Holy Ghost are only titles or offices of the one true and living God — This is not His Name! To repeat the titles and refuse to state the Name is failure to fulfill the commission of Christ. Therefore, to obey the commission, the NAME must be used. What is the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?
Name of Father — Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s Name.” John 5:43.
Name of Son — “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS.” Matthew 1:21. (Also see Luke 1:31.)
Name of the Holy Ghost — Jesus said, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY NAME, He shall teach you all things.” John 14:26.
Emphatically the NAME IS JESUS! Paul declared the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15.
Then Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples to the Scriptures, and said, “…That repentance and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:45, 47.
In obedience to Christ, Peter stood with the other apostles in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and fulfilled the commission when he said, “Repent, and be baptized everyone 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. To question the words of Peter is to doubt the divine wisdom of Heaven. Matthew 16:13-19. Certainly the apostles were authorities on the correct formula for water baptism. (Also see Ephesians 2:20.)
When Philip preached Christ in Samaria, they that believed were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16.
To the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius in Caesarea, Peter said, “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.” (R.V., Weymouth, Vulgate — “Name of Jesus Christ.”) Acts 10:47-48.
According to Paul’s testimony, he was baptized, washing away his sins, calling on the Name of the Lord (R.V. — “His Name.”) Acts 22:16.
The believers in the church at Rome were baptized into Jesus Christ. Paul said, “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…” Romans 6:3, 4.
To the church in Corinth, Paul asked the question, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12-15. This indicated that Jesus was crucified and they were baptized in His Name.
The believers in the churches of Galatia were baptized into Christ. Paul said, “For as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.
Certain disciples at Ephesus were REBAPTIZED in the Name of the Lord Jesus, when they heard the preaching of the apostle Paul. Acts 19:4-5.
The believers in the church of Colosse were buried with Christ in baptism. Paul said, “Ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism…” Colossians 2:11, 12.
History also proves that water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ was universally practiced by the New Testament Church for many years after Christ, and was changed by the Roman Catholic Church with the development of the Trinity.
Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings, Thirteenth Edition, Vol. 1, p. 241 — The original form of words was “into the Name of Jesus Christ” or “the Lord Jesus.” Baptism into the Trinity was a later development. (Also see Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible, Revised Edition, Vol. 1, p. 88.)
Canney Encyclopedia, p. 53 — The early church always baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterwards they were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 13, p. 1012 — The first use of the Latin word “trinitas” (trinity) with reference to God is found in Tertullian’s writing (about 213 A.D.). He was the first to use the term “persons” (plural) in a Trinitarian context. (Also see Encyclopedia Americana, 1983 Edition, Vol. 26, p. 527.)
Encyclopedia Americana, 1957 Edition, Vol. 27, p. 69 — The word “Trinity” is not in Scripture. The term persons (plural) is not applied in Scripture to th
e Trinity.
World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 Edition, Vol. T, p. 447 — “Belief in Father, Son and Holy Spirit was defined by early general councils of the Christian Church. The council of Nicaea in 325 and the council of Constantinople in 381…” (For Nicene Creed see Encyclopedia Americana, 2004 Edition, Vol. 20, p. 310.)
Brittanica Encyclopedia, Eleventh Edition, Vol. 3, p. 365, 366 — “The triune and trinity formula was not used from the beginning, and up until the third century, baptism in the Name of Christ only was wide-spread…” (Baptismal formula changed by the Roman Catholic Church). “Now the formula of Rome is I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 22, p. 476 — The Trinity doctrine, the Catholic Faith is this: We worship one in trinity, but there is one person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost. The Glory equal; the Majesty coeternal. The doctrine is not found in its fully developed form in the Scriptures. Modern Theology does not seek to find it in the Old Testament. At the time of the Reformation the Protestant Church took over the doctrine of the Trinity without serious examination.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 18, p. 226 — The doctrine of the Trinity did not form part of the apostles’ preaching, as this is reported in the New Testament.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 396 — No record of the Trinitarian formula can be discovered in the Acts of the Epistles of the Apostles.
Is this not sufficient proof? Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, will you find that the New Testament Church baptized using the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Honest hearts, receive the truth! It is of utmost importance that water baptism be applied in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. “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.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For IN HIM DWELLTH ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are… BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:8-12. Ye are WASHED, ye are sanctified, ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Colossians 3:17. There is only ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, AND ONE BAPTISM. Ephesians 4:5.
“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

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The Truth About Water Baptism!

IS WATER BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION?

Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
Paul said, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. (How?) by the WASHIING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5.
“In the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by WATER. The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US.” 1 Peter 3:20, 21. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached, “Repent, and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS…” Acts 2:38. To the Gentiles Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized…? And he COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED…” Acts 10:47, 48.
Water baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, and is also an act of obedience to the command of Christ. Therefore, it is definitely essential to salvation.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT MODE FOR WATER BAPTISM?

The word baptize is derived from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to dip, immerse, plunge or sink. Greek-English Lexicon. A careful study of the New Testament Church will prove that immersion was the original mode used for water baptism.
Paul said, “We are BURIED with Him by baptism.” Romans 6:4. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, He came straightway up out of the water. Mark 1:9, 10. When Philip baptized the eunuch, both went down into the water and then came up out of it. Acts 8:36-39.
World Book Encyclopedia, 1984 Edition, Vol. B, p. 71, 72—The “Early Christians” practiced immersion (submerging a person in water) as a method of baptism.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 2, p. 378—The original mode of baptism was by immersion of the entire body in water, but a wide accepted method since the 2nd century has been baptism by affusion (pouring) water on the head employed by the Roman Catholic Church).
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 2 p. 56—It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion. Vol. 2, p. 65—The Didache (Christian writings around the second and third centuries) and Cyprian (Bishop of Carthage) are generally cited as the earliest evidence for the allowance of affusion instead of immersion. Baptism by sprinkling is admitted by the present discipline of the church (Roman Catholic).
Nowhere will you find that the New Testament Church baptized by sprinkling or pouring. They baptized by immersion of the entire body in water.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT FORMULA FOR WATER BAPTISM?

“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 28:19. Confusion has been left in the minds of people, because of the misinterpretation of this Scripture by some who have used the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost as a formula for water baptism and a basis for the Trinity doctrine. Matthew 28:19 was neither intended to be used as a formula, nor was it meant to support the Trinity doctrine. It is the commission to the eleven apostles and must be fulfilled. Notice that Jesus said, “…baptizing them in the NAME (singular).” Father, Son and Holy Ghost are only titles or offices of the one true and living God — This is not His Name! To repeat the titles and refuse to state the Name is failure to fulfill the commission of Christ. Therefore, to obey the commission, the NAME must be used. What is the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?
Name of Father — Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s Name.” John 5:43.
Name of Son — “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS.” Matthew 1:21. (Also see Luke 1:31.)
Name of the Holy Ghost — Jesus said, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY NAME, He shall teach you all things.” John 14:26.
Emphatically the NAME IS JESUS! Paul declared the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15.
Then Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples to the Scriptures, and said, “…That repentance and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:45, 47.
In obedience to Christ, Peter stood with the other apostles in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and fulfilled the commission when he said, “Repent, and be baptized everyone 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. To question the words of Peter is to doubt the divine wisdom of Heaven. Matthew 16:13-19. Certainly the apostles were authorities on the correct formula for water baptism. (Also see Ephesians 2:20.)
When Philip preached Christ in Samaria, they that believed were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16.
To the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius in Caesarea, Peter said, “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.” (R.V., Weymouth, Vulgate — “Name of Jesus Christ.”) Acts 10:47-48.
According to Paul’s testimony, he was baptized, washing away his sins, calling on the Name of the Lord (R.V. — “His Name.”) Acts 22:16.
The believers in the church at Rome were baptized into Jesus Christ. Paul said, “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…” Romans 6:3, 4.
To the church in Corinth, Paul asked the question, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12-15. This indicated that Jesus was crucified and they were baptized in His Name.
The believers in the churches of Galatia were baptized into Christ. Paul said, “For as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.
Certain disciples at Ephesus were REBAPTIZED in the Name of the Lord Jesus, when they heard the preaching of the apostle Paul. Acts 19:4-5.
The believers in the church of Colosse were buried with Christ in baptism. Paul said, “Ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism…” Colossians 2:11, 12.
History also proves that water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ was universally practiced by the New Testament Church for many years after Christ, and was changed by the Roman Catholic Church with the development of the Trinity.
Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings, Thirteenth Edition, Vol. 1, p. 241 — The original form of words was “into the Name of Jesus Christ” or “the Lord Jesus.” Baptism into the Trinity was a later development. (Also see Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible, Revised Edition, Vol. 1, p. 88.)
Canney Encyclopedia, p. 53 — The early church always baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterwards they were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1977 Edition, Vol. 13, p. 1012 — The first use of the Latin word “trinitas” (trinity) with reference to God is found in Tertullian’s writing (about 213 A.D.). He was the first to use the term “persons” (plural) in a Trinitarian context. (Also see Encyclopedia Americana, 1983 Edition, Vol. 26, p. 527.)
Encyclopedia Americana, 1957 Edition, Vol. 27, p. 69 — The word “Trinity” is not in Scripture. The term persons (plural) is
not applied in Scripture to the Trinity.
World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 Edition, Vol. T, p. 447 — “Belief in Father, Son and Holy Spirit was defined by early general councils of the Christian Church. The council of Nicaea in 325 and the council of Constantinople in 381…” (For Nicene Creed see Encyclopedia Americana, 2004 Edition, Vol. 20, p. 310.)
Brittanica Encyclopedia, Eleventh Edition, Vol. 3, p. 365, 366 — “The triune and trinity formula was not used from the beginning, and up until the third century, baptism in the Name of Christ only was wide-spread…” (Baptismal formula changed by the Roman Catholic Church). “Now the formula of Rome is I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 22, p. 476 — The Trinity doctrine, the Catholic Faith is this: We worship one in trinity, but there is one person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost. The Glory equal; the Majesty coeternal. The doctrine is not found in its fully developed form in the Scriptures. Modern Theology does not seek to find it in the Old Testament. At the time of the Reformation the Protestant Church took over the doctrine of the Trinity without serious examination.
Encyclopedia International, 1982 Edition, Vol. 18, p. 226 — The doctrine of the Trinity did not form part of the apostles’ preaching, as this is reported in the New Testament.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 396 — No record of the Trinitarian formula can be discovered in the Acts of the Epistles of the Apostles.
Is this not sufficient proof? Nowhere, absolutely nowhere, will you find that the New Testament Church baptized using the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Honest hearts, receive the truth! It is of utmost importance that water baptism be applied in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. “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.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For IN HIM DWELLTH ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are… BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:8-12. Ye are WASHED, ye are sanctified, ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Colossians 3:17. There is only ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, AND ONE BAPTISM. Ephesians 4:5.
“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

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t8 We should not be led just by one scripture but the whole Word of God.

Colossians 2:8-9 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

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God was manifested in flesh. One God, not three or three person in the Godhead.

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Philippians 2:5-10 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth

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Gene Balthrop / gsilva72

ONE GOD

Deuteronomy 4:35 To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Deuteronomy 32:39 ‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

2 Samuel 7:22 Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD.[a] For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

1 Kings 8:60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.

Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘ I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.’”

Isaiah 43:10, 11 “ You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “ And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior.

Isaiah 44:5, 6 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ And name himself by the name of Israel. “ Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘ I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

Isaiah 45:5-12 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.’ “ Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it. “ Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’? Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’” Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “ Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.

Isaiah 45:18-23 For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “ I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘ Seek Me in vain’; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. “ Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save. Tell and bring forth your case;Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. “ Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Isaiah 46:9-11 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.

Matthew 1:21-23 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 10:22-38 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe[c] that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

John 12:45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.

John 14:7-9 “If you had known Me, you would have known
My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Romans 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Philippians 2:5-10 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God[a] was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Hope this is not forcing!

2 Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 2:8-9 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

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The Baptismal Formula in Scripture and History

According to both the Bible and history, the New Testament church invoked the name of Jesus at water baptism. Its baptismal formula was “in the name of Jesus Christ” or “Lord Jesus,” not “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
The Scriptural Record

Every time the Bible records the name or formula associated with an actual baptism in the New Testament church, it describes the name Jesus. All five such accounts occur in the Book of Acts, the history book of the early church. It records that the following people were baptized in Jesus' name.

The Jews, “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).

The Samaritans. “They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus' (Acts 8:16).

The Gentiles. “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). (The earliest Greek manuscripts that we have say, “In the name of Jesus Christ,” as do most versions today.)

The disciples of John (rebaptized). “They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).

The Apostles Paul. “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Moreover, the Epistles contain a number of references or allusions to baptism in Jesus' name. See Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 1:13; 6:11; Galatians 3:27 ; Colossians 2:12; James 2:7.

The only verse of Scripture that anyone could appeal to in support of a threefold baptismal formula is Matthew 28:19, in which Jesus commanded baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” The word name in this verse is singular, however, indicating that the phrase describes on supreme name by which the one God is revealed, not three names of three distinct persons.

The apostles understood Christ's words as a description of His own name, for they fulfilled His command by baptizing in the name of Jesus. There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), and He has one supreme name today (Zechariah 14:9). Jesus is the incarnation of all the fulness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the name of the Son (Matthew 1:21), Jesus is the name by which the Father is revealed to us (John 5:43; 10:30; 14:9-11), and Jesus is the name in which the Holy Spirit comes (John 14:16-18, 26).

Luke 24:47 is a parallel verse to Matthew 28:19, and describes Jesus as saying that repentance and remission of sins-and baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)-would be preached “in his name.” Jesus is the only saving name, the name in which we receive remission of sins, the highest name made known to us, and the name which we are to say and do all things (Acts 4:12; 10:43; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 3:17).

Thus the one supreme, saving name of Matthew 28:19 is Jesus. We are to fulfill the command of that verse as the early church did, by invoking the name of Jesus at baptism.

The Historical Record

Respected historical sources verify that the early Christian church did not use a threefold baptismal formula but invoked the name of Jesus in baptism well into the second and third centuries.

Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (1951). II, 384, 389: “The formula used was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” or some synonymous phrase; there is no evidence for the use of the trine name… The earliest form, represented in the Acts, was simple immersion… in water, the use of the name of the Lord, and the laying on of hands. To these were added, at various times and places which cannot be safely identified, (a) the trine name (Justin)…”

Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (1962), I 351: “The evidence… suggests that baptism in early Christianity was administered, not in the threefold name, but 'in the name of Jesus Christ' or 'in the name of the Lord Jesus.'”

Otto Heick, A History of Christian Thought (1965), I, 53: “At first baptism was administered in the name of Jesus, but gradually in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (1898). I, 241: “[One explanation is that] the original form of words was “into the name of Jesus Christ” or 'the Lord Jesus,' Baptism into the name of the Trinity was a later development.”

Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church (1947), page 58: “The trinitarian baptismal formula,,, was displacing the older baptism in the name of Christ.”

The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (1957), I, 435: “The New Testament knows only baptism in the name of Jesus… which still occurs even in the second and third centuries.”

Canney's Encyclopedia of Religions (1970), page 53: “Persons were baptized at first 'in the name of Jesus Christ' … or 'in the name of the Lord Jesus'… Afterwards, with the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, they were baptized 'in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.'”

Encyclopedia Biblica (1899), I, 473: “It is natural to conclude that baptism was administered in the earliest times 'in the name of Jesus Christ,' or in that 'of the Lord Jesus.' This view is confirmed by the fact that the earliest forms of the baptismal confession appear to have been single-not triple, as was the later creed.”

Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed. (1920), II 365: “The trinitarian formula and trine immersion were not uniformly used from the beginning… Bapti[sm] into the name of the Lord [was] the normal formula of the New Testament. In the 3rd century baptism in the name of Christ was still so widespread that Pope Stephen, in opposition to Cyprian of Carthage, declared it to be valid.”

Christians today should use the biblical baptismal formula as found in the New Testament. Everyone should be baptized by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

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Does the Mode or Formula Really Make any Difference?
Does it make any difference what the Bible says about water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ? Opinions are plentiful. Almost everyone has some idea to contribute when a discussion of Christian baptism arises. Some argue pro and some argue con on the questions of whether candidates should be sprinkled or immersed and whether they should be baptized in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost or in the name of Jesus Christ. Quite a few have recently raised the question, “Does it really make any difference?'

Our opinions are actually worthless; one person's idea is as good as another's. The only criterion in determining the truth is God's Word-the Bible. What does it have to say about the mode and formula for Christian baptism?

The Importance of Baptism

Christian baptism has its roots in Jewish practice during the pre-Christian era. Converts to Judaism were baptized to express their faith in Jehovah God. When John the Baptist came upon the scene to prepare the hearts of the Jews to receive their Messiah, he demanded repentance, confession of sin, and baptism in water. He declared, “I needed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me… shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Jesus Himself was baptized of Jon (Matthew 3:16). After this, He and His disciples baptized large numbers of believers (John 3:22;4:1-2). He included baptism as a vital part of the inauguration of a convert into the church He established (Mark 16:16).

After His resurrection, He instructed His apostles to “Go… teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Just before His ascension, He met with His apostles and “opened… their understanding, that they might understand the scripture, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem' (Luke 24:45-47).

Therefore, the responsibility of continuing His ministry, propagating the gospel, and establishing and extending the New Testament church fell upon the relatively few disciples. Having their understanding opened to the will of God regarding the plan of redemption, they were filled with the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost, which further enlightened their minds. When a curious multitude gathered to witness this historic event in Jerusalem, Peter preached a sermon that brought them under deep conviction for their sins. They asked the apostles, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

Peter's answer was unmistakably plain: “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). Through the spiritual understanding that Peter had received, he was able to comprehend that the new birth consisted of water and Spirit baptism (John 3:5), that God had chosen the combination of the name and the water for remission of sins, and that the Lord intended for His name to be called in the act of baptism.

Likewise, Ananias instructed Paul, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

The Mode of Baptism

The form or mode of water baptism is undeniably immersion. The very term baptize has for is root the Greek word baptizo, which means “to dip, plunge, submerge, immerse.” All scriptural incidents o f baptism support this position. Let us note these three: (John also was baptizing in Aenon… because there was much water there” (John 3:23). When Jesus was baptized by John, He “went up straightway out of the water, … and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38).

The Formula for Baptism

The Bible gives us specific instructions of deep spiritual significance for the proper administration of water baptism, and God means for everyone to comply with them.

The Apostle Paul commanded, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). Certainly this instruction applies to water baptism.

The apostles knew the exact meaning of all the teaching of Jesus concerning baptism and carried them out explicitly. They understood that the singular name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-the name that reveals the fulness of the Godhead-is Jesus. (See Matthew 1:21; John 5:43; 14:26; Colossians 2:9). On every occasion they used, or commanded the use of, the name of Jesus Christ in the baptismal formula. (See Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16). It is significant that they plainly prescribed His name in the baptismal ceremony. The name Jesus identifies and validates the baptism just as the proper name signed to a check makes it valid.

We cannot leave to mere chance or speculation the essentials of Christian baptism, but we must heed Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

True, some denominations have traditionally sprinkled instead of immersing and have mistakenly substituted the use of the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for the use of the actual name Jesus. But those who are sincere will value truth above tradition and will obey the teaching of the gospel.

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”

[Tonycb]

1. Is the word trinity in the Bible? No.
2. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No.
3. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes
4. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationships to humanity.
5. Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so–1 John 5:7. It speaks of the father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying, “These three are one.”
6. Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galations 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; James 2:19.
7. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16.
8. Does a Christian only have one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.
9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for person in this verse literally means “substance.”
10. Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No.
11. Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.
12. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22.
13. Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10.
14. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in Heaven, for God is omnipresent.
15. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.
16. When God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10.
17. How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.
18. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45; 14:9.
19. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8.
20. Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.
21. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the first and the last. Revelation 1:17-18.
22. How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in Heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.
23. If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.
24. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshiped? Yes. Matthew 4:10.
25. Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.
26. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes. John 1:1, 14.
27. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.
28. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16.
29. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.
30. Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.
31. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.
32. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. 1 Kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1.
33. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.
34. Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.
35. Was there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10.
36. What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8
37. What is one thing that God cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2.
38. How many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4.
39. How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9.
40. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16.
41. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8
42. Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.
43. Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.
44. Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior.
45. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. 1 John 5:20.
46. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 3:16.
47. When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? “I am Jesus.” Acts 9:5
48. While Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59
49. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.
50. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, “Beside me there is no saviour”? Because “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” II Corinthians 5:19.
51. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23.
52. Did Jesus ever say, “I and my Father are one”? Yes. John 10:30.
53. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9-11.
54. Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25.
55. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13.
56. Can trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only one divine person was present–Jesus Christ the Lord.
57. Then what were the other two of whom trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16-17.
58. What did the voice say at Jesus' baptism? “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate.
59. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human body.
60. The Bible says that God is coming back with all His saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No. Only one is coming back–our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 3:13

[Tonycb]

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 28:19).
The Bible commands water baptism for the New Testament church, and it is our responsibility to obey this teaching. One day each of us will account for our actions during our lives. Since we have God's Word, ignorance will not be an acceptable excuse on that day.

The Necessity of Water Baptism

Is water baptism a necessary part of the salvation experience of the New Testament? People have various ideas about water baptism, but we cannot always trust and to please God is to depend upon the Bible as our source of instruction.

Jesus gave us some insight as to the importance of water baptism in John 3:5: “Jesus answered, 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.” Both the context of that statement and the subsequent practice of the New Testament church indicate that He was speaking of water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gave the apostles and us a direct command to go, teach, and baptize converts. Since He gave this command, baptism is important and necessary. The Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Jesus instructed us to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” In other words, He told us to baptize in the name (singular) that fully reveals God in His redemptive manifestations and work. What is this name?

The name given to the Son of God was Jesus. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus was a genuine human being, born by the miraculous work of God's Spirit in the womb of a virgin, and thus He was literally the Son of God (Luke 1:35). He was more that a man, however; He was actually the one God manifested in the flesh (Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:17). He was the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

As such Jesus declared, “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (John 5:43). In other words, the Father is made known to us by the name of Jesus. The Father, the one true invisible God, gave His name to the Son (the manifestation of God in flesh)l thus the Son received His name by inheritance (Hebrews 1:4).

The name Jesus literally means “Jehovah Savior.” Jehovah was the unique name by which the one true God identified Himself to Israel in the Old Testament. The name Jesus describes the one God of the Old Testament coming in flesh to be our Savior. Thus the name of Jesus reveals both the Father and the Son.

What about the Holy Ghost? What name reveals God in His spiritual essence and action? Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). In other words, the Holy Spirit comes to us in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit does not come to us with a separate identity but is the Spirit of Jesus-Jesus Himself coming to dwell within us spiritually (John 14:16-18; Colossians 1:27).

In short, the supreme name that reveals God-the name by which we know the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-is Jesus. By invoking the name of Jesus, then, we fulfill the command of Matthew 28:19. The Importance of the Name of Jesus

Many passages of Scripture emphasize the importance and supremacy of the name of Jesus. “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:!2).

“Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem' (Luke 24:47).

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).

“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:4).

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). The Practice of the Early Church

How did the apostles obey the command Jesus gave to them in Matthew 28:19? On the Day of Pentecost, sinners asked the question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). The apostle Peter gave them the answer: “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). This verse reveals that the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and that baptism is for the remission of sins.

When Saul, later known as Paul, repented, Ananias instructed him, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and was away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” What is the name of the Lord?

Just a few days earlier, Paul had asked the same question: “Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:5). Paul later wrote, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12″3).

Jesus revealed Himself to Paul as the Lord. Paul knew about the Lord God of the Old Testament, but at that time he did not serve the Jesus of the New Testament. But he learned that the Lord of the Old Testament was the same Lord of the New Testament, and to his amazement the one Lord was Jesus.

When Philip preached the gospel in Samaria, those who believed “were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:16).

When a group of Gentiles received the Holy Spirit, Peter asked, “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 10:47-48). As we have just seen, the name of the Lord is Jesus. Moreover, as translations such as the Amplified Bible and the New International Version indicate, the oldest Greek manuscripts we now have actually state here, “in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Paul rebaptized the disciples of John at Ephesus in the name of Jesus. “He said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:3-5). The Command of Matthew 28:19

Clearly the early church baptized everyone-Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles-in the name of Jesus. How does this practice harmonize with Matthew 28:19? First, Matthew 28:19 “in the name” not “in the names” or ” in the titles or offices of God.” The name that Matthew 28:19 describes is Jesus. So the apostles correctly understood converts in the name of Jesus.

The Bible does not tell us that we have life through the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, but it tells us we have life through the name of Jesus. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name” (John 20:31).

The Bible does not say that we are baptized into three different persons, but it says we are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:3-4). Specifically, we are “buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (
Colossians 2:12). Conclusion

Shortly before His ascension Jesus gave the baptismal command found in Matthew 28:19 to the apostles. According to Luke 24:45, He also opened their understanding. A few days after His ascension, He baptized 120 waiting disciples with His Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. On this occasion, the apostles proclaimed to the multitude that everyone should be baptized in the name of Jesus ( Acts2:38).

The apostles understood that Jesus was the redemptive name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They did not merely repeat those three titles, but they invoked the name to which those titles referred. The other preachers in the New Testament church, such as Philip, Ananias, and Paul, adhered to the same baptismal formula.

There are no contradictions in the Word of God. The New Testament teaches that we must be baptized “in the name” of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and that name we are to invoke at baptism is Jesus.

[Tonycb]

1. Is the word trinity in the Bible? No.
2. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No.
3. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes
4. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationships to humanity.
5. Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so–1 John 5:7. It speaks of the father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying, “These three are one.”
6. Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galations 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; James 2:19.
7. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16.
8. Does a Christian only have one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.
9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for person in this verse literally means “substance.”
10. Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No.
11. Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.
12. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22.
13. Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10.
14. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in Heaven, for God is omnipresent.
15. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.
16. When God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10.
17. How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.
18. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45; 14:9.
19. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8.
20. Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.
21. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the first and the last. Revelation 1:17-18.
22. How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in Heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.
23. If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.
24. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshiped? Yes. Matthew 4:10.
25. Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.
26. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes. John 1:1, 14.
27. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.
28. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16.
29. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.
30. Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.
31. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.
32. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. 1 Kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1.
33. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.
34. Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.
35. Was there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10.
36. What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8
37. What is one thing that God cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2.
38. How many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4.
39. How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9.
40. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16.
41. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8
42. Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.
43. Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.
44. Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior.
45. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. 1 John 5:20.
46. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 3:16.
47. When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? “I am Jesus.” Acts 9:5
48. While Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59
49. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.
50. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, “Beside me there is no saviour”? Because “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” II Corinthians 5:19.
51. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23.
52. Did Jesus ever say, “I and my Father are one”? Yes. John 10:30.
53. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9-11.
54. Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25.
55. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13.
56. Can trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only one divine person was present–Jesus Christ the Lord.
57. Then what were the other two of whom trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16-17.
58. What did the voice say at Jesus' baptism? “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate.
59. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human body.
60. The Bible says that God is coming back with all His saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No. Only one is coming back–our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 3:13

[Tonycb]

Baptism in Jesus' Name

The usual Trinitarian formula used for baptism is found in Matthew 28:19. The setting is the Great Commission. These are some of the last words that Jesus told His disciples before He ascended. It reads:
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The first thing I would like to point out here is that name is singular. This is significant. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit all have one name. Now I do not intend to try and explain this passage away. These are the words of Jesus. But we must ask ourselves, what does this mean? We must not take this one passage in isolation and ignore everything else that the Bible has to say about baptism. We must let scripture interpret scripture and look at all that the Bible says on any given subject.
Next I would like to point out now that this is not the only account of the Great Commission. There is a reason why we have four gospels. God inspired each writer to write the same truth from different points of view. John did not record the Great Commission, but we will look at what the others said. When we look at Mark’s account we read:
Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues
So we see that Mark records the command to go and baptize, but does not speak of a name in connection with baptism. However, we do see a mention of Jesus’ name in the very next verse. More importantly we need to look at how the apostles obeyed these commands which we will see in the book of Acts. But now lets look at Luke’s account:
Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
So here we read a command to preach repentance and remission of sins, in His name (which is fulfilled in Acts 2). If we look at the preceding verse we see that the pronoun His refers to Christ. So repentance and remission of sins are to be preached in Jesus’ name! Where do we receive the remission of sins? Well, let’s look at what Jesus’ disciples did with this command:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'
So we have three different accounts of what Jesus’ commanded His apostles at the Great Commission. Now we look at how they obeyed Jesus’ words. We should take note that Jesus died after the Passover, was buried for 3 days and was then on the earth for 40 days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3). From the Passover until Pentecost is 50 days (Pente- means 50). So only about a week transpired between Jesus commission and Peter’s sermon on Pentecost. Surely they didn’t forget His command that fast. It is also interesting that Matthew, who later wrote Matt. 28:19 was present as well (Acts 1:13). We would expect him to stand up and stop Peter if he was preaching the wrong thing! (“Hey Pete, don’t you know that Jesus said . . . “) But we don’t see that. So we need to reconcile these two facts:

Jesus said this:
They did this:
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritActs 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ . . .

Now who would be in the best position to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words? Us, almost 2,000 years later, or His own disciples who He spoke them to. Throughout the book of Acts as we will see they routinely baptized people in Jesus’ name. And when we read the Epistles to the churches, we will find out that they too were baptized in Jesus’ name. So it is obvious that Jesus’ disciples understood the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost to be Jesus! NOWHERE in scripture do we find anyone being baptized using these words, only in Jesus’ name.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Jesus – vs. 10)
Although this verse may not be talking exclusively about baptism, we see that Jesus is the name by which we are saved, and that there is no other!
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
So Peter, John and the rest of the disciples baptized in the Jesus’ name throughout Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. And Paul re-baptized the believers in Ephesus in Jesus' name (19:1-5). Now let’s look at some of the other churches:
Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The reason that we are baptized in Jesus’ name is that we are being baptized into Jesus. We are taking on his name, similar to the way a woman takes on her husband's name. We are saying that we belong to Jesus and we are identifying with Him in His death and burial. Even if God were a trinity, Jesus is the one who died for us and He is the one who the Christians at Rome were buried with.
1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
If we follow Paul’s train of thought, his obvious implication is “No, Christ was the one crucified for you and so you were baptized in the name of Christ” So the believers at Corinth as well as those in Rome were baptized in Jesus’ name.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
In addition to those in Rome, Corinth and Ephesus (as well as Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria), we see that the Christians in Colosse and those in the region of Galatia were all baptized in Jesus’ name. They would not have connected baptism so exclusively with Christ had they routinely baptized using the words “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” As I said before, the only way that we see anyone being baptized is in Jesus' name. When Jesus’ was on this earth, He baptized His disciples (John 4:1,2) and then commissioned them to go and baptize others in His name, or in His place. When Jesus baptized someone, He didn’t have to say “in Jesus name.” He was Jesus. But when we stand in his stead, we do it in his name. Scripture tells us that whatever we do in word or deed should be done in Jesus’ name (Col. 3:17). Baptism is an act of both word and deed.
Finally, I would like to demonstrate where history shows us that the Catholic Church changed the way that people were baptized. From there on people continued to follow this tradition, probably because it fit so well with their Tr
initarian doctrine:
BRITANICA ENCYCLOPEDIA
The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son & Holy Ghost by the Catholic Church in the Second Century. – 11th Edit., Vol. 3, ppg. 365-366.
CANNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION
The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until development of the Trinity Doctrine in the Second Century.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
Here the Catholics acknowledged that baptism was changed by the Catholic Church. – Vol. 2, pg. 263.
HASTINGS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION
Christian baptism was administered using the words, “in the name of Jesus.” – Vol. 2, pg. 377. Baptism was always in the name of Lord Jesus until time of Justin Martyr when Triune formula used. – Vol. 2, pg. 389. NAME was an ancient synonym for “person.” Payment was always made in the name of some person referring to ownership. Therefore one being baptized in Jesus’ name became His personal property. “Ye are Christ’s.” – Vol. 2, pg. 377 on Acts 2:38.

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