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Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation- Is it Biblical?
By Dr. Paogin Mangte.
Invite Jesus into your heart through prayer!
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”
This verse is taken out of context if it is applied to mean initial conversion. This is written in a letter to the church in Laodicea, i.e. to those that have already been baptized and have already been born again. This is not a verse about conversion. It was written to people who were already Christians (the church—see verse 14) and who were growing weak, in order to urge them back to a closer walk with God.
Many teach out of error that one only need say a prayer that goes something like this in order to be saved:
"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I have sinned by my own choice. I take the responsibility for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover up or take my sin away, I am relying totally and completely on You. I am completely helpless. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, and I repent. Please come into my life, wash away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You."
Nowhere in scripture do we see anyone “praying for salvation.” Although the thoughts and attitudes expressed in this prayer are exactly correct, it needs to be followed up with baptism into Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Saying a prayer for salvation may sound reasonable from a human standpoint, but it is totally unbiblical and foreign to the New Testament.
Scripture Prayer of “invitation to Jesus” taught?==Baptism in Jesus name taught?
=======================================================
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES! Acts 2:38-41
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? Yes !Acts 8:5-12
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 8:26-40
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 9:18
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 10:47-48
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 16:15
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 16:16-33
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 19:3-5
Sinner’s Prayer for Salvation taught? NO!!! Baptism taught? YES!Acts 22:16
If you have prayed a prayer like this, you have been stopped just short of the “one yard line” (to use a term from the sport of football) You may have asked the Lord to show you what He wants you to do in your life. So keep going. Don’t stop now. Go get baptize in the name Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Obey Acts 2:38!
If you have prayed such a prayer asking God to save you, He is responding to your prayer right now by telling you what HIS salvation plan is and that you have not heard the full story! He has heard your plea and wants to save you. God wants you to know His salvation plan involves being baptized IN JESUS NAME for the forgiveness of your sins- Luke 24:47; Acts 10:43; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38!
• The work of the calvary is God’s offer of life…
• Baptism in Jesus name is our acceptance- READ. James 2:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; John 3:5; Acts 19:2-5; Gal 3:27; Acts 22:16!
But I know Some people will still protest the need for baptism in Jesus name, saying something like this,“But baptism is a ‘work’ and we are not saved by works…we are saved by faith alone.”
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First, we must consider what the definition of a “work” is that we are using. If one defines baptism a “work” then we must also label believing a “work”. We must also label repenting a “work”. Believing and repenting are both things -we must DO as a prerequisite to salvation. They are both things that require human action. Baptism is merely the last part of that equation. James tells us he will show us his faith by what he does.
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. -James 2:17
It must be remembered that although baptism is something we must do (like believing and repenting), baptism in Jesus name is an act of faith, not a “work.” ( Read Acts 2:37-42; Col 2:12;Acts 22:16). It must also be noted that the one at “work” when we are baptized is God, not us. See Colossians 2:12.
For Example: Just as we must report to the hospital before a surgeon can operate on us, so too, we must “report to God’ in the waters of baptism, submitting to God and claiming His promise so that our sins will be forgiven. Just as it is the surgeon who is the one who is at work when we are operated on, so too, it is God who is the one who is at work when we undergo baptism.
Baptism in Jesus name i is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It is part of our New birth (John 3:3-5). Baptism is not an on going process such as feeding the poor, or clothing the homeless or offering sacrifices as they did under the Old Covenant. Doing good deeds cannot earn us eternal life.
Baptism in Jesus name- is a manifestation of faith ( Mark 16;16; Acts 22:16; 19:2-5). It is not Man who is at work in baptism; it is God. Baptism is not a “work of righteousness.” On the contrary, if anything, it should be considered a work of Unrighteousness.
Remember. We are baptized in Jesus name because we are corrupt, unrighteous and spiritually dead in sin. This is why we are buried with HIM into DEATH as explained in Romans 6. It is the DEAD that are buried, not the living.
But God has always measured faith by our actions, as James 2:17-26 tells us:
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. But, someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and shudder. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith apart from works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Do you see how faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God. You see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only; And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Did you catch that? There are many who teach one is saved by “faith alone,” but there is only one place in the bible where the phrase “faith alone” is found—James 2:24. And it states very plainly we are NOT saved by faith alone!!!
“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
It is faith (or belief) that causes us to respond to God’s Word--the Gospel message. It is faith in God’s Word, that tells us Christ died in our place and rose again, that causes us to believe. It is our belief in God’s Word that causes us to turn from our sins and repent. It is our belief in God’s Word that causes us to go into the water in repentance for the purpose of having our sins forgiven and “washed away.” And it is in this manner that it can be said we are saved by faith. If we believe God’s Word about His salvation plan and respond accordingly, only then it can be said we are saved by our faith—because it is faith that acts as the catalyst to our response (repentance and baptism). If we do not believe, then we will not repent, nor will we go down into the water for the purpose of having our sins forgiven.
It must always be emphasized that baptism in Jesus name is an act in which God works, not Man. This happens through faith in God’s Word—Jesus. In Jesus name baptism we, the dead, are joined with Christ into His death. Then, being united with Him together in this death and burial, just as Christ arose from the dead, so too, He brings us up, still unified as one, with Him to resurrected life ( Col 2:12; Romans 6:3-5).
Those that have been misled into thinking baptism is a “work” and one only need say a prayer to be saved, must realize that baptism is no more a “work” than is saying the “sinner’s prayer” or “praying Jesus into your heart.”
Furthermore, it must be clarified what is meant by the term, “work”. And we must define the phrase-- “not saved by works” if we are going to debate it. Few would argue the work of the Calvary saves us. However, no work of ourselves can save us. Only the work of God can do that. So in the argument –“we are not saved by works…” it must be clarified that what is really meant is-- “we are not saved by works of ourselves”. But the Word of God does not ascribe baptism to that as being a work of man. The Scriptures credit baptism to that as being the work of God. Accordingly, we ARE saved by works—it’s just that the “work” isn’t ours; It’s the work of God!
READ Colossians 2:12:
And you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
REMEMBER! Again, baptism in Jesus name is not our work, it is His!
In speaking about marriage, Jesus said, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let not man separate." –Matthew 19:6
So. Jesus sees marriage as something God does, not man. And so it is with baptism.Just as the Lord tells us it is God Himself who is the one who does the joining in marriage, so too, baptism is viewed in the same way. It is God who joins us with Christ in baptism. Just as marriage is a spiritual union between a man and a woman that God gets the credit for, so too, baptism is a spiritual union (between Christ and man) that God gets the credit for because it is God who does the joining.Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.And Christ frequently portrayed Himself as the Bridegroom. In the book of Revelation, the church is portrayed as the bride. This indeed, is profound.
Key Point To Remember!
• The Epistles (letters) are written to Christians, i.e., people who have already been baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-5, 1Cor 12:13).
• The Epistles contain instructions to Christians and give instructions on how to remain in Christ and grow in Christ. The book of Acts gives examples of people who are not Christians becoming Christians. This is a great mistake many people make. They take instructions in the epistles on faith and apply them to conversion. But these verses do not relate to conversion, but to the converted.
• Once a person has been baptized into Christ, all the passages about faith and grace then apply.
• In other words, once a person has been baptized into Christ, it can be said their faith is what continues to maintain their salvation.
1Timothy 2:3-4-This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
God wants everyone to be saved and to know the truth. It is by God’s abundant mercy and grace that he provides us with a way out of the darkness. His salvation plan is available to every human being! His invitation is extended to everybody and it is by His grace that anyone gets an invitation at all. Yet even though His salvation is open to all, we must each, individually, respond to this invitation, to His grace, and to His call. We do this by believing, by repenting, by confessing our faith in Christ and by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit ( Acts 2:38), so that our sins will be forgiven- Acts 22:16; 2:38!
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 was 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 to 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 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 Apostle 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 2:17.
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 one supreme name by which the one God is revealed, not three names of three 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 only saving name, the name in which we receive remission of sins, the highest name made known to us, and the name in which we are to say and do all things (Acts 4:12; 10:4-3; 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, 87: "At first baptism was administered in the name of Jesus, but gradually in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
• Hastings's Dictionary of the Bible (1898), I, 24-1: "(One could conclude 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 Religious Encyclopedia (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 Bibilca (1899), I 4-73: "It is natural to conclude that baptism was administered in the earliest times 'in the name of Jesus Christ; or 'in the name 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."
• The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, 263: "The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century."
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.
Honest hearts, receive the truth!
It is of utmost importance that water baptism be applied in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ( Galatians 3:27)!
"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 DWELLETH 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" (Col. 2:8-12).
The argument that we are saved before baptism IN JESUS NAME is NOTHING BUT a lie! It originates from the father of lies - THE DEVIL who was a murderer from the beginning and in whom is no truth.
You must make a choice between tradition (man-made doctrines) and truth (biblical apostles Doctrines)!
Heaven or Hell? The Choice is Yours….!
• "YE ARE WASHED, ye are sanctified, ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, and by the Spirit of our God "(I Cor. 6:11).
• "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
JESUS" (Col. 3:17).
There is only ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, AND ONE BAPTISM (Eph. 4:5).
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” – Romans 8:1. How are we in Christ? Through baptism in Jesus name- READ- Gal 3:27 “ ..Baptized into Christ, have put on Christ..”
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The Bible says:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved “ (Mark 16:16)
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
He who believes and is saved, should be baptized
The Bible says:
“Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Repent and be baptized in Trinity Formula be it sprinkling,pouring or immersion in Triune names it doesn't matter!---- because your sins have already been forgiven!
The Bible says:
‘Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:5).
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Baptism is not essential for salvation. This “birth of water” is natural childbirth.
The Bible says:
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4).
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
We were buried therefore with him by belief into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
The Bible says:
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5)
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
There are many baptisms and many bodies, and many faiths.
The Bible says:
“…who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you - not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”(1Peter 3:21).
Note: Look at the above verse carefully. It teaches the water of Noah’s flood is a symbol of baptism--and baptism saves us. The “it” in the phrase “it saves you” is referring to baptism…So this verse actually states two times that baptism saves us!
.
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Baptism does not save you--baptism is merely a symbol.
The Bible says:
“and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Baptism is a work of Man.
The Bible says:
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Baptism does not put us into Christ--belief alone does.
The Bible says:
“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into thewater, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:36-39).
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Baptism is required, but not in water. Baptism is in “spirit”.
And if water is used, sprinkling or pouring is ok.
And candidate for baptism need not believe (such as with infants).
The Bible says:
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
Paul had been praying and fasting for three days at this point, and called Jesus “Lord”, so he was already saved. Baptism had nothing to do with having his sins washed away.
The Bible says:
“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)
Trinitarian Denominations teach:
We are justified by faith alone.
The argument that we are saved before baptism IN JESUS NAME is NOTHING BUT a lie- Read Mark 16:16; Lk 24:47-Acts 2:37-42; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:20-21; Gal 3:27; John 3:5! ! It originates from the father of lies - THE DEVIL who was a murderer from the beginning and in whom is no truth.
You must make a choice between tradition (man-made doctrines) and truth (biblical apostles Doctrines)!
Heaven or Hell? The Choice is Yours….!
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” – Romans 8:1. How are we in Christ? Through baptism in Jesus name- READ- Gal 3:27 “ ..Baptized into Christ, have put on Christ..”
"Then Peter said unto to 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). Rev. 22:14"Blessed are they that DO His Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
INTRODUCTION: In Jesus name, We invite everyone to open their hearts and their Bibles in the name of Jesus our LORD, for we believe that truth is its own best defense. The Bereans exemplified the "more noble" course of action, "in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). The will of God also includes our being baptized in Jesus name for the forgiveness of our sins,so that we can be saved and go to heaven! In Mark 16:16 Jesus says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned." This is such a simple command to obey in the way the Lord says to do it. Notice the divine order: 1) Believe + 2) Baptism = 3) Saved. Jesus says that both belief and baptism are required to be saved. But men, at the prompting of Satan, are trying to tell us many other different things that are contrary to what Jesus says. Men have taken what the Lord said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved," and have changed it in every way possible to suit themselves. With a Christian Love, and humbly, I invite everyone to open their hearts and their Bibles in the name of Jesus our LORD, for we believe that truth is its own best defense. The Bereans exemplified the "more noble" course of action, "in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). ======================================================== *****The following is what the Bible says and also ways in which man has tried to change what the Lord Jesus has said:- ======================================================== # Some common Trinitarian traditions of men vs. the Word of God ( The Bible way): ======================================================= The Bible says: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved “ (Mark 16:16). Trinitarian -Denominations teach: He who believes and is saved, should be baptized- It could be merely Sprinkling or some Catholic Trinitarianism man-made doctrine says--Water baptism is correctly administered by saying "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The Bible says: “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). We know, The Bible gives only Jesus name baptism formula and no other (Acts 10:43). Indeed, The apostolic church adhered to only Jesus name baptism formula (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; I Corinthians 1:13). and no other! Trinitarian -Denominations teach: Repent and be baptized in Trinity Formula- because your sins have already been forgiven The Bible Says: ‘Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:5).\ Some Trinitarian -Denominations teach: Baptism is not essential for salvation. This “birth of water” is natural childbirth. The Bible says: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4). Trinitarian-Denominations teach: We were buried therefore with him by belief into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. The Bible says: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5). Some Trinitarian-Denominations teach: There are many baptisms and many bodies, and many many faiths. The Bible says: “…who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you - not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”(1Peter 3:21) Note: Look at the above verse carefully. It teaches the water of Noah’s flood is a symbol of baptism--and baptism saves us. The “it” in the phrase “it saves you” is referring to baptism…So this verse actually states two times that baptism saves us! Most Trinitarian Denominations teach: Baptism does not save you--baptism is merely a symbol. The Bible says: “and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12). Most Trinitarian-Denominations teach: Baptism is a work of Man. The Bible says: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27). Trinitarian Denominations teach: Baptism does not put us into Christ--belief alone does. The Bible says: “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:36-39). Most Trinitarian Denominations teach: Baptism is required, but not in water. Baptism is in “spirit”. And if water is used, sprinkling or pouring is ok. And candidate for baptism need not believe (such as with infants). The Bible says: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16). Trinitarian Denominations teach: Paul had been praying and fasting for three days at this point, and called Jesus “Lord”, so he was already saved. Baptism had nothing to do with having his sins washed away. The Bible says: “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24). Trinitarian Denominations teach: We are justified by faith alone. Who are you following? Are you following 1) Jesus, 2) the Catholic Man-made doctrine? We can go to heaven only by following what Jesus says and not what man and Tradition says. Today is the day of salvation (2Cor 6:2). If you don’t abide in Jesus’ doctrine (Apostles doctrine- Acts 2:38-42) - you don’t have God (2Jn 1:9). If you don’t have Jesus, you don’t have GOD The Father (1Jn 2:22-23). You will not get to God or to heaven, except through JESUS OUR LORD ( Acts 4:12; Jn 14:6-11). If you don’t believe that Jesus is the One True God (John 8:24; Isaiah 9:6; 44:6; Rev 1:8) , then you will in your sins- John 8:24, it means you don’t believe God’s Word ( John 5:39; Acts 10:43;Gal 1:8-9). If you don’t believe God’s Word ( Rev 22:18-19), Please don’t call yourself a Christian - Christianity is based on God’s Word (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38-47; Rev 22:18-19; Ephesians 4:5; Gal 1:8-9; II Timothy 3;16-17; I Timothy 3:16-17; John 5:39,45-46). True Biblical Christians today, should use the biblical baptismal formula as found in the New Testament ( In the Holy Bible). Everyone should be baptized by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins according to the Bible way ( Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38;22:16; 19:5; 10:48; Romans 6:3-5; Gal 3;27; Col 3:17; Acts 4:12; Zechariah 14:9).! MY FRIENDS, THERE IS NO TRINITY OF GODS TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE IN THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD ( John 5:39;I Tim 3;16; Rev 22:18-19;Col 2:9-10). The testimony of history, as well as the testimony of scripture, shows us the truly idolatrous nature of the Trinity doctrine and why we must not even “touch” such an unclean thing! THE VERY WORD TRINITY IS NOT FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES. SCRIPTURE ALWAYS INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE. IT IS GREED FOR POWER, MONEY, AND PEOPLE, THAT KEEPS THE TRINITY DOCTRINE IN MOST CHURCHES TODAY. "TRUTH IS A REVELATION... WHERE IT IS NOT WELCOME, CARNALITY REIGNS." The doctrine of a Trinity is recognized and described by its most fervent teachers as being a "mystery beyond explanation or conception". It is nothing else BUT CONFUSION PAGAN DOCTRINE- ABSOLUTE UN-BIBLICAL TEACHING! John 14: 9. "Have I been with you all this time, Philip .., and you still do not know Me? To have seen Me, is to have seen the Father, so, how can you say, 'Let us see the Father'? Do you not believe in Me? (verse 7) If you know Me, you know My Father too. From this moment you know Him and have seen Him." John 8: 24 "... You will DIE in your sins, yes, if you do not believe that I AM HE - (YAHVEH) you WILL DIE IN YOUR SINS." Isa. 4I:4 "... I YAHVEH, Who am the First, and will be with the Last; I AM HE." The Bible confirmed that Jesus is the Everlasting Father, First and the Last,Yahweh, The Mighty God, the One True God- Col 2:9-10. Isa. 9:6 "For unto us a child is born .., and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty Almighty, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Rev. 22:13"1 AM the Alpha and the Omega, the FIRST AND THE LAST, the Beginning and the End. " Isa. 44:6 ' "Thus says Israel's king and his Redeemer, YHVH Sabaoth: I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST; there is NO other God besides ME." Isa. 48:12 "Listen to me, Jacob, Israel whom I have called: I AM THE FIRST, I AM ALSO THE LAST." None the less, Trinitarians limit their Messiah to the "SECOND Person" only! But the Bible stated that Jesus is : He is the FIRST, i,e, the FATHER, the second, the third .. . "the eleventh" .. . "the millionth" ... AND THE LAST? Wow!!!! The apostles, who were personally taught and enlightened by Messiah, administered Baptism in "the NAME of JESUS CHRIST " - which is the Name of the Father and the Name of the Son and also the Name of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).READ this confirmed fact in Acts 2:38; 10,:44-48; Luke 24:47; Acts 4:2; 8:12- l6; 19:1-6; Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27.6. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is Our Answers to some common arguments critics often use in an attempt to nullify the need for baptism in the name of Jesus Christ- Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38;10:43;22:16; Gal 3:27; Acts 19:2-5): ======================================================= # 1.The Thief on the Cross (Calvary). Three scriptural reasons why this is an invalid argument Some will ask, “Well, what about the thief on the cross? He wasn't baptized and Jesus very clearly told him he would be in paradise. Doesn't that prove baptism in not essential for salvation?” This is a perfectly valid question and makes sense at first glance. However, the problem arises from not having a clear understanding of what baptism represents and what the scriptures tell us about it. According to Romans 6:3-6, baptism represents being unified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The problem with the thief on the calvary, when Jesus told him he would be with Him in paradise, is that Jesus was still alive. Christ had not yet died or been buried, so He had certainly not risen yet either. Baptism into Christ, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, was not put into practice until Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 after Christ had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven( Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 19:5). I) The thief on the cross was still under the Old Covenant and therefore not subject to this Jesus name baptism ( Read Luke 24:47; Mathew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16;Acts 2:38-47; The baptism of Jesus name starts from the day of Pentecost for all Nations). Hence, He was saved just like anyone else under the Old Covenant. II) But besides that, when Christ was on this earth, He had the authority to forgive people of their sins. Look at Mark 2:9-12: Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk? 'But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- "I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house." He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" When Christ was on the calvary, He was still on this earth. And He had the authority to forgive sins. III) An additional point to consider: To even position the argument about the thief on the cross one must be able to prove he was never baptized. But consider the following verses: Mark 1:4-5: John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then ALL the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. So who can really say the thief was never baptized before he was crucified? According to Mark 1:4-5 there is a plausible chance the thief on the calvary was baptized according to John's baptism, ( Acts 19:2-5, we know Paul re-baptized John's Disciples in Jesus name in Acts 19:4-7). # II. Some people says, “We are not saved by baptism; we are saved by grace.” Indeed, we are saved by grace. But just what is ‘grace’? The Oxford American Dictionary defines grace as: God’s loving mercy toward mankind. Other words that may be found in a thesaurus as synonyms for “grace” include: mercy, favor, kindness, blessing, and compassion.And it is because of God’s mercy, His favor, His kindness, His blessing and His compassion that He has provided mankind with a salvation plan! We are saved by God’s mercy. We do not deserve the blessings God has given us. • Ephesians 2:4-9 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. Baptism in Jesus name,in no way minimizes or nullifies God’s grace as some critics argue that baptism does. They make this argument because they do not understand the role baptism plays in God’s salvation plan. Baptism in Jesus name confirms and verifies God’s grace to us! God’s grace is manifested in baptism- READ MK 16:16; I Peter 3:20-21! And after we are baptized, His grace continues to cover us. Notice this passage says: God made us alive in Christ when we were dead—and this is God’s grace. God raised us up with Christ God expresses His grace to mankind by giving us Christ Jesus God’s grace is through faith. When did God make us alive when we were dead, and raise us up with Christ? What is Paul talking about? Romans 6:3-5 describes just such a scenario-- when we were dead in sin and God raised us up with Christ: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his”. An Analogy of Grace and Faith : Here is an analogy that may help to put what we have learned into perspective. Suppose Peter tells Jack "Meet me at the bank tomorrow morning at 11:00 A.M. and I will give you $1,000." (This is a condition for receiving the gift.) If Jack really believes Peter, he will appear at the appointed place and time. (Faith necessarily produces trust, response, and reliance) If Jack shows up, has he thereby earned the money? Of course not, because the money is a free gift. Yet his appearance is a necessary condition that must be met in order to receive the gift. (Grace on Peter’s part, faith on Jack’s part.) If Jack fails to show up, he will not receive the gift and the responsibility for the failure will fall totally upon him. (Lack of faith in the promise.) Similarly, we must respond to God in faith by seeking repentance, remission of sins at water baptism in Jesus name, according to Acts 2:38-41; Acts 10:44-48, Therefore Jesus said, “He that believeth and baptized shall be saved” (Mk 16:16) also read I Peter 3:20-21. If we do, God will graciously grant our petition, and we will receive salvation totally as a free gift and not as an earned right. If we do not respond in obedience to God's Word, we will not receive salvation, and the blame will rest totally upon us. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And when we had sinned and were dead, and had received only what we deserved, God in His mercy and grace provided a way for us to be saved— God was manifested in the Flesh to in order to saved us ( I Timothy 3:16) and according to First John 3:1, 5 states that the Father loved us and was manifested to take away our sins, yet we know it was Christ who was manifested in the world to take away sin (John 1:29-31). And without Jesus, baptism is meaningless- Therefore, baptism formula MUST be only in the name of Jesus Christ-( READ- Lk 24:47; Acts 10:43; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col 3;17). Jesus name is the only saving name ( Acts 4:12). Baptism, coupled with faith, is the means by which we become unified with Christ. Baptism is how we are “put into” Christ( Gal 3:27). We should be grateful and thankful beyond measure that God has provided a salvation plan for us who deserve nothing but death. We are saved by God. We are saved by grace. We are saved by faith. We are saved by baptism (1 Peter 3:21). We are saved by all of these combined because in baptism God’s grace is manifested through our faith. In baptism ( The Bible way baptism in Jesus name- Acts 2;38), God’s salvation plan to mankind—which is purely a gift by His grace-- becomes a reality. Are we not saved by faith? We must believe just as we must be baptized. Yet those who argue baptism is a “work” will never argue believing is a work! But believing is something we must do! Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."—John 6:29. Are we not saved by grace? Of course we are! Baptism is just one component of God’s salvation plan. Are we not saved by God’s salvation plan? Baptism is the manifestation of God’s grace. It is the materialization of God’s salvation plan in an individual’s life. When combined with faith and repentance, baptism, Peter says, saves us! ( I Peter 3:20-21). If we say we are not saved by baptism in Jesus name, Then, we are saying we are not saved by God’s salvation plan ( Read Luke 24:47;John 3:5; Mk 16:16; Acts 22:38; 2:38-39). Here is yet another hint: Acts 20:24-27: However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Notice how Paul talks about the good news of God’s grace and then in the very next breath talks about the kingdom. We know from John 3:3-5 that we enter the kingdom of God through baptism in Jesus name ( John 3:5; Gal 3:17; Acts 2:38-47)! And what is the will of God? 1Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. God wants everyone to be saved and to know the truth. It is by God’s abundant mercy and grace that he provides us with a way out of the darkness. His salvation plan is available to every human being! His invitation is extended to everybody and it is by His grace that anyone gets an invitation at all. Yet even though His salvation is open to all, we must each, individually, respond to this invitation, to His grace, and to His call. We do this by believing, by repenting, by confessing our faith in Christ and by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that our sins will be forgiven- receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit- John 3:5;Acts 22:16; 2:38! # III. Some protest the need for baptism, saying something like “But Paul said he was not sent to baptize…”(1Corinthians 1:17). Let’s first look at the whole passage in question: 1Corinthians 1:10-17:- Verse-10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Verse-11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. Verse -12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." Verse-13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Verse- 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. Verse-16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) Verse- 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. The following quote is taken from Biblelessons.com : “In 1 Corinthians 1:10ff, Paul condemns the Christians at Corinth for their division. Apparently many were holding an improper allegiance to the one who baptized them (verse 12). In verse 14, Paul stated that he was therefore thankful that he had baptized only a few there in Corinth. He did not seek any particular status in the minds of those who were baptized; it made no difference to him who actually did the baptizing. He says in verse 17 and in Acts 9:15 that Jesus had called him to preach. Others could do the baptizing as well as Paul, but not necessarily the preaching. # Remember John 4:1-2 says that Jesus made and baptized many disciples, but it was His disciples that actually did the physical act of baptizing. Was Paul saying that baptism is not important? Certainly not. Remember it was Paul who said that we put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27). Actually, the passage is very consistent in showing that baptism is very important. It is obvious that the Christians in Corinth had been baptized; this is inferred in 1 Corinthians 1:13 and stated in Acts 18:8. And Paul, in this passage, actually indicates that two things are required before a person may call himself after another person. First, Paul would have to die for that person; and second, that person would have to be baptized in the name of Paul. This actually parallels perfectly with Biblical teaching that Christ has died for us, and we rightfully call ourselves Christians when we put Christ on in baptism.” ( Gal 3:27). The divisions that were occurring with the Corinthians apparently got started because they were placing improper importance and significance on who baptized them. Whether it was Paul or some other teacher, it did not matter. But notice something very important about Paul’s words that actually demonstrate the necessity of baptism: To re-state, according to verse 13, in order to be called after Christ, at least two things must happen: 1.) Christ must die for that person (which He did) 2.) That person must be baptized into the name of Christ! (According to Acts 2:38). If one has not been baptized into Christ- In the name of Jesus Christ, then, one cannot rightfully call themselves a Christian, because we united with Christ through baptism into Christ and we also clothes with Christ through baptism in His name- Read. Romans 6:3-5; Gal 3:27! Even though Paul may have only baptized a few of the Corinthians himself, personally, they ALL were baptized! (Read: 1 Corinthians 12:13; Gal 3:27-29). For additional consideration: When Paul says, “Not to baptize but to preach the gospel,” he is using a common element of Greek syntax, the “ou . . . alla (not . . . but) construction. There are a number of places in the NT where not… but does not negate one of the two items under consideration. Instead, it prioritizes them. For example, Peter tells Ananias, “You have not lied to men but to God”. Of course He had lied to men, but most importantly he had lied to God. In a similar way Paul is saying, “I came first and most importantly to preach the gospel, then to Baptize.” This further emphasizes that faith and repentance are to precede baptism ( Acts 2:38; Luke 24:47). # IV. Some protest the need for baptism, saying something like “But God has answered my prayers for a long time, so how could I not be saved?” Answered prayer is not “proof” we are saved. God answers prayers of unsaved people all the time. That is how loving, caring, all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, and perfect God is. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” –Matthew 5:45. When God answers our prayers even before we are saved, He is drawing us to Him. When we reach out for God, He does not push us away. He answers so we will know He is there. He answers so we will know he is real. He answers so we will believe He exists. God answers so we will continue to seek after Him. It is not unusual for God to hear the prayers of people that are seeking Him, even before they are saved. See Cornelius in Acts chapter 10: Verses 30-33 says:- Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner,who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come.Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." God not only heard Cornelius’ prayer before he was saved, He sent an angel in response to provide him with more information through Peter! Peter later told Cornelius the rest of the message so that he could be saved. Jesus warned us that even miracles performed in His name does not mean we are saved: Matthew 7:21-23: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' In the above verse, how could these people cast out demons unless they pray? How could they perform any of these works without prayer? Notice Jesus does not deny they did these things. But Jesus tells them to depart because they did not do His will. How do we know what God’s will is? By reading the Scriptures (Bible- II Tim 3:16-17) and doing what they say. Think about this: If God did not answer our prayers at all before we were saved, how would we ever find Him? **Imagine a parent that looses their child in a store. Does the parent not cry out and call to that lost child? And when the child hears his mother or father, does he not run in the direction of that voice?** That is what God does with us! And, in God’s eyes, we are not considered found until we are in Christ: • Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? –Romans 6:3 • For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. -- Galatians 3:26-27 • For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…1Corinthians 12:13. # V . Some people says..we are saved simply when we believe Jesus and call upon His name…”Calling on the name of the Lord” Often times people will quote Romans 10:13 (“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”) not understanding what it means to “call on the name of the Lord” biblically. This verse in Romans 10:13 is actually a quote of Joel 2:32. This is the same exact verse the apostle Peter quoted in Acts chapter 2 at the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:21). In Acts 2, we see that after Peter quotes them the verse in Joel they still ask Peter, (in Acts 2:37) “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter does not respond by telling them to say a Sinner's prayer for SALVATION? No!!!. Peter does not lead them in any prayer! Instead PETER tells them what they must do to be saved. Peter gives them the answer mankind needs so desperately to hear. Peter declared to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 39--The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." Verse--40-With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Verse-41-Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day”. (Acts 2:38-41). The Bible tells us what it means “to call on the name of the Lord”. To “call on the name of the Lord” is equated with repentance and baptism into Christ’s name- Read-- Acts 22:16!. “Calling on the name of the Lord” being equated with baptism is further reinforced in Acts 22:16 says, “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'” James says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22). # VI. WHAT ABOUT John 3:16? "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life? John 3:16--is perhaps the most often quoted verse in the New Testament. It is often isolated and set apart from the rest of the dialogue in which it took place. Dear Friends, Please remember! To “believe in Jesus” means to believe the gospel message, and baptism is a part of that gospel message ( I Cor 15:1-4; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2;37-41).. It must also be remembered this verse is only one small part of a much larger conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus. Verse 16 (of chapter 3) deals with faith JESUS. Repentance is talked about in regards to the snake that was lifted up and then again in verses 19-21. Verses 3 and 5 deal with baptism. This shows the importance of looking at the overall picture and not focusing in on any single verse or passage. Furthermore, the NIV is the only translation that uses the word “shall” in John 3:16. All other translations render this verse, “…whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The NIV erroneously takes a “maybe” and turns it into a “will be”. According to James, faith alone, by itself, will not save us: James 2:19-20 says:- "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" Now that we can clearly see that-----Faith must have actions to back it up with!!! Amen! # VI. WHAT ABOUT Acts 16:30-31--He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." This verse is often quoted but then the questioner stops short right in the middle of the story. People like to quote verses 30 and 31 but they don’t quote verses 32 and 33. Those very next two verses state that the Word of the Lord was preached to them and then they were immediately baptized. We know from James 2:19-20 that the jailer did not stop once he had a belief in Jesus. Indeed, there was more as verses 32-33 illustrate so clearly. See Acts 16:16-33 for more detail. It does no good to tell someone about baptism IN JESUS NAME---unless they are first told the message of Jesus Christ. The first step is to believe, then baptism will be effectual. Faith in Christ is what gives baptism its significance. Obviously, it does no good to tell someone to get baptized IN JESUS NAME-( ACTS 2:17-42) unless they have first heard the message of the Calvary and the story of Jesus. # VII. What about Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Remember first, Paul just finished explaining in Romans chapter 6, and in great detail, the role of baptism in Jesus name. This verse does not nullify that chapter. But it is of significance, however, to note the commentary on this verse in the NIV study Bible that states, --“Jesus is Lord”, the earliest confession of Christian faith, probably used at baptism.” The verbal confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ is made at baptism, and is what is seen in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Notice the eunuch asks to be baptized and Philip tells him “if you believe with all your heart, you may.” And then the Ethiopian eunuch confesses faith in Christ with his mouth, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He is then baptized. REMEMBER!!!! Notice belief never stands alone, by itself. There is always some other action associated with it. Jesus started preaching by telling us to “repent and believe the Good News.” Jesus also said in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent we will all perish. Therefore Jesus said, ‘ He that believeth and baptized shall be saved “ ( Mk 16:16). Looking at it from another angle, notice also that baptism always has something else tied to it: ***Believing (John 3:3-5;16;Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16). ***Repentance (Acts 2:38) { Luke 13:3,5). ***Confession of faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37). Which all leads to: Being baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST (Immersion water baptism) for the forgiveness of sins ( Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38; 10:43)- and to received the gift of the Holy Spirit-Acts 2:38!!! This is where we get: 1.) Hear the Word 2.) Believe 3.) Repent of our sins 4.) Confess faith in Christ 5.) Be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit- Acts 2:38! It’s that simple? ## Does the Immersion Baptism and its baptismal Formula Really Matter? I would say-- a Thousands time-Yes!!!!! Because-THE BIBLE SAYS SO! Open your Bible and Read: ***JOHN 3:5 "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Most Bible commentaries agree that water here refers to baptism. ***MARK 16:16- "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Notice how Jesus places baptism in conjunction with salvation. ***I PETER 3:21-"Baptism doth also now save us." Also see Acts 10:6, 48. We know that,The Early Church, including Matthew, carried out Christ's instructions by baptizing in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; I Corinthians 1:13). Everyone should use the biblical mode formula. If the name Jesus was not called over someone at baptism, he should be re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38;19:2-7). ## 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, 87: "At first baptism was administered in the name of Jesus, but gradually in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." • Hastings's Dictionary of the Bible (1898), I, 24-1: "(One could conclude 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 Religious Encyclopedia (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 Bibilca (1899), I 4-73: "It is natural to conclude that baptism was administered in the earliest times 'in the name of Jesus Christ; or 'in the name 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." • The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, 263: "The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century." CONCLUSION: As a Christians, today we, MUST 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. You can Abuse us, if you will, but to us there is one God, and as Jesus said in Revelation 1:8 (ISAIAH 44:6; REV 4:8; REV 1:8), THAT JESUS is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. That is our faith and if you want to judge and condemn us for our faith, we are proud to be persecuted, denied, and hated for the name of Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega. GET THIS FACT RIGHT ! May I ask you readers; important is it that you have the right Jesus Christ? Jesus Himself said it best, "Unless you believe that I AM you will die in your sins."(John 8:24). If you believe Jesus already, then what are you waiting? Arise and be baptized in Jesus name and washes away your sins- Acts 22:16! Acts 20:28 says that God purchased the church with His own blood. Won't you check these things out? Your eternal life will depend on it. If you have the right Jesus Christ, you are right for all eternity. If you have the wrong Jesus Christ, you are wrong for all eternity. Through the name Jesus (NOT TRINITY) WE HAVE VICTORY ALWAYS (Mk 16:17; Acts 3:6; Col 3:17; AcT 4:12), Therefore, God reveals Himself fully. To the extent that we see, know, honor, believe, and receive Jesus, to that extent we see, know, honor, believe, and receive God the Father (John 5:23; 8:19; 12:44-45; 13:20; 14:7-9). FINALLY, REMEMBER!If we deny Jesus, we deny the Father (I John 2:23),whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also, Because Deity of Jesus is the Father ( Jn 14:7-11; 10:30; Col 2:9-10). If we acknowledge that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh as the Bible teaches (Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3: 16), then we must affirm that as God He always had divine glory, never lost it, and never needed anyone else to give it to Him. What did He mean, then, when He said, "Glorify thou me . . . with the glory which I had with thee before the world was"? AND WHEN WE use the name of Jesus we glorify the Father (Colossians 3:17). DEAR FRIENDS, Let us remember that, We do not fulfill our ministry by name calling, denunciations, and anathemas, but seek to share with the world God's great gift of salvation that He has made available in Jesus Christ- JOHN 14:6-11; COL 3:17. With the apostle Paul, we say, "After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers. believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" (Acts 24:14). We remember that Jesus said, "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake" (Matthew 10:22). Nevertheless, like the apostles, we can go our way "rejoicing [to be] counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41). Despite unjust opposition and unfair accusations, we "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" in the name of JESUS CHRIST OUR ONLY LORD(1 Peter 1:8; Ephesians 4:5; Phil 2:10-11; Acts 4:12). Baptism in JESUS NAME ( Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38) is a very serious matter. According to the Bible, baptism is for the purpose of salvation ( Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:20-21; Gal 3:27). Remember! In the Garden of Eden God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God said in Genesis 2:17, "For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." But later in Genesis 3:4 Satan told Eve, "You will not surely die." Satan just added the one word "not" and perverted what God had said. This is what men are doing today! Jesus said in Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved." Men today erroneously teach "He that believes and is not baptized shall be saved." By adding the word "not" men today are perverting the word of God just as Satan did. Satan does not want anyone to be baptized in JESUS NAME ( Acts 2:38; Lk 24:47; Acts 10:43) for the purpose of being saved. Satan tells people that after you think you are saved and your sins are forgiven then you can be baptized. But this is a lie of Satan which will cause many people to be lost. But Jesus promised salvation only to those who believe and are baptized ( Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Lk 24;47; Acts 2:38; 22:16). I plead with you to consider this issue. Why would anyone refuse to use the name Jesus? Why would anyone hesitate to take on the name of the One who died for them and be identified publicly with Him? Why would anyone reject the only saving name JESUS in the New Testament (Acts 4:12) - the name that is above every name? Why follow the Roman Catholic Church in baptism? Shouldn't the true church follow the baptismal formula set forth by the original twelve Apostles ? The Choice is all yours! Heaven or Hell! Please do not react in a knee-jerk, angry fashion. Look at how simply and wonderfully, the Bible declares that Jesus is the Only one True God! The Bible says: "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). Baptism IN JESUS NAME-- consists of both word and deed, so this verse applies. Of course, we do not orally utter the name Jesus before every statement or act in our lives. The verse primarily means to say or do everything with the power and authority of Jesus, as His representative, as His follower, and in dependence upon Him. When it comes to specific spiritual acts that require the invocation of God's name, however, this verse applies literally. We pray, cast out devils, and lay hands on the sick in the name of Jesus, all by uttering His name, and water baptism should be no exception. One who lives by the spirit of Colossians 3:17 as Christ's representative and follower will certainly be baptized in His name. Brethren, we must let go of heathen and pagan Trinity ideas and doctrines that stand against the work of God (Rev 22:18-19; John 5:39; Gal 1:8-9; I Tim 3:16; Rev 18:1-4).
My humble prayer is that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (God Jesus) will open your spiritual eyes and ears in Jesus name (Acts 4:12)! This is the time to break free of all deceptions. "Come out of her (Babylon Trinity) my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues." We cannot afford to be wrong on this vital point. Our eternal destiny depends on our being right with God COME TO JESUS TODAY! (Matt 11:28-29). OBEY ACTS 2:38. LIVE FOREVER! Shalom! In Jesus' Name, Brother.Paogin Mangte,ThD.,PhD ATS & OAPCI President/ Director. New Delhi,India. www.atsseminaryindia.webs.com
Some protest the need for baptism in Jesus name and saying something like this, “ We are saved simply when we believe Jesus and call upon His name…”Calling on the name of the Lord”
Often times people will quote Romans 10:13 (“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”) not understanding what it means to “call on the name of the Lord” biblically. This verse in Romans 10:13 is actually a quote of Joel 2:32. This is the same exact verse the apostle Peter quoted in Acts chapter 2 at the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:21).
In Acts 2, we see that after Peter quotes them the verse in Joel they still ask Peter, (in Acts 2:37) “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter does not respond by telling them to say a prayer. Peter does not lead them in any prayer! NO!
Instead PETER tells them what they must do to be saved. Peter gives them the answer mankind needs so desperately to hear. Peter declared to them,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day”. (Acts 2:38-41).
The Bible tells us what it means “to call on the name of the Lord”. To “call on the name of the Lord” is equated with repentance and baptism into Christ’s name ( Acts 2:17-38;22:16)..
“Calling on the name of the Lord” being equated with baptism is further reinforced in Acts 22:16 says, “And now what are you waiting for?Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'”
James says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22).
Some people still protest the need for baptism in Jesus name, and often they would always quote, John 3:16???For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life?
This is perhaps the most often quoted verse in the New Testament. It is often isolated and set apart from the rest of the dialogue in which it took place. Remember! To “believe in Jesus” means to believe the gospel message, and baptism is a part of that gospel message. It must also be remembered this verse is only one small part of a much larger conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus. Verse 16 (of chapter 3) deals with faith JESUS. Repentance is talked about in regards to the snake that was lifted up and then again in verses 19-21.
Verses 3 and 5 also deal with baptism. This shows the importance of looking at the overall picture and not focusing in on any single verse or passage.
Furthermore, the NIV is the only translation that uses the word “shall” in John 3:16. All other translations render this verse, “…whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The NIV erroneously takes a “maybe” and turns it into a “will be”.
According to James, faith alone, by itself, will not save us:
James 2:19-20--You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Faith must have actions to back it up with.
What about Acts 16:30-31??? He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
This verse is often quoted but then the questioner stops short right in the middle of the story. People like to quote verses 30 and 31 but they don’t quote verses 32 and 33. Those very next two verses state that the Word of the Lord was preached to them and then they were immediately baptized. We know from James 2:19-20 that the jailer did not stop once he had a belief in Jesus. Indeed, there was more as verses 32-33 illustrate so clearly. See Acts 16:16-33 for more detail. It does no good to tell someone about baptism unless they are first told the message of Jesus Christ. The first step is to believe, then baptism will be effectual. Faith in Christ is what gives baptism its significance. Obviously, it does no good to tell someone to get baptized unless they have first heard the message of the cross and the story of Jesus.
Some people would still protest the need for baptism in Jesus name, and they will always quote Scripture references from the Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Remember first, Paul just finished explaining in Romans chapter 6, and in great detail, the role of baptism in Jesus name. This verse does not nullify that chapter. But it is of significance, however, to note the commentary on this verse in the NIV study Bible that states, --“Jesus is Lord”, the earliest confession of Christian faith, probably used at baptism.” The verbal confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ is made at baptism, and is what is seen in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Notice the eunuch asks to be baptized and Philip tells him “if you believe with all your heart, you may.” And then the Ethiopian eunuch confesses faith in Christ with his mouth, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He is then baptized.
Read : Acts 8:26-40 (King James Version KJV).
Verse 26, And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Verse 27, And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Verse 28, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Verse 29, Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Verse 30, And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Verse 31, And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Verse 32, The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Verse 33, In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
Verse 34, And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Verse 35, Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Verse 36, And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Verse 37 ,And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Verse 38, And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Verse 39, And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Verse 40, But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
REMEMBER!!!! Notice belief never stands alone, by itself. There is always some other action associated with it. Jesus started preaching by telling us to “repent and believe the Good News.” Jesus also said in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent we will all perish. So, Therefore Jesus said,
‘He that believeth and baptized shall be saved “ ( Mk 16:16).
Repent and believe.
Looking at it from another angle, notice also that baptism always has something else tied to it:
Believing (Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16)
Repentance (Acts 2:38) { Luke 13:3,5}
Confession of faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37)
Which all leads to:
Being baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST (in water) for the forgiveness of sins- and received the gift of the Holy Spirit-Acts 2:38!!!
This is where we get:
1.) Hear the Word
2.) Believe
3.) Repent of our sins
4.) Confess faith in Christ
5.) Be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit- Acts 2:38
It’s that simple?
I hope this helps!.
Should we actually invoke or utter the name of Jesus when baptizing a person?
Some Trinitarian churches- do always argue that the phrase only means to baptize with Christ's authority and has no reference to the actual formula. Therefore, baptism in the Trinity formula is also valid.
In response, some Trinitarians argue that the phrase only means to baptize with Christ's authority and has no reference to the actual formula.
Remember. Jesus gave the church power and authority to cast out devils in His name and to pray for the healing of the sick in His name (Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14). How did the New Testament church implement this? The Apostle Peter declared to the lame man, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). He told the multitude, "And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong" (Acts 3:16). Peter actually invoked the name of Jesus and also exercised faith in Jesus.
He told the Jewish council that the man was healed "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" (Acts 4:10), quoting the words he had used. When Paul cast a demon out of a young woman, he said, "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her" (Acts 16:18). He called the name of Jesus. When the sons of Sceva sought to cast out demons, they said, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth" (Acts 19:13). They knew that Paul cast out demons by using the name of Jesus, so they attempted to do the same. They were unsuccessful because they did not have faith in Jesus or a genuine relationship with Him.
Whenever the Early Church exercised the power and authority of Jesus to obtain a spiritual work, they always invoked the name of Jesus in faith. Baptism for the remission of sins is no exception. Invoking the name Theologians and church historians generally recognize that the Book of Acts gives the baptismal formula of the Early Church.
HISTORICAL REFERENCES- ( HISTORICAL BAPTISM):
• The Encyclopedia of Religion and ethics states, with respect to New Testament baptism, "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 Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible says, "The evidence of Acts 2:38; 10:4-8 (cf. 8:16; 19:5), supported by Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3, suggests that baptism in early Christianity was administered, not in the three-fold name, but "in the name of Jesus Christ" or "in the name of the Lord Jesus:" This is the natural reading of the phrase, "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ;' and a person must use questionable and twisted methods of biblical interpretation to deny that the words mean what they appear to mean.
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 was 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 to 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 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 Apostle 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 2:17.
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 one supreme name by which the one God is revealed, not three names of three 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 Gangte Christian ( Acts 2:38;8:16;10:48;19:5;Gal 3:27; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 22:16). 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 only saving name (Acts 4:12; Matt 1:21), the name in which we receive remission of sins, the highest name made known to us, and the name in which we are to say and do all things (Acts 4:12; 10:4-3; 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, 87: "At first baptism was administered in the name of Jesus, but gradually in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
• Hastings's Dictionary of the Bible (1898), I, 24-1: "(One could conclude 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 Religious Encyclopedia (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 Bibilca (1899), I 4-73: "It is natural to conclude that baptism was administered in the earliest times 'in the name of Jesus Christ; or 'in the name 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."
• The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, 263: "The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century."
Today as a Christian, we should use the biblical baptismal formula as found in the New Testament ( Acts 2:38;10;48;19:5; Gal 3:27; Acts 22;16; 8:16; Romans 6:3-5; Col 3:17).
Everyone should be baptized by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins- Acts 2:38-41!
Today we are commanded to obey the gospel of Christ and continue in the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:38-47; John 3:5;. Rom 10:10; Rev 2:10; Acts 2:42; 2 Jn 9).
Do this and live forever.
LIVE FOREVER-obey ACTS 2:38!
Jehovah God said concerning His Name "Jehovah" in Exodus 3:15 "This is my name unto all generations . . ." Since God cannot lie it is clear that the Name of Jehovah will always be the one and only true name for God. There are many extensions of the name of Jehovah that God has revealed himself in. Yet all of these extensions of the divine name always begin with "Jehovah." It is necessary to call the One True God by His true name to distinguish the One True God from the many false Lords and Gods. The apostle Paul confirms in 1 Corinthians 8:5, ". . . there be many that are called gods . . . as there be gods many, and lords many . . ." Titles such as Elohim and El are not names at all. They were common titles used for pagan deities such as the Philistine god Dagon and the Canaanite god Ashtoreth. God even called Moses a god (Elohim) unto Pharoah. Therefore, God's true name cannot be called God (God simply means "Supreme") for there are many false Gods who claim this same title. Nor can God's name be called "LORD" or "Father," or "Son," or "Holy Spirit," or "Christ," or "Word," or "Holy One," or "Eternal," or "Creator," or "Adonai," etc. These are not names but terms or titles used to describe God's manifold functions and attributes. Since many pagan deities as well as mere mortals also hold some of these titles, it is essential that we both know and utilize the one true name of our God. Jehovah's prophets plainly declared that God's true people would know His Name: "Therefore my people SHALL KNOW MY NAME." (Isaiah 52:6) "They SHALL KNOW THAT MY NAME IS JEHOVAH." (Jeremiah 16:21)
THE IDENTITY OF JESUS IS REVEALED THROUGH HIS NAME
FACT: THE NEW TESTAMENT OPENS AND CLOSES WITH THE DECLARATION OF THE DEITY OF CHRIST.
Matthew 1:23 informs us that the name of Jesus shall be called "EMMANUEL" meaning "GOD WITH US."
Rev. 22:6,16,20 calls Jesus "THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY OF THE HOLY PROPHETS."
FACT: THE NAME OF JESUS LITERALLY MEANS "JEHOVAH SAVES or JEHOVAH IS MY SAVIOR"
This is why the angel declared, "You shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Although many Jews may have had this name, no Jewish man could ever claim that his name was given by an angel of the Lord. Thus his name revealed his true identity as "God manifest in the flesh." 1 Timothy 3:16
FACT: THE NAME OF JESUS IS APPLIED TO JEHOVAH
Jer. 23:5,6 "A righteous branch, and a King shall reign . . . and this is His Name whereby He shall be called, The LORD (JEHOVAH) our righteousness." Note: Every time we see the word "LORD" in scripture it is a substitute for the one Divine name of God.
FACT: THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE NAME OF THE FATHER
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
If the name of Jesus can be called the name of the Mighty God and the name of the Everlasting Father then his name must be the divine name of God the Father Himself.
FACT: JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO BAPTIZE IN A SINGLE NAME.
Matthew 28:19 "Go you therefore . . . baptizing them in THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The words, "IN THE NAME OF" clearly point to one name, not three names.
FACT: THE FATHER IS NOT A NAME IT IS A TITLE
FACT: THE SON IS NOT A NAME IT IS A TITLE
FACT: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT A NAME IT IS A TITLE
Trinitarians allege that the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate names for an alleged three person Deity. This is an absurd belief, since there are many fathers and sons in our world today. No father or Son in his right mind could allege that his legitimate name was "Father" or "Son." Nor could a father or son sign his name on a check or legal document as "Father" or "Son." Can you imagine trying to sign a check with the title "Father" or "Son" as your name? Can you imagine Mary having a Son and calling his name Son? This would be ludicrous. The angel clearly gave us the name of the Son: "You shall call his name Jesus (JEHOVAH SAVES) for he shall save his people from their sins."
The divine name of Jehovah is used over 5,500 times throughout scripture. This is significant because 1 Corinthians 8:5 declares that there are many false lords and false gods: "There be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many)." Therefore the divine name of Jehovah was repeatedly used numerous times throughout scripture to distinguish the One True God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from the many false lords and gods. Hence, it is essential to know the one divine name of God in order to identify which God or Lord we are talking about. Many Pagan Deities were called "Lords and Gods." For instance, the Philistine God Dagon was called "Elohim" just as Jehovah was called "Elohim." Therefore it is essential that Christians know the name of their God in order to distinguish Him from the many Pagan Deities.
God informed Moses in Exodus 3:15 that the name of Jehovah would be the name of the one true God "forever" and "unto all generations." This includes our generation.
God has revealed many extensions of his name to the Hebrews but these extensions of the divine Name always began with the divine name Jehovah (Yahweh in the Hebrew). Some examples: Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Mckeddish, etc. The last revelatory extension of Jehovah's name is Jehovah Hashua (Yeshua is the contracted form of Yahweh Hashua) which means "Jehovah Saves." We translate Yeshua (Jehovah Saves) into the English as Jesus. Therefore we can conclude that the name of Jesus (Jehovah Saves) is the divine Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE FATHER? YAHWEH
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SON? YAHWEH HASHUA
Note: The shortened form of the name "YAHWEH HASHUA" is "Yeshua" which literally means "Jehovah Saves."
A good example: My YOUNGER Son's name IS SAMUEL MANOAH but we always call him SAMU for short. So likewise, the proper name for Yeshua is "Yahweh Hashua" but they always called his name "Yeshua" for short.
Jesus further stated: "I am come in my Father's Name" John 5:43.
THEREFORE JESUS IS CLEARLY THE NAME OF YAHWEH = "JEHOVAH SAVES"
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? YAHWEH
Since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jehovah Himself, the name of the Holy Spirit has to be Jehovah. Joel 2:28,29 proves this to be true. "I am Jehovah your God, and none else . . . I will pour out MY SPIRIT upon all flesh. . ." Acts chapter two proves that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples. Hence, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jehovah.
CONCLUSION
1. JESUS IS THE NAME OF THE FATHER JEHOVAH SAVES
2. JESUS IS THE NAME OF THE SON JEHOVAH SAVES
3. JESUS IS THE NAME OF THE SPIRIT JEHOVAH SAVES
THE SCRIPTURES PROVE THAT THE NAME OF JESUS CAN BE APPLIED TO ALL THREE TITLES OF THE ONE TRUE GOD: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. THEREFORE THE SCRIPTURES SUPPORT THE ONENESS VIEW OF GOD RATHER THAN THE TRINITARIAN CONCEPT.
FACT: NOT EVEN ONCE DID THE APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH EVER BAPTIZE IN THE TRINITARIAN FORMULA "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
WHAT ABOUT BAPTISM INTO THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT?
Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly commanded the apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Did the apostles fail to obey Christ's command when they baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus? If the apostles were in error when they always baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, then there would be a clear contradiction within the pages of the Bible. Does God's Word contradict itself? Or are many misinterpreting the Word of God? Let's take a closer look at Matthew 28:19.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Notice that the apostles of Christ were commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus did not say, "in the names of the Father, Son, and Spirit." He clearly stated, "in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit." The titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not names at all. They are titles or positions that God holds. He is our Father as the creator, Son as our redeemer manifest in the flesh, and Holy Spirit as God's indwelling Spirit within the Church.
No one in their right mind would sign a check by writing, "Father," or "Son," or "Spirit." There are many fathers, many sons, and many spirits who are holy (the angels of God and born again believers who are truly living for God have holy spirits). Any grammarian would state that the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not names. There must be a Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We know that the name of the Son is Jesus. We also know that the meaning of the name of Jesus means "Jehovah Saves." Scripture further states that Jesus came in his Father's Name. John 5:43 states that Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not..." Therefore when we put all of the scriptures together we can clearly understand that they do not contradict each other at all. They fit together in perfect harmony much like a child fits many pieces of a jig saw puzzle together in perfect harmony. When a Pastor or Elder carries out the divine command to baptize in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, he will baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ. For Jesus, meaning "Jehovah Saves," is the Name of the Father, Son, and Spirit.
It is truly enlightening when one considers that the very passage of scripture that the Roman Catholic Church used to change the mode of water baptism and formulate the false doctrine of a Trinity of three divine people actually proves the Oneness of God, the full deity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ. For Jesus' command to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit proves that the singular name of Jesus Christ is the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. All three titles or manifestations of God comprise the One Supreme Being we call Jehovah God. There cannot be three divine Jehovah's. Jesus is not a second divine person of God. Nor is Jesus Jehovah Junior. The scriptures plainly declare that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the "Alpha and Omega, ... which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Rev. 1:8). And again the scriptures declare that our wonderful Jesus is "the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Rev. 22:13)." The Roman Catholic Church developed the false creedal doctrine of the Trinity which states that our Jesus is "the second person of a Trinity." A phrase which clearly contradicts inspired scripture and is no where to be found in the Bible.
One might argue that the concept of the Trinity is taught in the Bible. I certainly agree that the concept of the plurality of God's Might and Majesty cannot be denied in scripture. Nor can we deny the fact that the One True God created all human beings after his own image and likeness. Since man is a tripartite being of spirit, soul, and body - so also God is a tripartite Being manifested to us as Father, Son (The Word Incarnate), and Holy Spirit. The fact that Adam was created as one person in the image and likeness of God (not three persons with three heads) proves that God is also absolutely ONE, not two or three!!!!. The whole concept of Catholism calling God three divine co-equal, co-eternal persons is completely foreign to the Bible. It is a false and misleading invention of the devil. It leads to a pseudo form of Christian Baptism which takes the saving Name of Jesus Christ out.
THE APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH ALWAYS BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS ALONE- Acts 2:38;8:16;10:48;19:5; Gal 3:27; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 22:16.
"Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ."
Acts 2:38
"They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 8:16
"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 19:5
". . . so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death."
Romans 6:3
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Gal. 3:26,27.
"And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Col.3:17
There is absolutely no instance in the entire New Testament where the apostles and evangelists of the early church ever baptized in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The actions of the apostles prove that the name of the Father, Son and Spirit has to be Jesus, which literally means "Jehovah Saves."
Answered prayer is not “proof” we are saved. God answers prayers of unsaved people all the time. That is how loving, caring, all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, and perfect God is.
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” –Matthew 5:45
When God answers our prayers even before we are saved, He is drawing us to Him. When we reach out for God, He does not push us away. He answers so we will know He is there. He answers so we will know he is real. He answers so we will believe He exists. God answers so we will continue to seek after Him.
It is not unusual for God to hear the prayers of people that are seeking Him, even before they are saved. See Cornelius in Acts chapter 10:
Verses 30-33 says
Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at
three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to
Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner,
who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come.
Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has
commanded you to tell us."
God not only heard Cornelius’ prayer before he was saved, He sent an angel in response to provide him with more information through Peter! Peter later told Cornelius the rest of the message so that he could be saved ( Read Acts 10:43-48).
Jesus warned us that even miracles performed in His name does not mean we are saved:
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' ( Jesus said, " I Never Knew you" He didn't say " We Never knew you"- This proof that Jesus is the One true God, beside Him there is no other God- Isaiah 44:6- Rev 1:8; Col 2:9-10).
In the above verse, how could these people cast out demons unless they pray? How could they perform any of these works without prayer? Notice Jesus does not deny they did these things. But Jesus tells them to depart because they did not do His will. How do we know what God’s will is? By reading the Scriptures (Bible- II Tim 3:16-17) and doing what they say.
Think about this: If God did not answer our prayers at all before we were saved, how would we ever find Him?
Imagine a parent that looses their child in a store. Does the parent not cry out and call to that lost child? And when the child hears his mother or father, does he not run in the direction of that voice?
That is what God does with us!
And, in God’s eyes, we are not considered found until we are in Christ:
• Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? –Romans 6:3
• For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. -- Galatians 3:26-27.
Some still protest the need for baptism in Jesus name, and they often quoted John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life?"
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
This is perhaps the most often quoted verse in the New Testament. It is often isolated and set apart from the rest of the dialogue in which it took place. Remember! To “believe in Jesus” means to believe the gospel message, and baptism is a part of that gospel message. It must also be remembered this verse is only one small part of a much larger conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus. Verse 16 (of chapter 3) deals with faith JESUS. Repentance is talked about in regards to the snake that was lifted up and then again in verses 19-21.
Verses 3 and 5 also deal with baptism in Jesus name. This shows the importance of looking at the overall picture and not focusing in on any single verse or passage.
Furthermore, the NIV is the only translation that uses the word “shall” in John 3:16. All other translations render this verse, “…whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The NIV erroneously takes a “maybe” and turns it into a “will be”.
According to James, faith alone, by itself, will not save us:
James 2:19-20
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Remember this, faith must have actions to back it up with!! ( Acts 2:37-41; 19:5;16:30-33; Mark 16:16).
Some still protest the need for baptism in Jesus name, and they often quoted the bible verse from Acts 16:30-31He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
This verse is often quoted but then the questioner stops short right in the middle of the story. People like to quote verses 30 and 31 but they don’t quote verses 32 and 33. Those very next two verses state that the Word of the Lord was preached to them and then they were immediately baptized. We know Apostle Paul and the early church always baptized people in the name of Jesus Christ ( Acts 19:2-5; 22:16; 10:48; Col 3:17; Eph 4:5). We also know from James 2:19-20 that the jailer did not stop once he had a belief in Jesus. Indeed, there was more as verses 32-33 illustrate so clearly. See
Acts 16:16-33 for more detail:-
Acts 16:30-33
Verse 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Verse 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Verse 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Verse 33 -And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
It does no good to tell someone about baptism unless they are first told the message of Jesus Christ. The first step is to believe, then baptism will be effectual ( Mark 16:16 says " He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned"). Faith in Christ is what gives baptism in Jesus name- its significance. Obviously, it does no good to tell someone to get baptized unless they have first heard the message of the calvary and the story of Jesus.
Today we are commanded to obey the gospel of Christ and continue in the apostles doctrine ( Acts 2:38-47; John 3:5;. Rom 10:10; Rev 2:10; Acts 2:42; 2 Jn 9). Do this and live forever.
LIVE FOREVER-obey ACTS 2:38!
Indeed, we are saved by grace. But just what is ‘grace’? The Oxford American Dictionary defines grace as: God’s loving mercy toward mankind. Other words that may be found in a thesaurus as synonyms for “grace” include: mercy, favor, kindness, blessing, and compassion.
And it is because of God’s mercy, His favor, His kindness, His blessing and His compassion that He has provided mankind with a salvation plan! We are saved by God’s mercy. We do not deserve the blessings God has given us.
Ephesians 2:4-9---But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Baptism in no way minimizes or nullifies God’s grace as some critics argue that baptism does. They make this argument because they do not understand the role baptism plays in God’s salvation plan. Baptism in Jesus name-confirms and verifies God’s grace to us! God’s grace is manifested in baptism- READ MK 16:16; I Peter 3:20-21! after we are baptized in Jesus name and received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), His grace continues to cover us.
Notice this passage says:
God made us alive in Christ when we were dead—and this is God’s grace.
God raised us up with Christ
God expresses His grace to mankind by giving us Christ Jesus
God’s grace is through faith.
When did God make us alive when we were dead, and raise us up with Christ? What is Paul talking about?
Romans 6:3-5 describes just such a scenario-- when we were dead in sin and God raised us up with Christ:
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his”.
An Analogy of Grace and Faith :
Here is an analogy that may help to put what we have learned into perspective. Suppose Smith tells Jack "Meet me at the bank tomorrow morning at 11:00 A.M. and I will give you $2,000." (This is a condition for receiving the gift.) If Jack really believes Smith, he will appear at the appointed place and time. (Faith necessarily produces trust, response, and reliance) If Jack shows up, has he thereby earned the money? Of course not, because the money is a free gift. Yet his appearance is a necessary condition that must be met in order to receive the gift. (Grace on Smith's part, faith on Jack’s part.) If Jack fails to show up, he will not receive the gift and the responsibility for the failure will fall totally upon him. (Lack of faith in the promise.)
Similarly, we must respond to God in faith by seeking repentance, remission of sins at water baptism according to Acts 2:38-41; Acts 10:44-48, Therefore Jesus said, “He that believeth and baptized shall be saved” (Mk 16:16) also read I Peter 3:20-21. If we do, God will graciously grant our petition, and we will receive salvation totally as a free gift and not as an earned right. If we do not respond in obedience to God's Word, we will not receive salvation, and the blame will rest totally upon us ( Read Mark 16:16; Gal 1:8-9; Acts 2:37-41; Acts 19:1-7).
The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And when we had sinned and were dead, and had received only what we deserved, God in His mercy and grace provided a way for us to be saved—He robed Himself in flesh and gave of Himself as the Son of God to reconcile the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). The one True God of the Old Testament, the great Creator of the universe, humbled Himself in the form of man so that man could see Him, understand Him, and communicate with Him. He made a body for Himself, called the Son of God ( I Tim 3:16;I Isaiah 44:6).Hence, without Jesus, baptism is meaningless- Therefore, we must be baptized in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus name baptism is necessary. We know that Jesus name is the only saving name given in the New Testament ( Acts 4:12). Baptism in Jesus name, coupled with faith, is the means by which we become unified with Christ. Baptism is how we are “put into” Christ( Gal 3:27).
We should be grateful and thankful beyond measure that God has provided a salvation plan for us who deserve nothing but death.
Remember! To “believe in Jesus” means to believe the gospel message, and baptism is a part of that gospel message- Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38-41!
If we say we are not saved by baptism in Jesus name, we are saying we are not saved by God’s salvation plan ( Read Luke 24:47; Mk 16:16; Acts 22:38; 2:38-39).
God wants everyone to be saved and to know the truth. It is by God’s abundant mercy and grace that he provides us with a way out of the darkness. His salvation plan is available to every human being! His invitation is extended to everybody and it is by His grace that anyone gets an invitation at all. Yet even though His salvation is open to all, we must each, individually, respond to this invitation, to His grace, and to His call. We do this by believing, by repenting, by confessing our faith in Christ and by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, receiving gift of the Holy Spirit- Acts 2:38; John 3:5! Then in Christ you can live forever.
The word of God is not a dead letter. It is “living and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12). Although our flesh is like grass that withers away, through the “living and powerful” word of God we can live forever. Let us hold fast the “word of life” (Philippians 2:16).
“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). “The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Today we are commanded to obey the gospel of Christ and continue in the apostles doctrine ( Acts 2:38-47; John 3:5;. Rom 10:10; Rev 2:10; Acts 2:42; 2 Jn 9). Do this and live forever.
LIVE FOREVER-obey ACTS 2:38!
Bro Paogin Mangte
President/Founder
Apostolic Theological Seminary New Delhi,India.
General Pastor- OAPCI India.
