Pastor John,
The instructions Peter gave on the new birth not only included repentance and receiving of the Holy Ghost but also the commandment to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Pastor John, did you know that nowhere in the Bible is an example of Father, Son, Holy Ghost water baptism given? Water baptism was preformed in the Name of Jesus Christ, which is the Name given whereby we must be saved. Jesus is the Name of the Father, Name of the Son, and Name of the Holy Ghost. Oh what a mighty revelation is His Name. Great is the mystery of Godliness! The Word was made flesh. He came from the bosom of the Father and He returned to His bosom. I and my Father are ONE. Bless His Name! May Jesus reveal His Revelation of His Name.
You have beautiful singing on your site. Thank you.
Joan J.
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Thank you, Sister Joan, for writing. We are very thankful to be able to provide music, teaching, and edifying testimonies on line for our family in Christ around the globe.
The water baptism that the earliest believers practiced was “in Jesus’ name” because the Spirit led them to practice that baptism as long as God had not closed the for to the Jews. When that door was closed, there was no more need for any ceremony, whether it was the ceremony of animal sacrifice or water baptism. The only baptism that remained after that was the “one baptism” Paul was sent to preach to the Gentiles: the baptism of the holy ghost. When God sent Paul to the Gentiles with a gospel that differed from Peter’s gospel to the Jews (Gal. 2), that Gentile gospel included no ceremonies. That is why Paul taught the gentiles that there was only one baptism (Eph. 4), and he explained repeatedly that the baptism that counted now with God is the baptism God’s Son administers from heaven. It was in reference to the water baptism in Jesus’ name that Paul said, “Christ did not send me to baptize” (1Cor. 1), and it was in reference to the baptism of the holy ghost that he taught that we are “baptized into Christ” (Rom. 6; Gal. 3:27; 1Cor. 12:13).
I know that those of the Oneness faith believe very strongly that salvation will be given only to those who are baptized in water “in Jesus’ name”. Paul’s gospel, and mine, would have you to reject any baptism in water at all, and be content with what Christ himself ministers to you from heaven. In truth, there is now no water baptism that is in Jesus’ name because the Spirit is leading no one to practice that ritual any more. The time for that is passed, and Paul’s “gospel of the uncircumcised” is all that remains.
May God bless you and the saints there with you.
Pastor John
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Oh, how sad my heart is for you. I’ve long heard about men being deceived and deceiving others in the last days, but it is always shocking when you hear of such twisting of the Word as you believe. When Paul encountered disciples in Acts 19 they knew only John’s repentance; but, Paul expounded the scriptures unto them. They were then baptized(water) in the Name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost. Also when God turned to the Gentiles(Cornelius) and filled them with the Holy Ghost, Peter COMMANDED them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord! Turn from your perverting of the gospel and repent. Lord willing, I will not reply any more.
Sincerely, Joan J
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Thank you, Joan, for replying.
I certainly do hope that what I do not understand, Jesus will help me see. And I thank you for any sincere prayer for me that you will pray.
Just so that you will have it in mind, I would like to point out, first of all, that the twelve Ephesian disciples were Jews; otherwise, there would have been no need for Paul to baptize them with John’s baptism. Paul sternly condemned any Gentile believer who submitted to the law (Gal. 5), but he himself circumcised Timothy in the book of Acts – because he wanted Timothy, who was half-Jewish, to help him preach to the Jews. Paul even offered animal sacrifices later in the book of Acts because he was in Jerusalem and he knew that the Jews were still required by God to submit to the ceremonies of the law. The gentiles, however, never were. — which brings us to Cornelius.
Cornelius was born of the Spirit before God gave Paul his gospel for the Gentiles. There is nothing else Peter could do, under the circumstances. His gospel for the circumcised nation of Israel was the only one God had given, and it included all the ceremonies ordained under the law, including the ceremony of John’s water baptism in Jesus’ name. After Paul was sent with the gospel of the Gentiles, however, he opposed any such commandment being given to them. He even said he wished the men who were telling his Gentile converts that they must submit to ceremonies were “cut off” from God (Gal. 5:12)!
Thank you again for writing. I hope you will thoughtfully consider what I am telling you.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor John