Studies In Scripture » Baptism in Jesus Name

The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Randy A. Brown — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:19:41 +0000

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It reminds us of the reason we have salvation- the gospel of Jesus Christ, his death, burial, and resurrection. The word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news’. This good news of the gospel is that Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected in order to provide salvation for us. Most teach about the good news but never tell what the good news is or why it is significant. Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected on the third day, but how is that good? How is his death burial and resurrection good news?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Jesus was our ultimate sacrifice who paid the ultimate price for our sins, but it wasn’t enough for Jesus to just die on the cross. He also had to be buried and resurrect from the dead. Through the acts of his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus bought our salvation. He purchased salvation with his own blood and made it available to all who obey him.

Philippians 2:5-11 ⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Death of Jesus

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins by dying on the cross. He went to the cross perfect and sinless. He did not deserve death. He was the only person that could make atonement for our sins. In order to make atonement, the sacrifice had to be without blemish- without sin. This is why we cannot atone for our own sins. We are born into sin. Jesus was not born into sin because God was his father.

We have to identify with his death by dying to sin. We die to sin, put off the old man, by repenting of our sins and turning away from sin. We can’t kill the sinful nature. What we put to death is the control the sinful nature has over us.

Romans 6:12-14 ¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Christians are not under the control of sin. We must live an overcoming life and not allow sin to work in our lives.

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

We die to sin when we repent. Repentance is a turn from sin; change of heart; a change of lifestyle; a change of paradigm. It is to be sorrowful for sin and to make a conscious decision to turn from sin. We must continue to kill sinful desires.

Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

We apply the death of Jesus to our lives when we repent in faith.

Burial

Jesus was buried for three days and three nights. During this time he set the captives free.

Ephesians 4:8-10 ⁸ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. ⁹ (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

We identify with the burial of Jesus through baptism in his name.

Romans 6:3-5 ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Colossians 2:12 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.

We are buried with Jesus in water baptism. This is what Jesus is referring to in John chapter 3 when he’s talking about being born of the water.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Water baptism remits sin. It washes sin away. Baptism is only effective when performed in Jesus name coupled with faith.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Water baptism buries the sinful life we once had. Water baptism applies the burial of Jesus to our lives.

Resurrection

Jesus resurrected on the third day. Through his resurrection, he is the first born from the dead- the first to resurrect to a new life.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Just as Jesus resurrected, we must also resurrect to a new life without sin.

Romans 6:4-5 ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

The likeness of his resurrection is the Spiritual birth that Jesus was talking about in John chapter 3.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

We identify with his resurrection through Spirit baptism.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Through the resurrection of Jesus we can have a new life.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Jesus bought the gospel with his own blood.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

This is the work that Jesus was sent to do. This is what he was talking about when he said he would raise on the third day.

John 2:19-22 ¹⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. ²⁰ Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? ²¹ But he spake of the temple of his body. ²² When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

The gospel is his death, burial, and resurrection. We identify with the gospel through repentance, being baptized in Jesus name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost. This gospel message is summarized by Peter.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Salvation is God’s works, not our works. There is nothing we can do to work for our salvation, but we must obey the Word of God. Jesus purchased our salvation with his own blood. Salvation is a free gift by the grace of God. All we have to do is apply it. We apply it by first believing on Jesus as the scriptures say. Then, we have faith that Jesus will save us. Next we repent of our sins with the intention of forsaking sin, be baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Finally, we must live a clean and holy life putting God first, and then we must endure till the end.

A Child is Born

Randy A. Brown — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:15:01 +0000

It was prophesied in scripture that God would come in the form of a man.

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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

What child is this that he would be called the mighty God and the Everlasting Father? This verse is one of the most powerful statements of the Deity of Jesus. This verse describes Jesus as the Father.

We know from scripture that there is only one Father.

Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

If there is only one Father, and Jesus is called the Father, then Jesus must be the Father. Jesus himself taught that he was the Father.

John 14:8-9 ⁸ Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. ⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

John 12:45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

The Father is also our Redeemer.

Isaiah 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

This child that was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago was more than a man. He was our great God and Savior; our Creator; our Redeemer.

Isaiah 9:6 is one of the many verses that show the Son had a beginning. Jesus was God, but he was not the Son in eternity. Jesus was the Father in his Deity; he was the Son in his humanity- his incarnation. God became our sacrifice- our savior. Isaiah 9:6 shows us perfectly the dual-nature of Jesus- God and man, Father and Son. Immanuel, God with us.

In Jesus is everything we need. We are complete in Him.

Colossians 2:9-10 ⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. ¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Jesus is the son given for our salvation. Isaiah 9:6 sums it up nicely:

Jesus is Wonderful.

Wonderful 6382 pele’ {peh’-leh} Meaning: 1) wonder, marvel 1a) wonder (extraordinary, hard to understand thing) 1b) wonder (of God’s acts of judgment and redemption)

Jesus is our Counsellor.

Counsellor 3289 ya`ats {yaw-ats’} Meaning: 1) to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to advise, counsel, give counsel, consult 1a2) counsellor (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to consult together, exchange counsel, deliberate, counsel together 1c) (Hithpael) to conspire

Jesus is the Mighty God.

Mighty 1368 gibbowr {ghib-bore’} or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore’} Meaning: adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man

God 0410 ‘el {ale} Meaning: 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power

Jesus is the Everlasting Father.

Everlasting 5703 `ad {ad} Meaning: 1) perpetuity, for ever, continuing future 1a) ancient (of past time) 1b) for ever (of future time) 1b1) of continuous existence 1c) for ever (of God’s existence)

Father 0001 ‘ab {awb} Meaning: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers — of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Prince 8269 sar {sar} Meaning: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden

Peace 7965 shalowm {shaw-lome’} or shalom {shaw-lome’} Meaning: 1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace 1a) completeness (in number) 1b) safety, soundness (in body) 1c) welfare, health, prosperity 1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment 1e) peace, friendship 1e1) of human relationships 1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship 1f) peace (from war) 1g) peace (as adjective)

Never has there been a child born like this one. God came in the form of a man to provide salvation as a free gift to those that would obey Him. God could not die, so He became a man. God and man were fused together at the miraculous conception of Jesus. Jesus was fully God and fully man. As a man he died upon the cross to provide salvation. As God He resurrected that body. He offered His blood as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He provides salvation by His grace, but it is up to us to accept and obey the gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection. We obey this gospel when we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus name, and are filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. We see in the book of Acts how to be saved.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Repent of your sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and be filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Accept the salvation that Jesus, our mighty God and Everlasting Father, bought with His own blood.

Immanuel God With Us

Randy A. Brown — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:31:23 +0000

The scriptures tell us that God would come in the form of a man. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells us His name would be called Immanuel. Matthew writes that His name would be called Emmanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:22-23 ²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accused of being born out of wedlock. In reality, He was not born of fornication, but born of a virgin. He was conceived by the Spirit of God. God was His father. Jesus is Immanuel, but what does Immanuel mean?

Let’s look at the names Immanuel and Emanuel in their original languages.

Immanuel is Hebrew.

0410 {ale} Meaning: 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power

Immanuel literally means Jehovah, the one true God.

Emmanuel is Greek.

1694 Emmanouel {em-man-oo-ale’} Meaning: Emmanuel = “God with us” 1) the title applied to the Messiah, born of the virgin, Mt 1:23, Is. 7:14, because Jesus was God united with man, and showed that God was dwelling with man

Emmanuel literally means the one God united with man.

Jesus is God with us- not God the Son with us. The scriptures tell us there is only one God.

Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Jesus is the one God, Jehovah, manifest in flesh.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

God came in the form of a man to become our sacrifice. We all need salvation, but only the shed blood of an innocent man could pay the price for our sins. Only a sinless man could be our redeemer. No one could be the sacrifice for our sins that is born into sin. Since we are all born into sin, God Himself was manifest in flesh to become our sacrifice. As a man Jesus was not born into sin because He did not have a sinful father. His Father was THE Father. In His Deity, He was THE Father manifest in flesh because the scriptures tell us that Jesus is our God, Jehovah, the one true God, Immanuel, Emmanuel, the only God there is.

Jesus bought salvation for us and He freely gives it to us. All we have to do is believe it and obey it. The gospel of Jesus Christ that He bought with His own blood is His death, burial, and resurrection. By His grace, He gives us salvation through birth of the water and Spirit.

John 3:3-5 ³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

This is fulfilled in the New Covenant that we see in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:38-39 ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

We obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, the death, burial, and resurrection, by repenting of our sins, being baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and being filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Jesus bought this gospel, this salvation, with His own blood. This is why God was manifest in flesh. This is why Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

Water Baptism – Old Testament Typology

Randy A. Brown — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:26:11 +0000

Water baptism in the New Testament was not a new idea to those living at the time. It was not a foreign thought. They were already familiar with the concept of water baptism. How is this true, considering that John the Baptist is the first person mentioned in scripture that performed baptisms?

Water baptism was seen in the Old Testament in typology. In fact, there are many OT typologies of baptism.

We see the account of Noah in Genesis chapters 6 – 9. God told Noah to build an ark to save Himself, his wife, and his three sons and their wives, and two of every animal (and seven each of the clean animals) in whose nostrils was the breath of life. God destroyed the earth with water in a world-wide catastrophe. Noah was saved through the flood. Peter used this as a typology of baptism.

1 Peter 3:20-21 ²⁰ Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. ²¹ The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The earth was purged of sin by water. The next purging will be with fire.

2 Peter 3:5-7 ⁵ For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: ⁶ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: ⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

We are purged by water at baptism, and of fire when we are filled with the Holy Ghost.

In the book of Exodus we see the Israelites in bondage of Egypt. God sends Moses to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of Pharaoh. While Moses and the Israelites are traveling to the land that God promised them, Pharaoh and his armies chase them. The Israelites are caught against the Red Sea as Pharaoh’s armies approach to attack. God sends a cloud to stand between Israel and the Egyptians as Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. God parted the Red Sea, allowing Israel to cross on dry land. Once the Israelites have crossed over, the Egyptians attempt to follow them. God causes the water to fall back into its place, destroying the Egyptians (Exodus 14). God used water to destroy Pharaoh’s armies. This is symbolic of water baptism destroying and burying the sinful nature. The water delivered Israel. We are delivered of sin when we are baptized in water.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; ² And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Just before God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, He commanded Israel to wash their clothes in water.

Exodus 19:10-11 ¹⁰ And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, ¹¹ And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Moses sprinkled the people with blood and water; symbolic of the shed blood remitting sins through water baptism (Bernard, p. 138).

Hebrews 9:18-20 ¹⁸ Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹ For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, ²⁰ Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Symbolism can also be seen in the Tabernacle. In fact, the Tabernacle symbolizes the New Testament salvation experience (Bernard, p. 79).

Hebrews 9:8-10 ⁸ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: ⁹ Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; ¹⁰ Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

The laver of brass was given for the Priests to wash before entering the Tabernacle.

Exodus 30:18-21 ¹⁸ Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. ¹⁹ For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: ²⁰ When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: ²¹ So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

This is symbolic of washing away uncleanness before entering the holy place, which contained the altar. Without the washing, the priests were unclean, just like without water baptism our sins are not washed away.

Consecration of the Priests required a blood sacrifice, washing in water, and anointing with oil. The washing in water was symbolic of water baptism.

Exodus 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

The blood sacrifices had to be washed in water before being burned in fire (more new birth symbolism – water representing water baptism and fire representing Spirit baptism).

Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Elijah poured water on the altar.

1 Kings 18:33-35 ³³ And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. ³⁴ And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. ³⁵ And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

Naaman was healed of leprosy after obeying Elisha’s instructions to dip seven times in the river Jordan.

2 Kings 5:10-14 ¹⁰ And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. ¹¹ But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. ¹² Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. ¹³ And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? ¹⁴ Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Others that were healed of leprosy were purified in blood, water, and oil. The water is symbolic of water baptism.

Leviticus 14:5-8 ⁵ And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: ⁶ As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: ⁷ And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. ⁸ And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean:

Those that were ceremonially unclean had to be purified blood, water, and fire.

Numbers 19:7-8 ⁷ Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even. ⁸ And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even.

God ordained a purification ceremony for the Israelites after they had won a war against the Midianites. This included purification in water.

Numbers 31:23-24 ²³ Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. ²⁴ And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.

These typologies show that water was used for cleansing from sin (Bernard, p. 137). In some cases the blood was applied through the water, showing that the blood of Jesus Christ is applied during water baptism in order to forgive sins (Bernard, p. 137). Over and over we see blood, water, and oil or fire. This is symbolic of New Testament salvation, which consists of repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, or Spirit Baptism.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The blood that was offered in the Old Testament was a foreshadow of the blood of Christ. The blood represents our repentance from sin. This is the death of the old sinful man in our lives. This is a conscious decision to turn from sin and live for God. The washing in water is water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. Water baptism also represents the burial of Jesus. We are buried with Him in baptism, which is a burial of the old sinful man. The oil and the fire represents the Spirit baptism, or the infilling of the Holy Ghost. This represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is a resurrection into newness of life. Without the complete gospel – death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – we do not have salvation. We apply the gospel by repenting of our sins, being baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and being filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the gospel that the Old Testament shows in typologies. This is the gospel that Jesus bought for us by coming to Earth as a man and taking our place in death by dying upon the cross. It is salvation bought by the blood of Christ.

References

Bernard, David K. (1984). New Birth, The

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

David Bernard The New Birth

Water Baptism – For the Remission of Sins

Randy A. Brown — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:48:52 +0000

Many Churches have practiced the act of water baptism over the years. Some believe strongly that baptism is essential, while others see it as something you should do. Some believe baptism is not necessary at all, claiming that it doesn’t apply to us today. Is baptism essential? If so, how are we to be baptized? By immersion? By sprinkling? In what name? What is baptism for?

What is baptism? Water baptism is a ceremony for those that have repented of their sins. It is an immersion into water in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. We see throughout the New Testament that we are commanded to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

Water baptism is part of the new birth experience.

Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again. When Nicodemus didn’t understand what Jesus meant, Jesus expounded by saying ‘born of the water and of the Spirit’. To be born again is to be born of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus was teaching that water baptism is part of the new birth experience.

Jesus continued this teaching by commanding His disciples to baptize.

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 Ghost:

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The Apostles carried out this command in the book of Acts by baptizing in Jesus name.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 8:35-38 ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 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? 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. 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.

Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 10:47-48 ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus gives the command ‘baptizing them in the name’. We see how the Apostles interpreted this command in the book of Acts. In Mark 16:16 Jesus included baptism with salvation, but He did not include baptism when speaking of those who do not believe. If they do not believe, being baptized would be irrelevant. In Luke 24:47 ‘remission of sins’ refers to water baptism, as we also will see in the book of Acts.

The Greek word for baptize is baptizo.

907 baptizo {bap-tid’-zo}

Meaning: 1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe 3) to overwhelm

To baptize means to dip or plunge, to take completely under the water. This means that the mode of baptism is by immersion.

John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

Acts 8:38-39 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. 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.

Baptism is a burial of the old sinful nature.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12 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.

A burial requires the body to be completely covered. We bury the old man, which is symbolic of burying the old lifestyle of sin.

The purpose of baptism is for the remission of sins. This is seen starting with John’s baptism.

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Peter explained that the purpose of baptism was for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Remission means release, wipe out, cancel, and dismiss (Bernard, p. 130). It is used interchangeably with forgiveness (Bernard, p. 141). During water baptism, God remits our sins. He washes them away. This is seen in Peter’s use of ‘for the remission of sins’. ‘For’ means to receive, or in order to obtain (Bernard, p. 130). The clear reading of Acts 2:38 is that baptism is for the remission of sins. CONTEXT DETERMINES MEANING. It is clear from the context that we must be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The crowd asked Peter and the others “what shall we do?” Peter’s answer included an explanation of what baptism was for – for the remission of sins. Peter was explaining to the crowd what to do to be saved, and this includes water baptism for the remission of sins. He wasn’t telling them to be baptized later because they had already had their sins remitted. He was telling them what to do to have their sins remitted.

Jesus bought remission of sins for us with His own blood.

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

This doesn’t mean that we have remission of sins automatically whether we want it or not. We still have to apply the blood by obeying the plan of salvation. We can believe that our sins will be remitted, but until we go down into the water in the name of Jesus our sins will not be remitted.

This does not mean that simply going down into the water has any power of its own.

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Baptism is not our work. God performs remission of sins. We simply obey His command to be baptized for the remission of sins. It is the work of Jesus that remits our sins. We must obey and have faith in the atoning work of Jesus, but we are not remitting our own sins by obeying God’s command anymore than the Jews that were obeying His commands to place blood on their doorposts at the Passover.

Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:12-13 ¹² For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. ¹³ And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

It was by God’s grace that He made a way for the Jews to be passed over. The Jews could have believed it all day, but if they didn’t obey and apply the blood the death angel would have visited them. God provided a way of salvation, and He did the work, but the Jews had to obey God’s commands in faith.

We must obey God with faith.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith and obedience includes believing. Philip would not baptize the Ethiopian eunuch until he could confess that he believed in Jesus as the Son of God.

Acts 8:36-37 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? 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.

In order for our sins to be remitted we have to believe that baptism in Jesus name will remit our sins. We must have faith in the one doing the remitting. We must have faith, believe, and obey. The eunuch was not being baptized in public as a public confession of faith. There was no one else present to see this baptism. He was being baptized because it is a necessary part of salvation.

Water baptism is a spiritual circumcision.

Colossians 2:11-12 ¹¹ In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: ¹² 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.

Our sins are forgiven when we are baptized in water (coupled with faith) in Jesus name. This is what Jesus was talking about when He said ‘Born of the water’ in John 3:5. Baptism identifies us with the death and burial of Jesus. Baptism is a spiritual circumcision, signifying that the old nature is cut away, and places us into a covenant with our Lord. Water baptism is an essential element of the new birth that Jesus bought with His own blood. We must be born of the water and of the Spirit. Both elements are required for salvation.

References

Bernard, David K. (1984). New Birth, The

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

David Bernard The New Birth

In the Name of – a Study in Greek

Randy A. Brown — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:11:08 +0000

The phrase ‘in the name of’, as applied to baptism, has sparked many debates over the years. The Popular view of the baptismal formula comes from Matthew 28:19, which uses the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. An argument that is used against the formula ‘in the name of Jesus’, as seen in the book of Acts, is that the phrase ‘in the name of’ means ‘by the authority of’. This study will look at the Greek words in this phrase to see what was meant when Jesus and the Apostles said “in the name of’.

One argument against baptism in the name of Jesus is that the phrase ‘in the name of Jesus’ only refers to the authority of Jesus. It is true that ‘in the name of’, and ‘in his name’, is in reference to the power and authority of Jesus (Bernard, p. 72). It is by Jesus’ authority that we use His name, because Jesus has all power.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Jesus told His disciples to use His name.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus uses the same phrase during the Great Commission.

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 Ghost:

We see this phrase in the book of Acts in reference to baptism.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

If the phrase ‘in the name of’ only means ‘by the authority of’ then we would not have a baptismal formula because Matthew 28:19 also uses the same phrase. If we have no baptismal formula, Paul would not have needed to rebaptize the disciples of John. But Paul did rebaptize the disciples of John, and he used the name of Jesus.

The verse in Matthew and the verses in Acts use the same phrase, ‘in the name of’, but they are not all the same in Greek. The preposition ‘in’ has three different prepositions in the Greek text- eis with the accusative case, en with the dative case, and epi with the dative case. Here are the Greek definitions of the words ‘in’ and ‘name’:

1519 eis {ice} Meaning: 1) into, unto, to, towards, for, among

1722 en {en} Meaning: 1) in, by, with etc.

1909 epi {ep-ee’} Meaning: 1) upon, on, at, by, before 2) of position, on, at, by, over, against 3) to, over, on, at, across, against

3686 onoma {on’-om-ah} Meaning: 1) name: univ. of proper names 2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc. 3) persons reckoned up by name 4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason

Matthew 28:19 uses the same phrase as Acts 8:16 and 19:5. This Greek phrase is eis to onoma tou kuriou Iesou (in the name of the Lord Jesus). This phrase literally means ‘into the name’ (Bauer, et al, p. 228). This literally means that the one who is baptized becomes the possession of, and is under the protection of, the one whose name he bears (Bauer, et al, p. 228). When we are baptized in Jesus name we become His possession because He bought us with His own blood. This is how we are baptized into His death.

Romans 6:3-7 ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Eis, which means ‘into the name’, shows us that Matthew 28:19 commands us to be baptized into the name. What is the one name we are to be baptized into? We see in the book of Acts this name is Jesus.

Acts 10:48 uses en. The phrase is en to onomati Iesou Christou (in the name of the Lord). The phrase literally means verbally calling the name (Bauer, et al, p. 572). This literally means to say the name of Jesus Christ at baptism. Bauer, et al, says that the use of en seems to be a formula (Bauer, et al, p. 572). Bauer, et al, gives the following examples of the name being uttered as a formula.

Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Other examples include:

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Colossians 3:17 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.

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

These verses, as in Acts 10:48, speak of verbally calling the name. Peter was telling Cornelius to be baptized with the name of Jesus verbally called over him.

In Acts 2:38 the Greek phrase is epi to onomati Iesou Christou (in the name of Jesus Christ). This phrase literally means ‘on (or in) the name’ (Bernard, p. 79). This indicates that the name is literally called out (Bauer, et al, p. 573). This shows that we should call out the name of Jesus during baptism. Here are some other verses that use epi:

Acts 4:17-18 ¹⁷ But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. ¹⁸ And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Jesus uses epi in Great Commission that we find in Luke.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus was saying to speak His name.

F. F. Bruce stated that a study of the Greek prepositions shows that Matthew 28:19 is a symbolic reference, while Acts 2:38 refers to a specific invocation of the name (Bruce, p. 57). En to onomati refers to ‘in the name’ and ‘on the authority of’, while eis to onoma implies a transfer of ownership (Bruce, p. 57). The idea is that we call on the name of Jesus in baptism, and we receive remission of sins that He bought with His own blood. We become His through the new birth experience of water and Spirit baptism.

The Greek text shows that water baptism is to be performed with the name of Jesus being called out. When the name of Jesus is called over us during baptism we are dedicating our lives to the one that died for us. Through faith in His name, we are expressing His authority to remit our sins. We are devoting our lives to God and proclaiming Jesus as the Lord of our lives. We proclaim Jesus as both Lord and Christ.

References

Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., and Danker F., (1979). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 2nd ed.

Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Bernard, David K. (1992). In the name of Jesus

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

Bruce, F. F., (1984). The Books and the Parchments, rev. ed.

Old Tappan: Revell

David K. Bernard In the Name of Jesus

In the Name of Jesus

Randy A. Brown — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:57:28 +0000

When God chose to manifest Himself in flesh as our savior He chose a name that would signify the essence of who He is. The name He chose would not only reveal who He was, but also what His mission on Earth was. The name Jesus means Jehovah-Savior, meaning that Jehovah is our Savior.

We are told in scripture that God would dwell with us.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Matthew 1:21-23 ²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Jesus died on the cross to provide salvation for those that will accept it. The gospel (His death, burial, and resurrection) is the new birth experience that includes being born of the water and of the Spirit.

The new birth is given to us in the name of Jesus. Jesus is the name given to us for salvation.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Jesus is the name that is above every name.

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

We are to do everything in the name of Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 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.

This includes water baptism. We are to be baptized in the name of Jesus.

There are five baptismal accounts in the book of Acts. In each account, the name of Jesus is the name used for the baptismal formula.

The first account is Peter’s sermon to those that had heard the disciples of Jesus speaking of other tongues as they received the Holy Ghost. This is the account of the Jews receiving the gospel.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 2:36-39 ³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The Jews recognized that Jesus was their savior – God manifest in the flesh to become their sacrifice. They accepted that baptism was in Jesus name and 3000 were baptized that day.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

The second account is the Samaritans receiving the gospel.

Acts 8:12-17 ¹² But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ¹⁴ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ¹⁵ Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: ¹⁶ (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

The first thing Phillip did was preach Christ unto them.

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

When they had accepted Christ as their savior, they were baptized in His name.

The third account is the Gentiles receiving the gospel.

Acts 10:43-48 ⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

The oldest Greek manuscripts say ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’ (Bernard, p. 45). We know that the Lord is Jesus.

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Peter recognized that God had opened the door for the Gentiles to receive salvation. This includes baptism in Jesus name, as we see from his command to them to be baptized.

The fourth account is the disciples of John.

Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ² He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ³ And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. ⁴ Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The disciples of John had been baptized unto repentance. It was necessary for them to be rebaptized in the name of Jesus. If the name of Jesus wasn’t important at baptism, Paul would not have rebaptized the disciples of John.

The fifth account is Paul.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Calling on the name of the Lord means to invoke (Bernard, p. 48). This literally means to say the name of Jesus at baptism. Paul knew what this name was because he met the Lord on the road to Damascus.

Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest

Paul knew that the name of the Lord was Jesus. It was only natural for Paul to understand that baptism was in the name of Jesus.

It is clear these passages that baptism is in the name of Jesus. This means that we should orally invoke the name of Jesus at baptism (Bernard, p. 75).

Some say that the phrase ‘in the name of Jesus’ means ‘by the authority of’, and that we should be baptized in titles according to Matthew 28:19. We see the same phrase in Matthew 28:19- ‘in the name of’. If the phrase means ‘by the authority of’ in one verse then the same phrase will have the same meaning in another verse. The phrase ‘in the name of’ literally means ‘in the name of’. The key to understanding Matthew 28:19 is to understand that the one name is Jesus (Bernard, p. 61).

Using the name of Jesus is exercising power and authority (Bernard, p. 72). This includes using His power and authority in baptism. The proper way to use the power and authority of God is to use His name. We use His name when we invoke the name Jesus.

We should use the name of Jesus because he died for our sins.

1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul was demonstrating that we should be baptized in the name of the person that died for our sins.

The formula for New Testament baptism has always been in the name of Jesus (Bernard, p. 74). All through history, Jesus was the name used because that’s how the Apostles baptized. Even Martin Luther knew of baptism in Jesus name (Bernard, p. 74).

The natural reading of the phrase ‘baptized in the name of Jesus Christ’ would not allow us to baptize any other way than in the name of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:19 states that baptism is in one single name.

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 Ghost:

All we need to do is look at how the Apostles obeyed this command. We’ve already seen in the baptismal accounts in the book of Acts that the Apostles baptized in Jesus name.

We also find baptism in the name of Jesus alluded to in the Epistles.

Romans 6:3-4 ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Colossians 2:12 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.

The indication from these verses is that baptism includes the name of Jesus. We see this again in the book of Acts.

Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

How is Jesus’ name called over us? The name of Jesus is called over us when we are baptized in Jesus name.

We see the name being called again in James 2:7.

James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

Both of these verses, Acts 15:17 and James 2:7, point to a specific account where the name was orally invoked over each believer (Bernard, p. 76).

Some of these verses say Lord while others say Christ. The significance is the name of Jesus. Jesus is both Lord and Christ.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

It is a privilege to be identified with the name of Jesus. We get that identification through baptism in Jesus name. Romans tells us to call on the name of the Lord Jesus for salvation.

Romans 10:9-13 ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

We call on the name of the Lord Jesus by repenting in the name of Jesus, being baptized in the name of Jesus, and being filled with the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We then walk with Jesus, living clean, holy lives that are set apart for His glory. Everything we do, we do in the name of Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 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.

If we are to truly recognize Jesus as our savior and make Him the Lord of our lives, we must follow the new birth experience of being born of the water and of the Spirit. This includes being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

References

Bernard, David K. (1992). In the name of Jesus

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

David K. Bernard In the Name of Jesus

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Randy A. Brown — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:34:05 +0000

Jesus gave us a command in the Great Commission to spread His gospel and to baptize. Most have misunderstood His command. Let’s examine the command of baptism in the Great Commission and compare scripture for a clearer understanding.

The command is to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 28:18-20 ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Most have understood this verse to mean ‘baptize in these titles”. Looking at the text, we see the command of Jesus is to baptize “in the name”. This is one singular name. Many Trinitarian scholars have recognized that Matthew 28:19 is referring to one name (Segraves, 2009, para. 10). It’s easy to figure out what this name is. All it takes is one question- what is the name of the Son? The name of the Son is Jesus.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Since Jesus is the name of the Son, and this command includes the name of the Son, the name of Jesus should be used in baptism.

Matthew was there on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached his sermon.

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Matthew certainly didn’t correct Peter if he felt that Peter had misunderstood Jesus’ command.

One argument is that the phrase ‘in the name of’ in Acts 2:38 means ‘by the authority of’. This is the same phrase in Matthew 28:19. If the phrase ‘in the name of’ means ‘by the authority of’ in Acts 2:38, then it must also mean ‘by the authority of’ in Matthew 28:19 – and we then would have no baptismal formula. Fortunately, we find many verses in scripture that do give us a baptismal formula. All we have to do is see how the Apostles obeyed this command, but some would say the Apostles didn’t follow Jesus’ command.

I’ve heard some say that they would rather obey the words of Jesus than the words of Peter. After all, Peter denied Jesus, right? This logic has many flaws.

First, the whole Bible is the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Second, although Peter denied Jesus, he did repent and Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom.

Matthew 16:18-19 ¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Third, there is no contradiction between Matthew 28:19 and the baptismal passages in Acts. Matthew 28:19 tells us to be baptized ‘in the name’.

Is this three names or one?

The word ‘name’ in Matthew 28:19 is singular, signifying just one single name (Segraves, 2009, para. 15). What is the one name of Matthew 28:19? What name does God say He will be known by?

God said that He would be known by His ‘name’.

Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

God speaks of a singular name. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not proper names, but titles (Bernard, p. 61). Even if they were names, this verse is talking about one name- not three names. What is the one name?

We’ve already seen that the name of the Son is Jesus.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Jesus said that he came in his Father’s name.

John 5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Jesus also said that he manifested the name of the Father to us.

John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Jesus received his name by inheritance.

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

The Old Testament tells us that the Messiah would declare God’s name.

Psalm 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

The name that Jesus received, came in, manifested, and declared was Jesus (Bernard, p. 62). The name of the Father is Jesus.

Jesus also tells us about the Holy Ghost, the ‘Comforter’.

John 14:16-18 ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Holy Ghost is given in the name of Jesus.

Another question we should ask is “how did the apostles interpret this command”?

We see in the book of Acts that the Apostles understood Jesus’ command as ‘in the name of Jesus’.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

They recognized that the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is Jesus. In every case in scripture that mentions a name being used in baptism it is always in the name of Jesus.

How is the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost Jesus?

The scriptures tell us there is one God.

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

Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

The Titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost refer to roles.

The title Father refers to God in a parental relationship to humanity (Bernard, p. 62).

Deuteronomy 32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

The title Son refers to the Incarnation- God manifest in flesh (Bernard, p. 63). As a man, Jesus is the Son of God.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

The title Son always refers to God as revealed in humanity. It never refers to Deity (Bernard, p. 63). The Deity in Jesus is the Father.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

John 14:8-11 ⁸ Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. ⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? ¹⁰ Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

The title of Holy Ghost refers to the Spirit of God in action and relation to humanity (Bernard, p. 63).

Genesis 1:2 And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Jesus was claiming that He is the Comforter, the Holy Ghost that the Apostles would soon receive.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the Father.

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Romans 8:15-16 ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Compare this verse to Jude 1.

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

We are sanctified of the Spirit, which is the Spirit of the Father.

Matthew 28:19 is not the only place that the Great Commission is recorded. It is very general, with its contents to come from other scriptures (Reeves, p. 35). For example, we also see the Great Commission is Luke 24:47.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

In this record of the great commission, Jesus tells that remission of sins, which is through water baptism (see Acts 2:38), should be preached in his name. This shows us that remission of sins is through baptism in Jesus name.

It is clear that the Apostles understood Jesus’ commission with a wider source of information and a clearer view (Reeves, p. 35). Peter and Paul baptized in Jesus name.

The three titles, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost do not refer to three persons within the Godhead. Instead, as can be seen when compared in scripture, they describe roles of God. God was manifest in flesh to provide salvation through the blood of His sinless Son, Jesus. Jesus is both God and man, Father and Son; Creator and Savior. He is the Father to us through creation and His relationship to us. As the Son he is our sacrifice. He is the Holy Ghost in transforming and regenerating us with His Spirit baptism. Jesus is the one name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the name given to us for salvation.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Simply repeating the command that Jesus gives us isn’t obeying the command. Jesus is the name that God revealed to us for our salvation. We are commanded to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins.

References

Bernard, David K. (1994). Oneness view of Jesus Christ, The

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

Reeves, Kenneth, V. (1966). Great Commission, The 4^th Printing

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

Segraves, Daniel. (2009). Matthew 28:19 and Granville Sharp’s sixth rule.

Retrieved November 22, 2009 from,

http://danielsegraves.blogspot.com/2009/02/matthew-2819-and-granville-sharps-sixth_27.html

David K. Bernard The Oneness View of Jesus Christ

Salvation Part 2 – Repentance, Baptism, and the Holy Ghost

Randy A. Brown — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:33:15 +0000

Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews that believed Jesus was sent from God. He came to see Jesus by night and Jesus told him about being born again.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus didn’t understand what Jesus meant.

John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus explained what he meant by being born again.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus was telling Nicodemus that to be born again is to be born of the water and of the Spirit. To be born of the water and Spirit is what Peter preached on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ- his death, burial, and resurrection.

In order to apply the gospel to our lives, we partake of the death, burial, and resurrection in repenting of our sins (death to sin), being buried with him in baptism, and resurrecting as a new creature by being filled with the Holy Ghost (Bernard, p. 61).

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 6:1-7 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

To be born again is to become a new creature in Christ (Bernard, p. 83).

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

The new birth message, the Acts 2 experience, places us into the body of Christ. This is his death, burial, and resurrection applied to our lives in repentance (death to sin), water baptism (burial of the sinful man), and Spirit baptism (resurrection to a new, Godly life).

On the day of Pentecost, 120 people were praying in the upper room when a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind filled the house. They were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance.

This was the birth of the Church (Bernard, p. 209). Others heard them speak with tongues and began to laugh and make fun of them. Peter stood and preached to the crowd that this is the new birth experience that Jesus, whom they crucified on the cross, provided that we might have salvation. When Peter preached to them who Jesus was and what they had done, they were convicted and asked what they should do.

Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This is the salvation message in a nutshell. Other groups were told the message throughout the book of Acts.

Acts 8:12-17 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ¹⁴ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ¹⁵ Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: ¹⁶ (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:43-48 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

These verses show that the New Testament salvation message is to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Let’s look at each element of salvation.

Repentance is essential to salvation.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Repentance is to turn from sin to God.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

True repentance will make us sorrowful for the sins that we’ve committed. We must confess our sins to God and make a decision to turn from sin.

Forgiveness and remission of sins comes through repentance and water baptism.

Water baptism is essential to salvation.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Baptism is a burial of the sinful man and requires full emersion in water.

Acts 8:36-38 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? 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. 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.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism must be accompanied by faith. It does no good to baptize someone that doesn’t have faith that baptism is necessary for remission of sins. Our sins are remitted at water baptism (Bernard, p. 261).

Baptism must be administered in the name of Jesus.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Water baptism is part of the one baptism that includes water and Spirit.

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Spirit baptism is essential to salvation.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Spirit baptism is seen in the book of Acts.

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Acts 11:15-17 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. ¹⁷ Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost (Spirit baptism) is speaking in other tongues.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:17-18 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸ And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

The gift of the Holy Spirit gives power to live holy and overcome sin.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to bear the Fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The new birth experience includes repentance from sin, baptism in water by emersion in the name of Jesus, and being filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. This is seen in Acts chapter 2, which is the fulfillment of John chapter 3:

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

References

Bernard, David K. (1984). New Birth, The

Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

David Bernard The New Birth