Topical and Bible Study Guide: Baptism and Salvation by Apostolic Faith
By: Pastor P. Siao, 1970’s Minor Revisions: MOTG
“ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures…”
[Matthew 22:29]
Apostolic Faith on Baptism
Nowadays; too many doctrinal preaching and practices are done in the name of God. But most of these denominations are in the conception- “BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ and you are save!” Just this simple and you are assured of heavenly glory without having to go through baptism [either water or spiritual]. And the example they will give is the thief on the cross who never went through baptism [initial act of faith] but was saved!
Simple faith without baptism is not by the apostolic faith
In the Old Testament- yes; this is the only way to salvation, through simple faith or belief in the coming or promised Messiah without works of the Mosaical law [Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:8, Romans 4:16, Hebrews 11:13 ]. Why Because nobody ever complied or fulfilled the ten commandments for whosoever shall keep the whole law yet offend in one is guilty of all . [Deuteronomy 28: James 2:10-11 Romans 7:10]! So all our fore fathers have sinned from Abraham – [who went out to fight and to rescue Lot] including David and Solomon [thousand wives] etc. All then came under the curse of the law [Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Galatians 3:10] and as started aforehand were saved from damnation by believing only.
He that will come [Romans 3:23 Ephesians 2:8-9]. For this reason did God’s Christ come to vindicate us to fulfilling these law given to Moses [Galatians 4:4-5, Mathew 55:18 , John 19:28] that these commandments may pass away and be changes with [2] new ones [Romans 10:4 , Hebrews 7:12 , 1 John 3:23]. In fulfilling and obeying them He was accused of willfully disobeying or blaspheming the 1st and 4th commandments, that is; pretending to be God and disregarding the Sabbath day [John 5:18, 19:7]. Hence: Jesus was crucified. But faith has its own law also [Romans 3:27] or its commandments which we are going to enumerate later. With regards the repentant thief, he was saved because at the time he was there on the cross. Jesus still lives, therefore the NEW TESTAMENT has not taken effect yet! [Hebrews 9:15-17]. And if He is not yet under the new covenant then the subject thief is surely under the old, where simple belief in the Christ as mentioned above is enough to bring him to paradise.
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ
Under the New Testament – a different set of works or to be explicit –acts of faith is commanded, such as, “Go, teach all nations [not the Jews only] baptizing them in the name.. he that believed and is baptized shall be saved [Mathew 28:19 , Mark 16:16]. And these is what the apostles has precisely done when they were equipped with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Peter and the rest of the apostles answered the query, “What shall we do?” with “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and thou shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” [Acts 2:38] . Here you will notice the word baptism which does not appear in the old covenant being preached in the new. Why? What is the meaning of the word?
The first meaning symbolized by immersion in the water of the subject is to be buried like the Lord Jesus [Romans 63-4] that like as Christ is raised from the dead, we should also walk in the newness of life [devoid of sin]. The second is to receive His name [Isaiah 56:5 , John 17:6 ; 26] that we may be His own sons and daughters [Mathew 3:17, Galatians 3:27-29 , 4:7]. The third is to be married to Him [Isaiah 54:5 , Ephesians 5:23] but this cannot occur unless our first husband – sin is dead by burying [Romans 7:1-4’ Hebrews 13:4 Exodus 14:28]. In other words – to be washed of sin Acts 22:16.
So then baptism; either in water or in Spirit is necessary to one’s salvation as taught by the Scriptures [John 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21]. This is part and parcel of believing by fulfilling all acts of righteousness [Mathew 3:15]. This come from the Greek word BAPTIZO meaning ; to immerse or bury, therefore it is inadmissible to sprinkle or hold a cup of water over one’s head to symbolize burial.
Baptism in much water, the Apostolic Faith
Please be referred to the following: John was baptizing in Aenon, because – there is much water there [John 3:23]! If one cupful of water suffices then surely they will not take the trouble of marching to that place where there is abundance of water! Will they? When Jesus was baptized by John they came up out of the water just like Philip and the eunuch who went down and come up ut of the water too [Mark 1:9-10 , Acts 8:38-39]. Again, will you believe that they went down to water to the water just so they could be springkled? Ridiculous id they did! One thing more men cannot have the option of choosing the mode of baptism they wish for this is contrary to the Word of God. When He gave orders to Noah in the building of the ark and to Solomon in the construction of the temple. He stated to littlest detail His wishes [measurement, materials and their specifications – wood, metal or precious stones and even to the curtains!] this is true even- in the building of the ark of the covenant [Genesis 6 , 1 Kings 7, Exodus 37]. In the new testament era, Paul stated This warning. “According to the grace of God given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation , and another builded thereon. But let every man take heed how he builded there upon.” 1 Corinthians 3:10 Remember, it is a crime against the Lord to add or subtract from His word [Deuteronomy 12:32, Revelations 22:18].
Why baptism is essential? Baptism is an initial work of faith.
CONCLUSION: All believers in the new testament are baptized [Acts 2:41, 8:12;28, 10:48, 16:33, 19:5, 22:16] for this is the initial act or work of faith. Faith without works [new testaments’ acts] is dead [James 2:14-26] like a corpse. Satan also believes and trembles yet! But we are sure that he and his cohorts [2 Corinthians 11:13-15] does not do properly or comply with the Lord’s words to deliberately mislead the people of God. To preach, baptize, pray for the sick etc., is utter different from the works of the [10] commandments [Mathew 5, & Romans 12:6-8]. Here many of my colleagues erred for they believe all along that the works stated by James are those of Moses and allied them with Paul’s Romans and Galatians letters. The Bible teaches us to rightly divide the word of truth [2 Timothy 2:1] .
Even Martin Luther offered a fortune to anybody who could reconcile James to Romans! To be blunt; faith applies to the Jews only Just as the [10] commandments are. But when the Messiah came and was crucified and glorified and the Holy Ghost came, then – simple faith passes away. We have already the irrefutable witness of those who have seen! [1 John 1:1-3] Before the old testament people cannot work for they are alone and without the Holy Spirit [except a few] but now the promised of the POWER is assured to all believers so there remains no excuse why we cannot work His new commands ! [Acts 1:8]
Kindly be aware of the (5) virgins (or churches) that were unable to enter the kingdom od God despite their justification from sins or their virginity. This will happen to those churches or individuals who relied on sheer faith without fruit (Mathew 25:15-12). Apostle Paul said, “… but on much more in may absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Mathew 25:14-30), the erring servant too is considered a Christian for the Lord entrusted His talent to Him, yet –was he saved? How about the barren fig tree? (Mt 21:18). Where will a useless, unfruitful tree end? In the fire-undoubtedly! Depart from me will be His answer to those pseudo-believers at that day when He comes back, to those who have the habit of pleasing men by watering down the Lord’s will be their own brand or are too lazy to examine their churches’ doctrine or read and study their precious Bibles (Mt 7:23, 15:9 , Luke 6:46, 1 Timothy 4:1, Acts 17:11, I Timothy 3:16)
The times of ignorance God has overlooked… Acts 17:30. We were not called as men pleasers for it we do cannot be God’s ministers (Gal 1:10). Or are we scared of losing our jobs even if thi0s means the los of others’ soul ( Mt 23:13 , Jn 12:42-43 , Fil 3:19). Others belittle the doctrine of baptism yet they perform them! Centuries of human patching-up and misrepresentation of the divine Word has brought the people closer to Satan than to Him. If it is by a very simple profession of , “I accept Christ as my personal Savior!” And no more then – why waste time going to church, tithing yourself, assembling together, if salvation is this so easy?
“YE DO ERR NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES…” Mathew 22:29
Let us go back to the original APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE (Heb 6:2, Jude 3) now!
PROVING THE TRUTH IN THE BIBLE
Another gem of truth indispensable to salvation is the NAME BAPTISM which was lost by so-called Christian primarily through Satan’s machinations through dogmatic hard-headedness of the preachers and laymen (I Sam 15:23, Acts 17:11). Hence; ask anyone in this world, Catholic and Protestant alike, in what name baptism should be and 9,999 out of 10,000 will answer, “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
Tell them that we baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as though and practiced by the apostle (Acts 2:38, 8:16 , 10:48 , 19:5) and immediately you sense the wariness on their part. Then the following questions and answers will invariably follow: QUESTION: Didn’t the Lord himself said (citing Mathew. 28:19 quickly) that baptism should be in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost why change it?
ANSWERS: We do not change it, in fact – we fulfill it! The command is to baptize in the NAME (singular) of the calling or titles of God-Father-, Son and Holy- Ghost and Jesus is certainly the NAME (Isaiah 9:6 , Luke 1:31, John 5:43 , 17:26). Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not proper names, hence; unusable. Be referred to what apostle Paul said.”.. were ye baptize in the name Paul.. lest anybody should say I baptize in mine own name.” (I Cor 1:13-15). The NAME alone saves and not the calling or the titles of God (Acts 4:12 , Philippians 2:10 , Luke 24:47).
QUESTION: Shouldn’t we obey the Lord rather than apostle? ANSWER: A foolish answer, indeed! It is unthinkable that the Lord and His apostle are at variance or contradict each other on this grace matter specially after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit come to abide and speak through them (Acts 1:2 John 14:16-17 Ephesians 3-5). Again, if the Acts of the Apostle were wrong – then it should have been deleted from the Scriptures (II Tim 3:160).
QUESTION: Oh! Either baptism are the same anyway, inasmuch as both are for the glory of the Lord. Don’t you think that baptism of the Holy Ghost is the most important? (Acts 19:1-2 , Ephesians 1:13). ANSWER: Both baptism could not be correct- for there is only one truth (Eph 4:5). You are ordered not to subtract or add from the Word of God (Deuteronomy 12:32 – Rev 22:18). Satan is shrewd and cunning and this is what he wants – to change the Lord’s words that men may be lost! We are commanded to baptize in the NAME and not in the title or calling and you cannot find a single verse in the Bible that baptizes in the Father, Son , Holy Ghost! Yes, we admit that all are for the glory of God yet if one brother baptized in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost while the other baptizes in the name of Jesus will they not create confusion? And God is not the author of confusion but of order and decency (I cor 14:33, 40) . we are ordered to study and rightfully divide the Word of Truth (II Tim 2:15), to be5 noble like the Bereans because they hunt the Scriptures to examine the veracity if the doctrine taught them (Acts 17:10-11). With reference to the Holy Ghost baptism; I personally believe that it is far more important that water baptism yet, the holy scriptures teaches that you cannot take one and drop the other (Ex. Preaching and tithing – Mat 23:33 , Lk 16:10). Cornclius was already baptized with the Holy Ghost, yet he had to be baptized in the name if Jesus in water (Acts 10:45-48). Truly, we must be born of water and Spirit to gain access to the kingdom of heaven (John 3:5).
Question: That is odd, you must be very few that practices such belief, Catholics and nearly all Protestant baptizes in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Don’t you think that by this overwhelming majority alone is the proof that we are right and you are wrong?
ANSWER: By the standards of men, yes numbers count and has the rule, But with God, it is different for sheer numbers does not convince Him. Listen to these, “He did not set His love in us because we are more in numbers but because we are the fewest of all.. fear not little flock for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Deuteronomy 7:7 , Luke 12:32). Yes. We are a peculiar people (Deuteronomy 14:2 , I Pet 2:9) and the difference is while others preach Jesus; they deny Him by their just act or work of faith – by not using His precious – NAME in baptism (Titus 1:16, Acts 4:12)
QUESTION: Why didn’t our Lord simply said, “Go and baptize in my name JESUS” ?
ANSWER: Because He cannot bear witness of Himself! (John 5:31) for it is written that a man who praise himself, measuring themselves by themselves are not wise (Proverbs 27:2) and biblical quotation suggest not just to favor your own dogma. You cannot for the Bible must interpret itself, “Search the Scriptures (the old and the new) and they (prophets and apostles) are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). “The word of the Lord for them was precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little that they might be – be broken and snared and taken. ” (Isaiah 28:13).
Two or Three Witnesses Rule
These is the Bible way of proving its truths – the topical process or the two or three witness rule. For example: if we wish to prove the allegation that Simon Peter is the Rock wherein the Church of Christ is built (without resorting to Gr. Petros & Petra), then all we have to do is hear the first witness Moses speaking at Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, a God of truth, just and right is He.”
Next we ask brother Paul in I Corinthians 10:4,” .. for they drunk of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ” From the fore mentioned evidence then is the fact that Jesus Christ is the Rock and not Peter for there exists no proof in the old and new testaments that he is the genuine Rock except the Lord. Now we simply apply this formula as to WHO is the father, Son and Holy Ghost:
FATHER:
Isaiah 9:6 The prophet Isaiah predicted that a boy will be born and will be called “Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”
Phil 2:6-8 Paul said, “.. being in the form of God.. made Himself of no reputation when He took upon himself the form of a servant of man.
Mathew 1:23 Matthew testified, “Behold a virgin shall be with a child.. son.. they shall call his name Emmanuel meaning – God is with us.”
John 14:8-9 John wrote,” Jesus answered – Have I been so long 12:4 with you thou hast not know me, Philip? He that has seen me hath seen the Father ans how sayest thou then, shew us the Father?”
SON OR LORD:
Deuteronomy 6:4 – Moses said that God is one Lord
John 13:13 – Jesus admitted or confirmed that He is the Lord
Revelation 1:16 – John prophecied – “Will prove at His second coming when 2, II Corinthians 10:12. Too; the apostles knew Him being instructed (3 1/2) years while walking with Him and then through the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:34 , 10-11 & Ephesians 3:5).
QUESTION: If the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, then is He the Father, Son & Holy Ghost and how do you prove this?
ANSWER: Yes, by the infallible and only biblical way – by TWO OR THREE – WITNESS RULE (Deuteronomy 19:15 , Mathew 18:16 II Corinthians 13:1). The roman catholic says that you cannot interpret the Scriptures privately and they are right! (II Pet 1:20). You cannot simply use haphazardly.
He comes with the name : KING of Kings and LORD of Lords.”
HOLY GHOST:
Genesis 1:2 Moses first book says, “The HOLY Spirit exists before the world was!”
John 14:16 John again: The Spirit of truth which the world cannot receive for it does not now Him but you know Him… I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you!
Ephesians 4:4-6 One faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of all..
II Corinthians Paul concludes, “.. now the Lord is that Spirit.”
The Lord is the Father (Isaiah 63:16 , 64:8)
Jesus is the Son ( Exodus 23:21 , John 5:43)
Christ is the Holy Ghost (John 1:41 , Acts 2:36, 10:38).
(Christ : this is not a surname but a title or calling of the Lord which means in the Greek language, “to be anointed.”)
For further proof as to the singlenesss or oneness of His other identities, consider the following:
The Lord Jesus created heaven and earth ………. Isaiah 42:5 , John 1:10 , Colosians 1:16
The Lord Jesus is the Almighty God ………. Genesis 17:1 , Revelations 1:8 , 17-18
The Lord Jesus is the great, “I AM” -………. Exodus 3:13 – 14 John 8:24
The Lord Jesus is the First and the Last ………. Isaiah 41:4 , Revelations 1:17-18
The Lord Jesus is the only Saviour ………. Isaiah 43:11 , Titus 1:4
The Lord Jesus will reign forever ………. Psalms 146:10 , Luke 1:33
For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the GodHead bodily! Colosians 2:9
THEREFORE: IT IS CLEAR AND IRREFUTABLE THAT THE ALMIGHTY GOD OR JEHOVAH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IS THE SAME LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE NEW ONE. AS FATHER HE CREATED, AS THE SON HE SAVED , AS THE HOLY GHOST HE PERPETUATED THE WORK THAT HE HIMSELF BEGUN WHILE ON EARTH THROUGH US, AMEN.
As God is one, it is indispensable that our faith should be one, and our baptism one and the Name we are going to preach should also be one and that must be in the NAME OF GOD in the new Testament – JESUS (Isaiah 56:5, John 17:26 , Acts 4:10 , Phil 2:10). To comply then; it is imperative that we must have faith on Jesus only, Preach His name only and baptize in His name only! This is the apostolic faith and way.
When our Master was queried as to which is the greatest of the commandments, He answered, “Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is one Lord .. and you should love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment” (Mathew 12:29-30). Now if we are going to Love the Father 50%, the Son 30% and the Holy Ghost 20%, do you call that whole love? Thus, if we are truly worshippers of Jesus Christ then He alone should be the recipient of all our soul, heart and strength’s adoration and then and only have we complied with this greatest commandment of all!
QUESTION: Then you deny the deity of the Father if you do everything in the name of Jesus?
ANSWER: No, we do not for it is written, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also … believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (I John 2:23 , John 14:10) Paul said, “ For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9).
QUESTION: Why is it written that Jesus sits at the right hand of God?
ANSWER: Right hand is symbolical and stands for power, judgment and anything good or right. When He comes, he shall separate good from the bad – sheep on the right and the goats on the left (Exodus 15:6 , Mark 14:62 , Mathew 25’23). Consider again the following: For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor. (Psalms 109:31). The Lord is at the right hand of Moses (Isaiah 63:12) . My right hand hath spanned the heavens (Isaiah 48:13). We conclude then that right hand suggests value.
QUESTION: Why did God said, “Let us make man in our image after our likeness!
ANSWER: HE is talking to His angels (meaning: messengers of God – Genesis 24:7 , Daniel 3:28 , Acts 12:8 ). Read also Job 1:6-12 , Luke 22:31. You will notice that God uses His angels, including Satan in the fulfillment of His wishes and talks with them! There are plenty of verses in the Bible where He sends His angels to His people, hence; He was talking to His angels when He said, Let us … (Genesis 1:26). BUT – read the next verse which says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created be him!” This proves again the ONENESS of our Lord God.
QUESTION: Why is it that baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is so widespread when it is incorrect to use?
ANSWER: 325 years after Lord’s departure, all baptisms are done in the original apostolic way – in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But this was change by that church Rome. This is documented and certificated (Canney Ency p. 53. Dictionary of Bible Ency vol 1 pp 395-396. Johnsons New Universal Ency vol 1 p. 415 & vol 10 p. 3. Brittanica Ency vol 3 pp. 365-366. World Bk. Ency Vol 16 p. 7270 )
CONCLUSION:
There are certain sects that believe that Jesus is like any prophet like Isaiah or Ezekiel and there are others who believe that He is God but delegated Him to a second person of a triune God or trinity. These are incompatible with the apostolic doctrine for they refuse to believe God was reincarnated in the flesh (II John 7) or that he is Lord of all (Acts 10:36). As the Father – He created us; Much could be done to convince all Christian faiths – if all are going to baptized in this NAME unless he or she believes that He is the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost! Yet his grace of salvation was withheld from the world simply because many lean vet on their own understanding and are wise in their own eyes and conceits! (Proverbs 3:5-7 Isaiah 5:21 , I Corinthians 8:2). Some knew the veracity of this baptism but shrug it off because it might costs them their jobs (Philippians 3:19, John 6:26) though it costs somebody else soul. I was surprised one time when a missionary afterwards. “I am sorry but we are Trinitarians.” Bewildered, I mulled it over in my Trinitarian (though not a single word of this appears therein) to be saves or does it teach
“THAT WHATSOEVER YE DO IN WORD OR IN DEED, DO ALL IN THE NME OF JESUS … (Colosians 3:17)”
THESIS ON BAPTISM
The ten (10) commandment are for the Israelites or Jews only but not one of them were able to fulfill it because if you disobey one, You are guilty of all. Jesus came to fulfill or to obey this ten commands so that they passed away.
- By the work of the law then no Jew could be justified except by faith that a Messiah or Savior will come an d help him out. Hence; they are save by faith alone and nothing else ! Simple faith is for the Jews only.
- But when Jesus came and was seen died and was resurrected, there was no more any excuse for unbelief. Furthermore; He promised to abide (as the Holy Spirit in us) to continue His work, therefore; faith must be substantiated with work (acts of faith) or it cannot exist – being alone! (James 2:7)
- Baptism then is necessary under the new testament being the first act of faith and without it belief in Christ is a dead one – like the body without the Spirit. Proof; all those who belied under the new era were in inevitably baptized – Acts 2:28, 41, 8:12-13, 36-39, 10:47-48, 16:31-33, 19:5, 22:16.
- Faith alone cannot stand under the N.T. because Christ was already manifested so what is the use of believing yet a hope that was already SEEN, and attested to by so many apostles and disciples! (1 John 1:1-3).
- The NAME BAPTISM alone is legal, why? Because the primary meaning of baptism is giving a Name in order that we truly could be called sons of God (Isaiah 56:5, John 17:26, Galatians 3:26-29). True, it does not clean even the flesh as some would say you could be dipped a thousand times and still remain a sinner, but, it is obedience to His will (I Peter 3:21)
- There is no sin if you do know. But now there is no more cloak for sin (John 15:22). The times of ignorance God winked at. To him that knoweth to do good doeth it not, to him it is sin (Acts 17:30, James 4:17). For we write none other things unto you, you that what you read …? II Corinthians 1:13.
“FOR WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINTS THE TRUTH BUT FOR THE TRUTH.” II Corinthians 13:8
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