Part Six – Re-Baptised & On Fire For Jesus Christ – Yahshua Ha Mashiach, What About You?
Bonnie Nelson
Hello Everyone:
This last week in the FS Monday Night Forum we were talking about being water baptized. Some of you may not yet have been baptized and others may have been dunked several times. Matter of fact, I know of a couple of fellas who have been baptized several times. It seems each time they joined a different denomination, they had to be baptized in the way “they did it.” So, how many different ways are there to be baptized? Is one better than another? How does that work? My hope is to reveal the biblical answers and provide you with the information you need to decide in what name you want or should be baptized into.
Along with the questions of, are we to be sprinkled or immersed, come other questions such as, in what name should we be baptized. “Is it in the Name of Jesus Christ or in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit?” By the end of this article, I pray you will understand the deeper spiritual meanings regarding being baptized and in what name it should be done for Christians.
I understand people have different ideas and beliefs about how to be baptized, but what I am going to share is from the Scriptures, which touched my heart and opened my ears and eyes to the choice I needed to make. My opinion or belief has to line up with what is written. However, in no way can I tell you the decision I made for me, is the one you have to make. We all have free will, but I do pray the Scriptures I am standing on will help you in your decision.
I was originally baptized sometime in the late 90’s and I am not sure if it was in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus Christ, or what, but recently there was something inside me, telling me it was amiss and I needed to be baptized again. I kept hearing “the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
The key words for me were, “In Christ.” The conversation in my head was something like this. So, am I in Christ? Shouldn’t I know that? How can I be in Christ, if I was not baptizedinto him like the Apostles?” If I am not in Christ, are my sins forgiven? Plus, how does that work regarding I Thessalonians 4:16 and the resurrection? Do you have conversations like this or is it just me?
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
About the same time Cathy told me Pastor Ray was getting ready to baptize a few people. Coincidence? Not! I had mentioned to her I wanted to get re-baptized and after I explained to her my thoughts, she decided to be re-baptized too, even though she had already been sprinkled, baptized in the river and the Methodist Church.
I visited with Pastor Ray and he said, “The way I do it is, “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus Christ.
I told him, I think I already did that, but this time, I want to know that I know, I’m going into Jesus Christ, and you can add His Name in Hebrew too, Yahshua Ha Mashiach. He just smiled at me with those eyes that twinkle and said, no problem.
When I was first baptized, I didn’t understand the depth of the symbolism and what it means. But now, oh now, I want to go into Jesus with all my heart and soul. He is the way, the light, the truth, the life and the “gate.”
Please understand, I did not make my decision based on only what I felt in my heart, heard in my head or was told to believe. I made my decision upon digging into what is written in the Word of God and what it says about; what must I do to be saved and in what name. I want to know that I know, I am in Jesus and He is in me and it’s a done deal! I want to make sure I am forgiven and heaven bound.
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. (I John 3:5)
Scriptures connect the baptism with Jesus’s name and He wanted us to not only be baptized in His name, but to baptize others in His Name too!
For me being baptized is not just a prophetic act on the outside, but a spiritual work on the inside, which is a part of the beginning of my new-birth experience. I am in a process of being transformed.
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; (Titus 3:5)
In Romans 6 Paul tells us that in baptism we are identified with Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We die with Christ in baptism, and we become dead to the ruling-power of sin in our lives.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
This question only makes sense if we understand the name we are baptized intoindicates the person we follow as our teacher and master. Baptism is an identification with someone.
Did you get that? I am a follower of Jesus Christ and He is My Teacher and Master, so I was baptized into Him and this time I knew exactly who the Him was, His name is Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach. I am now sure, I’m in the right place. Hallelujah! (Praise Yah)
Paul goes on to tell us more of what happens when we are baptized into Jesus.
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 bealso 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 6:3-7
When we are baptized into Jesus Christ it means we are identified as one of His disciples and we get the benefits of what He died to give us at Calvary, the victory over sin and death.
Being baptized in Jesus’ name results in a spiritual work, not because Jesus’ name is some kind of a magical formula, it’s about us putting our faith in Him, being identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. It signifies and allows Him to officially become the owner of our temples of flesh. We were bought with a price.
“Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:19-20
At a baptism done in the Name of Jesus, we become unified (one) with Him and in God’s eyes, experience death and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:4-7).
Paul is telling us what Christ did for us at Calvary becomes effective in our lives by being identified with Jesus Christ through baptism.
Death did not have mastery over Jesus, so neither will it conquer us. We too will raise from the dead (6:5-7).
Having died with Christ, sin no longer controls us, but rather righteousness (6:6-7. 10-11, 14, 17-20). If after we have died to sin, we yield to the ruling-power of sin, it is because we choose to do so (6:16).
And Paul said it again in Colossians, “And (you) having been united with him (Jesus) in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).
Naming the Name of Jesus over a baptismal recipient is like using a power of attorney. We are acting in another’s stead. In this case, we are acting in, and identifying with the work of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
If we take the Bible as our authority, we will want to obey its teachings in every matter, including how we are to be baptized, because baptism is salvific. (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21) It is wise to be sure we are doing it in the Biblical fashion, in which Jesus taught the disciples.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
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: (I Peter 3:21)
Knowing that the Bible teaches baptism in Jesus’ name, and seeing why it does so (theologically), I would not want to take any chance by shrugging my shoulders and saying, “It doesn’t matter.”
Well, it mattered to the Apostle Paul so much, he returned to Ephesus and re-baptized some of the disciples who had been baptized unto John’s baptism. If it doesn’t matter what name we are baptized into, what do we do with these Scriptures? 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.
Are there any Paul’s out there today? Does anyone care if people are/have been baptized incorrectly?
It is important to know what the bible teaches on this subject and then to obey that message. It matters!
It’s About The Name & The Man
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:9
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Luke 10:17
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:15
It appears through these Scriptures, there is a name above all names, in which all authority has been given. It is the name of the whole family in heaven and earth, even devils are subject to this name, heavenly tongues are given in this name, and Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
That seems pretty clear to me, no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved! So, why is there all this confusion and division on this issue of being baptized in the Name?
At Pentecost in Acts 2:36-41 Peter reveals how people should be saved through baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and 3,000 souls were added to the church.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the 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.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Verse 38 seems pretty clear about using the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins and “to receive the Spirit of God.”
So, what is the problem, what happened to make everyone get so messed up regarding what name to baptize people into? Evidently it was Matthew 28:18-20. Verse 19 seems to be the root of the problem.
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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So Jesus comes and says all power has been given to Him in heaven and earth and then He “commands” us to go and teach and baptize and then, there is something new; do all this in His name? No, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Note: Jesus says baptizing them, “in the name.” The word here for name is “singular,” it is not a plural word for “names.” We all know the “name” would be Jesus Christ. But, why didn’t He just say baptism was to be done in My Name? Did He really say baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost?
In trying to explain this issues, some say Jesus often demonstrated that His Name Jesus was the plural name of the Father, the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit, meaning He encapsulates or contains all the various ways in which God manifests Himself to Humanity (as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)
Thus, saying when we encounter Jesus Christ, we encounter all of God. Jesus often spoke of His relationship with the Father as “I am in the Father, and the Father in me”(John 10:38; 14:10-11; 17:21).
And the deity of the Son is none other than that of Yahweh Himself , who came down in the form of a servant and in the likeness of men. Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation.
This is why we find Scriptures saying, “He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.And he that sees me sees him that sent me” (John 12:44-45), or “He that receives me receives him that sent me” (John 13:20).
Can we believe in Jesus, but not believe in the Father? And, how is it possible to have seen God when one has, in reality, only seen Jesus’ physical body?
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18
Can a person accept Jesus without accepting the Father?
According to Jesus the answer is no, because of what is written.
“I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also”(John 14:6-7).
“He that hates me hates my Father also” (John 15:23).
So, who can deny, not only is Jesus the way to the Father, but the Father can only be known through the Son.
It would seem to us that the Father could be known apart from the Son, but according to Jesus it is not possible. One of the best examples is in II John 9 where John said,
“Whoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.”(See also I John 2:23-24). If you accept Christ’s person you will have the Father and the Son.
All of these Scriptures relay one common truth: knowing the Father is bound up in knowing the Son.
When we have Jesus Christ, we have the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The point here is not to demonstrate that Jesus’ name is the name of the “Father” and “Holy Spirit,” although we know that Jesus’ deity was that of the Father. What it does demonstrate is that all of the ways in which we encounter God are encapsulated (wrapped up) and found in the person of Jesus Christ.
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. Isaiah 9:6
This is why the name of Jesus is the name of Matthew 28, rather than God the Father, or Holy Spirit. In essence what Jesus was saying is, “Baptize them into my person, in my authority, for I, in myself, encapsulate the various ways in which you have come to know God’s self-manifestation.”
That all sounds pretty good, but I am pretty sure it will not be the deal breaker for what name people choose to be baptized into or have spoken over them. However, theological all of that might be, there is ample proof (Historical Facts) that the Roman Catholic Churchchanged the text and added: into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
And, with this information exposed, there IS NO longer any conflict in the Scriptures regarding in what Name we are to be baptized into. The Name is Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach
Do you really want to know what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19? Are you ready to be re-baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach? Read on.
According to the Demonstratio Evangelica” by Eusebius:
Eusebius was the Church historian and Bishop of Caesarea. On page 152 Eusebius quotes the early book of Matthew that he had in his library in Caesarea. According to this eyewitness of an unaltered Book of Matthew that could have been the original book or the first copy of the original of Matthew. Eusebius informs us of Jesus’ actual words to his disciples in the original test of Matthew 28:19:
“With one word and voice He said to His disciples: “Go, and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you. “
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The Catholic Encyclopedia, II page 263
“The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century.
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The Jerusalem Bible, a scholarly Catholic work states: “It may be that this formula, (Triune Matthew 28:19 so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Man-made) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community. It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing “in the name of Jesus,”…”
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The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. 1923, New Testament Studies Number 5: The Lord’s Command To Baptize An Historical Critical Investigation. By Bernard Henry Cuneo page 27.
“The passages in Acts and the Letters of St. Paul. These passages seem to point to the earliest form as baptism in the name of the Lord.” Also we find. “Is it possible to reconcile these facts with the belief that Christ commanded his disciples to baptize in the trine form?
Had Christ given such a command, it is urged, the Apostolic Church would have followed him, and we should have some trace of this obedience in the New Testament. No such trace can be found. The only explanation of this silence, according to the anti-traditional view, is this the short Christological (Jesus Name) formula was (the) original, and the longer trine formula was later development.
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Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI): He makes this confession as to the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19.
“The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the test (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome.” The Trinity baptism and text of Matthew 28:19 therefore did not originate from the original Church that started in Jerusalem around AD 33. It was rather as the evidence proves a later invention of Roman Catholicism completely fabricated. Very few know about these historical facts.”
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“The NT church knew only baptism in the name of Jesus, which still occurs even in the second and third centuries” (Scaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 435).
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“Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost in the 2ndd century” (Britannica Encyclopedia 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365).
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“The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the 2nd century (Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53).
“Christian baptism was administered using the words, “in the name of Jesus.” Also that “baptism was always in the name of Jesus, until the time of Justin Martyr” (Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 2, page 377 and 378).
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“It must be acknowledged that three-fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, or Jesus Christ our Lord” (Hasting Dictionary of Bible, page 88).
The formula used was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” there is no evidence for the use of the triune name.
The Trinitarian formula and triune immersion were not used at the church’s beginning, nor did they always go together.
We gather from Acts 19:4 that John had merely baptized in the name of the coming Messiah, without identifying Him with Jesus of Nazareth. The Apostolic age supplied the knowledge that Jesus was the Messiah, and the normal mode used during baptism was into Christ, identifying Him (Christ) as Jesus. The terminology used was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” or in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Moreover, there is no mention in the New Testament of anyone being baptized into the name of the Trinity. The early disciples baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
The former expression used in Acts 2:38 and 10:48 was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The latter is used in Acts 8:16. From these passages and from Paul’s words in I Corinthians 1:13 (was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?) it is natural to conclude the baptism was administered in earliest times “in the name of Jesus Christ” or that of the Lord Jesus Christ.”This view is confirmed by the fact that the earliest form of the baptism creed appears to have been singular – not triple, as was the one, which developed during the next few centuries.
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Regarding Evil Scribes
8 How can you say, “We understand his laws,” when your teachers have twisted them up to mean a thing I never said? Jeremiah 8:8 The Living Bible
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Additional Scripture Proof Text
Proof Text – Noun
A Scrptural passage adduced as proof for a theological doctrine, belief or principle.
There are some Scriptures, which can be used as proof texts for Jesus’ Name Baptisms, which when interpreted according to the theological significance of a name, are found to express something quite different and yet, bring proof for Jesus name baptism.
One such verse is Colossians 3:17. Here Paul told us, whatever we do, we are to do so, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
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.
Would it not be reasonable to assume, since baptism is a deed, something we do, as an important part of our salvation that this Scripture proves, without a doubt, baptism should be administered in Jesus’ name.
Paul did not have in mind for us to say, “in Jesus’ name” in everything that we do or say. The meaning here is that we are to live our lives as to Jesus Christ Himself, acknowledging Him. What we do and say should be in accordance with His character, purpose, and will.
Another passage commonly cited as a proof that we are to baptize in Jesus’ name isActs 4:12:
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among me by which we must be saved.”
The spoken name of “Jesus” in itself is not the only thing, which makes salvation effective. It is also our faith in the Messiah that He did what Scriptures said He did and more important, He will do what He promised to do for us.
In Acts 4:8-12 Peter shows there is no other person in whom men can find salvation other than through the name and power of Jesus Christ.
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Honorable leaders and elders of our nation, 9 if you mean the good deed done to the cripple, and how he was healed, 10 let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that it was done in the name and power of Jesus from Nazareth, the Messiah, the man you crucified—but God raised back to life again. It is by his authority that this man stands here healed! 11 For Jesus the Messiah is (the one referred to in the Scriptures when they speak of ) a ‘stone discarded by the builders which became the capstone of the arch.’[b] 12 There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them.”
This is witnessed in I Corinthians 1:12-15. Here Paul recounted that various believers were claiming to be followers of Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Jesus. Paul was angered by the fact that the church would claim to be followers of men rather than of Christ and asked them if they were baptized into the name of Paul, or if Paul had been crucified for them.
He knew, when one is baptized in Jesus’ name they take the name and person of Jesus Christ upon them in baptism, showing that He is their Lord and that they belong to Him. Paul made it clear that one is baptized in Jesus’ name to show: They are a disciple of Jesus Christ.
And that’s exactly what I did. I made sure I was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach, May 28th 2017 and now, I am officially, legally, formally and spiritually, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I am one happy disciple of Jesus/Yahshua.
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Hello Everyone:
This last week in the FS Monday Night Forum we were talking about being water baptized. Some of you may not yet have been baptized and others may have been dunked several times. Matter of fact, I know of a couple of fellas who have been baptized several times. It seems each time they joined a different denomination, they had to be baptized in the way “they did it.” So, how many different ways are there to be baptized? Is one better than another? How does that work? My hope is to reveal the biblical answers and provide you with the information you need to decide in what name you want or should be baptized into.
Along with the questions of, are we to be sprinkled or immersed, come other questions such as, in what name should we be baptized. “Is it in the Name of Jesus Christ or in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit?” By the end of this article, I pray you will understand the deeper spiritual meanings regarding being baptized and in what name it should be done for Christians.
I understand people have different ideas and beliefs about how to be baptized, but what I am going to share is from the Scriptures, which touched my heart and opened my ears and eyes to the choice I needed to make. My opinion or belief has to line up with what is written. However, in no way can I tell you the decision I made for me, is the one you have to make. We all have free will, but I do pray the Scriptures I am standing on will help you in your decision.
I was originally baptized sometime in the late 90’s and I am not sure if it was in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus Christ, or what, but recently there was something inside me, telling me it was amiss and I needed to be baptized again. I kept hearing “the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
The key words for me were, “In Christ.” The conversation in my head was something like this. So, am I in Christ? Shouldn’t I know that? How can I be in Christ, if I was not baptizedinto him like the Apostles?” If I am not in Christ, are my sins forgiven? Plus, how does that work regarding I Thessalonians 4:16 and the resurrection? Do you have conversations like this or is it just me?
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
About the same time Cathy told me Pastor Ray was getting ready to baptize a few people. Coincidence? Not! I had mentioned to her I wanted to get re-baptized and after I explained to her my thoughts, she decided to be re-baptized too, even though she had already been sprinkled, baptized in the river and the Methodist Church.
I visited with Pastor Ray and he said, “The way I do it is, “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus Christ.
I told him, I think I already did that, but this time, I want to know that I know, I’m going into Jesus Christ, and you can add His Name in Hebrew too, Yahshua Ha Mashiach. He just smiled at me with those eyes that twinkle and said, no problem.
When I was first baptized, I didn’t understand the depth of the symbolism and what it means. But now, oh now, I want to go into Jesus with all my heart and soul. He is the way, the light, the truth, the life and the “gate.”
Please understand, I did not make my decision based on only what I felt in my heart, heard in my head or was told to believe. I made my decision upon digging into what is written in the Word of God and what it says about; what must I do to be saved and in what name. I want to know that I know, I am in Jesus and He is in me and it’s a done deal! I want to make sure I am forgiven and heaven bound.
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. (I John 3:5)
Scriptures connect the baptism with Jesus’s name and He wanted us to not only be baptized in His name, but to baptize others in His Name too!
For me being baptized is not just a prophetic act on the outside, but a spiritual work on the inside, which is a part of the beginning of my new-birth experience. I am in a process of being transformed.
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; (Titus 3:5)
In Romans 6 Paul tells us that in baptism we are identified with Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We die with Christ in baptism, and we become dead to the ruling-power of sin in our lives.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
This question only makes sense if we understand the name we are baptized intoindicates the person we follow as our teacher and master. Baptism is an identification with someone.
Did you get that? I am a follower of Jesus Christ and He is My Teacher and Master, so I was baptized into Him and this time I knew exactly who the Him was, His name is Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach. I am now sure, I’m in the right place. Hallelujah! (Praise Yah)
Paul goes on to tell us more of what happens when we are baptized into Jesus.
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 bealso 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 6:3-7
When we are baptized into Jesus Christ it means we are identified as one of His disciples and we get the benefits of what He died to give us at Calvary, the victory over sin and death.
Being baptized in Jesus’ name results in a spiritual work, not because Jesus’ name is some kind of a magical formula, it’s about us putting our faith in Him, being identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. It signifies and allows Him to officially become the owner of our temples of flesh. We were bought with a price.
“Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:19-20
At a baptism done in the Name of Jesus, we become unified (one) with Him and in God’s eyes, experience death and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:4-7).
Paul is telling us what Christ did for us at Calvary becomes effective in our lives by being identified with Jesus Christ through baptism.
Death did not have mastery over Jesus, so neither will it conquer us. We too will raise from the dead (6:5-7).
Having died with Christ, sin no longer controls us, but rather righteousness (6:6-7. 10-11, 14, 17-20). If after we have died to sin, we yield to the ruling-power of sin, it is because we choose to do so (6:16).
And Paul said it again in Colossians, “And (you) having been united with him (Jesus) in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).
Naming the Name of Jesus over a baptismal recipient is like using a power of attorney. We are acting in another’s stead. In this case, we are acting in, and identifying with the work of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
If we take the Bible as our authority, we will want to obey its teachings in every matter, including how we are to be baptized, because baptism is salvific. (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21) It is wise to be sure we are doing it in the Biblical fashion, in which Jesus taught the disciples.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
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: (I Peter 3:21)
Knowing that the Bible teaches baptism in Jesus’ name, and seeing why it does so (theologically), I would not want to take any chance by shrugging my shoulders and saying, “It doesn’t matter.”
Well, it mattered to the Apostle Paul so much, he returned to Ephesus and re-baptized some of the disciples who had been baptized unto John’s baptism. If it doesn’t matter what name we are baptized into, what do we do with these Scriptures? 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.
Are there any Paul’s out there today? Does anyone care if people are/have been baptized incorrectly?
It is important to know what the bible teaches on this subject and then to obey that message. It matters!
It’s About The Name & The Man
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:9
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Luke 10:17
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:15
It appears through these Scriptures, there is a name above all names, in which all authority has been given. It is the name of the whole family in heaven and earth, even devils are subject to this name, heavenly tongues are given in this name, and Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
That seems pretty clear to me, no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved! So, why is there all this confusion and division on this issue of being baptized in the Name?
At Pentecost in Acts 2:36-41 Peter reveals how people should be saved through baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and 3,000 souls were added to the church.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the 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.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Verse 38 seems pretty clear about using the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins and “to receive the Spirit of God.”
So, what is the problem, what happened to make everyone get so messed up regarding what name to baptize people into? Evidently it was Matthew 28:18-20. Verse 19 seems to be the root of the problem.
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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So Jesus comes and says all power has been given to Him in heaven and earth and then He “commands” us to go and teach and baptize and then, there is something new; do all this in His name? No, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Note: Jesus says baptizing them, “in the name.” The word here for name is “singular,” it is not a plural word for “names.” We all know the “name” would be Jesus Christ. But, why didn’t He just say baptism was to be done in My Name? Did He really say baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost?
In trying to explain this issues, some say Jesus often demonstrated that His Name Jesus was the plural name of the Father, the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit, meaning He encapsulates or contains all the various ways in which God manifests Himself to Humanity (as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)
Thus, saying when we encounter Jesus Christ, we encounter all of God. Jesus often spoke of His relationship with the Father as “I am in the Father, and the Father in me”(John 10:38; 14:10-11; 17:21).
And the deity of the Son is none other than that of Yahweh Himself , who came down in the form of a servant and in the likeness of men. Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God, the Firstborn and Lord of all creation.
This is why we find Scriptures saying, “He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that sees me sees him that sent me” (John 12:44-45), or “He that receives me receives him that sent me” (John 13:20).
Can we believe in Jesus, but not believe in the Father? And, how is it possible to have seen God when one has, in reality, only seen Jesus’ physical body?
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18
Can a person accept Jesus without accepting the Father?
According to Jesus the answer is no, because of what is written.
“I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also” (John 14:6-7).
“He that hates me hates my Father also” (John 15:23).
So, who can deny, not only is Jesus the way to the Father, but the Father can only be known through the Son.
It would seem to us that the Father could be known apart from the Son, but according to Jesus it is not possible. One of the best examples is in II John 9 where John said,
“Whoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.”(See also I John 2:23-24). If you accept Christ’s person you will have the Father and the Son.
All of these Scriptures relay one common truth: knowing the Father is bound up in knowing the Son.
When we have Jesus Christ, we have the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The point here is not to demonstrate that Jesus’ name is the name of the “Father” and “Holy Spirit,” although we know that Jesus’ deity was that of the Father. What it does demonstrate is that all of the ways in which we encounter God are encapsulated (wrapped up) and found in the person of Jesus Christ.
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. Isaiah 9:6
This is why the name of Jesus is the name of Matthew 28, rather than God the Father, or Holy Spirit. In essence what Jesus was saying is, “Baptize them into my person, in my authority, for I, in myself, encapsulate the various ways in which you have come to know God’s self-manifestation.”
That all sounds pretty good, but I am pretty sure it will not be the deal breaker for what name people choose to be baptized into or have spoken over them. However, theological all of that might be, there is ample proof (Historical Facts) that the Roman Catholic Church changed the text and added: into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
And, with this information exposed, there IS NO longer any conflict in the Scriptures regarding in what Name we are to be baptized into. The Name is Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach
Do you really want to know what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19? Are you ready to be re-baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach? Read on.
According to the Demonstratio Evangelica” by Eusebius:
Eusebius was the Church historian and Bishop of Caesarea. On page 152 Eusebius quotes the early book of Matthew that he had in his library in Caesarea. According to this eyewitness of an unaltered Book of Matthew that could have been the original book or the first copy of the original of Matthew. Eusebius informs us of Jesus’ actual words to his disciples in the original test of Matthew 28:19:
“With one word and voice He said to His disciples: “Go, and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you. ”
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The Catholic Encyclopedia, II page 263
“The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century.
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The Jerusalem Bible, a scholarly Catholic work states: “It may be that this formula, (Triune Matthew 28:19 so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Man-made) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community. It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing “in the name of Jesus,”…”
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The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. 1923, New Testament Studies Number 5: The Lord’s Command To Baptize An Historical Critical Investigation. By Bernard Henry Cuneo page 27.
“The passages in Acts and the Letters of St. Paul. These passages seem to point to the earliest form as baptism in the name of the Lord.” Also we find. “Is it possible to reconcile these facts with the belief that Christ commanded his disciples to baptize in the trine form?
Had Christ given such a command, it is urged, the Apostolic Church would have followed him, and we should have some trace of this obedience in the New Testament. No such trace can be found. The only explanation of this silence, according to the anti-traditional view, is this the short Christological (Jesus Name) formula was (the) original, and the longer trine formula was later development.
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Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI): He makes this confession as to the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19.
“The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the test (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome.” The Trinity baptism and text of Matthew 28:19 therefore did not originate from the original Church that started in Jerusalem around AD 33. It was rather as the evidence proves a later invention of Roman Catholicism completely fabricated. Very few know about these historical facts.”
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“The NT church knew only baptism in the name of Jesus, which still occurs even in the second and third centuries” (Scaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 435).
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“Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost in the 2ndd century” (Britannica Encyclopedia 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365).
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“The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the 2nd century (Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53).
“Christian baptism was administered using the words, “in the name of Jesus.” Also that “baptism was always in the name of Jesus, until the time of Justin Martyr” (Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 2, page 377 and 378).
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“It must be acknowledged that three-fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, or Jesus Christ our Lord” (Hasting Dictionary of Bible, page 88).
The formula used was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” there is no evidence for the use of the triune name.
The Trinitarian formula and triune immersion were not used at the church’s beginning, nor did they always go together.
We gather from Acts 19:4 that John had merely baptized in the name of the coming Messiah, without identifying Him with Jesus of Nazareth. The Apostolic age supplied the knowledge that Jesus was the Messiah, and the normal mode used during baptism was into Christ, identifying Him (Christ) as Jesus. The terminology used was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” or in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Moreover, there is no mention in the New Testament of anyone being baptized into the name of the Trinity. The early disciples baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
The former expression used in Acts 2:38 and 10:48 was “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The latter is used in Acts 8:16. From these passages and from Paul’s words in I Corinthians 1:13 (was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?) it is natural to conclude the baptism was administered in earliest times “in the name of Jesus Christ” or that of the Lord Jesus Christ.”This view is confirmed by the fact that the earliest form of the baptism creed appears to have been singular – not triple, as was the one, which developed during the next few centuries.
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Regarding Evil Scribes
8 How can you say, “We understand his laws,” when your teachers have twisted them up to mean a thing I never said? Jeremiah 8:8 The Living Bible
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Additional Scripture Proof Text
Proof Text – Noun
A Scrptural passage adduced as proof for a theological doctrine, belief or principle.
There are some Scriptures, which can be used as proof texts for Jesus’ Name Baptisms, which when interpreted according to the theological significance of a name, are found to express something quite different and yet, bring proof for Jesus name baptism.
One such verse is Colossians 3:17. Here Paul told us, whatever we do, we are to do so, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
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.
Would it not be reasonable to assume, since baptism is a deed, something we do, as an important part of our salvation that this Scripture proves, without a doubt, baptism should be administered in Jesus’ name.
Paul did not have in mind for us to say, “in Jesus’ name” in everything that we do or say. The meaning here is that we are to live our lives as to Jesus Christ Himself, acknowledging Him. What we do and say should be in accordance with His character, purpose, and will.
Another passage commonly cited as a proof that we are to baptize in Jesus’ name isActs 4:12:
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among me by which we must be saved.”
The spoken name of “Jesus” in itself is not the only thing, which makes salvation effective. It is also our faith in the Messiah that He did what Scriptures said He did and more important, He will do what He promised to do for us.
In Acts 4:8-12 Peter shows there is no other person in whom men can find salvation other than through the name and power of Jesus Christ.
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Honorable leaders and elders of our nation, 9 if you mean the good deed done to the cripple, and how he was healed, 10 let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that it was done in the name and power of Jesus from Nazareth, the Messiah, the man you crucified—but God raised back to life again. It is by his authority that this man stands here healed! 11 For Jesus the Messiah is (the one referred to in the Scriptures when they speak of ) a ‘stone discarded by the builders which became the capstone of the arch.’[b] 12 There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them.”
This is witnessed in I Corinthians 1:12-15. Here Paul recounted that various believers were claiming to be followers of Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Jesus. Paul was angered by the fact that the church would claim to be followers of men rather than of Christ and asked them if they were baptized into the name of Paul, or if Paul had been crucified for them.
He knew, when one is baptized in Jesus’ name they take the name and person of Jesus Christ upon them in baptism, showing that He is their Lord and that they belong to Him. Paul made it clear that one is baptized in Jesus’ name to show: They are a disciple of Jesus Christ.
And that’s exactly what I did. I made sure I was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Ha Mashiach, May 28th 2017 and now, I am officially, legally, formally and spiritually, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I am one happy disciple of Jesus/Yahshua.
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Hello Firestorm:
Today, I find myself smack dab in the middle of the mystery of dreams. I do not claim to be an expert in this field, but since the Holy Spirit seems to have led me here, I know it is going to be an exciting learning experience. He never fails to bring wonderful and exciting revelation when He is in charge. I pray that as we dig in together to learn more about dreams that this will be a life changing experience for all of us.
The minute God opened my eyes to see and know that dreams are a communication line from Him to me, I wanted them and now I am experiencing more dreams than I have ever had in my life. It is like a door opened. I am attributing the increase to the fact that I repented of not understanding dreams were important messages from Him. I want the dreams He has for me and I apologized to Him for not paying attention and seeking my dreams.
What opened my eyes? A Scripture…..
(NASB)Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it.
In a dream, a vision of the night,
when sound sleep falls on men,
While they slumber in their beds,
Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
That he may turn man aside from his conduct,
and keep man from pride;
He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing over into Sheol.
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How incredible is that? Here is God coming to us in dreams and visions to give us instruction and to keep me from doing things that endanger my soul. WOW! Thank You Father.
There are people who say to me they don’t dream….but have you asked the one who gives dreams, to give them to you?
How do I know He will answer? Because of a Scripture:
(NASB) I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, “Here I am!”
To a nation that did not call on my name.
Notice the Lord is saying I was ready to respond, but no one was asking for “My” help. He seems to be shouting “Here I AM” to a nation (peoples) that did not call on my name. Oh God, don’t let that nation be ours.
I prayed and asked the Lord for my dreams. Why don’t you ask Him for yours?
Some people say they do not understand their dreams and in the Bible there are several instances where those people didn’t either, but they went out to find someone who understood the dream language of God and what He was saying. They didn’t just shelf the dream or throw it away if they could not figure it out in a few minutes.
We are an impatient culture wanting answers now. We are the generation who sets the microwave on l minute and never lets the cycle finish. We are all in a big hurry to do everything.
God doesn’t rush or pay attention to our rapid rat race and the Bible also tells us that often God purposely chooses to speak in riddles and sayings, instead of sending us an e-mail or snail mail letter with the message written out all nice and pretty, so we know exactly what He is saying and won’t “miss it.”
But Scripture says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to seek out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2
The Bible also says, “Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, ask and ye shall receive. There are no Scriptures according to the Concordance or Google that say, “You don’t have to look for anything, it will just come to you on a silver platter.”
Plus, in Matthew 13:44 we find the parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. Here is the story of man who found the treasure hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
God is wanting us to desire something He has for us enough to seek it out. He is wanting us to desire communion with Him so much we are willing to invest ourselves so much we are willing to spend our time, and go after it, selling everything we have to get it and make it ours, just like this story of the pearl of great price.
There is also another message here, it is where God is wanting us to spend some time seeking Him and taking the time to learn His language. He does not want to speak to you through an interpreter for the rest of your life. No doubt there will be times where you will need help from others, but that should not be where we settle. Just like in a prophetic word, God gives “you” dreams because He wants to talk “directly” to YOU. Then, as when you hear a prophetic word, when you have received the revelation of your dream, you go to another for confirmation.
Dreams and Prophetic Words are a way of communication that God uses to speak to us. Don’t just settle for one or the other……Go for all of what God has for you.
God’s language was and is still full of symbols. He used used His language in dreams to speak with His people from the beginning and He doesn’t change, so He has not changed, and will not change the way He speaks to us. Dreams are a legitimate communication source God has created to share with us divine information and knowledge and if week seek Him, the Holy Spirit will begin to bring the revelation to you of His Dream Language.
Stay faithful to study in the Word on a daily basis and that will enable us to stay fresh in the Word as well as, “be fine tuned to the Spirit of God.” It is important for us to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
How can I prove to you that it is important for your spiritual life, as well as your family, friends and maybe even our Nation, for you to seek your dreams and their message? I am betting on Scripture to bring the confirmation forth in your spirit.
1. God declared He WOULD speak through dreams & visions in the Old Testament
And He said, “Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream”
(Numbers 12:6)
2. God declared that He DID speak through dreams and visions in the O.T.
“I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets” (Hosea 12:10)
(similitude: 1. The quality or condition of being similar; resemblance.)
3. God declares that He Will communicate through dreams and visions in N.T.
“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” (Acts 2:17)
4. God declares that He WILL COUNSEL us at night through our dreams
“I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind (inner man) instruccts me in the night (Ps. 16:7)
5. Rather than our drams being fatalistic, dreams are calling us to change SO WE WILL NOT PERISH.
“For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then He openeth the ears of men and sealeth their instruction, That He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword” (Job 33:14-18, emphasis mine).
6. God does very significant things WITHIN dreams. He established the Abrahamic Covenant in a dream.
“And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him…And God said to Abram…In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying…” (Gen. 15:12,k 13, 18, emphasis mine).
7. God grants supernatural gifts THROUGH dreams.
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, “Ask what I shall give thee..”
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people?”
“…Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee…” And Solomon awoke; and, behold it was a dream
(I Kings 3:5,9,12,15).
God wants us to seek Him, not just for answers to our questions and/or problems, but for Him and His Presence. He loves us and wants to spend time with us. Spending time with the Lord in Praise and Worship is a special time for Him and for us.
I sense that if we spend more time with God, just to be with God and for God, all of my communication lines from Him will be greater and my understanding increased in His Ways and Thoughts for me and those He wants to help through me.
Open the eyes of our heart Lord to know and love You more, open our ears to hear Your Living Logos Word, the Messages You have for us in our Dreams and to understand Your Language of Love. In the Name of Yahshua….I bless You Lord with all that I am. Hallelujah!
The Death of the Soul
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (person, creature, being). KJV
body + breath = the soul
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17
If Adam was formed from the dust of the earth and the breath of God and made a living soul, what is going to die? Everything he is: A soul.
What did God say would happen? In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen 3:19
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
I Cor 15:26
and He is for us.
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. I Cor 15:21
Satan introduced the lie – “Surely you will not die” and guess what? Mankind has swallowed the lie, hook line and sinker, believing there is a part of him which is immortal and will live forever, not realizing in effect, he is putting himself on a level equal with God, which is NOT Scriptural, for it is written, there is only ONE, who has immortality:
We were not born innately immortal. The definition of innate is inborn, inherent, natural and instinctive. In philosophy innate means: originating in the mind.
body + breath = soul
According to the Bible:
I John 1:8
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. Genesis 6:3
Are you beginning to ponder the ideology of mankind being created with an immortal soul, might not be Biblical?
God knew, if they ate of the Tree of Life, they would be stuck in their sinful state forever. He would not be able to get them (us) back into His family in Heaven. For it is written flesh and blood cannot enter Heaven.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. I Cor 15:50
He is coming down to get us and many believe they are going up without Him…Selah. So, We are going up and He is coming down. Interesting. What do we do with John 3:13?
And what about I Thessalonians 4:16 ?
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6. We go into Jesus, when? At the Resurrection.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Did you catch it? The Tree of Life is in Heaven now, but notice, heaven is referred to as “The Paradise of God.”
In other words, When Jesus COMES BACK, He will bring his reward (promise) and it is for us to be raised up in Him and changed from corruptible to incorruptible and then eat of the tree of life (eternal life).
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The victory is through Jesus Christ in what He has done and what He is going to do for those who look, seek and receive Him and then, trust in what is written about His resurrection power being able to raise us from the grave. Can you believe in what is written?
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
Are you getting this? Do you see it?
Jesus is bringing His Reward and at the Resurrection we are going to be changed and go into Paradise (Heaven). What will that be like?
Revelation pictures heaven, both as a beautiful city as well as a wonderful garden (Revelation 22:1-5).
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever
Looking For Jesus
To Save My Soul
Part 3 – Your Comments
Thank you for sending me your comments concerning the first two posts on the immortality of the soul. It is incredible to me most of you who responded were given a similar teaching and the same Scripture as I was to backup the belief of our souls being immortal. We all seem to be standing on 2 Corinthians 5:8:
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Looking at this Scripture and believing mankind is born with an immortal soul separate from the body, the assumption is, when we die only the body dies and the soul part is set free to immediately be present with the Lord in Heaven. Is that what you believe? It is what I believed, until about 8 weeks ago.
However, holding tight to our “foundation” Scripture in Genesis 2:7, the first usage of the word soul and the Biblical definition of what a soul is, our new Scripture does not line up with this assumption.
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
The Scripture plainly says God made man’s body from the dust and breathed His breath into the body and then, man BECAME a living soul. The whole was called the soul. When the soul would loose the breath, it would die. When the soul would loose the body, it would die, for it is the combination of the two, which make a living soul. They are not separate, together they are complete and become – a living soul.
However, even if I turn away from our foundation Scripture (Gen 2:7) and how the Bible defines a soul, I still have a major problem to deal with in 2 Cor 5:8..
For you see, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,” is NOT what is written in the verse. It is what we have been told it says and/or what we interpreted it to say, but it does not say, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” See if your Bible version is listed below and check out what is written.
New International Version
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
New Living Translation
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
English Standard Version
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Berean Study Bible
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Berean Literal Bible
Now we are confident and are pleased rather to be absent out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
New American Standard Bible
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
King James Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.
International Standard Version
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord.
NET Bible
Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
New Heart English Bible
We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this we trust and we long to depart from the body and to be with Our Lord.
GOD’S WORD® Translation
We are confident and prefer to live away from this body and to live with the Lord.
New American Standard 1977
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
Jubilee Bible 2000
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
King James 2000 Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
American King James Version
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
American Standard Version
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we are confident, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Darby Bible Translation
we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
English Revised Version
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Webster’s Bible Translation
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Weymouth New Testament
So we have a cheerful confidence, and we anticipate with greater delight being banished from the body and going home to the Lord.
World English Bible
We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
Young’s Literal Translation
we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
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Did your version say what you thought it did? Mine did not, I was wrong in what I thought it said. I assumed what it said, but really I hadn’t read it, I evidently just skimmed over the Scripture because, when I finally “saw” what was written, I was amazed and it certainly changed my understanding of what Paul was trying to tell me.
In looking for another Scripture to help me get a better understanding of 2 Cor 5:8, I found Paul’s words helpful in I Cor 15:51-54.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Paul appears to be telling us something better than our current lives, namely being in the “Presence of God”, awaits us after death, when we depart from our bodies. The language he uses seems to imply that life after death exists apart from our bodies and will continue on in spiritual form. But, to fully understand this passage, it is good to ponder what the Bible says about the human body and about Paul.
When I study it is really important for me to be careful because, if I try to use one verse, or a handful of verses written by Paul to prove a point of doctrine, especially when the language used is ambiguous (doubtful/unclear/uncertain of meaning/expression), I can get myself into following my opinion or interpretation instead of what is written and miss what Yahweh is trying to use to ground me in His Truth.
And, there is even a warning from the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:15-16 about this same thing.
“As also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”
So, it is important for all of us to be studious and critical about the text and to examine it and see what it truly says.
After really looking at the Scripture in 2 Cor 5:8, most of us can see, the text really does not say, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. One does not equal the other. Keep that in mind.
Here is the entire passage in question, so that we can understand the full context:
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord”2 Cor 5:1-8
Paul compares our existing mortal bodies with an “earthly tent,” and says we should not worry if it is destroyed, because we have a “building from God” that awaits us.
The context here does not support the claim that we will be in God’s presence without a body; rather, Paul simply says we will not have THIS body. We will get a new, changed, glorified body.
He likens our bodies to clothing that we must wear.
In verse 4, Paul specifically says he does not want to be unclothed (without a body), but rather further clothed (different body).
That’s quite a different picture than a disembodied spirit that lives on after death!
When we compare this language to 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, also written by Paul, it becomes even clearer. The passage reads:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
“‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ”
Here again, as in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul uses clothing imagery to describe our bodies. We currently wear a mortal body, but in God’s presence, at the resurrection, we “must put on” an immortal one. No one will stand in heaven in the presence of God without having their body changed from being corruptible to incorruptible and our body does not get change just because we die or accept Christ, we are still flesh and blood and have sinful natures.
The Biblical definition of corruptible is: 6130 Corruption: A state of spiritual decay and moral dishonesty, arising from the effects of sin, which expresses itself in disobedience towards God. Corruption of nature as a result of the fall. Sinful humanity is corrupt.
When Jesus (The first of the born again) raises us from the dead, He changes and resurrects us and we are Born Again through Him back into the God Family. Think on these Scriptures:
Jesus said to him,
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
I Thes 4:16
“I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Gate; if anyone will enter by me, he shall liveand shall go in and out and shall find the pasture.” John 10:9
“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. John 10:1
Just as in Adam were were all were born of flesh, In and through Christ we will be resurrected, born again as spirit. Our birth in the spirit will be just as real as our birth from the womb. It is not a mystical birth thing in our mind, it is a real birth event through Jesus Christ.
Paul is making a true statement when he says he prefers to be absent from the body and … present with the Lord. When we stand in God’s presence, we will not be in the same body we have now. And the Bible tells us when this transformation will happen – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. Although we all will die, we will sleep in death, and the next conscious thought we will have after death is when Jesus sounds the trumpet of God, when we are raised from the dead, when we put on immortality forever.
When we study all of Paul’s writings as a whole representation of his theological position, we see that his position on life after death supports the notion that deceased people go to sleep at death and await their bodily resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ.
I don’t want to miss the resurrection of Jesus. What about you?
Rev 1:1-3 This book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ; the whole Bible is so; for all revelation comes through Christ, and all relates to him.
Next: Your Comments – What About Elijah and Enoch?
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To Save My Soul
Part 4 – Is Elijah in Heaven?The Conflict of Scriptures
So, everything above the ground is called “heaven.” And head’s up at Amos 9:1-3:
I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.
To Save My Soul
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5
Hundreds of years after Enoch supposedly “went to heaven” to be with God, Scriptures continue to challenge Scriptures, regarding this belief. Is he in heaven or not? If so what do we do with Scriptures like these:
I John 4:12a
but he that came down from heaven,
even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:13
Since Jesus was with His Father from “before” the beginning of the world, it would seem logical his statement in John 3:13 is true, as He would surely know who was in heaven with them.
So, what is truth? Does one Scripture have precedence over another in a situation like this or, should they all confirm each other, as in laying a foundation, with precept upon precept? What do you think?
When I don’t understand something in the Bible, I try to read the Scripture first for what it literally says and then look for other Scriptures for a proof text. A proof text is defined as: a passage of the Bible to which appeal is made in support of an argument or position in theology. You use Scripture to prove another Scripture.
Personally, I want to see all the pieces of the Scriptures fit together, so I can understand the messages in them and just as when a prophet brings forth a living (rhema) word, it will never go against the written (logos) word (Bible), no Scripture will go against another Scripture. 2 Timothy Chapter 3 tells us why:
Jesus said no one had ascended or descended into heaven, but Him and shouldn’t He know since He was in Heaven, before Enoch was born.
John 17:5
2 He was with God in the beginning.
John 1:1-2
John 1:14
And He came down from the Father to the earth
John 17:4
Many people use Genesis 5:24 to support their view Enoch is in heaven.
Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him
However, DOES THIS VERSE SAY Enoch went to heaven? NO! So, what makes us think he did?
The verse says, he was NOT (NOT FOUND), for God TOOK HIM.
The verse does not say WHERE God took him! To say God took Enoch to heaven is only a presumption or human conjecture, which has no basis in Biblical FACT and it goes against other Scriptures.
Concerning this event Paul said this:
Many have assumed the word “TRANSLATED” must mean “made immortal”, which is wrong. The Greek word for “translate” is METATITHEMI, which according to Vine’s Dictionary of NT Words, this word means “to transfer to another place.”
This same Greek word is rendered “REMOVED” in Galatians 1:6:
from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
And in Acts 7:15-16
16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre
that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Translated here is rendered “CARRIED OVER” where we read that after Jacob DIED his body was “carried over” removed, TRANSLATED to Sychem.
God took Enoch, He removed him – He translated him, so that HE WAS NOT FOUND. Nobody knew where he was!
As for the statement that Enoch “did not (see) death”(Heb.11:5, NKJV), this should be compared and contrasted with the statements of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8;
In regard to Enoch’s REMOVAL, here is the commentary of one of Judaism’s greatest teachers: Rabbi Solomon, son of Isaac, of Troyes—commonly known as Rashi. Here is his interpretation of Genesis 5:24:
Even though the comments of The Wisdom of Solomon and Rashi are very illuminating, because they establish that the language used of Enoch in Genesis and in Hebrews CANlegitimately refer to a premature death–NEVERTHELESS, the testimony of God’s Word must be our final court of appeal in this matter.
To further complicate matters, the teachings that Enoch and Elijah escaped death and are alive in heaven is an ancient one. And to those who believe it, the very antiquity of the teaching seemingly lends it a kind of authority. But antiquity does not equal authority. What is true is true, because it is true and not merely because it is old!
The serpent’s lie: “thou shalt not surely die”(Gen.3:4) is very, very old–but it is NOT the truth. [1]
Likewise, the belief about Enoch and Elijah being taken alive into heaven does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. It first makes its appearance in Jewish thought and literature during what is called the intertestamental period, which means this belief doesn’t appear until AFTER the Jews return from the seventy year long Babylonian Captivity, which led to the Jews being exposed to King Cyrus.
Isaiah 45:1
Zoroastrianism comes from Zoroaster (“seed of the star” or “star-seed”), which is what the Greeks called the Iranian prophet Zarathustra. The Zoroastrians had a number of doctrines, which more or less paralleled those of the Jews. They believed in a coming deliverer called Saoshyant (“savior”)
intertestamental literature, in the Dead Sea Scrolls in Rabbinic traditions.
“And these ALL [again: INCLUDING ENOCH], having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they [INCLUDING ENOCH] without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40, NKJV)
In the Amplified Bible Genesis 5:21-24, we read Enoch’s days, alive on Earth, ended at 365 years old. The question is of course, was he taken to heaven alive, or was he transported to another location on earth?
24 And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
Compare the same Hebrew phrase from Genesis 5:24 where it says, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; God took him” with the following Scriptures.
Genesis 42:13, “And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.”
This was spoken by the brothers of Joseph. What did they mean by “is not”?
Next, the brothers recount their previous discussion about Joseph with Pharaoh. When they first said, “and one is not,” they meant Joseph “is dead. Look at Gen 44:20:
Since Enoch has not yet inherited eternal life he must be dead! This is exactly what Paul writes in Heb. 11:13! Paul says Enoch DIED! Notice it! “These ALL died in faith, not having received what was promised:’ Who were these all? “ALL” means ALL of them.
John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises,” we must conclude that Enoch died the first death. To believe Enoch did not die is to deny the plain word of many other scriptures as well.
Are we to believe that a man who was not yet cleansed of sin by the blood of Jesus Could enter heaven and dwell in God’s presence?
Nowhere in the Scripture does ‘translate’ mean to make immortal!
But how long did Enoch walk with God?
So, Enoch followed God’s ways for three hundred years.
Notice that the Scripture does not record that Enoch is still walking with God.
It says that Enoch WALKED with God for three hundred years, and not one year more. Why?
Because “all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years”(Genesis 5:23).
Paul says, in Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord.”
Enoch walked with God and pleased God. This is what Genesis 5:22, 24 means when it says, “Enoch walked with God.”
Note:
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. Not just part of his days, but all his days! If Enoch did not die — if he was changed to immortality — and thus continued to walk with God, then his days would have been more than three hundred sixty-five. But the Bible plainly says that ALL his days were just that many, and no more!
This expression “all his days” is used in the same fifth chapter of Genesis about a dozen times and always it means that the person lived for that length of time ONLY, ” and he died.” So Enoch lived NO MORE than three hundred and sixty-five years because “all his days were three hundred sixty-five years.” As he lived only for this length of time THEN HE MUST HAVE DIED and like every true saint,
The Preeminence of Christ
“But now is Christ risen from the DEAD and become the FIRSTFRUITS of them that slept…For as in Adam ALL die (that includes, Enoch, Moses and Elijah), even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive (see Jn 5:25-29
BUT every man in his own order: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS…” (1 Cor. 15:20-23).
It was not Moses that was first from the dead, nor was it Elijah or Enoch that first received eternal life – IT WAS CHRIST JESUS!
Who is THE BEGINNING, the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD;
That in ALL things HE might have the Preeminence
(Col. 1:18).
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Yes, the FIRST Human to be BORN into life eternal.
If Jesus was the First Human to be born into life eternal, Enoch could not be in heaven.
Christ was the FIRST to be PERFECTED as an immortal being and so, “…being MADE PERFECT, He became the AUTHOR (the one who wrote the book on it – who led the way) of ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that OBEY Him” (Heb. 5:9).
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
