Q: Please join us in teaching the fullness of the Apostolic message: Amen to Pre-Tribulation doctrine, and we would be remiss if we did not preach Baptism in the only name under heaven whereby we are saved in Jesus' name: Acts 2:38, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in another tongue as the Spirit gives the utterance.
When I read what I must do to be saved under your Doctrinal Beliefs section, it MUST be there! It is what the Apostles commanded and what they died for. It is with God's mercies and grace that I can even communicate across continents through invented technologies about this, His revealed will. I do so with utmost respect and in peace and love for India as well, God bless you in your sojourn for Him.
A: Thank you for reading the articles in the site. Yes baptism is added in the statement of faith. But the one difference is, I believe that the name of Jesus represents authority to declare somebody to be saved (Acts 8:36-38). In this way as Jesus Himself told in Matt 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". Notice in this previous verse the Bible does not say 'In the names [i.e. plural] of the Father..the Son...and the Holy Spirit' but "the name [i.e. singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" which clearly indicates that the name Jesus represents all the collective eternal work of the three persons of the trinity deposited in it. The Father planned it, Jesus did it and the Holy Spirit empowered and anointed the whole work of salvation (John 3:16; 6:39-40; 5:36; Acts 10:38; Heb 9:14).
So I believe the bottom line is, using the name of Jesus and using the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is the same and can be interchangeably used while giving water baptism. The Apostles of Jesus Christ understood this concept and hence they had no division or any doubt regarding which name [i.e. as there is only one name Jesus which is high above all names (Phil 2:9-11)] to use during baptism of the believers (Acts 2:38-39).
And after the water baptism, we can lay hands on that water baptized person to help them receive the 'Baptism of the Holy Spirit' like Apostle Paul did and set as a pattern for us to follow (Acts 19:5-6). To have dispute in these matters related to water baptism which divided the Church in the 20th century is totally unnecessary and can be avoided now with better understanding about the name of Jesus. Name represents authority. So we can use these following words to baptize believers in water and still be united in our faith, ' I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ...'. This will give a better understanding to the believers about the unity of the trinity in the name Jesus.
If you say that the Apostles said to baptize in Jesus Name, Jesus Himself has said to baptize the believers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost [i.e. Trinity]. Is there discrepancy in the word of God? NO. But our lack of understanding about the name has hindered a great truth of the 1st century to be hidden, which has caused a great division in the Church [especially pentecostal] through which Satan has hindered unity in the Church to keep it from apostolic signs and wonders, thus making the power of multiplication of souls saved as void (Acts 2:1, 42-47). At least in our 21st century, we should strive to be like the Berean Christians to understand the Apostolic perspective from the Scripture through the illumination of the Holy Spirit and not be driven divisive in our minor doctrinal issues because of lack of understanding.
We should not major in the minors. Instead, we should have unity in the essentials [major doctrines] and diversity in non-essentials [minor doctrines]. Love should be our motive in all things.
My end time doctrine is what I call "the real pre-tribulation" doctrine. I call the end time theology in this way because the whole scholarly community have set some wrong plum line to measure the time line of the rapture.
Thanks for you concern and love towards our nation. May the Lord Bless you and make His face to shine upon you.
So I believe the bottom line is, using the name of Jesus and using the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is the same and can be interchangeably used while giving water baptism. The Apostles of Jesus Christ understood this concept and hence they had no division or any doubt regarding which name [i.e. as there is only one name Jesus which is high above all names (Phil 2:9-11)] to use during baptism of the believers (Acts 2:38-39).
And after the water baptism, we can lay hands on that water baptized person to help them receive the 'Baptism of the Holy Spirit' like Apostle Paul did and set as a pattern for us to follow (Acts 19:5-6). To have dispute in these matters related to water baptism which divided the Church in the 20th century is totally unnecessary and can be avoided now with better understanding about the name of Jesus. Name represents authority. So we can use these following words to baptize believers in water and still be united in our faith, ' I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ...'. This will give a better understanding to the believers about the unity of the trinity in the name Jesus.
If you say that the Apostles said to baptize in Jesus Name, Jesus Himself has said to baptize the believers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost [i.e. Trinity]. Is there discrepancy in the word of God? NO. But our lack of understanding about the name has hindered a great truth of the 1st century to be hidden, which has caused a great division in the Church [especially pentecostal] through which Satan has hindered unity in the Church to keep it from apostolic signs and wonders, thus making the power of multiplication of souls saved as void (Acts 2:1, 42-47). At least in our 21st century, we should strive to be like the Berean Christians to understand the Apostolic perspective from the Scripture through the illumination of the Holy Spirit and not be driven divisive in our minor doctrinal issues because of lack of understanding.
We should not major in the minors. Instead, we should have unity in the essentials [major doctrines] and diversity in non-essentials [minor doctrines]. Love should be our motive in all things.
My end time doctrine is what I call "the real pre-tribulation" doctrine. I call the end time theology in this way because the whole scholarly community have set some wrong plum line to measure the time line of the rapture.
Thanks for you concern and love towards our nation. May the Lord Bless you and make His face to shine upon you.
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