2.5 The True Bible Baptism

Is there a Special Divine Blessing attached to Baptism? What is correct? How should we be baptised? Into which Name?

Believers are divided and there rages a controversy as to whether the Baptismal ceremony should be performed at all; or if so, then, about the mode or means by which it should be administered. It is surprising to note how many different methods there are in use throughout the various practicing denominations.

Most of the methods used for Baptism today, are based purely on tradition. Others are based on part Scripture and part tradition, while yet some others are based on Scripture wrongly interpreted. This state of affairs is mainly due to the fact that people bind themselves to religious organisations, which in their turn are bound to their registered constitutions and doctrinal statements from which they cannot and may not deviate. The honest seeker after Truth will only find the Truth in this matter by severing him- or herself from all stated organisational doctrines and relying on the Bible and the Bible only. A true and sincere believer should honestly believe in the Bible as the only Foundation and accept the fact that the clear Guidelines given therein have Divine Authority, not to be taken lightly. Then and then alone will the true believer realise the enormity of the frightening Words that Messiah Himself spoke to all those who profess to be followers of Him, yet practice customs and ceremonies contrary to His Instructions, when He said:

Mark 7:6-8 “. . . Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the Precepts of men’. You leave the Commandment of the Almighty and hold fast the Traditions of men!”

The Bible emphatically states that there is “One Master – One Faith – ONE “BAPTISM” (Ephesians 4:5). This should leave no doubts that the believer has but ONE WAY that Baptism can be administered. Only this ONE Baptism could be truly acceptable to the Most High. All other ways are merely traditions of man and Messiah Himself said that such were ‘in vain.’ Baptism based on tradition and not on the Bible, is therefore administered -‘In vain’.

This study is addressed to all lovers of Truth, those who are prepared to place Messiah above mother, father, brother or sister, church or tradition, If you love Him with your whole heart, and accept His Word as the only means by which you will serve Him, then you will find this study a blessing and light in a world of darkness.

Should Baptism be performed at all?

There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind as to the positive response to this question. This is proven by the fact that all Christian denominations have some or other form of the Baptismal Ceremony. Even in Judaism, ritual immersion in a Mikveh or Baptismal Pool is a common traditional ceremony, testified to by the numerous remnants of ritual pools that have been excavated, in small grottos, skirting the walls of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

The various Christian denominations differ greatly though as to whether this religious Rite should be performed by sprinkling or bodily immersion. The New Testament leaves one in no doubt that the first New Covenant Baptisms were performed by bodily immersions in the Jordan River and in pools. Even the Messiah was thus immersed in Baptism by John the Baptist. This fact alone should be sufficient proof to the earnest seeker after Truth!

Is Baptism to be administered to children or to adults?

The Bible is very clear on the fact that Baptism was never administered to children, and the churches that do so, are following a tradition brought forth by the Roman Catholic Church. This tradition has absolutely no Scriptural authority whatsoever. The spiritual pre-conditions preceding baptism, makes it very clear as to why an infant cannot be baptised, and why it is limited to people who are required to take responsible decisions for themselves. Such people should be mature enough to accept the Plan of Salvation which the Almighty has worked out for those who believe the Gospel. Baptism is a part of the Salvation Plan and can only be beneficial to persons who are prepared to subject themselves to the spiritual meaning and purpose of Baptism. The Saviour said, “He who believes and is baptised will be saved” (Mark 16:16) .

These conditions of Baptism are recorded in –

Acts 2:37-41 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptised everyone of you … for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit … So those who accepted His Word were baptised”.

Thus it was only after the hearers understood what was required of them to be saved, that they accepted the Divine Plan of Salvation. Then only were they baptised.

The Holy Scriptures make it very clear to whom baptism was administered by Philip in Samaria.

Acts 8:12-13 “But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News about the Kingdom. . , they were baptised, both men and women”.

Acts 8:36-39 “And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water, what is to prevent my being baptised?’ And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’…,and he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water … and he baptised him.”

From these Scriptures, it is absolutely clear that the person to be baptised, first had to be preached to so that he or she could come to a repentance. Secondly, the candidate had to believe and accept. Thirdly, the person had to be taught what was expected of believers according to Scripture. Fourthly, the Scriptures clearly teach that people were baptised for the Forgiveness of their sins.

Can any intelligent person associate any of these required attributes with that of an infant of a few weeks old that cannot even speak or think for itself? Let alone understand and repent of its sins – which are non-existent at that early age! The rite of Baptism is for the Forgiveness of sins. An infant of a few weeks old cannot even think sinful thoughts let alone commit sin.

Some preachers maintain, however, that a child is ‘born in sin’ and this is the reason why they baptise a child. This theory leads to the doctrine of concupiscence (original sin) which has been formulated by a Roman Catholic ‘father ‘, Augustine (354-430). He argued that, because of the ‘fall’ of Adam and Eve, ‘original sin’ is passed on by heredity so that, consequently, babies are ‘born in sin’. This would imply that the Messiah, at His birth, inherited sin! – How could He then be the True Saviour “without spot or blemish”?

Those who teach thus, fail to realise that “sin is the transgression of the Law” (1 John 3:4). “all unrighteousness is sin” ( 1 John 5: 17 ) and “the Commandments are righteousness” (Ps. 119:172). “Through the Law comes knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). Consequently such teachers find it convenient to do away with the Law of the Almighty with their teaching that “Grace has replaced the Law”

No, babies HAVE NO SIN! They need NO REPENTANCE and therefore have NO NEED for Baptism!

Another erroneous teaching is, that infant baptism has replaced the Circumcision rite, whereby an infant, on the eighth day after birth, should be circumcised according to the Law of God.

How absolutely untrue this statement is, is proven by the fact that the Holy Scriptures do not contain any such statement whatsoever. It simply is “tradition of man”, and as such, in vain!

Is Baptism to be administered to children or to adults?

These conditions of Baptism are recorded in –

Thus it was only after the hearers understood what was required of them to be saved, that they accepted the Divine Plan of Salvation. Then only were they baptised.

The Holy Scriptures make it very clear to whom baptism was administered by Philip in Samaria.

Acts 8:12-13 “But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News about the Kingdom. . , they were baptised, both men and women”.

No, babies HAVE NO SIN! They need NO REPENTANCE and therefore have NO NEED for Baptism!

Another erroneous teaching is, that infant baptism has replaced the Circumcision rite, whereby an infant, on the eighth day after birth, should be circumcised according to the Law of God.

How absolutely untrue this statement is, is proven by the fact that the Holy Scriptures do not contain any such statement whatsoever. It simply is “tradition of man”, and as such, in vain!

The True New Covenant fulfilment of the Circumcision Rite

In the first place, the Scriptures very clearly teach that the circumcision of the flesh was a seal of the Covenant which God had made with Abraham. It also, in addition, pointed to something greater, which the Eternal expects from His followers, i.e. the “circumcision of the heart”, as we will shortly indicate from the Scriptures.

The True Scriptural teaching in this connection, is that the rite of the True Baptism (i.e. adult immersion upon repentance) is the fulfillment of fleshly circumcision, i.e. adult Baptism is Spiritual circumcision – Infant Baptism has got no bearing whatsoever on the whole matter of Baptism!

It must be emphasised at the outset of this discussion, that ‘fulfillment’ does not in any way do away with the prototype, i.e. fleshly circumcision. For instance, when a plan of a building or a ship has been fulfilled by having completed the construction of the real thing, the plan still remains a very important part of the future and safety of that building or ship and can not be discarded. Popular Christian interpretation however, follows this erroneous reasoning that the Law of God has been ‘abolished’ because Messiah claimed to have ‘fulfilled’ the Law. The fact that He stressed no less than four times in that same paragraph in Matt. 5:17-20, that the Law will not be done away with, does not interest them.

So what does ‘fulfill’ mean? To “comply with”, “to execute it”, “to bring to perfection”; to “bestow on it a new and definitive form”, and, in proper context to the rest of the Bible, to raise it to a higher plain through the Spirit of the New Covenant. Not to do away with it! This applies to both the Law and Circumcision.

So, through Baptism, the “old sinful life” of the believing and repentant person is cut off (like in circumcision) and buried in the watery grave.

Romans 6:4-6 makes it clear when the apostle explained, “… When we were baptised in Messiah … we joined Him in death, so that as He was raised from the dead … we too might live a new life … we must realise. that our former selves have been crucified with Him … to free us from the slavery of sin”

The following scriptures will further clear this matter up, and leave no doubt in the reader’s mind as to what the True Bible teaching is.

Rom. 2 : 28, 29 “For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly (in the flesh), nor is true circumcision something external and physical. He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal.”

Col. 2: 10,11 “In Him you have been circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hand, but by the complete stripping of your body of flesh. This is circumcision according to Messiah”.

The Most High spoke beforehand of the ‘spiritual circumcision’, as it is written;

Deut. 30:6 “And YHVH your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love YHVH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live”.

Moses also exhorted the Israelites :

Deut 10:16 “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For YHVH your God is God of gods and Lord of lords”.

So it really is a very simple matter to understand that the circumcision of the heart is the spiritual fulfillment of the circumcision of the flesh. (Let the reader be once more reminded of the meaning of ‘fulfillment’, i.e. “comply with”, “to execute it”, “to bring to perfection”; to “bestow on it a new and definitive form”, and, in proper context to the rest of the Bible, to raise it to a higher plain through the Spirit of the New Covenant. Not to do away with it! Thus, the physical remains and does not become obsolete – they should exist side by side, the one complimenting the other).

The circumcision of the heart follows the pattern of natural circumcision, but only in a spiritual sense. When the Eternal made the Covenant of circumcision with Abraham, He said:

Gen, 17:10-12 “This is My Covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised … in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a Sign (seal) of the Covenant between Me and you. He that is eight days old among you shall be circumcised…”

The actual birth had to take place first, and then the circumcision followed. The same applies to the spiritual circumcision. A Spiritual Birth (the re-birth) must first take place before the spiritual circumcision can be effected. This is what Messiah meant in speaking to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, when He said:

John 3:3-7 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of the Almighty. Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ “

And then clearly the Saviour reveals the importance of water Baptism for the spiritual Re-birth:

John 3:5 ‘Truly, truly, I say unto you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of the Almighty. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew”.

The wonderful part of the Rebirth is that according to the natural birth, you are born male or female. Thus, if you were born female, then you had no part of the Covenant of circumcision. But, in being born of the Spirit, the ‘new’ spiritual ‘person’ born within you, has no gender. This is made clear in

Gal. 3:28, 29 “There is neither male nor female; for you are all One in Messiah. And if you are Messiah’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to Promise”.

So, when you have come to a true repentance and given your life over into the hands of Messiah; when you have confessed your sins and accepted Him as your Saviour – only then will the blood which He shed, cleanse you from all your sins. Only then will you have prepared yourself for the Spiritual Rebirth to take place in you. Even as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Miriam (mother of Messiah – not Mary) and she conceived and brought forth a Son, even so will the Holy Spirit overshadow you and within you will be born a ‘new creature.’

Should Baptism be administered by Sprinkling or by Immersion?

Many spiritual leaders immerse their fingers in the water and then sprinkle the member. We have clearly seen that an infant cannot be baptised. Secondly, we will prove that baptism should be administered by immersion and not by sprinkling.

The practice of sprinkling came into force centuries after the New Messianic Congregation of Messiah was established. Nowhere in the Bible is this injunction to be found. Most historians agree that Baptism in the first 2 centuries after Messiah, was performed by immersion. Testifying to this, are the many baptismal fonts to be viewed at the ruins of ancient churches in Europe and the Middle East.

An investigation of the Greek text of the New Testament sheds much light on the subject. The Greek word “Baptizo” means to immerse or to dip. “Rhantizo” means to sprinkle. The New Testament Scriptures use the word ‘Baptizo’ when referring to Baptism, The word that we use in English, namely, ‘baptise’, is directly translated from the Greek word ‘Baptizo’. The mandate given to His disciples by the Messiah in Matt. 28:19 therefore, is to go and ‘immerse’ (baptise) all the nations. There should also be no doubts as to whether the Messiah Himself was immersed or sprinkled by John the Baptist.

In order to further confirm the correct procedure, let us investigate the different instances of Baptism which is recorded in the New Testament to judge for ourselves with an open mind, whether sprinkling or immersion was the practice in the first few centuries after Messiah.

Acts 8:36 -39 The baptism of the eunuch by Philip “. . . as they went along . . . they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What is to prevent me being baptised?’ . . . and they both went down into the water . .. and he baptised him. And when they came up out of the water, … “

Undeniably, this recorded instance of baptism suggests nothing else but immersion. It must be remembered that the eunuch, being a rich man and also a man of great authority, would not be travelling, alone in the Gaza desert, nor would he be travelling without drinking water. If sprinkling was the norm, why would the eunuch point out a place of ‘some water’ and enter into the water with Philip if it was not to be immersed?

Another account of baptism is the very example of the Redeemer Himself, when He came to John the Baptist to be baptised :

Matt. 3:13-16 “John tried to dissuade Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by You, and yet You come to me?”‘

Note well, Messiah’s confirmation: “. . . Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he (John) consented. And when He (Messiah) was baptised, He came up from the water… “

What can be more clear? This was the Creator Himself showing us the Way. He was baptised in the river Jordan ant not with a few drops of the river Jordan. Messiah said to Thomas, one of His apostles, “I am the Way” (John 14:6). And to the rich man: “Come, follow Me” (Matt 19:21). Again, to all of us, “He who does not … follow Me, is not worthy of Me,” (Matt.10: 38). Do you want to be worthy of Him? Then simply follow Him through the Baptismal water.

Where did John baptise? How did he baptise believers?

Math. 3:4-6 “Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, they confessed their sins”.

The only people who would not allow themselves to be baptised, were the Pharisees and the lawyers. Luke could say of them:

Luke 7:29, 30 “All the people who heard him and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s Plan by accepting baptism from John; but, by refusing baptism from him, the Pharisees and lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them,”

Did you get that? These are awesome words with terrible implications! They rejected Divine council by not being baptised! Will you follow the modern Pharisees who deny that Baptism by immersion is a part of God’s Salvation Plan or follow the example of our Saviour and Redeemer by following Him through the waters of Baptism?

We have yet another clear account in the Bible, of baptism by immersion in water:

John 3 : 23 “At the same time John was baptising at Aenon near to Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there to be baptised.”

Some religious teachers and leaders declare that Baptism is not essential for Salvation. Baptism on its own, surely cannot save you. The Rebirth by the Spirit should precede the act of Baptism, as explained earlier. Messiah, Who is the King of Heaven and will be the Coming Judge of mankind in the Great Judgment Day, unequivocally specified “I tell you most solemnly, unless a person is born through Water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom. ” (John 3 : 5).

This is affirmed by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3: 20, 21 “Now it was long ago, when Noah was still building that Ark which saved only … eight people ‘by water’, and when God was still waiting patiently, that these spirits refused to believe. That water is a type of the Baptism which saves you now and which is not the washing off of physical dirt, but a pledge made to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Messiah”.

The Bible, therefore, is very clear and emphatic that immersion is the only means by which a person may be baptised.

How many times do we have to be immersed?

Some practice Baptism by one immersion while others immerse three times. Those who immerse three times, do so by what they term, “on authority of Matthew 28:19”. This reads as follows:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

In the fourth point on Baptism, we will fully discuss this scripture to prove that they have completely misunderstood this Command. It is usually maintained that there are three separate ‘Persons’ in the Godhead and that is the reason why they immerse three times.

We have already seen that Baptism symbolises the Death and Resurrection of our Saviour; the burial of our ‘old person’ and the resurrection of the new person. But let us once more examine:

Romans 6:3-6 “You have been taught that when we were baptised in Messiah, we were baptised in His Death. In other words, when we were baptised, we went into the tomb with Him and joined Him in death, so that as He was raised from the dead … we too might live a new life. If in union with Him we have imitated His Death, we shall also imitate Him in His Resurrection. We must realise that our former selves have been crucified with Him … to free us from the slavery of sin”.

It certainly should not require very deep meditation to be able to establish whether ONE immersion or three immersions are implied by this passage of Scripture. Our crucified Saviour died once and He arose once from the grave. It is therefore in absolute total disregard of the symbolism of Baptism, that these people immerse three times. Those who immerse by ‘triune’ immersion, become entangled in their own misinterpretation of Matthew 28 :19. If there were three individual Persons in the Godhead, as they believe, they then would imply, by triune immersion, that they were being baptised in the death and resurrection of the Father, and the death and resurrection of the Son and the death and resurrection of the Holy Spirit! Notice the formulary:

“I baptise you in the Name of the Father (immerse), and of the Son (immerse) and of the Holy Spirit (immerse)”. It would also mean that the person being baptised, died three times and rose three times!

Messiah died once – we should be immersed once. Messiah arose once –we should arise once out of the water. One immersion proclaims the Truth and sets the seal to our faith: that we believe that Messiah died ONCE and He arose ONCE.

Some even go so far as to allow the baptism candidates to choose for themselves, whether they would prefer one or three immersions!

Eph. 4:5 “There is One Master, One Faith One Baptism”.

Surely, One Baptism could not be administered in various ways?

In which name should we be baptized?

We have thusfar discussed three main points on Baptism. We have shown that the Bible recognises no other form of Baptism than immersion of souls who are adult enough to conform to the prerequisite of sincere repentance and conversion. Regarding the number of times that a person should be immersed, we showed that, as Baptism signifies the ‘death’ of the ‘old sinner’ and the “resurrection”‘ of a “new spiritual being” in us, only one immersion is required. This claim will be further borne out by the facts underlying the contents of the subject which we will discuss here.

The Saviour gave an explicit Command to His disciples, as recorded in

Man. 28: 19, 20 “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptise them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the Commands I gave you”.

In observance of this Command, the apostles went along into the whole world, carrying with them the Great News of the Kingdom of the Almighty and baptising repentant candidates. We will now analyze the Scriptures, to find how these men really baptised.

How did the apostles baptize?

How did Peter, the chief apostle to the Jews (Gal. 2 : 7-8) baptise? Messiah had previously said to him:

Matt, 16:19 “I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven”.

Small wonder that many Gentile church organisations claim to have received this Key, although they are completely ignorant of what the Key really is and, certainly do not have it in their establishments?

Peter used this Key when he preached the Gospel to the Jews at Jerusalem on Shavuot (the day of Pentecost). He offered this Spiritual Key to everyone of the listeners wishing to enter the Kingdom. They could accept this Key, or reject it and not enter..

A key can only be associated with a door, or a lock – and so the people in that day had to first come to the Door. Peter brought them to this ‘Door’ which lead to the Kingdom, when he preached Messiah unto them, well realising that this was the Door

John 10 : 9, Messiah speaking: “I am the Door; if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved”.

Having heard Peter’s testimony about the Crucifixion of the Saviour –

Acts 2: 14-37 “They were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?”‘

What a magnificent testimony Peter must have given under the Power of the Spirit, for only 50 days earlier the same people probably stood amongst the shouting crowds, claiming the death of a blameless Man. Now they were “cut to the heart”, Only weeks ago they were staunch enough to accept the guilt for His death without fear, shouting “His blood be on us and on our children” ( Matt. 27: 25). Now, their breath fainting and hearts palpitating, they heard : “By wicked hands have you slain Him?” (Acts 2:23). Murderers! Slanderers! Fear struck them – was it beyond Redemption? What shall we do? If ever there was a day where guilt stood face to face with the Redeemer, it was this. Was there an answer? Was there Forgiveness for slaying the very Saviour? More so because:

Acts 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved”.

This very Name which they despised and had Him previously stoned for, they would now have to call upon for Forgiveness – if there were any!

It would be utterly absurd to even raise the question whether it would have been any use for them to call upon any other Name at that moment! This one only Name, which they had previously linked with a Man Who’s Blood they claimed, would have to be that one Name which they would now have to cry out to for forgiveness!

The very same Name which appeared upon the signboard above His Death Stake (Matt. 27: 37) and which they probably spat at on that day, they would now have to go on their knees before, to beg for eternal pardon!

But what is this Name? What is the “Only Name given unto men whereby they must be saved” (Acts 4:12). By what Name was Messiah known and adored, but also despised? What Name caused brutal Roman soldiers who searched for Him, .to fall to the ground, as if struck by lightning (John 18:6,7). What Name did Peter proclaim that day in his testimony of the Crucifixion and in answering the stunned crowd to their question: “What shall we do?”

How many of Messiah’s professing followers today are aware that the Name ‘Jesus Christ’, as printed in most English translations of the Bible, is not the original Name whereby the Messiah was known to His countrymen, the Israelites. Peter did not speak English – this language only came into existence many centuries later. Which Name then, did Peter and the Israelites know the Saviour by?

This Name is YAHU’SHUAH – abbreviated to YAHSHUA, popularly pronounced in Judaism as YESHUA or YEHOSHUA (Refer to Notes on the Sacred Names for an explanation on the use of various forms of the Sacred Names)

This is the Name which man has unwarrantedly changed by a process of progressive transliteration of the original Hebrew Name into many different languages, so that Messiah is known today:

to the English as ‘Jesus Christ’
to Italians as ‘Gesu Cristo’
to the Welsh as ‘lesu Grist’
to Hungarians as ‘Jezus Krisztusnak’
to Nigerians as ‘Azizos Xraist’
To Pakistanis (Urdu) as “Yasu Massih “

What great embarrassment would it be to prominent men, to have their names translated in each country they visit. So, for instance, Mr. Churchill, on his arrival in Germany, would be addressed as Mr. Kirchehiigel. This name will change to Mr. Kerkkoppie in South Africa – and on his arrival in Africa, he will, no doubt, have much difficulty in recognising his name as Mr. Kerekelekgabana!!

And now Peter’s answer to that question which not only faced those stunned Jews on the Day of Shavuot, 2000 years ago, but which each soul comes to at some or other time in their life – the moment of Truth –

“WHAT SHALL I DO?”

The answer to this question reveals the Key given to Peter by the Saviour Himself, to pass on to those wishing to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Down through the centuries, many evil attempts were made to conceal this Key, but, over the last few decades the answer started ringing out in ever widening echoes as it became known and accepted by believers the world over. Today, there are thousands upon thousand of Web sites alone, proclaiming the Sacred Name, as contained in the Key-mandate – :

Acts 2:38,41 “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be Baptised, every one of you, in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins – and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit’… So those who received his word (the Key) were baptised and there were added that day about three thousand souls”.

These souls gladly accepted the spiritual Key to unlock the Door and so to qualify to enter into the Kingdom. There is only One Door and that Door has One Key only that fits – which is the Name of the Saviour – YAHU’SHUAH.

The apostles baptised in the Name by which they, as Jews, knew the Saviour, viz. YAHU’SHUAH (i.e. YHVH the Saviour)

This is the Name they called out over the souls whom they baptised, for they spoke Hebrew!
This is the Name which the angel told Miriam to give her Son (Matt. 1 : 21) – she was a Jewess!
This is the Name which translators of the Bible translated to ‘Jesus Christ’, as we have it recorded today.
This is the only Name by which you can be saved (Acts 4:8-12).

But, you may ask, does this Key formula not actually contradict the Baptismal Mandate given by the Saviour in Matt. 28 :19, 20 “Baptise them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit?”

Would this mean that Peter acted contrary to this Command by baptising “in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH Messiah?”

Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Should Peter’s unction on Shavuot (Pentecost), to be baptised in the Name of the Saviour, be an isolated instance, then the opposers of the True Bible Baptism could have argued that Peter had misunderstood Messiah’s Command. However, we will quote numerous corresponding instances – in fact, it is the only way of baptism practiced by the apostles, which the Bible records. We will afterwards reconcile their actions with the Saviour’s instructions.

Notice then, a similar instance, when Peter came to the Gentile family of Cornelius and his friends. He preached the same Gospel, resulting in “the Holy Spirit falling on all of them”.

Acts 10: 47,48 “Then Peter declared, ‘Can anyone forbid water for baptising these people who have received the Holy Spirit?’ .. And he commanded them to be baptised in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH Messiah” (Std.Revised, Moffat, Jerusalem Bible).

In the 43rd verse Peter had just confirmed that “…everyone who believes in Him (the Saviour) receives forgiveness of sins through His Name“. That is why they had to be baptised in His Name, as baptism is for the remission of sins. The Saviour Himself emphasised the Divine Purpose, contained in the Tenach (Old Testament) in –

Luke 24:47 “That repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Peter, accordingly, obeyed his Master to the very letter and preached repentance and remission of sins in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH? None other than the Saviour’s True Name has any power for remission of sins, whether they be names or titles!

How did Philip baptize?

It was to Philip that Messiah had openly declared Himself to be the Heavenly Father, YHVH –

John 14 : 8, 9, 7
“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.’ (He) said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’ … If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; henceforth you know Him and have seen Him”‘.

Acts 8 :12
“But when they believed Philip’s preaching of the Good News about the Kingdom….and the Name of YAHU’SHUAH Messiah, they were baptised, both men and women. .. “

Verses 14-16 of this same chapter confirms the baptism in “the Name of YAHU’SHUAH” and reveals the fact that Philip had baptised many men and women in Samaria in this way!

How did Paul baptize?

The 19th chapter of the book of Acts, describes Paul’s mission to Ephesus where the people had been baptised in John the Baptist’s Baptism. Paul “insisted that the people should believe in the One Who was to come after” (after John the Baptist) – in other words: YAHU’SHUAH. When they heard this, they were baptised ‘in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH'” (Acts 19 : 4).

Notice that Paul rebaptised these disciples in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH. He also explained to the congregation at Rome, that “we are baptised into the Name of the One Who died for us“.

Romans 6:3 ‘
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into YAHU’SHUAH were baptised into His Death?”

It was Paul who had also said that there is only One Master – One Faith – One Baptism (Eph. 4: 5).

Peter – Paul – Philip, all baptised in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH.. If they baptised wrongly, as some religious leaders would have us believe, then all the thousands of converts were baptised wrongly! Surely, they would have been corrected by the other apostles? Should any present-day preacher suddenly baptise people in the Name of YAHU’SHUAH and not in the titles of “the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” as laid down by their constitutions, he would soon have to give account for his actions, and, if not prepared to abandon this method, will soon find himself without a job ‘ Yet, in the days of the apostles, there was no such outcry!

These baptising apostles heard the Saviour personally, they looked upon Him personally, they touched Him personally and they were taught by Him personally -. Whom will you choose to believe? These apostles who knew Him and walked with Him – or those teachers who differ from Them, but who never saw or heard Him and who were never taught by Him personally?

The Bible tells us how to treat those who differ from the Divine Scriptural Instructions:

Galatians. 1:8
“… If anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one we have already preached to you, whether it be … an angel from heaven, he is to be condemned!”

Reconciling Matt. 28:19

The answer to the dispute whether the apostles fulfilled Matt. 28:19 or not, like all other facts of Truth, is very simple indeed – and of utmost importance. In fact, your Eternal Life depends on the Truth in this matter, as stipulated in –

John 17:3
“And this is Eternal Life: that they know Thee, the only True God, even YAHU’SHUAH Whom Thou hast sent”.

But, just as the fallen angels had made their choice in heaven and discarded the True Creator, so there will be many who will not accept the Key of Life to unlock the Mystery.

Here is the Key to the whole matter:

THE SAVIOUR OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS YHVH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Name YHVH appeared 6 823 times in the original Old Testament. In most modern translations of the Bible, it has been removed and replaced by the title ‘LORD’ (in capitals).

All theologians today admit the substitution of the True Name of the Eternal. Some modern translations of the Bible have rightfully restored the Name YHVH.

How do we then reconcile the actions of the apostles with the Command in

Matt. 28:19

“Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations ; baptise them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… “

Let us analyze this Divine Instruction –

They should be baptised into a Name. It does not say Names, plural, but singular – One Name.
It should be One Name for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian baptismal formulary goes something like this: “I baptise you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”- upon which the person is then immersed. The preacher in this case no more than promised to baptise the candidate in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – for he never pronounced any name at all!

‘Father’ is not a name as they would claim, but a title, which every male parent bears!

Similarly, ‘Son’ is a title which every male child bears!

“God is Spirit …” (John 4:24), and He is Holy (Lev. 20: 26), therefore He must be a ‘Holy Spirit’ – but He certainly has a Name! This Name is Holy and should not be profaned (Lev. 22:31-33; Ex. 20:7 the 3rd Commandment).

The Name of the Messiah was not ‘Son’ – no! He had a personal Holy and Reverend Name (Matt 1: 21).

If someone asked you what the name of your father was, would you answer ‘Father’? Certainly not! The sincere candidate for baptism should, therefore have to search the Scriptures for the Name of the Father; the Name of the Holy Spirit and the True Name of the Son – for even though the Son is known as ‘Jesus Christ’ (if you happen to speak English) be sure, that Satan has managed to distort this Name also – the Only Name by which we may be saved! (Acts 4:8-12).

So, Matt. 28:19, far from contradicting the Apostolic form of baptism, actually confirms their actions, especially in the light of this revelationary Truth, viz. that YAHU’SHUAH is YHVH.

YHVH is the Name of the Almighty in the Old Testament (Ex. 6:3; 20:1); it is the Name of the Father (Isa.63:16; 64:8); the Name of the Only God worshipped by the Patriarchs, by Moses, the Prophets, etc.; and it is the Name of the SON! Yes, the Prophet Jeremiah’s writings echo the very Words of God Almighty in speaking of the Messiah –

Jer. 23:6

“And this is the Name He (the Messiah – verse 5) will be called: ‘YHVH-our-integrity’”.

Alternative translations of this verse reads as follows :

King James : “The Lord our Righteousness“
(Marginal note in Reference edition gives it as: ‘JEHOVA-Tsidkenu’”

Moffat:: “The Eternal our Champion”

In the New Testament the Father, Who is the Eternal Spirit Being, manifested Himself in flesh (1 Tim. 3:16) to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21) and was called ‘YHVH-SHUAH (Shua = Saviour), which. in abbreviated form, is YAHU’SHUAH.

The apostles did NOT misunderstand Messiah’s Command!

The Name of the Father is –
YHVH (or YAHU) the Eternal

The Name of the Son is –
YHVH (or YAHU) the Saviour

The Name of the Holy Spirit is -.
YHVH (or YAHU) the Spirit.

The Eternal and Supreme Being is ONE Being, as many will only find out in the Day of judgment.

Zech, 14:9

“And YHVH shall be King over all the earth. In that day shall there be One LORD (YHVH) and His Name One”.

Put differently: The Almighty YHVH, in His Heavenly form, is the FATHER

in His omniscience He is the Holy Spirit, and
in His human manifestation He was The ‘Son’

There is Salvation in no other than the ‘Son’ (Acts 4:12) – Who is also the Holy Spirit as well as the Father! In His manifestation as the ‘Son of God’, the Lamb of Sacrifice – YAHU’SHUAH – His Name brings Salvation – consequently the apostles baptised in His Name..

YAHU’SHUAH is the FATHER!

In His DIVINITY a Spiritual Being, from everlasting to everlasting;

YAHU’SHUAH is the SON? – In His Humanity, the Lamb of Sacrifice . for our sins, our Saviour

Redeemer

YAHU’SHUAH is the HOLY SPIRIT?

In His Omnipresence, our Comforter – Companion, All Power unto Holiness!

Can you now understand why the apostles baptised in the Name of the Saviour – Why we should also be baptised in His Name? .

If you TRULY love the Saviour, you will follow Him in Baptism. The spirit of Antichrist, however, will not be convinced by any amount of proof whatsoever, and will refuse to pursue the very thought!

Many believers have already accepted that Messiah is the Only True God – but some still refuse to be baptised in His original True Name. With them, we compassionately plead to reconsider the following thought: We know and truly understand that you love Him by the Name which you came to know Him by, i.e. Jesus Christ. Consider, though, if it is possible that Baptism in that original Name by which His parents, friends and followers knew Him – the Heavenly-given Name, YAHU’SHUAH, could take you further from the Truth – or nearer? We do not wish to judge, but common logic tells us that, although the probability cannot be denied that just perhaps, the Name ‘Jesus Christ’ could be passed and accepted by the coming Great Judge (and note well, we say ‘could’). But it is impossible that He could ever reject the Name YAHU’SHUAH (or any of the other Sacred Name versions) by which He walked this earth to save His people! Will you gamble with your Eternal Salvation? The name ‘Jesus Christ’ was unknown to the dust-trodding Saviour in the Land of Israel – He was never addressed by this Name. Will He accept it today? Why take a chance?

Call upon His Name, and YHVH Himself promises in

Zech, 13:9

“1 will .., refine them as silver is refined, test them as gold is tested. They will call on My Name, and I shall listen and I shall say : ‘These are My people’; and each will say, ‘YHVH lS MY GOD’.”

Joel 2:32

“All who call on the Name of YHVH will be saved”.

Will you not call upon His Name?
Will you not turn around and hearken unto His Call?

Acts 22:16

“And now, why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking His Name!”

The baptizing formula

There is no stated Scriptural credentials for a ‘baptiser’ who has to lead or perform the baptism over you. To find a baptiser of like beliefs in the Truth is not easy anyway.

In Judaism, baptism is a ‘self-performing’ process. If you are in a group or with someone else, there is no harm in assisting each other physically, as the baptism is performed normally in a pool, river, or wherever there is water – preferably flowing. If needs be, even a bath at home could suffice – for the elderly or the sick, for instance.

Simply read or state your Faith in Messiah. The following confession is simply a guideline, based on the principles of the One True Faith and the requirements for Baptism: “Blessed are You, YHVH our Creator, King of the universe, Who have manifested yourself as YAHU’SHUAH Messiah. I hereby confess the sins of my past through my wilful or ignorant transgression of Your Laws. I hereby claim your Redemption as I be baptised in Your Name for Forgiveness and Reconciliation to Your Eternal Covenant. I faithfully promise to abide by the Laws of Your Torah to the best of my ability. Please subdue the rebellion in me against Your Laws and Guide me to closer observance thereof, to secure a place in Your Coming Kingdom. Blessed art Thou, YAHU’SHUAH my Saviour and King.”

Are there Special Blessings attached to Baptism?

We have seen thus far, that Baptism is the process of being sealed with His Name in our foreheads. Scripture records another form whereby ‘God’s Name may be called over His People’:

Numbers 6:22

“And YHVH spoke unto Moses saying, ‘Speak unto Aaron and his sons saying, ‘This is how you are to bless the People of Israel, you are to say to them:

YHVH will bless you and guard you

YHVH will make His Face shine (reveal Face) on/to you and be gracious unto you

YHVH will lift up His Face towards you and give you Shalom.

‘In this way they are to put My Name on the People of Israel, so that I will bless them.”

This Blessing is known as the Priestly Blessing. The Jewish Siddur has the following footnotes to this Scripture portion in the Book of Numbers:

“This simple and beautiful 3-fold Blessing is the Crown and Seal of the whole Sacred Order by which Israel was now fully organized as the ‘People of God’ for the March to the Holy Land. (Just as the Baptism ceremony identifies the individual returnee as ‘the People of God’ – editor, Bible Revelations). The Hebrew Text consists of 3 short verses, 3,5 and 7 words respectively. It mounts by gradual stages from the petition for material blessing and protection to that for Divine favour as a spiritual Blessing, and in beautiful climax culminates in the petition for God’s most consummate Gift, Shalom – Peace. These 15 words contain a world of trust and faith in God. It was one of the most impressive features of the Temple Service in Jerusalem.“

YHVH Bless you …with life, health, happiness, prosperity

and guard you …grant you His Divine protection against evil, sickness, poverty, calamity. protect you. He is the Guardian of Israel (Shomer Yisrael). He delivers our souls from death, keeps our eyes from tears, and our feet from stumbling. Rabbinic interpretation: ‘May God bless you with possessions and keep you from these possessions possessing you. May He shield you from all destructive influences that so often follow in the wake of prosperity’ – even spiritual prosperity which may cause pride and stubborn self contentment. Thus Blessing and Protection.

His Face to shine upon you … Light in Scripture and Truth is the symbol of happiness, purity and friendship. This term is the Biblical idiom for ‘to be friendly to one’. It implies the outpouring of Divine Love and Salvation. In contrast, there is the prayer: ‘Hide not Thy Face from me.”

…be gracious unto you … this is more than ‘guard you’. May He graciously fulfil your petition and pleas. The Rabbis understand it as ‘May He give you grace in the eyes of others, i.e. may He make you lovable and beloved – which will also make you beloved by God.

lift up His Face towards you … Turn His attention and loving Care to you; give you Shalom – establish Peace for you. Peace is the Seal of all Blessing (Talmud).

Shalom means: freedom from all disaster. It pertains to health, welfare, security, tranquillity. “The Peace which alone reconciles and strengthens, which calms us and clears our vision, which frees us from restlessness and from the bondage of unsatisfied desire which gives us the consciousness of attainment the consciousness of permanence even amid the transitoriness of ourselves and of outward things.” (Montefiore)

We are not only to be peaceful ourselves, but to help others to attain it also.

This Blessing seems to present an ideal conclusion to the Baptism. Baptism puts His Name on the ‘Returning Exile’ who confesses acceptance of Messiah’s Sacrifice and for being reconciled to the Eternal Covenant. The Priestly Blessing confirms this Sealing with His Name and pronounces His Blessings on the newly reconciled ‘Israelite’.

Do you have this true Shalom in your Life?

Only by complying with His requirements will we achieve this Peace.

Only by His Grace did He reconcile us (‘saved us’) through His Sacrificial Offer of His own Unblemished Life. Nothing that we could offer would remove His Decree of our Rejection for our discarding of His Covenant, not money, not repentance, nor even our life, neither conforming with His Law (Torah) however perfect we could.

But – now, by our acceptance of this Restoration by Grace, we are reconciled to His Covenant once more – we qualify for the Blessings Divinely decreed for ‘His People’. We literally become part of Israel (‘again’ – if we are of the Lost 10 Tribes to be re-identified; or ‘newly’ if we are not part). As ‘Israel’, we qualify for His Special Blessings. But this entails and vitally includes our acceptance of the Terms of His Covenant, i.e. Law Abidance (lest we want to face rejection once more).

Only by conforming with His Law and Requirements are we assured of His Special Blessings for Israel, His People (READ!!! Deuteronomy ch 27 & 28) Yes, He makes His sun to shine even over sinners – but He has Special Blessings for His People, Israel.

The Greatest thereof: Shalom! Peace – as defined above.
Peace is the Seal of all Blessing.

If you do not experience that Peace, start conforming!