Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Water Baptism Q & A, 9 of 15


Biblical Answers 
to Commonly Asked Questions On Water Baptism 

FORMULA OF WATER BAPTISM continued:

Question 31: Why is Water Baptism into the triune formula called “Baptism into the Titles?”
Answer: The baptism formula of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is called “baptism into the titles” because these words are titles of the person and not His proper name, i.e. Jesus. This being true, one could not obey the command of Jesus to “baptize into the name...” by merely repeating the titles of the name. 

Question 32: Are there any Biblical (apostolic) examples of the single name formula (i.e. Jesus) being used in Water Baptism?
Answer: Water Baptism into the single name of Jesus is the ONLY formula used by the Lord’s disciples, and is therefore, the ONLY example found in Holy Scripture. (See Acts 2:38; 8:12, 16; 10:48; 19:5; 1 Corinthians 1:13; James 2:7). Any other formula is an innovation to the Word of God. 
Ac 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Ac 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.Ac 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.Ac 19:5 ... they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Question 33: Is there a conflict between Jesus’ command to baptize into the name of a Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Matthew 28:19 and the disciples actions of actually performing the baptism into the single name of Jesus? 
Answer: There is absolutely no conflict between our Lord’s command in Matthew 28:19 and the actions of His disciples. Jesus commanded to baptize into a single name of which Father, Son and Holy Spirit were mere titles. His disciples understood this and baptized into the single name of Jesus; thereby, fulfilling His command. (See Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:46; 19:5; also see question 31). 
Mt 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,

Question 34: How does the Lord’s church harmonize the Words of Institution to baptize into the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) with the multiple passages of Scripture which teach Water Baptism into the single name of Jesus? 
Answer: The Words of Institution of Matthew 28:19 and the disciples action are harmonized in the following way: notice that the Words of Institution are commanding baptism into a single name. The word “onoma” (name) is singular and not plural; the plural form of the Greek word “onoma” would have been employed by the Holy Spirit (through Matthew) if Christ had intended for three separate names to be invoked. Therefore, the disciples of the Lord executed His command by baptizing into the single name of Jesus (see Acts 2:38; 8:12, 16; 10:48; 19:5; and 1 Corinthians 1:13).
1 Cor 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Question 35: If the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is Jesus, would not one actually be baptized in Jesus’ name if His titles were spoken over one? 
Answer: Invoking only the titles of Jesus is not equivalent to invoking the name of Jesus. As anyone who has ever prayed over the sick, or cast out a demon, will testify. One’s legal authority is intrinsic in one’s name - not in their titles - ask any banker. Acts 4:7-1061 is an example of this: the high priest wanted to know what power, or by what name the lame man was healed. Peter had already given the answer in Acts 3:16: “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong.” Peter further states, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved;” (Acts 4:12). The word “neither” is a conjunction that connects healing and salvation as being accomplished by the same means: i.e. the spoken name of Jesus. 
Ac 4:7-10 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

Question 36: What are some other things we should know about Matthew 28:19?
Answer: The following information on Matthew 28:19 is necessary to correctly interpret the passage: 
1. The command is to baptize “into” a single name, not into plural names. Some may say that this is a play on words; that too much weight is being placed on one small letter, i.e. the English “S”. However, notice Galatians 3:16  where the apostle Paul stresses the very same argument on the very same word ending, i.e. the English “S,” in order to establish another important doctrine on the person of Christ. 
Ga 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
2. The context of the verse is important to its understanding. In v18, the person of focus is Jesus (And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.); also, in v20, the person of focus is Jesus. Therefore, v19 is positioned within this context; it is framed in by vv18 and 20 (teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”)  where Jesus is the person of focus. The Law of Context would suggest that Jesus would also be the person of focus of v19 as well.  
3. The disciples understood that Jesus was speaking of Himself, for He had already told them that He and the Father were one and the same person (John 10:30; 14:7-9). 
Jn 10:30 “I and My Father are one.” Jn 14:7-9 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
They knew Him to be the Christ, the Son of the Living God (John 6:39, This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. ). Even before this, He had told them that He was the Holy Ghost and that He would come from heaven and indwell them (John 14:17, 18, 26;16:7; see Matthew 3:11 where we’re told that it is Jesus who baptizes with the Holy Ghost; therefore, the Holy Ghost is Christ in us the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27).  
Jn 14: 17, 18, 26 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Jn 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. Mt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Col 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  
4. The same “Great Commission” is recorded by all three of the other evangelist (Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47; and John 20:21-23). The accounts of the other three evangelist must be consulted for a complete understanding of Matthew’s record. 
Mk 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Lk 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Jn 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 
5. The Greek text has: eis to onoma - “into the name.” Therefore, there is more than just authority in view here. The baptized one is put, placed, immersed into the NAME - positionally. (See questions 18, 19, and 20.)  

6. One law of Scriptural interpretation is the “Law of Witnesses.” This law requires two or three witnesses to establish any evidence (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians  13:1;  1Timothy 5:19;  and Hebrews 10:28). Matthew 28:19 is the ONLY verse in the entire Bible that mentions the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in reference to Water Baptism. Therefore, it is scripturally illegal to use it as evidence for baptism into the titles. 
De 19:15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. Mt 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’2 Cor 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 1 Tim 5:19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. He 10:28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
7. The Apostle Matthew recorded Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19; the Apostle Peter was the one who gave the command to baptize repentant sinners into the single name of Jesus, as is recorded in Acts 2: 38.  There could not have been any disagreement between these two apostles on this matter, because the Bible says, “But Peter, standing out with the eleven,” (notice that Matthew was standing with him) “and lifted up his voice, and said unto them,...” (Acts 2:14). It was during this particular sermon, with Matthew at his side, that Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38).  
Ac 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
8.  Here we give Matthew 28:19 diagrammed. The titles Father, Son and Holy Spirit are objects in the prepositional phrases, functioning as adjectives describing the single name:  
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (KJV) 

     
Apostolically Speaking,
☩☩ Jerry L Hayes
(Mar David Ignatius)

 Dear Disciple, looking for answers to Water Baptism questions? Please visit the INDEX to our Water Baptism Q & A at the link provided here: 
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/05/water-baptism-index.html

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