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 HERE IS NOW A WIDE CIRCULATION of false belief
regarding the topic of BAPTISMS, among Trinitarians
and the so-called Oneness group of the Born-Again
movements. A Trinitarian preacher will readily
suggest Matthew 28: 19-20 which says:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit: 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."
When asked about the true baptism i.e. in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;
whereas a "Oneness" preacher will introduce you to
Acts 2:38-39:
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
everyone you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you and
your children, and to all that are afar off, even as
many as the Lord our God shall call."
This is what the Oneness believes. The emphasis of
their belief regarding baptism lies on “In the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ...” A confused listener or
student of the Bible will readily ask, "Which is to
be followed?" and then a debate will start. Hebrews
6:1-2 reads
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let go on unto perfection; not laying again
the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of
faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and
of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the
dead, and eternal judgment."
....and of the doctrine of baptisms (note: Baptisms
is in the plural form suggesting that are many
baptisms). Paul is certain that all throughout the
Bible there are many kinds of baptism mentioned. The
Israelites were baptized unto Moses in the clouds
and in the sea according to I Corinthians 10:1-2:
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the
cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all
baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;"
During the transitory period of John (the Baptist),
believers were baptized in water unto repentance;
Matthew 3:11
“I indeed baptized you with water unto repentance .
. ."
And during the early ministry of Jesus Christ and
the apostles they were baptized in water and in
spirit. Ephesians 5:26 reads
"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of water by the word, (spirit)"
But this same Jesus promised another important
Baptism which is the baptism in Spirit and in fire,
Matthew 3:11:
“I indeed baptized you with water unto repentance:
but he that cometh after me is mightier than I,
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall
baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire."
Note that the only person who can officiate this
kind of baptism (Spirit and Fire) is the Lord Jesus
Christ Himself.
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Doctrines of
Christ
