The importance of the name of our Lord shall once again be shown forth in its significance for faith, baptism, and the full salvation. In the Prophet Joel we find the prediction that those who will call upon the name of the Lord for the salvation of their souls would be saved. The promise reads,“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered …” (Joel 2:32). In the first sermon the Apostle Peter proclaimed this prophetic word to the multitude in Acts 2. The “… it shall come to pass …” through the completed work of redemption merged into “… it came to pass …” “Then they that gladly received his word were baptised; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41).

The apostle meant the same Lord the Prophet Joel spoke of. On the day the New Testament church was established he showed forth the name that was meant, “Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins …” That is the valid pattern of the administered commission for the New Testament church. The traditional triune baptismal practice is a blasphemy of the actual commission, as it denies the name. The doctrine of Christ, which also is the teaching and practice of the apostles, is found in God’s Word only. A mere reference to Christ and Peter is certainly not sufficient. Whatever does not agree harmoniously with all of God’s Word is not right at all.

The following Bible references will show us the importance of the actual baptism. The Apostle Paul includes himself when he testifies,“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Rom. 6:3-5). “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Col. 2:12).

The traditional unbiblical sprinkling of infants is called “baptism”, but in reality it is not. The Greek word for baptism “baptisma” means actually “being immersed” — dipped under. This is known by all theologians. To make things worse, the words of Jesus in Jn. 3 were terribly misunderstood and therefore misapplied, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Taken out of context, the Scripture was misinterpreted and the infant baptism was declared to be the new birth by water and Spirit. The infant does not know anything about grace or salvation and absolutely could not be born again by this administered ceremony. When asked later in life, those who have received the infant baptism most of the time do not want to hear about grace and do not want to be bothered with Jesus Christ. With the unscriptural teaching and baptismal practice we herewith charge before God those who administer these.

Baptised were originally only those who believed, and that by being immersed into the water. Like someone who died is laid on his back into a coffin and buried, so the one who died to himself with Christ is symbolically buried with Him in baptism (Rom. 6:3-11). Being lifted up from under the water the person signifies to be raised with Christ into a new life. We should no longer have discussions about God or about baptism, we should put the divine order into force again,“One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:5-6).

Philip proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ in Samaria. All who believed, men and women, were baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:1-17). After the Evangelist preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the eunuch who was reading in the Prophet Isaiah, the man said, “See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptised?” Philip confirmed, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.” (Acts 8:33-40). Even John baptised where there was much water (Jn. 3:23), because he had to administer the baptism properly. Jesus Christ our Saviour was baptised by him and then came out of the water (Mt. 3:16).

When the act of scriptural baptism takes place, both the person administering and the one receiving the baptism enter into the water. Or is there someone who dares to deny this, even though it is written? The correct sequence is still in force: sermon, faith, baptism. Who would dare to contradict God and His Word and remain in the unscriptural tradition?

In the Old Testament the name of the Lord was Jahweh that was called upon. In the New Testament the name is Jahshua, and it is the same I am, Who could say, “Verily verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58). Jahweh of the Old Testament is Jashua/Jesus of the New Testament. In the Old Testament He appeared in the spiritual body, in the New Testament in the body of flesh, because of us who are in the body of flesh, to redeem us.

Paul summarises it like this, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:9-13).

In the 3^rd chapter of the Book of Acts we read about the miracle of healing experienced by the lame man. Peter gave the answer, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!” (v. 6). In the 4^th chapter the apostles were summoned before the counsel because of this healing. They were asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” The answer of Peter was, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (vv. 7-12). The Apostle Paul, having divine authority because of his heavenly calling, writes, “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.” (Col. 3: 17).

All things means everything, and the man of God said that all things must be done in the New Testament covenant name, and that applies to the whole church throughout the course of the New Testament. Who is right? God or men? Peter in Jerusalem, Philip in Samaria, Paul in Ephesus — all were baptising in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the testimony of baptism is founded on three and more witnesses.

We can see clearly that the emphasis in the Old and the New Testament is placed upon the name of the Lord, in which all things must be done. “In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.” (Ex. 20:24b). “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt. 18:20). In Ps. 22:22 we read, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren …” In the sermon on the mountain we were told to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name …” (Mt. 6:9). In the high-priestly prayer we read, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world …” (Jn. 17:6). The Son of God also prayed, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me … And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it …” (vv. 11+26). The concern is the name, which is above every other name, in which God as Father revealed Himself in the Son. May this be heard by all the peoples, and thou, o people of God, take this well-meant warning seriously, believe it and act accordingly!

The importance of the name of our Lord shall once again be shown forth in its significance for faith, baptism, and the full salvation. In the Prophet Joel we find the prediction that those who will call upon the name of the Lord for the salvation of their souls would be saved. The promise reads,“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered …” (Joel 2:32). In the first sermon the Apostle Peter proclaimed this prophetic word to the multitude in Acts 2. The “… it shall come to pass …” through the completed work of redemption merged into “… it came to pass …” “Then they that gladly received his word were baptised; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41).

The apostle meant the same Lord the Prophet Joel spoke of. On the day the New Testament church was established he showed forth the name that was meant, “Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins …” That is the valid pattern of the administered commission for the New Testament church. The traditional triune baptismal practice is a blasphemy of the actual commission, as it denies the name. The doctrine of Christ, which also is the teaching and practice of the apostles, is found in God’s Word only. A mere reference to Christ and Peter is certainly not sufficient. Whatever does not agree harmoniously with all of God’s Word is not right at all.

The following Bible references will show us the importance of the actual baptism. The Apostle Paul includes himself when he testifies,  “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Rom. 6:3-5). “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Col. 2:12).

The traditional unbiblical sprinkling of infants is called “baptism”, but in reality it is not. The Greek word for baptism “baptisma” means actually “being immersed” — dipped under. This is known by all theologians. To make things worse, the words of Jesus in Jn. 3 were terribly misunderstood and therefore misapplied, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Taken out of context, the Scripture was misinterpreted and the infant baptism was declared to be the new birth by water and Spirit. The infant does not know anything about grace or salvation and absolutely could not be born again by this administered ceremony. When asked later in life, those who have received the infant baptism most of the time do not want to hear about grace and do not want to be bothered with Jesus Christ. With the unscriptural teaching and baptismal practice we herewith charge before God those who administer these.

Baptised were originally only those who believed, and that by being immersed into the water. Like someone who died is laid on his back into a coffin and buried, so the one who died to himself with Christ is symbolically buried with Him in baptism (Rom. 6:3-11). Being lifted up from under the water the person signifies to be raised with Christ into a new life. We should no longer have discussions about God or about baptism, we should put the divine order into force again,  “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:5-6).

Philip proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ in Samaria. All who believed, men and women, were baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:1-17). After the Evangelist preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the eunuch who was reading in the Prophet Isaiah, the man said, “See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptised?” Philip confirmed, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.” (Acts 8:33-40). Even John baptised where there was much water (Jn. 3:23), because he had to administer the baptism properly. Jesus Christ our Saviour was baptised by him and then came out of the water (Mt. 3:16).

When the act of scriptural baptism takes place, both the person administering and the one receiving the baptism enter into the water. Or is there someone who dares to deny this, even though it is written? The correct sequence is still in force: sermon, faith, baptism. Who would dare to contradict God and His Word and remain in the unscriptural tradition?

In the Old Testament the name of the Lord was Jahweh that was called upon. In the New Testament the name is Jahshua, and it is the same I am, Who could say, “Verily verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58). Jahweh of the Old Testament is Jashua/Jesus of the New Testament. In the Old Testament He appeared in the spiritual body, in the New Testament in the body of flesh, because of us who are in the body of flesh, to redeem us.

Paul summarises it like this, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:9-13).

In the 3rd chapter of the Book of Acts we read about the miracle of healing experienced by the lame man. Peter gave the answer, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!” (v. 6). In the 4th chapter the apostles were summoned before the counsel because of this healing. They were asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” The answer of Peter was, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (vv. 7-12). The Apostle Paul, having divine authority because of his heavenly calling, writes, “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.” (Col. 3: 17).

All things means everything, and the man of God said that all things must be done in the New Testament covenant name, and that applies to the whole church throughout the course of the New Testament. Who is right? God or men? Peter in Jerusalem, Philip in Samaria, Paul in Ephesus — all were baptising in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the testimony of baptism is founded on three and more witnesses.

We can see clearly that the emphasis in the Old and the New Testament is placed upon the name of the Lord, in which all things must be done. “In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.” (Ex. 20:24b). “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt. 18:20). In Ps. 22:22 we read, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren…” In the sermon on the mountain we were told to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name …” (Mt. 6:9). In the high-priestly prayer we read, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world …” (Jn. 17:6). The Son of God also prayed, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me … And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it …” (vv. 11+26). The concern is the name, which is above every other name, in which God as Father revealed Himself in the Son. May this be heard by all the peoples, and thou, o people of God, take this well-meant warning seriously, believe it and act accordingly!