Baptism

By Dan Baxley

www.yahshuaservant.com

This is s subject that has come up on several occasions but for most believers they are satisfied with the baptism they have already received.  To me, while baptism is important, it is a personal decision and usually comes about when someone had experienced some kind of repentance and is shown the light to the world, catching a glimpse of salvation and the joy to come -- the answer to this world's problems and they believe in the Messiah as King of Kings, coming to set things not just in this world but in our own personal lives.  In this be become a new person and for some this is a minor change in  our lives and for others it is a major change, moving from the path of destruction to the path of life.

No one can question your baptism but realize the Christians are not the only group to practice the 'doctrine' of Baptism and not everyone agrees with how this doctrine is to be conducted.  Sprinkling, immersion, river washing, by tub or tank or cup and even spitting on the person.  Some claim the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and practice this kind of disbelieve every chance they get, usually at every meeting they go to.  I say disbelief because this by their actions they are saying their original baptism did not take and therefore they need to do it again and again.  I realize this is not how they see it, they see it as being "slain in the spirit", as a blessing of sorts, but it is the actions of repeating over and over again an emotional excitement that feeds the flesh not the spirit.  Those practicing this kind of thing are dangerously close to those seeking after "signs" (Mat 12:39), joining that group YaHshua called an "...evil generation...".

All of that said, the question at hand is about your "baptism".  If you have been baptized before coming to the knowledge of YaHshua as Savior and you have been baptized into the name of Jesus, do you need to be baptized again?  This question is disturbing to some as they have been striving to live a life based on the Scriptures only to find out Jesus is not the Name of our Lord and Savior?  So, is you baptism before coming to this knowledge of His true birth name still good?  In your heart you know it is, but let's have a look at the truth of the word.

(Luke 3:15) The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.

(Luke 3:16) John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

(Luke 3:3) And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

This is called, by some, like the Apostle Paul, the Baptism of John,  you will notice John was preaching and teaching the Baptism of Repentance and this is the baptism most of the Christian Faith have immersed themselves into.  Becoming contrite of heart once hearing the Word of God preached and then seeking remission of sins through and by the action of being baptized to seal their intent, as a sign, of their desire to change, to bury the old person and be raised a new person, repenting of the past life -- some actually change their way of living choosing the righteous path and some do not. 

Take note of what kind of baptism John say our Messiah and Savior, YaHshua will conduct.  It will be a "baptism of the Holy Spirit and with fire".  Tell me, how many "baptisms by fire" has anyone witnessed? None, and you know why?  Because it has not happened yet, there remains a coming "baptism with fire".

More than One Baptism

I believe this baptism of repentance is acceptable to our Creator but there is more and we must understand that there is more than one Baptism. 

The Apostle Paul clearly sees two baptisms.  He did not tell these "disciples" their baptism of repentance was no good, he simply informed them they need to be baptized into His Name, that the message of John's call to repentant was concerning YaHshua.  These twelve disciples of John then did just that and as proof these twelve spoke in tongues just as did the original disciples of YaHshua on the day of Pentecost, but they did not do this, they did not come out of the water speaking in other languages, not until Paul lead hands on them.  Do you see something different here?  When the original disciples received the Holy Spirit there was no laying on of hands.  This then was an action Paul preformed for a special reason.  We see the same kind of thing happen in Samaria with Phillip.  Philip is exhibiting all of the signs and miracles and is baptizing but no one in Samaria, though obviously converted, is seen to be truly blessed -- so, enter the Apostles.

(Act 8:14-17) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord YaHshua.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

 In each case the converts are baptized into the Name of our Savior YaHshua, except for the baptism of John and then they, once coming to the knowledge of YaHshua as Savior were then baptized in His Name, but did not receive evidence of the Holy Spirit until after -- What?  Not until after an Apostles laid hands on them. 

The Apostles are the foundation upon which the Church is built with YaHshua being the corner stone.  The Apostles are long dead in the Christ.  The apostles are not being relaid anymore than you can relay the Messiah.  The building of the Church as a spiritual unit in the Body of YaHshua is not as men see it.  The laying on of hands in those times were necessary in proving to the Apostles and to the newly formed Church everything was acceptable to our Savior and our Heavenly Father.  These things proved to all just who the true Apostles were and whom they represented and at the same time, and possibly more important, it tore down the wall between Jew and Gentile, demonstrating to the Apostles, without argument that these people were to be accepted into the Church equally.  Today this is not necessary but is used by some as a work for themselves.

The Apostles of YaHshua have dead, their foundational blocks already laid in place and now the walls are continuing to  go up.  Can the foundation be laid again?  Can YaHshua be crucified again?  The simple answer is no and should not be done.  We continue on in our faith, a faith given us by our Savior.  We become part of the building of the Church, the demonstration of speaking in other languages, of signs making it know that certain people were to be allowed in, no longer discriminated against, as was the practice of the Jews.  Tod day there is no doubt as to the Messiah ans Salvation being open to all.  If, as some argue, you must have the Laying on of hands of an Apostle you would have to go dig up either Peter or Paul.  The doctrine of Laying of of Hands is a separate issue within the Church itself.  When the deacon or Elders do this it is on converts for healing or for blessing someone for a particular job, it is like an agreement of those considered leaders passed to a lay-member for special reasons, not for baptism.  It is not wrong to lay hands on a newly baptized person and ask a special blessing for them, not at all, but the idea that the newly baptized convert must them speak in other tongues or their baptism is not good is entirely in error. 

This "sign" of acceptance at the hands of the Apostles is a finished thing.  It is no long necessary to prove who is and who is not part of the Body.  Simon the magician was baptized and from what we can tell he was in it for an evil purpose (greed) and when this was revealed to him, by Peter, he requested Peter pray for him.  The true convert, on hearing Peter's words, would have fallen to their knees in repentance asking the Savior for forgiveness. 

As there are two baptisms so there are two laying on of hands and should not be confused as they are most often.  We have false Apostles and false ministers and false preachers and teachers in and out of Christianity and in and out of the Sacred Names Movement. 

So, who can you get to baptize you into His Name?  My position on this is pretty simple but not acceptable to all.  I believe another believer in the Name of YaHshua as Savior qualifies to assist you in being baptized into His Name.  This person is a tool and not part of your conversion but an outside component.  I believe you could agree with the person assisting you as to what blessings you would like to receive and this individual could afterwords lay hand on your head and pronounce the blessing.  This is my position and if you are not comfortable with having a friend, or a loved one laying hands on you and prefer the hands of a stranger, so be it.  In that case, the instrument used to accomplish the task could be a minister from a group teaching in His Name.  The one problem you might run into is the minister of a particular group may require you confess loyalty to that group, and again, there is the rub.  I personally do not think that will be a big problem as I feel there are honest ministers working within various groups that would be happy to help you in being baptized into His Name without having to make any proclamations other than you accept YaHshua as your Savior.

I myself am not a "baptizer", even Paul said he baptized no one, save for a couple of people and he was not even sure of that.  Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and he baptized no one? 

(1Cor 1:14) I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

If Paul preached the gospel and baptized virtually no one then who was doing the baptizing for Paul?  Paul spent years in various locations and you would have to assume the baptism of the converts to his message would have been going on.  Paul does not seem to make this a big issue except for his weariness with the believers chasing after one professing teacher after another not seeing the unity in the body, so he was happy he had not baptized any of them.  Still, baptisms were taking place.  We have record of the most important for the reasons given, to prove the acceptance of the Gentile population into the body of the Messiah.

I hope this will have answered some of the questions about being baptized.  I know there could be much more said, even books written, but we need to remember, this is one of  the basic doctrines and should not be something we dwell on as our goal is to grow in YaHshua, so once you have been baptized into His Name move on.

(Heb 6:1-3) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us 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 of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

Read Acts beginning with 18:24 on through chapter 19 -- Read about the Two baptisms among Believers

Read Acts 8 -- read about Philip, and "Evangelist"  (Not an Apostle) preaches and does miracles and many "repent"

Philip preaches the gospel message to the Samaritans, many of them believe and a certain excitement is evident in the account but there seems to be a missing element -- the Jewish followers are looking for a sign of some sort to indicate the Samaritans are acceptable, God approved, is you will, and while they believe and repent and are baptized they do not speak demonstrate the same signs as the Gentile family of Cornelius (Acts 10-11).  Word gets back to the Jerusalem counsel and Peter and John are dispatched to see what the problem is.  Once there they lay hands on the Samaritans believers and they then exhibit the sgins of speaking in other languages (tongues).  Philip is then told to head out and catch up with a certtain traveler and Philip does this.  He intercepts a gentleman reading out of the book of Isaih.  Philip helps the Ethiopian to not only understand the reading but to accept YaHshua as Savior and to request baptism.  Philip baptizes this man and then is immediately wisk away.  No laying on of hands, no speaking in tongues, like the Samaritans and the Apostles were not summoned -- would anyone deny the man had become a believer or not, that his baptizim was no good?  You see, my friends, where the Ethiopian was going there would be no questioning of his conversion -- there would be no need to prove to others he had received the Spirit of Truth, the Holy spirit.  This business of needing a sign to prove they were doing the right thing in baptizing Gentiles and Samaitans was a Jewish problem. 

Most people I know of that have come to the knowledge of YaHshua as Saivor were once praying in the name of Jesus.  Would anyone say there baptism was false?  Of course not, they, and I include myself in this class, were of the baptism of repentance and once coming into the truth of His Identity were then baptized again, into His Name.  This is not a re-baptism, not at all, the baptisim of repentance is a good baptism and a life changing one.  Are the prayers of the repentance heard?  Of colurse they are but when the knowledge of our Savior's true identity is reveal to your spirit then you would not continue to pray in the false name, would you?  Seeking baptism into His Name is just that, and acknowledgment of your acceptance of this truth and it is scriptural implications, is not a rejection of your baptism in repentance.  Some have had but one baptism with both the baptism of repantance and into His Name and the end product is the same -- a new convert to YaHshua.  I hope this article has demnonstrated adequately this basic understanding of the subject. 

Peace to you and yours, in His Name, YaHshua, and your servant, Dan

servant@yahshuaservant.com