Do You Know The Way?

"A fool shall not err in it." Isaiah 35:8

 What is truth? (John 17:17) In recent years there has arisen an ever important question. There is much controversy about baptism-both mode and formula. All I ask of you is that you forget what you are, or who you are, and let's study this question together in the light of God's Word.

 Too often you hear people say, "We believe this and we believe that." What do they mean, "we"? They mean what their sect, clan, or organization teaches, but the Word of God is personal. It should be, "I Believe" or "I Don't Believe" this or that. ..."Let a man work out his own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12

 First let us look into the MODE or form of baptism in God's Truth:

 "There is One Lord, One faith, One Baptism." Ephesians 4:5

 "John also was baptizing at Aenon because there was MUCH WATER." John 3:23

 "And they went both DOWN INTO THE WATER." Acts 8:39

 "They came UP OUT OF THE WATER." Acts 8:39

 "We are BURIED with Him by baptism into death." Romans 6:4

 We have been PLANTED together in the likeness of His death." Romans 6:5

 The above verses show us the mode or form of baptism. It is a burial in water. It is to be done by total immersion in water. These next verses show us the purpose and importance of baptism.

 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Jesus speaking in Mark 16:16

 Peter said, "Eight souls were saved by water." In Noah's time "the like figure whereunto even baptism DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US." I Peter 3:20-21

 Peter said in Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (See also John 3:5, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3) Since baptism is important to salvation, don't you think that you should be fair to yourself, to God, your family, and your friends by checking for yourself, and make sure you were baptized like the early church, by immersion, which is baptism.

According to Church Leaders:

John Calvin (Presbyterian) "The word baptize means to immerse."

 Martin Luther (Lutheran) "Baptism is a Greek word, meaning immerse."

 John Wesley (Methodist) "The ancient manner of baptism was by immersion."

 Wall (Episcopal) "Immersion was the way the early church baptized."

Brenner (Catholic) "The first thirteen hundred years baptism was by immersion in water."

 Unto What Were You Baptized? (Acts 19:3

 Now let us consider the second question or the FORMULA, taught and used by the early Church. Note the Biblical question, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was CONFIRMED by those (The Apostles) that heard Him." Hebrews 2:3 Spoken by the Lord at First:

 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19 Now let us be sincere and honest, for we must stand before God and give an account for every word and thought. It is our SOUL at stake.

Is Father a proper Name?

 Is Son a proper Name?

Is Holy Ghost a proper Name?

Any high school student can tell you that these are titles and not proper names!This verse of scripture is not a formula, but it is a prepositional phrase, describing a name.

The Name of the Father
So let us look into the Word of God for the Name. (Note: Name is singular.) What is the name of the Father? In Malachi 1:6, the Father said His name was despised. In verse 11 He said His name would be great among the Gentiles.Then look into the New Testament and see when the Father's Name was great among the Gentiles. Let us go to the Apostles who preached unto the Gentiles, and see what name they preached. "That through His NAME (JESUS') whosoever believe in Him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43 See also Matthew 12:21, Philippians 2:2, Romans 1:16, Acts 8:12, and I Corinthians 2:2.

So the only Name that was ever great among the Gentiles was JESUS which means Jehovah Savior.

Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's Name." John 5:43.

In Hebrews 1:4, Paul said that Jesus obtained His Name by inheritance. We all know that any son comes in, or inherits his father's name. I came in my Father's Name. That's why my name is George, It's my Father's Name. It was a custom to give the child the family name, so when Jesus was born, He was no exception.They would have named him after his earthly family, but He, being a child of the Holy Ghost, the angel said, "Thou shalt call His Name Jesus," because it was his spiritual family name. See also Ephesians 3:14-15, and Matthew 1:18-23. Jesus said, "I have manifested thy Name." John 17:6 What name did Jesus manifest? The Father's Name, Jesus means Jehovah Savior, read Isaiah 43:11 The Father was the only Savior. Jesus is the name of the Father. Isaiah 9:6.

The Name of the Son
There is no need to take up valuable space trying to explain the name of the Son, for any Sunday School Child should know that the name of the Son is Jesus. (See Matthew 1:18-21)

The Name of the Holy Ghost
First of all, The Holy Ghost is God the Father (Matthew 1:18-21).

Mary conceived by the Holy Ghost. Whatsoever a person is conceived by is their Father. Jesus was a child of the Holy Ghost.

 See also Ephesians 4:4, there is only one Spirit. God is a Spirit. John 4:24. Ghost is a spirit. If then there is one Spirit, the Father and the Holy Ghost must be the same Spirit and have the same name. For in John 14:26, Jesus said the Holy Ghost would come in His name, and the whole family in heaven and earth are named Jesus, the family name. Ephesians 3:14-15

 The Plan 
 So it is plain that Jesus opened the understanding of the apostles, Luke 24:45 and taught them that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke 24:46-48 So the thing we are concerned about is the thing spoken by the Lord, and confirmed by the apostles, Hebrews 2:3. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sin should be preached, beginning at Jerusalem, in HIS Name, Luke 24:47. ..."But tarry in Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high. (verse 49)

 So it is plain that the formula was not to be preached until The Holy Ghost came, (Or The Plan of Salvation), for it was to begin at Jerusalem, and they were to tarry for The Holy Ghost. (verse 49) Now we have found what was spoken by the Lord, so let's see if it was confirmed by the apostles. As the apostles were tarrying in Jerusalem, as instructed, The Holy Ghost came, as promised. People were amazed and convicted, and asked, "What shall we do?"

The Apostle Peter being the spokesman for the group, stood up with Matthew, John, James, Andrew, and all the other apostles, and as they stood, no doubt The Holy Ghost brought to their remembrance the thing spoken by The Lord in Matthew 16:19.

"Then Peter said unto them, "REPENT and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of THE HOLY GHOST." (Acts 2:38) Here we have repentance and remission of sins, preached in HIS NAME, Luke 24:47, beginning at Jerusalem.

"How shall we escape if we neglect...." Hebrews 2:3 Jesus said, "Peter what you loose or bind on Earth, will be loosed or bound in heaven." Let us go farther and see if we can farther confirm this. We know that there is no salvation in any other name but Jesus, Acts 4:12. In Acts 8:16

The Samaritans were baptized in Jesus' Name. In Acts 10:48,

The Gentiles in Cornelius' household were commanded to be baptized in Jesus' Name. In Acts 19:5

 The followers of John the Baptist were re-baptized in the name of Jesus.

Paul told the Colossians that whatever they did, to let it be done in Jesus' name, Colossians 3:17.

Paul insinuated clearly that the Corinthians were baptized in only one name, the name of Jesus,

I Corinthians 1:11-13. Mark 13:13 says that we shall be hated for His name sake.

The Lord's name is Jesus, Acts 9:5. In Romans 6:4, "We are buried with Him" (Jesus). Galatians 3:27 says that "we are baptized into Christ". In light of these and other scriptures let us study and pray for God to lead us into all truth, and realize that, "The Name of the Lord (Jesus) Acts 9:5 is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10.

History
Now let us go to the library and see what history says about baptism. There are some who will try to justify their belief by what some smart man has said, and they will say that the apostles were unlearned. But if you prefer, write to the Department of Information in Washington, DC, and ask what formula was used in baptism by the early church according to history.

In the following reference books, it is plain what history teaches.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed. vol 3 page 365-366, "The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost by the Catholic Church in the 2nd century." vol. 3 page 82, "Everywhere in the oldest sources it states that baptism took place in the name of Jesus Christ."

Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53, "The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the trinity doctrine in the 2nd century."

1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 2, page 265, Here the Catholics acknowledged that baptism was changed by the Catholic Church.

Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, vol. 2, pages 377, 378, and 389, "The Christian baptism was administered using the name of Jesus. The use of the trinitarian formula of any sort was not suggested in the early church history, baptism was always in the name of the Lord Jesus, until the time of Justin Martyr when the trinity formula was used." Hasting also said in vol. 2, page 377, commenting on Acts 2:38, "Name was an ancient synonym for person. Payment was always made in the name of some person, referring to ownership. Therefore one being baptized in Jesus Name became His personal property."

I Corinthians 3:23 says, "Ye are Christ's."

New International Encyclopedia, vol. 22, page 477, "The term "trinity" was originated by Tertullian, a Roman Catholic Church father." Now in the face of history and scriptures, how shall we escape if we neglect this truth? (Hebrews 2:3) We see in the hour of darkness in which we live, that people are coming to the truth which has been hidden by the Catholic church for so long. I have had the privilege of leading Catholic, Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist, Assembly of God, Church of God, and many others to the name of Jesus in recent years. Surely God is getting His people ready from all faiths. Whose bride are you? (The Church is the bride, and Jesus is the bridegroom.) The bride always wears the name of the bridegroom. Do you?

 Isaiah 43:9 says, "Let them bring forth their witnesses that they may be justified, or let them hear and say it is truth." Two or more witnesses are needed to establish anything. (II Corinthians 13:1, Matthew 18:16, Deuteronomy 19:15, Numbers 35:30, I Timothy 5:19) If therefore you cannot bring more than one witness for your doctrine, it is not sound. If you do not have witnesses, hear, and say it is truth. (Isaiah 43:9) I will list some scriptures for my doctrine and I will give you the same privilege. Please fill out the following and mail to me.

Scriptures for Baptism in Jesus Name: Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19, Acts 4:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 10:43, Acts 19:5, Romans 6:3, Colossians 3:17.

Scriptures for Baptism saying, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Nowhere in the Scripture or earliest Church history was anyone baptized any way except in Jesus' Name, so bring your witnesses or you cannot be justified.

My prayer is that you will read and study this tract, and obey the Word of God from the depths of your heart. Bear the reproach of Jesus Name, don't follow the Catholic Church to destruction. (Romans 2:12, James 1:23-25)                                            

Written by the late, Elder C.E. George

Syllogisms from "Who Is Jesus?"

(From a tract Dad wrote many years ago.)

We all have ONE Father (Malachi 2:10)

God is our Father (Isaiah 64:8)

Jesus is the Father (Isaiah 9:6)

Conclusion: Jesus is God the Father in the flesh.

God is the Almighty (Genesis 35:11)

Jesus is the Almighty (Revelations 1:8)

There can only be one Almighty.

Conclusion: Jesus is God  Almighty.

God is the First and the Last. 

Jesus is the First and the Last (Revelation 1:11)

There can only be one who is the First and the Last. 

Conclusion: Jesus is God, the First and the Last.

Jehovah was Pierced (Zechariah 12:10)

Jesus was pierced (John 26:27)

Only Jesus was crucified for us.

Conclusion: Jesus was Jehovah, who was pierced.

Jehovah was God, the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Jesus was God, the Lord (John 29:28, Isaiah 9:6)

There is only one Lord and God (Ephesians 4:4-5)

The Lord said he was Jesus (Acts 9:5)

Conclusion: Jesus is the Lord God.

God is the Creator (Genesis 1:1)

God created all things by Himself (Isaiah 44:24)

Jesus created all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17)

Conclusion: Jesus was God the Creator, come in the flesh.

God was the Savior, there was none beside Him (Isaiah 43:3)

Jesus was the Savior (John 4:42, Acts 4:12)

Conclusion: Jesus was God the Savior in the flesh.

God was the King of Glory (Psalm 24:7-10)

Jesus is the King of Glory (I Corinthians 2:8)

There is only one King of Glory (I Timothy 6:15)

Conclusion: Jesus is the Lord God, the King of Glory.

God is the "I AM" (Exodus 3:13-14)

Jesus is the "I AM" (John 8:24-28)

There is only one "I AM" (Isaiah 44:6, 43:10)

Conclusion: Jesus was God the "I AM" manifested in the flesh.

Prophecy said, "In that day Jehovah God will have:"

1. One Name (Zechariah 14:9)

2. His Son inherited His Name (Hebrews 1:4)

3. He came in His Father's Name (John 5:43)

4. His Name was above all other names (Philippians 2:9)

5. Salvation was in the Name of Jesus alone (Acts 4:12)

6. The angel called His Name Jesus (Matthew 1:21)

7. The whole family of heaven and earth is called by His Name (Ephesians 3:14)

8. The Name above every name is the Name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-10)

Conclusion: Jesus must be the one Jehovah in the flesh (Matthew 1:23)