Pictured here is Bro. Algie Foster the author of this message. One of the Elders of OWTHCAF
Speaking to you about Water Baptism in Jesus' name. ( See Acts 2:38 KJV )
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There are those that say or believe that water baptism is not important. There are those that say or believe that it does not matter how you are baptized, and some that say or believe that baptism should be given by saying father, son and holy spirit. So we see that there are many beliefs and ways and thoughts that man have about baptism, but what does the word say about man's ways. First of all Proverbs 14:12(KJV) tells us that "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death". Also the word of God found in Isiah 55:8-11(KJV) tells us "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it". So we find out through the word of God that man's ways are not God's ways. Man might believe or think that he is right, but his ways will lead him to death. The word of God is the only thing that is right and God says that his word will prosper in the thing whereto he sent it, and to say it more plainly, when we do things according to the word of God, it works. What does the word of God say about baptism, the Lord himself speaking in Matthew 28: 19-20(KJV) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen". Now the Lord did not tell his disciples to baptize in father, son and the holy ghost, but in the "name" of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. So there is a name involved. And in order to baptize correctly, we must first know the "name". And we know that father is not a name, son is not the name and holy ghost is not the name; those are titles. He (Jesus) is Father in creation, Son in redemption and Holy Ghost in the Church. for the word of God says in Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV) "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" So we see that Jesus is not the second person in the Godhead but the Godhead dwells in Jesus. The Lord also speaking to the apostles said in Luke 24: 44-49 (KJV) " And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." So we see now that repentance and remission of sins come only through the name of Jesus, and that the apostles knew what the name was because Jesus opened up their understanding so that they knew who the Father, Son and Holy Ghost was. They knew that the "name" was and is Jesus. That is way Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost and said in Acts 2:38 (KJV) "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." The word of God also says in Acts 10:39-43 (KJV) "And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." So if you believe in the name of Jesus you can receive remisson of sins. For the word of God says in Phillipians 2:9-11(KJV) "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This lets us know that the Name of Jesus is above every name, there is no greater name, there is no more powerful name than Jesus. For the word of God tells us in the book of Romans 6:1-6(KJV) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized 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: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. " So we are united with him (Jesus) through baptism. The scripture says in Colossians 2:12-14(KJV) "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 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." We are buried with him (Jesus) by baptism. Also the word of God lets us know in Acts 4:11-12 (KJV) "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. And that, my friend, is why we baptize in Jesus name because the word of God tells us to. Amen - Brother Algie Foster |
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