BELIEVER’S BAPTISM
True baptism is administered only to those old enough to make an independent decision and profession of faith in the Lord YAHSHUA. Until children reach the age of accountability, they are not required to be baptized, as our Lord has said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 19:14). There is no prohibition against baptizing babies, however, there is no need either. The baptism of the New Testament is a believer’s baptism of whom are those that come to faith in Christ, or in truth “the Messiah YAHSHUA.” The name of YAHSHUA is the only revealed name from Heaven. To reject the true name of the Savior is tantamount to condemnation, for we read the essence of the Gospel in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
The New Testament quotes the Savior, who allegedly said, or rather allegedly commanded, that His disciples were to baptize those who acknowledged their faith in Him and specifically baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). And yet in Acts 2:38, the apostle Peter taught that those who believed were to be baptized in YAHSHUA’S name. It is evident that the apostles acted like they never heard of baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. It has come to the attention of scholars that the Savior never said those words, but that the were added later. The apostle Peter testified, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Not only do we baptize in the name of YAHSHUA by immersion, but in everything, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord YAHSHUA, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). However, we seemingly have two different directives here, the baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost vs. baptism done in the name of YAHSHUA only. It had to be baptism in the name of YAHSHUA because the name Jesus has only existed since the 17th century. The 1st century Apostolic Church knew only the name of YAHSHUA. The historian Ernest Renan informs us that the Savior was never in His lifetime known as “Jesus” (THE LIFE OF JESUS, p. 90).
A person who is baptized in YAHSHUA’S name is someone who has made a conscience decision to believed in the Person and the name YAHSHUA as their Lord and Savior. Both the Person and His name are of equal importance as can be amply shown in the New Testament. Baptisms only in the name of YAHSHUA as stated in Acts 2 and 4 emphasized salvation exclusively in the name of YAHSHUA. Afterwards the church changed the practice of the early church, which was to baptize in the name of YAHSHUA as opposed to in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost emphasizing a later doctrine of the Triune nature of God. Further, when the New Testament speaks of being baptized in the name of YAHSHUA, the idea is that of being baptized in the authority of YAHSHUA. Many passages in the New Testament speak of something done in the "name of YAHSHUA" as a reference to the "authority of YAHSHUA" as was understood by the 1st century Apostolic Church. The later doctrine of the Trinity, a later formula devised by men, faced the consternation of being nowhere taught in the Bible. Trinitarians would add words to the Bible such as found in 1 John 5:7, which is a known interpolation. Matthew 28:19 is under suspicion of being an interpolation, which is a violation of God’s Word. We have no copies of the earliest writings of the New Testament. Regarding Matthew 28:19, church historian Eusebius (AD 260-339), who wrote Matthew 28:19 before the church had a chance to change it, for he writes the original statement spoken by our Lord, “Go and make disciples of all nations in My name” (Eusebius, THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, p. 68, Penguin Classics, 1965).
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation’” (Isaiah 12:2 NKJV).
The power in the name of YAHSHUA that comes from His God and Father is the only true power of salvation, for example, Acts 3:6 shows Peter healing in the name of YAHSHUA: "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of YAHSHUA the Messiah of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" The apostle Paul cast out an evil spirit in the name of YAHSHUA, again using the idea of the authority in His name: "I command you in the name of YAHSHUA the Messiah to come out of her" (Acts 16:18). 2 Thessalonians 3:6 speaks of avoiding those who claim to follow YAHSHUA yet live in the practice of sin "in the name of YAHSHUA." Here, the idea of the authority of YAHSHUA is also used, emphasizing that Paul's teaching is from Christ rather than His own opinion.
Being baptized in the name of YAHSHUA clearly was the intent, as the apostles did all things in His name, however, a contrast to other kinds of baptism, sprinkling, or immersed three times, as well as baptism by the authority of Jesus, which was not the Savior’s revealed name, is a tradition of men. Yet there is a clear contradiction of the two conceptions, one the baptizing in the name of YAHSHUA or being baptized in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Do you believe in many roads to salvation? Remember the words of our Savior, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
When you think about establishing a relationship with YAHSHUA, what comes to mind?
Do you know what the Bible reveals on this subject? Notice what YAHSHUA Himself has to say: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44).
God starts this relationship process and you must choose to accept or reject His calling when offered. If you accept, you have a definite process to follow that He clearly reveals in the Bible. What is that process?
1) You now know that YAHSHUA is His name, and this is the name of salvation given to us by which we must be saved, and no other name will do. After God calls you, repentance is the starting point in your relationship with Him. Without repentance, you are cut off from God.
2) After you repent, your next step is water baptism by immersion, a primary principle of the Lord YAHSHUA.
3) The next step on your road to eternal life is to receive God's Holy Spirit, which comes through the "laying on of hands," as described in Hebrews 6:2.
“Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Extol Him who rides on the clouds,
By His name YAH,
And rejoice before Him” (Psalm 68:4).
