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Baptism in the Name of Jesus [Yeshua]
by Robert Randle Matthew 28: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." NOTE: this statement has been used to support the doctrine of the "Trinity," but is this true? The passage does 'NOT' say in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6: 4 says, "Hear, O Israel! The LORD [YHVH] our God, the LORD is One." Jesus [Yeshua] says in John 10: 30, "I and My Father are One." John 17: 6a I have manifested [made known] Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. In order to better understand this statement in Matthew 19, it is prudent to look at Matthew 1: 20b-21, which says: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha Kodesh]. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus [Yeshua], for He shall save [shua] His [YAH's] people from their sins." So, the Name Yeshua honors the LORD's Name, 'YAH' (Cp. Isaiah 12: 2; 26: 4; 38: 11; Psalms 83: 18a). Now the question is, how was this statement understood by the disciples of the early Church? Luke 24: 47 Repentance and remission of sins preached in His Name [Jesus-Yeshua] to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Acts 2: 38 Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiyach] for the remission of sins. 8: 16b They had been baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus [Yeshua]. 10: 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the LORD {YHVH}/[Yeshua]. 19: 5b They were baptized in the Name of the LORD Jesus [YHVH Yeshua]. In conclusion, either Matthew's narrative about "The Great Commission" in chapter 28 was understood by Jesus' earliest followers to baptize candidates in the "Name of Yeshua (Jesus)" and as such, invalidates the modern 'Trinitarian' baptismal rite which is not according to this practice. Many will argue that it doesn't really matter and that either method is just as efficacious as the other, but it would seem to run counter to the several examples found in the Book of ACTS. When prayers are offered to God in the Name of Jesus [Yeshua], is it to be thought of as the same as in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son, and in the Name of the Holy Spirit, which are titles or descriptions; if not, then why not? Robert Randle 776 Commerce St. #B-11 Tacoma, WA 98402 November 9, 2009 [email protected] [email protected] http://choirboy51.blogspot.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |