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NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question: Nehemiah, I respect your privilege to air your views and ask that you respect mine. I have no reason to question your faith or your sincerity and do not do so. I come to inquire but not to attack; to challenge, not to condemn.There are three categories addressed in your posting about which I have grave concern and on which I would like to comment and pose additional questions to you.(1) Quoting you: "While Jesus was baptising, he baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost." Wherein does any scripture support the tenet that Jesus ever baptised anyone? If believers today are to be baptised in the name of Jesus only, as you state, what are we to do with Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19 to baptise in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? (2) Quoting you: "The Trinity is symbolic of one Spirit." Where does the Bible lend credence to this statement? And what exactly do you mean by it? Can you expand and add clarity to it, in accordance with clear Biblical teaching?(3) Quoting you: "The answer is not in man. We all [are in] error. The truth is in the Word." With the statement as it stands, by itself, one could hardly find fault. But you used it in this context. You said, "My advice to the gentleman who responded to my queston is that you put your trust in no man and don't let another interpret for you." With that I have questions and concerns. What was Phillip doing for the Ethiopian in the Book of Acts regarding the meaning of the passage in Isaiah? Why did Paul tell Timothy to preach the word? Why did Jesus say in Matthew 28:19 to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? Would it not be better simply to send copies of the Bible and let the recipients figure it out for themselves? One closing thought: There is a verse of Scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16, that speaks to us all, and no Christian can do himself harm by committing it to memory and stamping it indelibly upon his heart: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." Every good wish in Jesus' name. --Hank |
Bible Answer: Dear Hank, I read the posting to which you refer, and had the exact same three questions, though my conclusions are a bit different. 1)I can't find anywhere in scripture that would support Jesus baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, or in the name of Jesus (Himself) either. I can't 'do' anything with Matthew 28:19. As I said earlier, I do not believe in a 'formula,' but in a holy prayer from the heart. This is a dilemma for me, as we have Jesus' commandment and the historical record of His holy messengers. I cannot even, in good conscience, 'say' both ways just to satisfy all (human) hearers. I, personally, trust that Peter and the disciples and saints in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles had a purpose that came from God when they Baptized in the name of Jesus. I will some day stand before God, and I pray that He will see my heart, my faith, my convictions when I give answer for my decisions. My prayers in the name of Jesus are not a result of teaching I received, but of my (humble) understanding of the commandmants of the Lord Jesus, and His disciple's obedience to them. 2)I could never say that "The Trinity is symbolic of one Spirit." I am a firm beliver in a Tri-une God, or the Trinity. I have been reading Reformer Joe and his excellent attempts to explain the Trinity, and am in complete agreement with his 'One God, Three Persons' theology. (Though I prefer JVH0212's exposition) I am not, and have never been Oneness or Jesus-only. My decision to pray in the name of Jesus has nothing to do with a 'Jesus is God is the Holy Spirit' theology. I am much too simple-minded to believe in that spiritual (mystical) spaghetti :-) But, before you start patting me on the back... I am not Trinitarian! Not because I am against their doctrine, but because I do not like adjectival Christianity. I am a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One of God. I believe that He sent His Spirit as Comforter, to indwell and lead His church to the return of Christ. 3)"The answer is not in man." True, but men have been entrusted to preach the Gospel since Day 1, when Peter stood up to proclaim the Risen Savior, and new life in Him. "My advice to the gentleman who responded to my queston is that you put your trust in no man and don't let another interpret for you." I have heard both side claim Divine understanding to support their bent. Of course I read the Bible (Duh!), but I also read and listen to men. Then, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, I try to discern the mind of God.(in the cacophony:-) God's ways are always less complicated than man's, and always bear the fruit of peace and love. Thank you always for your insightful commentary. In Christ Jesus, charis |