For the word of God is...

Baptism: Father, Son, Holy Spirit?

Deviating from the specified protocol for baptism given to the apostles by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38) nullifies the power of baptism; that includes baptism using any name OTHER than the name Jesus (Acts 8:14-16, Acts 19:1-6). A candidate for baptism cannot be sprayed with a garden hose "in the name Jesus" and expect remission of sin any more than you can immerse someone in water stating "I baptize you in the name of the Most High God" and expect the remission of sin, or the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Baptizing using the titles Father, Son, and Holy spirit was not something that Jesus commanded, nor was it taught or practiced by the apostles. Even more interesting; why baptism in only three titles; why not four of five or every title of God.

One God: The Unity of Father and Son

Part 3 - The Blood of Jesus

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ(Jehovah) "opened the door" to have sin removed and provide the offering of eternal life through the new birth.It canceled the "penalty" of eternal separation from God at death. Through repentance, baptism and the new birth, God no longer remembers our sins.However, the bible tells us that God is a spirit, as such, does not have "blood", blood is the "life of the flesh", not the spirit. So how could God give "his" on blood?

One God: The Unity of Father and Son

Part 2 - The Plan of Redemption

Whatever is spoken in the mind of God is “reality”, even before it becomes a part of "our"" reality. At some point, in his will, and in his time of choosing, what God has formulated in his mind “will be” in our place of existence, but from the perspective of God, it “already” is. God is outside the realm of time. As such, the timeline of humanity: past, present, and future is stretched out before him. The bible states in Isaiah 45:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, “Declaring” the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that “are not yet done”, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

One God: The Unity of Father and Son

Part 1 - In The Beginning

The bible does not express God as a trinity. "God" is not a composite being; he is not the unification of "identities", or the collective intelligence of a shared spirit "substance." God is a numerically "singular" spirit; a being of infinite power; completely autonomous, and isolated in his existence. Unfortunately, many profess belief in a God that is multiplicitous in nature or being; explained as three divergent, yet consolidated, self-aware entities or personalities”; referenced as "Father", "Son" and "Holy Spirit." Nevertheless, God himself states that there is only one God; not ordinal in any manner. Despite the unambiguous declarations of God about himself, many doctrines still attempt to profile God “above” his own classification.

The Spirit of God Comes With Evidence

There is no denying the hurdles involved in relating to something we cannot see or readily detect. However, if we as human beings realize these hurdles, then clearly, they are apparent to God as well. Since we cannot observe God independently, we are therefore completely reliant on him to make his existence and presence known. Evidence or the perception of evidence is the basis of any belief. Belief is predicated on some foundation by which confidence in something is justified or explained. That foundation, whatever it is, is always sourced to something external.

Is Baptsim Necessary For Salvation?

Part 4 - The Properties of Salvation

The things we "do" are the expression of what we think and what we believe in our hearts; they will either confirm or deny our belief or trust in God. The "expression" of faith is essential to salvation. Salvation is a gift to humankind; a second chance to reclaim eternal life in perfect harmony with God. While God has provided the "means" and the "method" of salvation, humankind must secure their eternal destiny in God. The bible states in Mark 8:34 "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, " Whosoever" will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Is Baptsim Necessary For Salvation?

Part 3 - The Compulsory Nature of Baptism

Finding redemption in Jesus Christ requires deliberate action. Salvation is BY GRACE (God's divine prerogative) through faith. However, biblical "faith" must flower into "action." Action is the authentication of belief and trust in God. Faith "acts", "repentance" is an "act", water baptism (both the administering and the submission to it) is an "act"; there can be no new birth without repentance (1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 7:10) and no remission of sin without water baptism (Romans 6, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).

Is Baptsim Necessary For Salvation?

Part 2 - The Biblical Perspective

Since we know that God, through his word and his spirit, is our sole source of truth regarding the things of God. The question we must then ask ourselves is "What is the "biblical" perspective?" "Does "the bible" make any connection between water baptism and eternal life?" To make such a determination, we must rely on what the bible "says" and what is a "reasonable" interpretation of the scriptures. We should not wrap the word of God around a "doctrine" or what seems rational to the mind. Israel marching around the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:1–27) once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day...

Is Baptsim Necessary For Salvation?

Part 1 - The Doctrines of Men

It seems that the importance of water baptism is essentially lost in many aspects of contemporary Christianity. The modern age has given rise to all manner of unfounded arguments engineered to undermine any correlation between baptism and eternal life.Apologists justify a disconnect between water baptism and salvation by bending the word of God to the contour of human reason as opposed to submitting human reason to divine will and guidance. The objections from detractors are as diverse as are Christian doctrines themselves, but all tend share a common belief, and that is salvation is by assent alone.

A Reason To Doubt God?

When it comes to God, we cannot apply human reason to what God says or promises to do. God is not limited by “our” limitations, nor is he impeded by the restrictions imposed on us by our situations. In God’s control, we are not bound in any manner; no matter how bleak the situation seems, or how unlikely a “desirable” outcome may appear. Whatever state or situation we might find ourselves in, no matter how difficult, the terms of that situation are simply not a factor from God’s perspective. God is not limited by “time” or “resources”; every and ALL situations exist as he dictates or allows.

The Precious Gift of Time

Any serious thought given to the idea of eternity has a way of highlighting the brevity of this life. It’s rather ironic that both life and death each happen simultaneously; life beginning in the spark of conception and in that very instance the sand in our figurative hourglasses begins dissipate. The most sobering aspect of this fact is that not one of knows how long our journey through this life will last. If life has proven anything, it is that death touches everyone, from the very old down to the very young; no one is sacrosanct. The bible confirms this fact in the book of Hebrews, verse 9:27 which reads: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

One Faith By One Author

No other book in existence has been the object of more confusion or manipulation than has the bible. The "bible" is our primary source of guidance concerning the will of God toward humankind. The bible also credits God as its author. 2 Timothy 3:16 reveals its origins, 2 Peter 1:20-21 illustrates the means of compilation, Revelation 22:18-19 validates its contents, and Psalm 12:7 ensures the endurance of its truth. God is in complete control of the message to his people and humanity at large (Matthew 24:14, Heb 4:12, 1 Tim 3:16, Jn 14:26, 1 Cor 2: 10). The bible states in Ephesians 4:11-12: