Sermon Audio Archive

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 2/9/03 Radio Program

Question:

I offer $50,000 to anyone who can prove that we are baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Answer:

In Matthew 28:18-20, we read: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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." Matthew 28:19 is the verse which answers our friend's question. Christ said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" Several versions, instead of using the word "teach," say: "make disciples of all nations...."

Now, the question is, "Are there any disciples today?" If there are, then how did they become disciples? Jesus said they became such by being baptized "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"! If this is not done, then you cannot be a disciple of Christ!

Some people may get confused when they read Acts 2:38, 10:48, and 19:5, and read about people who were baptized "in the name of" Jesus. They teach that this is some kind of "formula" you recite for baptizing someone. This is simply not true. The phrase "in the name of" simply refers to authority. For example, if a policeman knocks on someone's door and says, "Open up in the name of the law," this means, "By the authority of the law of our land, open this door." So also is this true in Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, 10:48, and 19:5. "In the name of" simply refers to authority. Based upon the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we baptize folks for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Col. 3:17).

Therefore, the baptism of Acts 2, 10, or 19 is not a different baptism from Matthew 28:19, rather it is the SAME baptism! You see, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united. They do not do things, or authorize things independent of each other. Therefore, baptism according to New Testament teaching must be done according to the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is what Christ taught before He left this earth, and this is what the apostles practiced when they taught the truth to the world.

What is being discussed in the book of Acts is the same baptism as is discussed in Matthew 28:19. (Remember, there is only "one baptism," Eph. 4:5!) If one wishes to be a disciple of Christ, he/she will be baptized by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!! This is what they did in New Testament times, and what must be done today!

Your $50,000 is humbly accepted, I await your check................

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