The study extracted from the book WHAT IS RESTORATION WORK? aims to clarify some doubts still existing in the minds of some brothers, presenting the true commandment of Jesus Christ regarding baptism. Subsequently, a brief summary is made concerning the theme "Brothers even though separated", demonstrating the true identity of the family of Jesus Christ.
BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Matthew 28.19 "Therefore go, teach all nations baptizing them in NAME of the FATHER, and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT”.
Note that the Master said: In NAME (SINGULAR) of the FATHER (TITLE), and of the SON (TITLE) and of the Holy Spirit (TITLE), therefore we have here three titles that indicate a person who has a name.
Jesus did not tell his disciples to baptize the nations by repeating or "mimicking" the words: Father - Son – Holy Spirit, but rather in NAME. The dear reader may ask me: Is it not the same thing? NO! Because the words Father, Son, Holy Spirit are not names, they are only titles that indicate a person who has A NAME and this NAME IS JESUS. JESUS is the revealed NAME.
Nevertheless, knowing of the opposition to the truth, we will give some reasons why we should baptize in the Name of Jesus.
Our brother Peter had just heard from the Lord Jesus (Mt 28.19) how he should baptize, had just received the Holy Spirit (on the Day of Pentecost), whose Spirit should guide him in all truth. Would it be possible for Peter to have made some error or mistake, commanding and baptizing the people in the name of the Lord Jesus? (Acts 2.38-41). No! Never!
All remission of sins is in the name of the Lord Jesus, (Lk. 24.47). Everything that is done by words or by deeds, do in the NAME OF THE LORD JESUS... (Col. 3.17).
Of all the baptisms recorded in the Scriptures, in none were the titles used: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; because the apostles well knew that the father, and son and the holy spirit; are three manifestations of ONE GOD ALONE; thus they only invoked the Name of the Lord Jesus, because it is the name above all names and every knee will bow before this name in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. (Is. 45.23, Rm. 14.11, Phil. 2.10).
See some references about baptism: Acts 8.16, Acts 10.48, Acts 19.5, Acts 22.16, Rm. 6.3, Gal. 3.27 - all performed In the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Also in Acts 4.12 we find: "...There is no other name given among men, by which we must be saved”. The family name is Jesus; if we are his children we should then take his name.
And more, the "bride" (Church) always takes the NAME of the husband; if we do not have the family name, how can we be heirs? (Eph. 3.15; 5.23).
If we are children and not merely creatures, we are also heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ (Rm. 8.14-17). Now, if the esteemed reader wants to be an heir, he will have to receive the NAME of the one who will transmit the inheritance – JESUS.
If you have only received the invocation of the titles Father, Son and Holy Spirit (note they are not names) remember that the Word says: "And everyone who calls upon the NAME of the Lord will be saved". What is your condition? In what name were you baptized?
For there is no distinction between Jews and Greeks, since it is the same Lord of all, rich toward all who call upon him. (Rm. 10.12-13).
The Bible does not register even a single baptism performed in the trinity, rather all were performed in the name of the Lord Jesus.
We conclude that Jesus Christ came to manifest the NAME of God to men: John 5.43: "I came in the NAME of my Father”; John 14.26: "... the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in MY NAME”; John 17.6: "I manifested YOUR NAME to men”; John 17.26: "And I made known Your NAME to them”
BROTHERS, EVEN THOUGH SEPARATED
It is known that God took his people out of the world of Romanist dogmas and creeds, beginning with Martin Luther, with the great reform, and continuing with other his servants until his church reached our days:
"THE TIMES OF THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS" (Acts 3:21).
It is obvious that by the name a family is constituted, all who have the same name are the same family, even though far from or separated from it.
Romanism forms a family with all who use its Athanasian creed or the dogma of the SS.Trinity; thus they consider brothers all who use their dogma in baptism, even though separated from them.
They do not accept (thanks be to God) those who invoke the NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST in baptism.
Thus: those who use their baptismal dogma participate in "its communion" and those who receive the name of Jesus form another family. They comprise another table and participate in another communion: that of Jesus, as indicated by the name in which they are baptized.
Regarding this the Code of Canon Law, promulgated by John Paul II, Edições Loyola 1.987, SECOND REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION with the COMPLEMENTARY LEGISLATION OF CNBB, in its CANON 869 paragraph 2, says it preserves "for them" the presumption of validity of baptism conferred in non-Catholic communities, with research being presented in its footnote conducted by CNBB, with evangelicals in Brazil, which is found in the entry "Baptism" of the Ecumenical Guide (Collection Studies of CNBB, Num. 21). There it concludes that the priests:
1- should accept baptisms performed by the denominations:
A)- Oriental Churches;
B)- Old Catholic Church;
C)- Episcopal Church of Brazil ("Anglicans");
D)- Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confessions in Brazil (IECLB);
E)- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil ( IELB);
F)- Methodist Church;
2 - should accept by verifying if the baptism was performed according to the rite prescribed by these Churches:
A)- Presbyterian Churches;
B)- Baptist Churches;
C)- Congregationalist Churches;
D)- Adventist Churches;
E)- The majority of Pentecostal Churches (Assemblies of God, Christian Congregation of Brazil, Foursquare Gospel Church, God is Love Church, Pentecostal Evangelical Church "Brazil for Christ");
F)- Salvation Army (this group does not usually baptize, but when it does, performs it in a valid manner - that is understood, valid for the Clergy);
3 - Must doubt and administer new baptism for those who were baptized by the Churches:
A)- United Pentecostal Church of Brazil (this Church baptizes only "In the Name of the Lord Jesus", and not in the name of the SS.Trinity);
B) -Brazilian Churches because there is doubt about the intention of their ministers;
Dear brother, do not be bound to the Romanist tentacles by the baptismal dogma in your so-called SS. Trinity; be rather in the paternal arms of Our Beloved and Glorious Lord Jesus Christ by baptism in his eternal NAME.
Extracted from the book: WHAT IS RESTORATION WORK?
Author: Pr. Samuel Alves de Arrruda.
Maanaim Publisher – 1995 – 1st ed.