Baptism

The Christian Letter, Volume One: Chapter 7

Let us consider the parting Words of the Messiah for a moment. He is leaving. His Bride will not see Him until they learn to say, “Blessed is He Who is coming in the Name of Yahoweh!” (See Matthew 23:39 and Psalms 118). What parting words would He say? What parting words would you say if from this day forth your love could no longer see you? Perhaps, “I love you dearly, and I will never stop cherishing you even a single day. I ask for you to always love me in return, and to walk in all the ways of our Saviour.”

Yet, what if we could still see my our partner … yet not be seen by that person? This is indeed the Messiah. Every day He looks at the bride worth all His Blood, and sees her making excuses to not love Him in return. The Messiah said to be baptized. That is enough for some, and, for others, all the reason in the world to fight.

My Saviour’s last words are His parting message of love and how to love Him back. The Bridegroom said, “Therefore, go and make taught ones of all the nations, immersing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Set-apart Spirit, teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And see, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

What does this immersing represent? “Or do you not know that as many of us as were immersed into Yahoshuah the Messiah were immersed into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through immersion into death, that as Messiah was raised from the dead by the esteem of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life. For if we have come to be grown together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also of the resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was impaled with Him, so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, to serve sin no longer. For he who has died has been made right from sin. And if we died with Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Messiah, having been raised from the dead, dies no more—death no longer rules over Him.” (Romans 6:3-9).

If we accept the explanations as to why baptism is not “necessary,” we will see confusing meanings, clashing instructions, and may very well lose an extremely important battle. “Yahoshuah answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he is unable to enter into the reign of Elohim.’” (John 3:5).

Baptism is important, and thus the devil will set up every argument he can against the importance of baptism shown in Scripture. The first thing Satan attacks is the Word of Yahoweh. It was the first thing he attacked in the Garden of Eden, and the Word of Yahoweh is still the first thing he attacks today. In the beginning, Yahoweh said, “Eat of every tree of the garden but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.” But Satan whispered, “Is it true that Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of every tree of the garden?’” He whispered again, “You shall certainly not die. For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” The devil still whispers, “Did He really say that? Surely you will not die.” Satan persuaded Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, telling them that Yahoweh didn’t really mean it, even though that is exactly what He said.Satan asks people the same question today, “Did Yahoweh really say you need to be baptized to be saved? Surely you will not die.” The answer: Yes, He did. Let us put aside the teachings and traditions of men, and follow the Scriptures as life giving Truth.

I urge all of you who have heard the Good News, but have not yet been baptized, to pursue this immediately. Don’t let the devil hold you at the Door. Open it! Being baptized takes only a few moments. For those who do not believe in baptism, please consider: If those against baptism were correct and baptism is not a requirement to be saved, and we are baptized, we will still be saved, but if baptism is a required beginning step, and we are not baptized, we will be lost.

The Scriptures show that baptism is a part of Yahoweh’s salvation plan for mankind. Please don’t err in the dangerous tactic of trying to use verses against Scripture. The religious leaders of the Messiah’s day tried this, but, “And Yahoshuah answering, said to them, ‘Is this not why you go astray, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of Elohim?’” (Mark 12:24).

Bible critics often consider their questions as factual, since there are no answers that appease the aggression of the questioner. So let us look at a few arguments in a peaceful manner, this way a peaceful answer may arise. Many opponents will ask, “Well, what about the thief on the cross? He wasn’t baptized, and Yahoshuah very clearly told him he would be in paradise. That proves baptism is not essential for salvation.” How could we know the thief was not baptized some time prior to his being sentenced to death? The Messiah was, after all. The Bible doesn’t say the thief had or hadn’t been baptized before being sacrificed to the Roman sun god for alleged thievery, but the Word does give light that this man was a follower of the Rabbi. Let’s say, though, he wasn’t baptized in water. This thief was indeed baptized in the Messiah as he literally performed the full meaning of baptism. He died, was buried, and was raised again, with Yahoshuah the Messiah. According to Romans 6:3-8, baptism represents being unified with the Messiah in His death, burial, and resurrection. This thief underwent a baptism the likes of which no man or woman alive today can. He got to literally die with, be buried with, and rise with the Messiah. What a blessing.

I’m not claiming we are saved by baptism. We are saved the very moment we accept Yahoweh as Saviour—however—baptism confirms our accepting the Messiah! Should we reject confirmation? If so, why? … Is it embarrassing?

Through the act of Adam, sin came into the world. The Bible shows us we all have chosen the wrong path at some point, and this is clearly true. In Adam, we do not die until we choose to disobey. No one can live through Adam. In the Messiah, we do not live until we choose to obey. All who make Him the Desire of their life are saved. Adam’s disobedience doesn’t make every baby born lost, anymore than Yahoshuah’s death and resurrection automatically makes every human being saved, thus infant baptism is foreign to the Scriptures.

Yahoshuah Himself was born of a woman. If we were born with sin, then Yahoshuah would not have been sinless. He was tempted, as are we, but He remained sinless (Hebrews 4:15). This is why we only find believing, repentant adults, who have made conscious decisions to follow Yahoshuah, being baptized in the Scriptures.

Infant baptism stems from the flawed idea of original sin. The Bible does not teach babies are born separated from Yahoweh. In fact, 2 Samuel 12:13-23, Matthew 19:14, and other Scriptures, go against it. After all, how can babies, who can’t even yet speak, sin? Sin is disobeying the Heavenly Father’s Commands. What Command has a baby disobeyed? We are born with a sinful nature, indeed, but not with sin, which a baby could not knowingly repent of. There must be knowledge in baptism, as well as a repentant heart.

Note: There are a few who believe in an alleged “sin gene,” which is only in males, and not women. What they fail to realize is that both man and woman committed the first sin, and it was woman who was first to partake. Humans have sin. Yahoshuah does not.

Other traps, laid down by Satan, come in the form of seemingly unanswerable questions like this one: “If baptism is so important, then why isn’t it mentioned in every single passage about conversion?” While baptism is mentioned in every single detailed conversion in the book of Acts, this is a dangerous, and frankly, wrongful question to ask. After all, not every discussion of the Torah in the Gospels includes, “Do not murder.” but it is still Torah. To “believe enough to follow” means to live the Gospel message, and to practice baptism is part of that Gospel message. When reading John 3:16, do not forsake verses 3-5. This shows the importance of looking at the overall picture, as opposed to simply looking at a single verse or passage.

Some passages of Scripture emphasize baptism, while others emphasize belief, and still others emphasize repentance. Some emphasize two out of the three, yet still others only mention following the Torah. Yahoshuah very clearly stated in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent we will all perish. Does that mean a Passage emphasizing repentance shows that faith is not required? Of course not. To those who have a need, the need is preached.

To a Jew, in the first century, those not raised in the Jewish faith were converted by being adopted into the Jewish faith; one of the things they underwent to do so was tevillah, which is where they immersed themselves into pool of water called a mikveh, (pronounced mik-vah), for the purpose of attaining ritual purity. Once it has been performed the convert will come up an Israelite Jew in all things. The phrase, “repent, and be baptized,” is synonymous with, “convert.”

Daringly so, John, the one who prepared the way for Yahoweh, called out for those raised in the faith to repent and be baptized. To convert from Babylon to one who truly belonged to Yah, and worshiped Him, not man made traditions. Likewise, many ministers today are in need of hearing this calling: Repent, and be baptized.

There are many facets of salvation. We need to love the Torah, yes the Word Who became flesh. We need to love unconditionally, repent and flee from sin, have faith, trust, and courage in Yahoweh, be baptized, and do good works, amongst other things. However, let it be known that baptism without love, faith, trust, repentance, and admittance, is a bath that is just a deed done for one’s own imaginary worth. It is of no value. If I keep the whole Torah and do not do it with a right heart, then it is all in vain, inasmuch if I am filled with love but refuse His footsteps, while whispering, “Did He really say? Surely I will not die.” Repent and believe enough to follow the Messiah in love. That is salvation.

The water of baptism separates us from Egypt (the world) and represents the death of the old ways. “And Kepha said to them, ‘Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of Yahoshuah Messiah for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as Yahoweh our Elohim shall call.’ And with many other words he earnestly witnessed and urged them, saying, ‘Be saved from this crooked generation.’ Then those, indeed, who gladly received his word, were immersed. And on that day about three thousand beings were added to them.” (Acts 2:38).

The children of Israel were considered “baptized” when they came out of Egypt (sin) through the waters of the Yom Suf: “For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were immersed into Mosheh in the cloud and in the sea,” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).

Ephesians 4:4-5 teaches there is only one baptism. It is the baptism that Paul underwent to have his sins washed away. Baptism consists of two parts: water and Spirit, as the Messiah spoke of to Nicodemus in John 3:3-5.Yahoshuah said we must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of Yahoweh. The Spirit is a free gift to those who pray for His Spirit.

Side note: A common saying is, “We are not saved when we are baptized in water; we are saved when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit.” However, the baptism of the Holy Spirit was never commanded; it was prophesied. The phenomenon of the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred twice in Scripture (Acts 2 and Acts 10). It never happened again in this outward, visible manner (which is what baptism of the Holy Spirit is). The “Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” as referred to by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11, is a separate and different occurrence than water baptism. This miraculous outward sign was to verify and confirm the prophesied coming of the Holy Spirit, which happened at Shavuot (Pentecost), around two thousand years ago. The gift of the Holy Spirit, promised to those who repent, and are baptized, was never a visible phenomenon. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a visible event. It does not occur today. Those who teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens today, teach something different than what is recorded in Scripture, as they teach an invisible, rather than a visible, “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Sadly, most of those who do teach this baptism of the Holy Spirit act as if they are possessed by demons, rather than by a Spirit Who leads us into Yahoweh’s desirable Torah.

People’s faith often goes downhill quite rapidly the moment baptism, a footstep of the Messiah, is rejected. Grace for them becomes nothing more than an excuse. To those who have rejected the teachings of the Messiah: Repent, and you will become a new creation in the true grace of Yahoweh, found in the footsteps of Yahoshuah’s Spirit.

“And as they were going on the way, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘Look, water! What hinders me from being immersed?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, it is permitted.’ And he answering, said, ‘I believe that Yahoshuah Messiah is the Son of Elohim.’ And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he immersed him.” (Acts 8:36-38).

After hearing about Yahoshuah, and the prophet Isaiah’s accounting of Him, why would the Ethiopian ask Philip about baptism? That’s right, because the disciple knew it was one of the first steps, and so shared it to the seeker early on. The purification of baptism happens when suffering repentance welcomes the cleansing fire of the Spirit to indwell in our new heart of love. The Scriptures of Isaiah had done just this for the Ethiopian, and His Word can do the same for us!

Every single baptism in Acts had an anointed believer baptize the new believer. A father can baptize his own children, and indeed a father could have no greater joy. Not even in the birth of his children. For once they announce belief with all their heart that Yahoshuah is the Messiah, you are given the privilege of baptizing them.

In the book of Acts we see them calling on the Name Yahoshuah only, as His Name has the Name of the Father and Spirit in it. “But the Helper, the Set-apart Spirit, Whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you all, and remind you of all that I said to you.” (John 14:26). Thus one can call on Yahoshuah as the Father, Son, and Breath of Yahoweh, as He is indeed One. Though, for certain, it cannot hurt to call out Yahoweh, Yahoshuah, and Ruach HaKodesh. Thus, with a hand gently atop their shoulder or head, lower him into the water and recite something akin to this, “You are baptized in the Name of Yahoshuah.” release them and allow them to rise up (or help them up) from the river or pool. It seems so simple. It really does.

To be baptized in HaShem is to be baptized, not by men, but by Yahoweh. Human hands perform baptism, yet it is nevertheless truly our King’s own work, and own witness. Therefore, baptism should not be seen as a work of man, but should be esteemed as an act of Yahoweh! It is not necessary to have a diploma in the art of baptism to baptize, rather, simply be baptized yourself, and walk in the faith long enough to also walk in this.

Let us come out of every denomination and rise up in His Word. It is no bad thing to grow in faith strong enough for action; therefore, if you have not been baptized, were baptized in the wrong name, or were not fully immersed, then it is of no crime unto grace to die, be buried, and rise with Him in the act of baptism.

Yahoshuah was baptized Himself (Matthew 3:15-17), and He parted by commanding the disciples to baptize and preach the Gospel as they went into all nations (Matthew 28:19). How then can we even begin to be followers of the Messiah if we refuse, or call unnecessary, His first footsteps, or renounce His great commission? Will you begin the journey with your own path, or will you follow His? Footstep for footstep is the desire of Yahoweh.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16).

May your eyes be opened in Yahoweh’s Name! “And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it were scales, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was immersed.” (Acts 9:18).

Bonus: How Not To Argue

Find out how you both came to the conclusion of the ideas that you agree about.

That little line there is more powerful than you realize.

Arguing over different viewpoints does not work because neither of you understand where the other person is coming from, therefore the other looks like an idiot. The argument continues, and separation occurs.

My wife, then girlfriend, when we first discussed religion, found something we agreed on, that we should be baptized. I asked how she came to this idea. She said, “John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah by baptizing people, and the Messiah was sinless, but was still baptized. Some of His last words to the disciples was to tell them to baptize others.” She then asked how I came to this idea, and I answered,

“The Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He does not change, and He does not lie. The Scriptures say He kept the Torah, and that to keep the commandments is love unto Him. Like you said, He was baptized, and He said to follow Him—to walk as He walked.”

After we saw the method of how we agreed on this subject, every subject thereafter was approached with much the same mindset, and, arguments have never occurred. Nor have they ever occurred about politics, because the same method applies. We agreed on education reform, and we talked about how we came to that idea, and then took that method and applied it to other concepts. With food, we wanted to be healthy. We found foods we agreed on that were healthy for us, and went from there.

Now, granted, we did not speak on education or baptism for two minutes, we talked for hours upon hours on the subject we agreed on, strengthening that concept even more. It is best to first talk about things you agree on and how you came to have those views so that you can both have the same path to conclusions. For those who are naturally argumentative, do this on a long walk, as you are less likely to fight about religion if you are on a peaceful walk.

Never raise your voice, or belittle the other person’s viewpoint. Never attack the other person’s faith. That is easy to do if they do not attack yours, but even if they do, do your best to be better than that. We all fail at times, but, once more, do your best.

Much like the Greatest Trap, there are many seriously dangerous snares, including:

“I’ve studied the Scriptures more.”

“That is what the Lord has showed me.”

“I’ve done a word study.”

“That is how the church has believed for thousands of years.”

“That is what the Bible says [after translation, without knowing history, and according to that person].”

“It doesn’t mean that to me.”

And one of the worst, “Oh, yeah! Well what about this!”

You will find all of these are traps along your path, yet:

He is same yesterday, today, and forever, He never changes, and He does not lie. If you come to anything that looks like He changed, then it is you that misunderstands, not the Creator of the Universe; otherwise, you will find yourself arguing with the Almighty Himself.

And you will lose.

Be Blessed and be a Blessing.
Shalom
-Valentine Thalken Billingsley

If this blessed you, please share it.

Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 20:22-23, Acts 8:12, 10:48, 16:15, 31-33, 18:8, 19:5, 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27, Hebrews 10:22