THE FATHER,
SON, AND HOLY GHOST
OR
JESUS ONLY?
(ONENESS)
There has come one question that a lot of Christians have controversy over. How should we be baptized? In the name of Jesus only, or in the name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Ghost.
I personally have found this issue very upsetting.
There is more to this than just how to baptize in water, as far as in the name of Jesus only, or in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Ghost?
The real question here is do we believe that there is a “Trinity” Godhead or “Jesus Only”?
I do not see how that some can teach; not accepting baptizing in the Name of the Father, The Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Ghost is the gospel, when Jesus himself commanded us to do.
These same people that do not accept the Trinity of the Godhead teach the following teaching: God “revealed Himself in the Old Testament as “Jehovah” and in the New Testament revealed Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ is thus the one true God manifested in flesh and the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God/the resurrected Christ.
You may say this teaching doesn’t sound bad? Well first of all Jesus was with God in the beginning, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, Jesus stated in John 16 it is expedient that I go away, that the Comforter may come, Jesus stated he would send “Him” unto us. (The Holy Spirit). The same Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus when Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan. Our Lord Jesus prayed continually to the Father, God the Father even spoke from the heavens. There are just way too many scriptures that are contrary to the “ONENESS” teaching. Therefore this is a “False” teaching.
At the same time, let’s be sure to speak what the Bible presents, in the way the Word of God presents it. For example, There are “Not 3 God’s” the Bible does “NOT” say: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. The Bible presents the Godhead as: God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God.
Let us now see the scriptures on water baptism and the way the Trinity is presented in the scriptures:
First let’s look at Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
John 4:1,2. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) Here in Mark, John baptized with the baptism of repentance. And in John it doesn’t say how Jesus’ disciples baptized.
Lets look at the following scriptures in Acts:
Acts 2:38,39 Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of Jesus) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision, which believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Jesus Christ. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, The Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Now lets look in Matt. 28:18-20 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 always, even unto the end of the world. A-men’.
This was and is a commandment from Jesus our Lord. Should ignore it because of some of the scriptures in Acts? In Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as head whether there be any Holy Ghost. And then in verse 3 Paul asked them, unto what then were ye baptized? If they were baptized in the name of the Father, The Son, & the Holy Ghost, they would have heard about the Holy Ghost.
So the fact still remains, our Lord and Savior gave us the commandment in Matt. 28 to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. If a person wanting to be baptized is confused about this, I see no problem to baptize them in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I believe this will take away any doubt.
There are still some people that will not be satisfied with this. But, it really isn’t about water baptism. These same people would not be satisfied no matter how you say the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, because the real issue here is these people do not believe Jesus is the son of God. They believe Jesus is the Father and they believe Jesus is the Holy Ghost.
Lets get into this teaching, to clear it up with just using scripture and the word states we should.
Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let “US” make man in “OUR” image, after “OUR” likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen. 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of “US”, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:
Gen. 11:7 Go to, let “US” go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
Psalm 102:25 (Heb. 1:10) Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. (See John 1:3).
Psalm 104:4 Who maketh his angels Spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
Matt. 3:16,17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straight way out of the water: and, lo, thee heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved, Son, in whom I am well pleased
Matt: 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Matt. 22:44 (Psalm, 110:1) THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL?
Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 1:10,11 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descended upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; In thee I am well pleased.
John 1:32-34 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.
That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh unto the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for he was before me.
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 1:33-36 And I knew him not, but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, a bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God|
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 12:27-30 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?
Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
John 17:1-5 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may be glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:20-24 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also me be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me: where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 14:15-21 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will
come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom thee Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:12-15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall he hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come unto the world, again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 17: 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Acts 17:29-31 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Gal. 4:4-6 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Eph. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph. 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Col. 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in the heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col. 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Heb. 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1 John 2:18-23 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that the antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us; they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son, Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
1 John 4:12-15 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.
1 John 5:5-8 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Rev. 5:1-10 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals, And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in the earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon, And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof, And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before him the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth
1 Cor. 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly: but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
II Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the lover of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all A-men’.