Is Water Baptism Necessary?

IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY?

Is water baptism necessary? Is it still necessary to do what the Apostles and early disciples did and baptize believers in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach (Acts 2:38), the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12)? Or are we to follow the teaching of this organization featured in the video further below and take baptism to mean teaching?

Now alarm bells must be ringing if we contradict the teachings and the acts of the Apostles. They were the ones the Messiah commissioned to carry on his work and his commandments.

So we must ask, where in the new testament are we told we no longer have to baptize people with water, but now baptism means teaching? Isn’t this something new that the Apostles did not teach?

Indeed, if we look at the meaning of “baptize,” we see that it is nowhere near teaching. It has all to do with water.

G907
Baptize
βαπτίζω
baptizō
bap-tid’-zo
From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: – baptist, baptize, wash.
Total KJV occurrences: 80

Most importantly, we see there is no figurative meaning. That means, it means what it says, which shows it has to do with literal water.

 

THE SIMILITUDE OF BAPTISM IN TORAH

To get an understanding of the necessity of baptism, we only have to look in the Torah.

Lev_14:9  But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.

Lev_15:13  And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

Num_19:19  And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.

Num_31:23  Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.

 

Washing in water was the method used to make one ritually clean in the Torah. However, we now have a great High Priest:

Heb 10:8-10  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O YAHUAH. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yahusha HaMashiach once for all.

So instead of each time we sin we have to be going through the process of becoming ritually clean, we baptize once in the name of the great High Priest so we no longer have to go through the process of being ritually clean through water purification.

Eph 4:4-5  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope  of your calling; One Master, one faith, one baptism,

 

THE NEW COVENANT IN MESSIAH

Most of those Hebrew Israelites who say water baptism is no longer necessary actually believe we are not in the new covenant. This they derive from the prophecies of the new covenant, all of which have not yet been fulfilled. Since all the prophecy of the new covenant has not yet been fulfilled, they say we are not yet in the new covenant.

Of course, this is like saying that the Messiah Yahusha did not fulfill all things prophesied of him when he was here almost 2000 years ago, so this means he will not be the Messiah until he returns and fulfills all!

However, they haven’t seen the similitude between the new testament (new covenant) in the Messiah and how the children of Israel entered in covenant with YAHUAH at Horeb and had to enter into another covenant in Moab. Since the law is a shadow of things to come, it shows us that the same will happen to us, but most will not see this.

Here Moses essentially told the children of Israel and the mixed multitude that were with them, that even though the children of Israel were in covenant already, the Most High did not let them perceive and understand until that day they enter into covenant with him in Moab:

Deu 29:4  Yet YAHUAH hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

We are in the new covenant in Yahusha, but we will not be able to see all of the promises of the new covenant until we are brought into the bond of the covenant (Ezek 20:37).

 

So the following promises will not be fulfilled until the Messiah returns to bring us into the bond of the covenant and return us into the land of Israel:

Jer 31:33 -34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith YAHUAH, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Aluahym, and they shall be my people.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know YAHUAH: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith YAHUAH: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

 

What do we get from the promise above?

1. The covenant is with the house of Israel
2. The laws will be in our hearts (minds)
3. We will not need to teach our neighbour or brother
4. Our iniquity and sins will be forgiven

 

So let us look at one which has been fulfilled so far in Messiah and see that the book of Hebrews tells us we are in the new covenant.

Heb 10:15-18  Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith YAHUAH, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them (Jer 31:33);

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

 

The book of Hebrews was speaking about the Messiah forgiving our sins and being the great high priest who now atones for our sins once and for all.

Heb 10:19-20  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yahusha,  By a new and living way (new covenant), which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

 

Clearly there we see that we are indeed in the new covenant. Mote proof?

2 Cor3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament (covenant); not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

 

We have looked at the question “Are we in the new covenant?” in another post. It is a “twin” post with this one. Both go hand in hand.

So the burden on us is to show in this post that water baptism is still necessary. We have to show that water baptism is what brings us into the new covenant. Indeed, we must show that we are made clean by water immersion and the gift of the Holy Spirit, purified by the Messiah once and for all (Acts 2:38).

 

HEBREW ISRAELITE TEACHING AGAINST WATER BAPTISM

I watched a Hebrew Israelite video (shown below) to see exactly why they believe water baptism is no longer necessary.

Now let me give a disclaimer. I am not here to bash my brothers, but rather to use their video as a guide for this article. It is important to address all the scriptures they use to say water baptism is no longer necessary.

Here is the video:

 

BAPTISM DOES NOW SAVE US?

Is water baptism necessary? Let’s start by looking at the following verse, which is the one they started their presentation with at minute 1:41 on the video.

1Pe_3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward YAHUAH,) by the resurrection of Yahusha HaMashiach:

They say this means baptism saves us, but not water baptism, because it says “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience.”

However, is this what it is saying? No.

What Peter was saying is that baptism saves us not because it cleans the flesh (as in the verse below from the law covenant), but now it gives us the opportunity to have a good conscience toward YAHUAH (in the new covenant). Am I just baptizing to say I am baptized or will I allow it to transform me?

 

Here is the purifying of the flesh (law covenant):

Lev_15:13  And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

 

Now here is the answer of a good conscience toward YAHUAH (new covenant):

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (WHICH LEADS US INTO TRUTH THROUGH A GOOD CONSCIENCE).

That is how baptism now saves us: not the putting off of the filth of the flesh as in the law covenant. but a good conscience that comes from repentance and baptism with the resultant gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then sanctifies us and gives us a good conscience!

 

SHA’UL (PAUL) DID NOT BAPTIZE?

At minute 4:16 in the video, this statement from Sha’ul was used to imply that Sha’ul did not baptize, so baptism is not necessary.

1 Co 1:17  For the Messiah sent me not to baptize,but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the tree of the Messiah should be made of none effect.

 

Sha’ul (Paul) they say, was not sent to baptize. Is that so?

Sadly, that turns out to be a great case of cherry-picking to fit the conclusion that we no longer need to be baptized.

How do we prove this? I if we go a few verses up, we get the context of what Sha’ul was saying.

1Co 1:11-12  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of the Messiah.

 

The context was that there was a split in the brethren and one set was aligning with Sha’ul and the other with Apollos and yet another set with Cephas. Some said they didn’t belong to either group, they were simply of the Messiah.

1 Co 1:13  Is the Messiah divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

 

The topic of baptism was used by Sha’ul to show none were baptized in his name so why are they dividing into factions? However, very importantly, it shows he DID baptize!

1Co 1:14  I thank YAHUAH that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

 

He confessed to baptizing Crispus and Gaius! Confirmation?

1Co 1:15  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

 

So confirmation that the context was him using baptism to show he did not baptize in his own name.

Then he went on to say:

1Co 1:17  For Messiah sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Messiah should be made of none effect.

 

In saying the above, he was actually telling them that his main duty was not to baptize but to preach the word. He was not saying we should not baptize!

So right away we see that cherry-picking 1Corinthians 1:17 to show Sha’ul was not sent to baptize is really misleading. These guys know scripture. How could they with all good conscience skip the previous verses and the context of 1 Cor 1:17 and say it meant Paul did not baptize?

This is also the case with several verses I saw used in the video. This is a classic case of assuming a conclusion and fishing for verses to match that conclusion.

Instead, with the bible, we must not assume conclusions, but let precept upon precept plus the right context lead us into truth.

 

BAPTIZED BY MOSES?

At minute 5:00, we see 1 Cor 10:1-2 being used to prove baptism does not always mean “with water.” However, Sha’ul was using a similitude to show physical to spiritual parallels!

If taken literally, they will draw us into error :

1Co 10:1-2  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

 

The Hebrew Israelites of IUIC use the above verse to say Moses did not actually baptize anyone with water, so it shows water baptism is not necessary. According to their line of thinking, this is since Moses did not baptize anyone, but taught them, baptism means teaching.

Let us show that that is false. Again, baptize means:

G907
βαπτίζω
baptizō
bap-tid’-zo
From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: – baptist, baptize, wash.

 

Baptism has everything to do with water and nothing to do with teaching!

So really what was Sha’ul showing here in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2?

 

He was showing a similitude, showing the spiritual interpretation of what happened in the wilderness, matching it with the new covenant in Messiah Yahusha.

1Co 10:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was the Messiah.

 

He did not literally mean Moses baptized them, neither did he literally mean the Messiah was the rock. What he meant was what happened is spiritually represented in the new covenant as baptism (the cloud and the sea) and the rock being represented in our new covenant by the Messiah. That is why he used the terms:

• Spiritual meat
• Spiritual drink
• Spiritual rock

It is all an allegory, emphasized by the heavy use of the word “SPIRITUAL.”

In other words, he was validating the fact that we should be baptized (as the children of Israel were spiritually baptized in the cloud and sea) and we should look to the Messiah for sustenance (as he is our spiritual rock). That’s all.

 

HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Is water baptism necessary? Next stop is minute 9:30, the account of John the Baptist.

Mat 3:11-12  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 

This verse was prophesying of Acts 2:38, when the Holy Spirit will be given as a gift at baptism. The fire, is the purging, the melting of the “metal” to process it and get rid of the dross. Here is the matching verse from Torah:

Num_31:23  Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.

The baptism with fire does not exclude water baptism, but means that after baptism, one will go through the fire to purge and separate the wheat from the chaff.

All those who end up as chaff shall be destroyed when the Messiah returns. This is better understood if you see our post entitled “When Are We Saved?”

 

BAPTIZED BY REPENTANCE?

Now this is really serious! At minute 12:37, he is claiming that they have already been baptized with repentance and therefore don’t need water baptism! These are their proof scriptures:

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Yahusha HaMashiach.

Psa 119:142  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

 

So by following the Messiah and following the law, they are saying they are in truth. I agree.

However, we cannot be reconciled to the Father unless we are in covenant. We must be reconciled back to him through his son (2 Cor 5:17-20, Heb 9:15)! But how do we come into covenant with the Father through his son?

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

It is REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED for the remission of sins! It is not only to repent! It is a combination of both. Both are needed to remit our sins and allow us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Take a look at this confirmation:

 

ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH

The baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch tells us once and for all that water baptism is still necessary. This is because it was performed after the Messiah departed. It is in the book of Acts and occurred after the time of John the Immerser (Baptist) and during the time of the Apostle Sha’ul:

Act 8:36-39  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Yahusha HaMashiach is the Son of Aluahym.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of YAHUAH caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

 

Plainly there we see baptism involved water. The fact that other cases of baptism in the new testament did not literally stipulate water, does not negate the fact that they were baptized in water. Why?

The Greek word for baptism means fully wet, or washing oneself. So when we see baptized, it automatically has to do with water, whether they mention water or not.

 

ABIDING IN THE MESSIAH

Now the fact that our Messiah was baptized in water tells us we must do water baptism. Why? We have no choice as believers but to abide in him.

John 15:4-5  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

Now why don’t we have a choice but to abide in him?

Joh 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If we don’t abide in him, we are rejected.

So how how can we abide in him?

1Jn 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

So if we don’t walk as he did, we are rejects. And did the Messiah baptize in water?

 

THE MESSIAH BAPTIZED TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS

Mat 3:13-16  Then cometh Yahusha from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

And Yahusha answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Yahusha, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of YAHUAH descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

The Messiah was baptized in water to fulfill all righteousness. So just as he did, so should we. We are his disciples (followers).

 

GENTILES BAPTIZED IN WATER

Is water baptism necessary?

Here is another clear case of water baptism: the Gentiles being baptized in water.

Act 10:47-48  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Master. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

As I said before, as long as we see the word baptism, it is associated with water. They do not always specifiy water, as the word itself denotes water. Here in Acts 10:47-48, it says it clearly.

 

THE DISCIPLES AT EPHESUS

Is water baptism necessary? The disciples at Ephesus were only baptized in John’s baptism of repentance and had not been in the new covenant through Yahusha. Therefore, they did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Act 19:1-3  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 Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

 

Now, what was the remedy?

Act 19:4-5  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 Mashiach Yahusha.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Master Yahusha.

 

So they were once again baptized, this time in the name of the Master Yahusha HaMashiach. Therefore we see, repentance was not enough! There had to be water baptism in the name of the Messiah Yahusha! That is the covenant that gives access to the promises.

And this is how we enter into the new covenant in Messiah.

 

Additionally, to show this was not any word or teaching, but a supernatural occurrence, let’s see what happened next?

Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

From this, we learn that repentance is not enough. It has to be coupled with baptism as given in Acts 2:38 in order to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance does not replace water baptism.

 

RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

One of the most important beliefs of our faith as followers of the Messiah Yahusha is the resurrection of the dead. This (resurrection of the dead) is something Hebrew Israelites rarely mention.

1Th 4:16  For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of YAHUAH: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first:

 

This is based on the belief that Messiah rose first from the dead as firstfruits, as the firstborn, then other believers who die shall rise at his coming. This belief in the resurrection of the dead is so important, it goes to the core of our belief in Messiah:

1Co 15:16-18  For if the dead rise not, then is not Messiah raised: And if Messiah be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Messiah are perished.

 

In other words, without the resurrection of the dead, we have no hope.

But how do we prepare for this resurrection of the dead? We BAPTIZE!

1Co 15:29  Else what shall they do which are baptized for the (resurrection of the) dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

 

Baptism is the preparation of our bodies for resurrection!

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of YAHUAH, who hath raised him from the dead.

Baptism here is being likened to the death of the Messiah. When we go under the water, that is our burial. When we are raised up out of the water, it is our spiritual rising from the dead, just as the Messiah arose from the dead through the power of YAHUAH.

 

So baptism prepares us for the resurrection bodies.

1Co 15:42-44  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

The spiritual body, ready to be resurrected when Messiah returns, must be born of water and the spirit.

Joh 3:5-6  Yahusha answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of YAHUAH. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Baptism is, therefore, an essential element in our hope of the resurrection of the dead! Why are we then teaching the water baptism is not necessary?

 

NATURAL BODY VS SPIRITUAL BODY

But there is more. This should have been a post by itself as it is so often overlooked.

We must understand that there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.

1Co 15:41-44  There is one splendour of the sun, and another splendour of the moon, and another splendour of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in splendour,

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

The natural body that all man born of a woman receives, is under the penalty of death as a result of the sin of the first Adam. However, the second Adam (Yahusha HaMashiach) was sent to save us from the penalty of sin, which is death. Through belief (faith) in him, we can be spared the penalty and receive a spiritual body.

1Co 15:45-49 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

So how do we bear the image of the heavenly? How do we receive the redemption of our bodies so it can be raised incorruptible?

 

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

John 3:3  Yahusha answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of YAHUAH.

The Pharisee Nicodemus came to the Messiah by night, and the first thing the Messiah told him was that he must be born again. Then…

Joh 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

 

Nicodemus asked the natural question. The answer literally tells us why we need baptism. Here the Messiah replied:

Joh 3:5  Yahusha answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of YAHUAH.

What was the Messiah telling him? You have to be reborn to enter the kingdom. We have to once again replicate the process of birth when we are born of water. Let’s start with the natural birth, born of water:

 

THE AMNIOTIC SAC AND FLUID (BORN OF FLESH)

Inside the sac, the amniotic fluid helps to cushion the baby from bumps and injury, and maintains constant temperature for the baby. It also helps your baby’s lungs, digestive system and musculoskeletal system to develop.

Amniotic fluid is mainly water. The amount of amniotic fluid increases gradually during pregnancy until about week 38, when it reduces slightly until the baby’s born. Source.

That is our natural birth, born of water. Just as we were submerged in the water before our natural birth, we must go back and be submerged in the water for our spiritual rebirth!

 

BAPTISM: BORN OF THE SPIRIT

The Messiah was telling Nicodemus that the process of birth has to be repeated and it must be of water. That is how we are born again of the Spirit, receive the gift of the Spirit and are able to be converted into new spiritual. beings. That is why in Acts 2:38, they were baptized in water.

Now the next verse matches with 1 Cor 15:45-49 where it tells us about the first Adam being earthy and the second Adam being heavenly:

Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

Everyone is born of the flesh, but all have to be born again of water in order to be born of the Spirit! What is the process?

1. Repentance
2. Baptism
3. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

So repentance and baptism are necessary for one to be born of the Spirit (John 3:6)!

 

TESTIMONY OF THE 3 WITNESSES:
WATER, BLOOD, AND THE SPIRIT BEARING RECORD

Yahuchanon (John) also told us about the 3 witnesses in Messiah.

1Jn 5:5-6  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Yahusha is the Son of YAHUAH? This is he that came by water and blood, even Yahusha HaMashiach; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Now verse 8 goes on to tell us of the three witnesses in the earth. All 3 witnesses must be present to agree!

1Jn 5:8  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

 

So, in other words, all three are necessary to bear witness in the earth. This means we must be baptized in water to bear witness with the blood of the Messiah and the Holy Spirit. Here are the witnesses that bear testimony of our faith and obedience:

1. Water (baptism)
2. The Blood (of Yahusha which sanctifies us through faith
3. The Holy Spirit (the gift from repentance and baptism)

That is why we have:

Act 5:31-32  Him hath YAHUAH exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom YAHUAH hath given to them that obey him.

Hence the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey YAHUAH.

 

OBEDIENCE TO REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

But obedience to what though?

For the answer to this question, we just need to see how we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to see exactly what we have to obey:

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

So this is the obedience for which we are given the Holy Spirit:

1. Repent
2. Be baptized

Baptism is 100% essential. It is not a choice, nor a show: it is an act of faith and obedience. What’s more, it is deeply spiritual: essential to us being born again and receiving a spiritual body for eternal life.

 

BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE YOU BY ITSELF

However, here is one point on which we agree. the act of baptism by itself does not save you.

We see people baptize time and time again, only to return to the same state, often to worse states than before.

We should know that he that endures to the end shall be saved. But we must also know that the Messiah came to baptize us in the Holy Spirit and fire. This means we will go through a purging period as well as a time of trial, tests, and tribulations.

If we endure to the end we will be the wheat who will be brought into the barn. If we do not endure, then we are the chaff who will be rejected and burned.

However, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we need to be in covenant with the Father through Messiah Yahusha. This we do through baptism.

 

This Holy Spirit was promised to the disciples:

Joh_14:17  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.

Given to the disciples:

Act 2:3-4  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And they were instructed through the Holy Spirit how other disciples can get the Holy Spirit:

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

CONCLUSION: IS WATER BAPTISM NECESSARY?

Is water baptism necessary? A better question would be, why should I reject it now? Where are the instructions that we should no longer do water baptism? Why did my Messiah do it and say it is to fulfill all righteousness? If I do not do it, doesn’t that mean I have not fulfilled all righteousness?

It is quite clear to me that water baptism is absolutely necessary. There is nothing in the Bible that tells me not to do it.

On the contrary, the Bible gives several instances where it is shown as being of absolute necessity.

However, the brother in the video and I agree on one thing: we need to change.

But what causes the change? It is the Holy Spirit (John 16:13): being born of the Spirit.

How do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Through obedience (Acts 5:32).

Where does our obedience begin?

Enter into covenant with the Father through his son: repent and baptize and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

 

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE BY BAPTIZING?

The big question is, what do you have to lose by baptizing? Is there a penalty that if you baptize you will not inherit the kingdom?

No, really, stop and think about it. The Bible shows that:

• The Messiah was baptized
• The Apostles were baptized
• The Apostles baptized others
• The early disciples after the departure of the Messiah were baptized

So why should we not baptize? Show me where in scripture it tells us that if we baptize we cannot enter the kingdom?

But I can show you where if you are not baptized, you cannot enter the kingdom (John 3:5, Acts 2:38).

Therefore, we must see that there is a spirit that is leading this error, to deprive the people of YAHUAH from the promises of YAHUAH. This is very, very important as I am seeing after writing this post.

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST to help others out of this deception.

 

DISOBEDIENCE

Let us not be disobedient. Refusal to follow water baptism, the instructions of the Messiah is disobeying his commandments. As a result of our disobedience, the Messiah will not be our head cornerstone, but a stumbling stone and an offensive rock!

1Pe_2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

 

Please, do not be deceived by religious groups! Prove all things for yourself: hold fast that which is good. Water baptism? So it is to fulfill all righteousness.

Mat 3:14-15  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Yahusha answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

This teaching matches perfectly with the previous post. Both walk hand-in-hand. It is yet another understanding that the Hebrew Israelites do not get. It is highly recommended that you check this out: Are We In The New Covenant?