First, should my tithe be given every time I receive a paycheck and as soon as I receive a payment? I prefer to pay my tithe to you, since you all have enlightened me with this information. Also, as you may know it is common for Christians to have their children baptized at a young age, such as when I knew none of the information I know now. But I also read that after baptism if you stray away then you have turned your back on Him.
The Bible does not provide a frequency for tithing, but examples show that it took place when payment was received. Tithing is the firstfruits of our increase and should be given to Yahweh off the top because He must come first in all things.
Infant or child baptism is not a practice the Bible supports but was introduced by the Roman church. The church believed that because children were born polluted by original sin that they needed baptism for the remission of that innate sin. Church father Tertullian was much opposed to child baptism because of what it lacked. Repentance is a prerequisite to baptism, Acts 2:38. Immersion must be followed by an immediate, permanent change and redirection of one’s life of sin to one of obedience. Children haven’t even experienced life yet in all its trials and temptations. From their disadvantaged point children don’t grasp the gravity of repentance. Repentance is not a simple confession, but a complete turnaround in behavior, thinking, and action. This requires the maturity of an adult mind. Nowhere in Scripture do we find a single case of child baptism. Based on Yahweh’s Word (Ex. 30:14; Lev. 27:2; Num. 1:3; 14:29; 26:2; 32:11; 1Chron. 23:24; Ezra 3:8), we believe that 20 is the age when a person is considered a mature adult and accountable for his or her actions in Yahweh’s eyes. For these reasons we believe that 20 is the minimum age for baptism.
I want to be baptized into Yahshua’s Name. I believe that it should be done in running, living water like a river. What do you believe?
There is a tradition that baptism is proper only in moving or running water, but the Bible does not state this as a requirement. The only “living water” we find in the New Testament refers to Yahshua in a metaphorical sense (John 4:10,11, 7:38). We see no connection there with baptism. In John 3:23 we find John the Baptist at work: “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible note says that springs and streams were prevalent at Aenon. In baptism water is the agent for the figurative burial, Romans 6:3. Must that water be running then? Baptismal waters are an extension of the mikveh in type, an immersion bath for ritual cleansing. Most homes in Jerusalem had these baths.
Why do you baptize into “Yahshua’s” name? The Bible teaches that baptism is into “Yahweh’s Name.” Acts 2:38 refers to the authority of the name. Also, “we cannot dismiss Mat. 28:19, which are THE INSTRUCTIONS of Yahshua. We are NOT to be baptized “into” Yahshua’s name. We are His brothers and sisters. Yahweh is our Father, we take the Father’s name, the “family” name, not the brother’s name. Christian’s baptize into the Name of Jesus. We CANNOT and must not follow their way. We must follow the instructions of Yahshua!!
We understand that the word “name” can also refer to authority. And when it comes to baptism into Yahshua’s Name, we certainly believe that it also includes His authority. However, this concept does not supersede or replace His actual name. The scriptural evidence is clear, they were not only baptized into Yahshua’s authority, but also His Name.
The main issue with baptism into “Yahweh’s Name” is that nowhere in Scripture is this formula used, including in Matthew 28:19. This passage mentions the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Besides this formula not being used by the apostles, as we note in the Restoration Study Bible, it may have been added by the early church: “This Trinitarian formula is highly suspect. According to the Jerusalem Bible, ‘It may be that this formula “Father…Son…Holy Spirit,”’ so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the liturgical usage established later in the primitive community. It will be remembered that Acts speaks of baptizing ‘in the name of [Yahshua] only.’ Equally important is Eusebius’ omission of this phrase: ‘The facts are, in summary, that Eusebius quotes Matthew 28:19, 21 times, either omitting everything between “nations” and “teaching,” or in the form “make disciples of all nations in my name,” the latter form being the more frequent’ (Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics). All immersions in the NT were done into the single Name of Yahshua (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16).”
It’s also important to remember that baptism is symbolic of Yahshua’s death. Paul in Romans 6:3 states, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahshua Messiah were baptized into his death?” This only makes sense if we are baptized into Yahshua’s Name. Where would be the connection with Yahshua’s death at baptism, if baptism was into “Yahweh’s Name”?
There is one other reason why the Bible supports baptism into “Yahshua’s Name.” In Acts 4:12 Peter states, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The context of the previous 11 verses is clearly speaking about Yahshua the Messiah and not Yahweh the Father.
Based on the totality of biblical evidence, we maintain that baptism is in the name of Yahshua the Messiah. And as we pointed out, this is more than His authority. For these reasons, for those baptized into a different name or formula, we encourage that they consider re-baptism into the singular name of Yahshua the Messiah, as we see in Acts 19:1-6.
For more info on Yahweh’s Name please check out our free booklet: Your Father’s Name
How did John water baptize Yahshua? He didn’t baptize Yahshua into “Yahshua’s name” did he?
Besides knowing that Yahshua was baptized, i.e., submerged, in the Jordan River, the Bible does not state the formula used. However, it was likely not into His own Name, but instead a baptism of repentance. John 19:1-6 confirms that John baptized only unto repentance. Based on the scriptural evidence, the only difference between Yahshua’s baptism and John’s baptism is that Yahshua received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at His baptism, unlike those who were baptized by John in Acts 19.
Paul says we are grafted in, but are we supposed to become Christians or Israelites? Also, what do you believe John the Baptist meant in Matthew 3:9?
The Bible speaks about us being grafted into the same promise given to Israel of Old. For example, Paul in Romans 11 states, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if Elohim spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of Elohim: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off,” verses 16-22.
The olive tree here represents the Hebraic promise that was given to Abraham and the patriarchs of the Old Testament. This olive tree contains both natural and wild branches. The natural branches symbolize natural-born Israelites and the wild branches represent the gentiles who are grafted in. It’s important to realize that the same root, which represents the promise given to Abraham, bears both the natural-born Israelites and gentiles. Paul also warns here not to boast. There are many more passages confirming that we must be grafted into the Hebraic promise to be part of Messiah.
Regarding the word “Christian,” there are questions whether this word was ever used by early believers. It comes from the Greek christianos and means, “…a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ,” Strong’s. It’s first used in Acts 11:26, where it may have been applied to early believers by the local pagans. We also see Agrippa using it sarcastically in Acts 26:28 in reference to himself. Peter also uses the term in 1Peter 4:16. Since there is strong evidence that much of the New Testament was originally written in Hebrew, we choose not to use this term. Also, this term conveys a Greco-Roman religion, instead of the Hebraic faith, which is another reason we abstain from its use. No Hebrews would call themselves a Greek term.
While we don’t believe becoming a “Christian” is important, baptism into Yahshua’s Name is. Paul speaks about this in the sixth chapter of Romans. Baptism is significant for many reasons. Through baptism we find remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38. Also, those immersed into Yahshua’s Name will also share in the likeness of His resurrection, Romans 6:5. In essence, baptism is what seals us as believers in the Messiah.
Regarding Matthew 3:9, the Jews there were responding to John the Baptist and claiming that they were the children of Abraham. From their perspective, this gave them a preeminence as a people. In response, John states that if Yahweh so chose, He could make the rocks cry out. John here is simply confirming that Yahweh is not limited by man and that salvation is based on more than ethnicity, as is also seen in Romans 11.
In the third chapter of Galatians, Paul ties together baptism, the acceptance of all nationalities, and the promise to Abraham: “For ye are all the children of Yahweh by faith in Messiah Yahshua. For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Messiah Yahshua. And if ye be Messiah’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise,” verses 26-29.
Paul confirms here several critical points. One, baptism represents a type of adoption as sons of Yahweh. Strictly speaking, we will be sons of Yahweh at the resurrection, when we are changed from heavenly beings. Two, for those immersed in Messiah, there is no separation or distinction in gender or ethnicity. And three, those baptized into Yahshua’s Name are heirs of Abraham, showing the Hebraic tie in the New Testament.
Are those who have been baptized in the common names and titles still in their sins?
It is conceivable that some have repented of the works of the flesh. Yet they still may be ignorant of the only Name that offers salvation. Scripture says we must seek truth and then walk in all the light we are given, 1John 1:7.
Your question touches on a type of John’s baptism, the baptism unto simple repentance. In Acts 18 is a man named Apollos, an eloquent man “mighty in the Scriptures.” Yet he had still more to learn. Verse 25 says, “This man was instructed in the way of Yahweh; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of Yahweh, knowing only the baptism of John.”
Notice how Aquila and Priscilla furthered his education: “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of Yahweh more perfectly.” (Acts 18:26)
The passage indicates that their instruction included the necessity now to be immersed into Yahshua’s Name.
Then in the next chapter, 19, Paul encounters more disciples who had not heard of baptism into Yahshua’s Name, which is baptism for salvation as well as repentance.
“He said unto them, have you received the Holy Spirit since you 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 you 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 Messiah Yahshua. When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Master Yahshua.” No questioning, no arguing, just compliance.
When we repent and are baptized into the salvation that comes only in Yahshua’s Name, we are endowed with Yahweh’s Holy Spirit and begin to grow spiritually.
The common titles or names do not provide His salvation. Acts4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” “Yahshua” means “Yahweh is salvation.” Only in the specific Name Yahshua do we find everlasting life.
Speaking of the need for proper immersion, the Savior Himself said, “…for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.”
If a sincere believer and follower of Truth becomes aware of the true Names that he has been ignorant of, then he must accept, not reject, this truth. Nominal worship long ago effectively cut ties with Israel and the promises Yahweh gave exclusively to those who are grafted into the Israelite promise.
First, should my tithe be given every time I receive a paycheck and as soon as I receive a payment? I prefer to pay my tithe to you, since you all have enlightened me with this information. Also, as you may know it is common for Christians to have their children baptized at a young age, such as when I knew none of the information I know now. But I also read that after baptism if you stray away then you have turned your back on Him.
The Bible does not provide a frequency for tithing, but examples show that it took place when payment was received. Tithing is the firstfruits of our increase and should be given to Yahweh off the top because He must come first in all things.
