I would like to know your teaching on Colossians 2. I see that in the Q&A there is the question of the need to be baptized. From the wording it seems that this is adding to the cross, and what Yahshua did on the cross is not enough for salvation.
Yahshua paid the death penalty for our sins with His own death. His payment for our sin did not abrogate the need for obedience, however, and even makes it more imperative that we follow His example. We individually must own up to our sins and seek His atoning blood through repentance and immersion. Having paid our sin penalty He then expects compliance with all His commands, 2Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 5:9. Peter’s command in Acts 2:38, which was after Yahshua’s death and resurrection had taken place, was to repent and be baptized. Yahshua’s death on the stake did not change the necessity to be baptized, through which we participate vicariously in His death and resurrrection, Colossians 2:12, taking on His sacrifice for our sins. Baptism is also how we receive the Holy Spirit, without which we have no hope of the resurrection and salvation, Romans 8:9, John 3:5.
Q. I was baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a Charismatic church in 2003. Although I understand about being baptized into the singular name of Yahshua the Messiah, I am perplexed about it being a requisite to salvation. I believe that I am saved now. I am coming to the truth of Torah and growing daily. Does the fact that I haven’t been baptized into Yahshua’s name mean that I am not saved? I am totally committed to having it done, but where I live the only messianic Torah observant assembly rejects the Messiah and the other mainstream local assemblies would not baptize into the singular name of Yahshua. What can I do?
A. We do not believe that salvation is assured. Even the Apostle Paul realized that it was possible for him to lose his salvation. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway,” 1 Corinthians 9:27. Yahshua too taught this belief. He confirmed that only those who endure to the end will be saved, Matthew 24:14. Therefore, we do not believe that we are saved or born again until we are changed at the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4.
I believe we agree that baptism into Yahshua’s name is important. The reason we believe this is required for salvation, or more specifically for the first resurrection, is because it is through baptism that we die to the old man and become part of Messiah. This is also the only method for the forgiveness of sins. Paul in Romans 6:3-5 states, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahshua Messiah were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”
Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:23 also confirms that only those in Messiah will share in the first resurrection, “But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.” Since we become part of Messiah through baptism, proper baptism is critical. Scripture also verifies that salvation is found only in Yahshua’s name through baptism, Acts 2:38 and 4:12. I’m not sure where you are located, but I have found that if we desire something enough, Yahweh will make a way for it to occur. For example, we recently had a man fly from Ireland to be baptized into Yahshua’s name.
Q. I read your article, Final Judgement of the Last Great Day. Are you suggesting that all the evil people who have died will be given the chance to repent during the Last Great Day or final judgment of mankind?
A. We are not suggesting that all people will be given a chance in the Second Resurrection or judgment, as mentioned in Revelation 22:11-15. The Bible states there that we’ll be judged based on our works, i.e., whether we lived a life of righteousness based on Yahweh’s Word.
In addition to works, we also believe that knowledge plays a role in judgment. Yahshua the Messiah in John 9:41 told the Pharisees, “…If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” Yahweh, our Heavenly Father, does not judge us when we are genuinely ignorant. However, once we know, we have an obligation to obey and if we openly rebel, we will be judged for it. James 4:17 states, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Regarding the evil people who have died, depending on their infraction, repentance may not be possible. For example, we do not see much hope for people like Adolph Hitler who ruthlessly slaughtered millions of people. Second Peter 2:12 states, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.”
In short, the Bible confirms that all of mankind will be judged based on their works with consideration of what they understood. For those who may not have misunderstood key biblical truths, but who stilled lived a life of honesty and virtue, we believe they will be given the chance to learn and grow in the Word. However, for the person who lived a deplorable or wicked life in full knowledge, they will be judged accordingly.
What is the status of believers who have died not knowing our Father and Savior’s proper names? Are they not saved?
Yahweh does not condemn those who are ignorant of His truth. This includes Yahweh and Yahshua’s name. There are two passages that verify this conclusion:
“Yahshua said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth,” John 9:41.
“And the times of this ignorance Elohim winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”
Yahshua in John 9:41 confirms that when we are blind to the truth, sin or perhaps more correctly, the condemnation of sin, does not exist. Yahweh does not condemn a person when they are blind or ignorant to His Word. However, as Acts 17:30 verifies, once we know the truth, we must repent.
For those who never had the opportunity to accept the names of Yahweh and Yahshua, assuming they lived a righteous life based on what they understood, they will be given an opportunity in the Second Resurrection, which will occur after the millennial Kingdom. At this time, all those, except for the elect who were resurrected to eternal life at Yahshua’s Second Coming, will be judged based on their works, Revelation 20:12. For those who never had the chance to hear the truth, but who lived a moral and pleasing life, they will be given a chance to accept and receive eternal life at at this time.
Kindly help me understand what it means to be called by the Name of Yahweh as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that says “if my people who are called by my name…”
Yahweh is more than a name. In addition to identifying the name of the Creator, it also identifies His people. This is similar to other religions. If you hear a person call upon Allah, you know he or she is a Muslim. If you hear someone call upon Vishnu, you know they are Hindu. If you hear them call upon Yahweh, you know they are a believer in the Mighty One of the Bible. The obvious difference between these examples is that Yahweh identifies as the one true Elohim, while Allah, Vishnu, and all other gods are imaginary.
While some say this does not include the actual calling or using of Yahweh’s name, the Bible disagrees. Scripture contains many examples showing that we are to call on His name. We are told to bless His name (Ps. 145:21), to call on His name (Ps. 80:18), to confess His name (2Chron. 6:24-25), to declare His name (Exodus 9:16), to exalt His name (Ps. 34:3), to glorify His name (Ps. 86:9, 12), to honor His name (Ps. 66:2), to magnify His name (2Sam. 7:26), to remember His name (Ex. 3:15), to sing to His name (Ps. 68:4), and to trust in His name (Isa. 50:10). With so many references to His name, there should be no question as to its importance to proper worship and identification of His people.
For more info on Yahweh’s Name please check out our free booklet: Your Father’s Name
What does the Bible say about free will and predestination? Does it support one or the other?
We believe that the Bible confirms free will. Deuteronomy 30 makes this abundantly clear: “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love Yahweh thy Elohim, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and Yahweh thy Elohim shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other mighty ones, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live,” verses 15-18.
Therefore, we reject this notion of predestination. While the Bible seems to indicate that Yahweh may predestine or call certain people to the truth, our selection is based on what we do with that calling. We also tend to believe that Yahweh knows the beginning to the end. However, He will not act or change the course of our lives based on His foreknowledge of what will occur. This would invalidate free will.
Who is our Savior, the Father (Yahweh) or Son (Yahshua the Messiah)? The Bible seems to indicate both.
From their own unique perspectives, the Father and Son can both be considered a savior. Yahweh the Father serves as a “savior” through His redemption of His people, including the gift of His only Son, Yahshua the Messiah.
Consider the following examples:
“The Elohim of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence,” 2Samuel 22:3.
“For I am Yahweh thy Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee…. I, even I, am Yahweh; and beside me there is no savior,” Isaiah 43:3, 11.
“Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I Yahweh? and there is no Elohim else beside me; a just El and a Saviour; there is none beside me,” Isaiah 45:21.
Regarding chapters 43 and 45 of Isaiah, it’s important to note while Yahweh and Yahshua are both considered a “savior,” there is not a higher or greater savior than Yahweh the Father, including Yahshua, His Son. Yahshua in the New Testament confirmed that His Father was greater and superior to Him, e.g. John 10:29; 14:28. Paul also notes this in 1Corinthians 11:3. Since Yahweh is the initiator or originator of all things, all glory ultimately returns to the Father, including the glory of the Son.
“But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of Elohim our Saviour,” Titus 1:3.
Scripture also confirms that Yahshua is a savior. Through His death and atonement, He paid the penalty and redeemed us from our sins.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Messiah the Sovereign,” Luke 2:11.
“And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Messiah, the Saviour of the world,” John 4:42.
“Him hath Yahweh exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins,” Acts 5:31.
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world,” 1John 4:14.
It is clear from Scripture that both the Father and Son are referred to as a “savior.” Yahweh the Father serves as a savior through His redemptive power, while the Son serves as a savior through His sacrifice and atonement. It’s important to remember that these facts do not infer that the Father and Son are the same being or serve the same roles. The Father is the originator of all things, including Yahshua’s own existence.
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.
It was mentioned in Acts 4:12 that Yahweh is the only name for salvation, but I read the only name is Yahshua. Can this be explained?
Acts 4:12 in essence can refer to either Father or Son as they share the same family name. The Name is the link here. Scripture calls Yahweh Savior as well, as He is the One who ultimately saves us, and Yahshua who shares His name is defined as “Yahweh’s Salvation.” So when you invoke Yahshua you are also invoking Yahweh the Father and His salvation through Yahshua.
Here is a sampling of the 64 verses that tell us that Yahweh the Father saves:
Isaiah 43:11: “I, even I, am Yahweh, And there is no savior besides Me.
Isaiah 45: 22: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am El, and there is none else.”
Isaiah 63:7-8: “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of Yahweh…For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
Hosea 13:4: “Yet I am Yahweh your Elohim from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no Elohim but me: for there is no saviour beside me.”
Where in Scripture can we read that an “ordained minister” must water baptize us?
There are two main reasons why baptism and the laying on of hands are limited to those ordained to the Ministry.
Number one, all examples of ordinations and baptisms were always by an ordained priest or minister. Consider the following examples:
Moses anointed Aaron as high priest, Leviticus 8:12
Moses anointed Aaron’s sons as priests, Leviticus 8:30
Moses anointed Joshua as leader of Israel, Numbers 27:23, and Deuteronomy 34:9
Samuel anointed Saul as king, 1 Samuel 10:1
Samuel anointed David as king, Samuel 16:13
Zadok the priest anointed Solomon as king, 1 Kings 1:39
Apostles anointed the sick, Mark 6:13
Yahweh anointed Yahshua, Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38
Yahshua anointed (healed) the blind man, John 9:6
Apostles laid their hands (ordained) the seven deacons, Acts 6:6
Deacon Philip baptized; Apostles Peter and John laid on hands for the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:11, 17
Peter baptized group of gentiles during his visit with Cornelius, Acts 10:45-46
Paul baptized and laid his hands on disciples in Ephesus, Acts 19:6
Timothy was ordained by the body of elders and for the granting of the Spirit, 1 Timothy 4:14
Elders anoint the sick, James 5:14
While we realize that ordination and baptism are not the same, they do share things in common. They were/are ceremonial practices performed by a man ordained to that office.
Number two, there is not a greater commitment in this life than baptism. Because of this, it only makes sense that a minister be involved in the process, including counseling with the prospective candidate.
So based on the many scriptural examples, along with the gravity and commitment of baptism, only those ordained to the office of a minister have the authority to baptize.
I would like to know your teaching on Colossians 2. I see that in the Q&A there is the question of the need to be baptized. From the wording it seems that this is adding to the cross, and what Yahshua did on the cross is not enough for salvation.
Yahshua paid the death penalty for our sins with His own death. His payment for our sin did not abrogate the need for obedience, however, and even makes it more imperative that we follow His example. We individually must own up to our sins and seek His atoning blood through repentance and immersion. Having paid our sin penalty He then expects compliance with all His commands, 2Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 5:9. Peter’s command in Acts 2:38, which was after Yahshua’s death and resurrection had taken place, was to repent and be baptized. Yahshua’s death on the stake did not change the necessity to be baptized, through which we participate vicariously in His death and resurrrection, Colossians 2:12, taking on His sacrifice for our sins. Baptism is also how we receive the Holy Spirit, without which we have no hope of the resurrection and salvation, Romans 8:9, John 3:5.
