Baptism

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.

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.

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.

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.