Salvation

Because we are unable to earn salvation through our own merit, salvation is indeed a gift (Rom. 6:23). This does not, however, take away our responsibility to obey. One requirement for all believers is to show love to Almighty Yahweh. According to Scripture, we love Him by obeying His Commandments (1 John 5:3). If we ignore this love, we will not receive eternal life (Rev. 22:14). In this way, salvation is a reward to those who faithfully follow Yahweh. The relationship is the same with our own children. While our love for our children is not based on merit, it does not absolve them of the consequences for rebellion or a lack of obedience. When children behave, they are rewarded with our favor. When they misbehave, they are punished. Looking at it from another perspective, although we cannot earn salvation, Yahweh will not reward a practicing sinner with everlasting life. He says the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom, and in 1Corinthians 6:9-10 He lists numerous sins that will keep all who practice them shut out of everlasting life. Obedience does not of itself earn passage into His kingdom but it does make one worthy of it, and also earns Yahweh's favor.

In Matthew 7:21 Yahshua said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Just professing the Name and even using it occasionally does not guarantee Yahweh's approval. One must also follow all that the Bible commands. Employing deception to draw people to fill pews reveals an insincerity of heart. Salvation is only through the Name of the Messiah Yahshua, Acts 4:12. Immersion in his Name must be pure and free of disingenuous strategies.

We know of no one in Scripture who was given a legitimate immersion by anyone who didn't believe and follow ALL that the Word commands. Acts 5:32 says Yahweh gives His Spirit to those who obey Him. It is highly unlikely that the minister is ignorant of the Names. If in his heart he knows they are correct, then failing to use them is blatant disobedience according to the Word. The other problem is that your group does not use the scriptural calendar when it comes to the Feasts. They go by the calculated Jewish calendar that ignores the scriptural new moons as well as the green ears of Abib. Therefore their Feasts are off base and don't conform to the command to observe specific days of the month established by the new moon.

Can you get the Spirit imparted through this man? In light of these facts it is most doubtful. Would we trust him with something that is as salvation-critical as immersion? No. And neither would we want to affiliate with a group that fails to practice all truth.We entreat you to make sure you are doing all in your power to be acceptable to Yahweh. YRM has an immersion service at the spring and fall Feasts, and we welcome you to join us.For an in-depth study on baptism read our booklet: If You Seek Baptism

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.