Salvation

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.

We also believe that we are saved by grace through faith. However, grace does not give license to sin or to ignore our Father's commandments. Paul in Romans 6:14-15 states, "...for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Certainly not." In this case, it's important to remember how Scripture defines sin. First John 3:4 states, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." From these passages, we learn that grace does not permit or justify sin, i.e., the breaking of the law. This would include the Feast days.

Additionally, here are a few facts on grace:

• Grace is first found in the Old Testament, Genesis 6:5 and not in the New Testament
• Grace is to bring us to repentance and justification (Romans 2:4; 5:15-21), while the law provides a way to live a sanctified or set-apart life, Romans 3:20.
• We are not to use grace to justify lasciviousness or sin, Judge 4.

Regarding the Feast days, there are several reasons why these days remain crucial to proper worship. They were commandments by Yahweh in the Old Testament, e.g. Leviticus 23. They were observed by Yahshua and apostles in the New Testament, e.g. Mark 14:1; John 7:2, 37; Acts 2:1; 12:3; Acts 20:6, 16; and 1Corinthians 5:7-8. They will be observed in the millennial Kingdom by all peoples and nations, Isaiah 66:23, Ezekiel 44; 46; and Zechariah 14:16-19. And they foreshadow our Father's plan of salvation.

The fact that the Feast days were observed in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, and will be in the millennial Kingdom, confirms that we should be observing them now. Also, the fact that Yahshua the Messiah, our example, observed them is critically important to recognize.