One Name not three!

Jesus Commanded Baptism in
One Name in Matthew 28:19 Jesus was talking to the apostles. He said to them, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations [which included the Jews, Gentiles, and mixed races such as the Samaritans], baptizing them in the name [singular] of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” If Jesus had said to baptize in the “names” He would have meant that there were three different names in which to baptize. But He said “name,” a singular noun, which shows that the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost is the name Jesus. Matthew 1:21 says, “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS.” If a person were to baptize anyone in the name of the Son he would have to baptize him in the name of Jesus, since that is the name of the Son. In John 5:43 Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s name.” Finally, in John 14:26 He said, “The Comforter . . . whom the Father will send in my name.” Thus the name that reveals the Father and Holy Ghost is Jesus.

The apostles, as they carried out their commission, proved by their actions that the name in which to baptize is Jesus. They baptized the Samaritans in the name of one divine person, Jesus Christ (Acts 8:16). They baptized the Jews in the name of one divine person, Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). And they baptized the Gentiles in the name of one divine person again, the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48). Finally, Acts 19:5 shows that the apostles rebaptized the converts of John the Baptist in the name of one divine person, whose name is Jesus.

No passage in the Bible even resembles the trinity dogma especially in regard to water baptism. After Jesus gave the Great Commission to the apostles (recorded in Matthew 28:19), He opened their understanding and explained to them that the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost actually was His own name—Jesus (Luke 24:47). At Jerusalem the apostles began practicing the Great Commission. They baptized their converts in the name of one divine person—that is, in the name of Jesus.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39).

Nowhere nor at any time in the Bible did anybody ever baptize anyone by recognizing a trinity of persons in God. The trinity doctrine is a direct violation of the Word of God.

The Oneness Doctrine

The Oneness Pentecostal movement teaches that the biblical, apostolic, Christian doctrine of God, which it commonly calls Oneness, excludes the modem doctrine of the trinity.

The doctrine of Oneness can be stated in two affirmations:

(1) God is absolutely and indivisibly one with no distinction of persons (Deuteronomy 6:4; Galatians 3:20).

(2) Jesus Christ is all the fullness of the Godhead incarnate (John 20:28; Colossians 2:9).

All the names and titles of the Deity, such as God, Jehovah, Lord, Father, Word, and Holy Ghost, refer to one and the same being. These various names and titles simply denote manifestations, roles, relationships to humanity, modes of activity, or aspects of God’s self-revelation.

The titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost describe God’s multiple roles and works, but they do not reflect an essential threeness in God’s nature. Father refers to God in family relationship to humanity; Son refers to God in flesh; and Spirit refers to God in activity.


1. There is one God with no distinction of persons.

2. The oneness of God is not a mystery, but the identity of Jesus is.

3. Jesus is the incarnation of the fullness of God; in His deity He is Father, Word, and Spirit.

4. The Son of God was begotten after the flesh, not from eternity; the term refers to the Incarnation.

5. The Word is not a separate person but is God’s mind, plan, thought, and self-revelation, which is God Himself.

6. Jesus is the revealed name of God in the New Testament.

7. Water baptism should be administered by invoking the name of Jesus.

8. To receive Christ is to receive the Holy Ghost and vice versa.

9. Believers will definitely see only one divine being in heaven: Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9 You're safe but NOT saved!

Romans 10:9; That if thou acknowledge in thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believest in thine heart, that God raised him from death [that God raised him from dead], thou shalt be safe.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)



Romans 10:9 is simply saying that if the Jews would confess Jesus with their mouths and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead, then they could go on to accept the death of Jesus (as substitutionary), the blood of Jesus and the plan of salvation that was preached by Peter and the rest of the apostles. Confession and believing would put them on the road to being safe so that they could accept the gospel and be saved.

The Wycliffe Bible translates the word "save" to "sozo" or safe to do well!

You can't get saved until you obey Acts!

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

Jesus in the Seven Feasts of Jehovah!

The 23d chapter of the Book of Leviticus gives us an account of the "Seven Great Feasts" of the Lord. They were a prophecy and foreshadowing of future events, part of which have been fulfilled, and part are yet to be.They are the "shadow of things to come, " of which Christ is the "body" or substance. Col.2:16, Col.2:17. They were "Holy Convocations" of the people. They were instituted by the Lord. The people had no voice in the matter. God promised that if the males went up at the "set time" to Jerusalem to keep these Feasts, He would look after their families. When the people became formal and indifferent, the Lord said, "Your new moons and Your appointed Feasts My soul Hateth; they are a Trouble unto Me; Iam weary to bear them." Isa.1:14. Therefore Jesus called them the "Feasts of the Jews, " rather than the "Feasts of the Lord."


The First Four Feasts foreshadow truths connected with this present Gospel Dispensation and those who form the "heavenly" people of the Lord, the Church; while the Last Three Feasts foreshadow the blessings in store for God's "earthly" people, the Jews.





1. The Passover Feast.


The Passover Feast had its origin in Egypt. It was the memorial of the redemption and deliverance of the Children of Israel from Egypt. It wasto themthe "beginning of months, " and their birthday as a Nation. Ex. 12:2. It consisted of the taking of a male lamb, without blemish, of the first year, a lamb for a family and killing it on the 14th day of the month in the evening, and sprinkling its blood, with bunch of hyssop, on the two side posts and upper lintel of the door of their houses, so that when the Lord passed through Egypt that night and saw the blood on the doorposts, He would spare the first born sheltered within. The flesh of the lamb was so roasted and eaten with unleavened broad and bitter herbs, and none of it left until the morning. Those who ate of it were to do so with their loins girded, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand, ready to leave Egypt.
The Passover Feast was to be to them as a "Memorial, " and they were to keep it as a Feast throughout their generations, and as an ordinance Forever. Ex. 12:14.

The Passover Lamb was intended as a "type" of Jesus, the "Lamb of God."
The shedding of His blood on Calvary, and our applying it to our hearts by faith, has the same effect as to our salvation, as the applying of the Passover Lamb's blood to the doorposts of those Egyptian houses had to the safety of those who were sheltered within. As that night was the "beginning of months" to them, so the moment a soul is baptized in Jesus' name and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost he/she is "born again, " and a new life begins, for Christ Our Passover was sacrificed for us. 1Cor. 5:7.

The first time the Children of Israel observed the Passover Feast it was amid the terrors of God's judgment plagues in the land of Egypt, a type of the world. Thereafter its yearly observance was as a joyful Memorial of their deliverance from Egypt. While they still observe the Passover Feast no "lamb" is slain, and no "blood" used, but when they get back to their own land they will again keep the Passover.

The Christian Church does not observe the Passover, but they do observe as a Memorial the ordinance of the Lord's Supper that Christ instituted in its place.





2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread.


The Feast of Unleavened Bread began on the day after the Passover, and continued for seven days. Lev. 23:6-8. The lamb was slain on the 14th day at sunset, which ended the day. The Feast of Unleavened Bread began immediately after sunset, which was the beginning of the 15th day. Thus there was no interval between them.

As the Passover is a type of the death of Christ, so the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a type of the "Walk" of the Believer, and there should be no interval between the salvation of a soul and its entrance on a holy life and walk. The "seven days" point to the whole course of the Believer's life after conversion.
Leaven in the Scriptures is a type of sin, so the Feast was t o be kept wit h "unleavened" bread. Ex. 13:7. Paul speaks of "malice" and "wickedness" as leaven. "Purge out therefore the 'old leaven' that ye may be a 'new lump, ' as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with 'old leaven, ' neither with the 'leaven of malice and wickedness, ' but with the 'unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."' 1Cor.5:7, 1Cor.5:8.


The-typical teaching then of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is that, having been saved by the shed blood of Christ our Passover, we are to "walk" in newness of life, purging out the leaven of wordliness, and doing no "servile work, " or work that is done to earn salvation.





3. The Feast of First-Fruits.


The Passover- took place on the 14th day of the month, the Feast of Unleavened Bread on the next day, which was the Sabbath, and the following day, which was the "morrow after the Sabbath, " the Feast of First Fruits was to be celebrated. This however could not be done until after the Children of Israel had entered Canaan, therefore the Feast of First Fruits was not observed during the Wilderness Wanderings. The Offering was a sheaf reaped from the waving fields of the ripened harvest, and carried to the priest to be waved before the Lord for acceptance, and was to be followed by a Burnt, Meat and Drink Offering, but no Sin-Offering. The Burnt-Offering was to be a male lamb without blemish of the first year.

The Feast of First-Fruits was a type and foreshadowing of the Resurrection of Christ.
The resurrection is spoken of by Paul, as the "First- Fruits" of the resurrection of the dead. As the "Corn of Wheat" (John 12:24) He was buried in Joseph's Tomb, and His resurrection was the "First-Fruits" of the Harvest of those who will be Christ's at His coming. 1Cor. 15:23.

When the Priest on the day of Christ's resurrection waved the sheaf of "First-Fruits" in the Temple, it was before a "rent veil, " and was but an empty form, for the Substance had come and the shadow had passed away, and the empty tomb of Joseph proclaimed that the "Great First-Fruits' Sheaf" had been reaped and waved in the Heavenly Temple. There will be no Feast of First Fruits in the Millennium, it has been fulfilled in Christ .





4. The Feast of Pentecost.


Fifty days after the Feast of First-Fruits, the Feast of Pentecost was observed. The space between the two Feasts, which included Seven Sabbaths, was called the "Feast of Weeks." It began with the offering of the First-Fruits of the Barley Harvest, and ended with the ingathering of the Wheat Harvest.

The First Day was the Feast of the First-Fruits, the Last Day was the Feast of Pentecost. Only the First and Last day were celebrated.
At the Feast of Pentecost a New Meat Offering was to be offered before the Lord. It was called "new" because it must be of grain from the "new" harvest. At the Feast of First-Fruits "stalks of grain" were to be offered and waved, but at the Feast of Pentecost the grain was to be ground and made into flour, from which two loaves were to be baked with leaven.

The "two loaves" represent the two classes of people that were to form the Church, the Jews and Gentiles, and as believers are not perfect, even though saved, that imperfection is represented by the leaven.
A "Burnt Offering" of seven lambs without blemish of the first year, one young bullock, and two rams, was to be offered with the "Wave Loaves, " as was also "Meat" and "Drink" Offerings for a sweet savor unto the Lord. These were to be followed by a "Sin Offering" of a kid of the goats, and two lambs of the first year for a "Peace Offering."

The "Wave Loaves" were to be waved before the Lord. Note that it is now "loaves, " not loose stalks of grain. The "loaves" represent the homogeneousness of the Church.

The Feast of Pentecost had its fulfillment on the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples of the Lord were baptize in Jesus' name and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4; 38-42- 1Cor. 12:13).




The Interval.

Between the Feast of Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets there was an interval of four months during which the Harvest and Vintage were gathered in. There was no convocation of the people during those busy months. This long "Interval" typifies the "Present Dispensation" in which the Holy Ghost is gathering out the elect of the Church, and during which Israel is scattered among the Nations. When the Present Dispensation has run its course, and the "Fulness of the Gentiles" has been gathered in (Rom.11:25) then this "the Church age" will end, and the elect of Israel will be gathered back from the four quarters of the earth to keep the Feast of Trumpets at Jerusalem. Mat t . 24:31.




5. The Feast of Trumpets.


The Feast of Trumpets, which was observed on the first day of the Seventh month, ushered in the second series of the "set feasts." It fell on a Sabbath day, at the time of the New Moon, and ushered in the Jewish New Year. It was followed by the "Day of Atonement', a on the 10th day of the month, and by the "Feast of Tabernacles" which began on the 15th day of the month, a Sabbath day, and ended on the 22d day of the month, which was also a Sabbath day. It was ushered in with the blowing of Trumpets. During the Wilderness Wandering two silver Trumpets, made of the atonement money of the people, were blown for the "calling of the Assembly, "and for the"journeying of the Camps." Num.10:1- 3.

The fact that the Feast of Trumpets comes immediately at the close of the "Interval" between the two series of "set feasts" is not without significance. As we have seen the "Interval" represents this "age of the Church, " and we know that two things are to happen at the close of the Church age.

First the Church is to be caught out, and secondly Israel is to be gathered back to their own land. When the Church is caught out-"The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the Trump of God" (1Thes. 4:16), and "We shall not all sleep (die), but we (who are then alive) shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the Last Trump; for the Trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed " 1Cor. 15:51, 1Cor. 15:52.

This "last trump" is not the list of the "Seven Trumpets" that sound in the Book of Revelation, for it does not sound until the "Middle of the Week, " while the Church is caught out "before" the beginning of the "Week." We should understand the "last trump" to be last of the Two Trumpets used by Israel,

the first, for the "calling of the Assembly, " will call out the dead in Christ.

The second or "last, " for the "journeying of the camps, " will be the signal for the upward journey of the risen and transformed saints to meet the Lord in the air.

Then we read in Matt. 24:31, that the Son of Man, when He comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory at His Revelation of Himself, shall send His angels with a great sound of a Trumpet, and they shall gather together His "elect" from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." This is not the rapture but this is God sending his angels from one in of the "Heaven not earth" to another to gather the church to come back with Him for the battle of Armageddon and to rain with Him for 1000 years.

From this we see that the "Feast of Trumpets" has a typical relation to the "catching out" of the Church, and the regathering of Israel at the Second Coming of Christ.

This is way some believe that as Jesus was crucified at the time of the Passover, and the Holy Ghost was given at Pentecost, that when He comes back the "Rapture" will take place at the Feast of Tabernacles, and the "Revelation" seven years later at the time of the same Feast. This is only an eschatological opinion.




6. The Day of Atonement.

The "Day of Atonement" was Israel's annual cleansing from sin. For a full account of the day and its services read Lev. 16:1-3. Its typical meaning was fulfilled in Christ. He is our Great High Priest, who instead of offering a "Sin-Offering" for Himself, offered Himself as a "Sin-Offering" for us. Heb. 9:11- 13. But the fact that the "Day of Atonement" is placed between the "Feast of Trumpets, " which we have seen will have its typical fulfillment at the Second Coming of Christ, and the "Feast of Tabernacles, " which is a type of Israel's "Millennial Rest, " implies that it has some typical significance between those two events. It must therefore refer to the time when a "Fountain will be opened to the House of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Zech.13:1. That is, there will be a National "Day of Atonement" for Israel after they have been gathered back to their own land unconverted, and shall repent and turn to God. Zech. 12:9-11.





7. The Feast of Tabernacles.

This was the last of the Seven Set Feasts. It was a "Harvest Home" celebration to be observed at the end of the harvest, and was to continue seven days. Deut. 16:13. The people during the Feast were to dwell in booths (arbors) made of the branches of palm trees and willows from the brook, which would remind them of the palm trees of Elim, and the "Willows" of Babylon. Psa. 137:1-3.

The Antitype of this Feast has not as yet appeared though Peter anticipated it, when on the Mt. of Transfiguration, he said-" Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three Tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." Matt. 17:4. Afterwords he saw Jesus only. Peter desired the dwelling of heavenly with earthly people on the earth, was not possible then, but will come to pass in Millennial Days (Which is a type of the Seventh Day of creation). The real Feast of Tabernacles!

The Seven Dispensations of Time

(Man's Day)

The book of Genesis has been looked at as a historical record of ancient events handed down through Hebrew traditions. This is true in a way, the greater part of the writings of Genesis are a chronological record of God's dealing with mankind. But the things that are recorded in the first and second chapters are things that could be known only by revelation from God.

Also the FIRST chapter and the first three verses of the SECOND chapter is God's BLUEPRINT OF THE CREATIVE STORY. There was no man there when God said, "Let there be light." Before we can have a clear conception of 7 Creative Days of God we must understand that what is recorded in Genesis 1:3 - Genesis 2:3 is the plan of creation as God declared it in the beginning.

The Scriptures divide time (Adam to the Millennial or the Sixth Creative Day) into seven periods, usually called "Dispensations" (Eph. 3: 2). These periods are marked off in Scripture by some change in God's method of dealing with mankind, or a portion of mankind, in respect to the sin problem and the question of man's responsibility. Each of the dispensations may be regarded as a new test of the natural man, and each ends in judgment marking his utter failure in every dispensation. Five of these dispensations, periods of time, or periods of truth have been fulfilled; we are living in the sixth, probably toward its close, and have before us the seventh.



1. Innocents: This dispensation extends from the creation of Adam, Gen. 2: 7, to the expulsion from Eden. Adam, created innocent, and ignorant of good and evil, was placed in the garden of Eden with his wife, Eve, and put under responsibility to abstain from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Dispensation of Innocence resulted in the first failure of man, and in its far reaching effects, the most disastrous. It closed in judgment—" So He drove out the man. (Gen 1:26; Gen 2:16-17; Gen 3:6 Gen 3:22-24)



2. Conscience: By the Fall, Adam and Eve acquired, and transmitted to the race, the knowledge of good and evil. This gave conscience a basis for right moral judgment, and hence the race came under this measure of responsibility to do good and eschew evil. The result of the dispensation of Conscience, from Eden to the Flood (while there was no institution of government and of law), was that " all flesh had corrupted his way on the earth; " that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually; " and God closed the second testing of the natural man with judgment—the Flood (Gen. 3:7,22 Gen.6:5,11,12 Gen.7:11,12,23)



3. Human Government: Out of the fearful judgment of the Flood God saved eight persons, to whom, after the waters were assuaged, He gave the purified earth with ample power to govern it. This, Noah and his descendants were responsible to do. The dispensation of Human Government resulted, upon the plain of Shinar, in the impious attempt to become independent of God and closed in judgment—the Confusion of Tongues. (Gen. 9: 1, 2 Gen. 11: 1-4 Gen. 11: 5-8)



4. The Family or Promise: God now calls one man, Abram, with whom He enters into covenant. Some of the promises to Abram and his descendants have not yet been fulfilled. Other promises were conditional upon the faithfulness and obedience of the Israelites. Every one of these conditions was violated, and the dispensation of Promise resulted in the failure of Israel's family and closed in the judgment of Bondage in Egypt. The book of Genesis, which opens with the sublime words, "In the beginning God created," closes with, " In a coffin in Egypt"
(Gen. 12: 1-3 Gen. 15: 5 Gen. 26: 3 Gen. 28; 12, 13 Gen. 13: 14-17 Ex. 1: 13, 14)



5. The Law: Again the grace of God came to the help of headless man and redeemed the chosen people out of the hand of the oppressor. In the wilderness of Sinai He proposed to them the Covenant of Law. Instead of humbly pleading for a continued relation of grace, they presumptuously answered: "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the Land is one long record of flagrant, persistent violation of the Law, and at last, after multiplied warnings, God closed the testing of man by Law in judgment: first Israel, and then Judah, were driven out of the Land into a dispersion which still continues. A feeble remnant returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, of which, in due time, Christ came: " Born of a woman—made under the law." Him both Jews and Gentiles conspired to crucify (Exod. 19:1-8 Rom. 10: 5 Rom. 3: 19, 20 2 Kings 17: 1-18 Gal 3:10 Acts 2:22-23 Acts 7:51 2 Kings 25:1-11)



6. Grace: We are now living in grace. It extends from the Day of Pentecost, when the new covenant church began and when the full message of grace was first preached, until the second coming of our Lord (The Revelation). We are saved by grace and not by works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). (See Romans 11:6.) Judgment will fall on the earth at the close of the church age, during the Tribulation. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). (Luke 21:25-28; Acts 2:1-4; 38)



7. The Millennium: This is the period of a thousand years that will follow the second coming (The Revelation) of the Lord in the clouds (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). (Revelation 20:5.) During the Millennium, Jesus will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. “The government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6), and righteousness shall cover the earth as waters cover the sea. “And the LORDshall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD,and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9). (See II Timothy 2:12; Isaiah 65:18-25; Jeremiah 31:34.) This dispensation shall end with the Great White Throne judgment: “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained” (Acts 17:31). “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). (Revelation 20:12).



*Typology*

Genesis 5:1, 2;

This is the book (BIBLE) of the generations of Adam (Mankind). In the day (Sixth Day) that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

The BIBLE is God's book to Mankind in the Sixth Day. If you read the Bible from the Old Testament to the New you will see that 99% of the Bible deals with the work of God in Mankind. We are only told a little about the First through the Fifth and Seventh day. But the majority of the Bible deals with the Sixth day. "The Bible is a Mans Book."


A.D.A.M. is a type of the first 4000 years of HUMAN HISTORY; E.V.E. is a type of the last 3000 years of HUMAN HISTORY or MAN’S DAY. Adam is the A.M. Of this day and Eve is the evening of the day. Zechariah 14:7;... "at evening time it shall be light." We are now in the EVENING TIME of this sixth day of man.


The Sixth Feast, Feast of Atonement, was a time of shedding of blood and afflicting the soul. This Sixth creative day, the period in which we are now living, the seven thousand years from Adam to the close of the millennium, has been a day of continual atonement. There has been a "Crimson Stream of Blood" from the Garden of Eden to the cross of Calvary, and the blood of Jesus is sufficient to make atonement even until the last enemy is distorted, which is death.


The key points of history (Man's Day) divide time up into 4 periods.

First point (the first 2,000 years) Adam to Abraham (Gentile Nations).

Second point (the next 2000 years) Abraham to the Cross. At this point God moves to work to reveal Himself through one chosen people Israel. This is the origin of (Israel as a nation).

Third point (the next 2000 years) the dispensation of Grace and the Tribulation. We are living at the end of the 2000 years of Grace and the end of 6,000 years of man. The Lord is coming soon!

Fourth point (the final 1000 years) the Millennium.

History confirms this by the study of the "begats" of Genesis 5. They reveal that there are approximately 2,000 years from Adam to Abraham. (Gen.5:1-32; 11:10-32) If we study the "begats" of Scripture we will find that from Adam to Christ (Cross) is a period of 4000 years. This is also history.


The Passover Lamb kept for four days Now it is understood why Israel was to keep the Passover Lamb for 4 days before killing it in the evening (Exod.12:1-6) When Adam sinned, Christ our Passover. (1 Cor.5:7-8) was taken and kept 4,000 years (4 days) and came to save us from sin of He was kept for 4,000 years and "manifest in these last times for you. (1Peter.1:18-20)

Theophanies

One way that God revealed Himself in the Old Testament and dealt with humans on their level was through the use of theophanies. A theophany is a visible manifestation of God, and we usually think of it as temporary in nature.

As we have seen, God is invisible to humans. To make Himself visible, He manifested Himself in a physical form. Even though no humans can see the Spirit of God, they can see a representation of God.

God appeared to Abraham in a vision, as a smoking furnace and burning lamp, and as a man (Genesis 15:1, 17; 18:1-33). In this last instance, God and two angels appeared in the form of three men (18:2) and ate food provided by Abraham.

The two angels left to go to Sodom while God remained to talk to Abraham (Genesis 18:22; 19:1). God appeared to Jacob in a dream and as a man (Genesis 28:12-16; 32:24-32). On the latter occasion Jacob wrestled with the man and proclaimed, “I have seen God face to face.”

The Bible also describes this appearance as “the angel” (Hosea 12:4). God appeared to Moses in a cloud of glory and in fire on Mount Sinai, spoke to him face to face in the Tabernacle, and revealed to him His back (partial glory) but not His face (all His glory) (Exodus 24:1218; 33:9-11, 18-23).

These references to God’s face and God’s glory probably are metaphoric of the presence of God and could apply to many different types of manifestations. God manifested Himself in the sight of all Israel through thunder, lightnings, a cloud, a voice of a trumpet, smoke, fire, and earthquakes (Exodus 19:11-19; Deuteronomy 5:4-5, 22-27).

He also showed His glory and sent fire from His presence in the sight of all Israel (Leviticus 9:23-24; 10:1-2). Job saw God in a whirlwind (Job 38:1; 42:5). Various prophets saw visions of God (Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1:26-28; 8:1-4; Daniel 7:2, 9; Amos 9:1). To Ezekiel He appeared in the form of a man, enveloped in fire. To Daniel He appeared in a night vision as the Ancient of Days.

Some of the numerous appearance of “the angel of the LORD” seem to be theophanies. The angel of the LORD appeared to Hagar, spoke as though he were God, and was called God by her (Genesis 16:7-13). The Bible says the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in the burning bush but then says God talked to Moses on that occasion (Exodus 3; Acts 7:30-38).

Exodus 13:21 says the LORD went before Israel in a pillar of cloud, while Exodus 14:19 says the angel of God was with the pillar of cloud. The angel of the LORD appeared to Israel in Judges 2:1-5 and spoke as God. Judges 6:11-24 describes the appearance of the angel of the LORD to Gideon and then says the LORD looked on Gideon. Again, the angel of the LORD appeared to Manoah and his wife, and they believed they had seen God (Judges 13:2-23)

Many regard Melchizedek as a theophany (Genesis 14:18). Hebrews 7:3 says he was without father, mother, and descent. This could mean that he was God in human form, or it could mean simply that his genealogical origin was not recorded. Hebrews 7:4 does call him a man. Regardless of whether one considers him to be an ordinary man or a theophany of God in the form of a man, he was a type or foreshadowing of Christ (Hebrews 7:1-17).

One supposed theophany is the fourth man who appeared in the fire when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast into the furnace (Daniel 3:24-25). The New Testament records no theophanies of God in human form outside of Jesus Christ. Of course. Christ was more than a theophany; He was not just God appearing in the form of a man but He was God clothed with real and complete humanity. The angel of the Lord in Matthew 1:20, 2:13, 28:2 and Acts 8:26 seems to be an angel and nothing more; there is no evidence to the contrary. It is clear in these passages that the angel is not Jesus Christ.

The Principles of the Doctrine

The Principles of the Doctrine
Hebrews 6:1-2

*Leaving the principles of the principles of the Christ, let us go on unto perfection*



1. Repentance from Dead Works

Repentance means to change one's mind and purpose; to turn around reversing one's direction. A change of heart and attitude toward the things practiced that are offensive to God, and turning to God to do His will.
Dead Works- Sin, Works of the Law, Traditions, we must give up trying to save ourselves,
Repentance has been, and is the key to salvation in all dispensations.

God at one time winked at sin, BUT NOW IS COMMANDING ALL MEN TO REPPENT (Acts 17:30)
I Kings 8:46- No man that sinneth not

Job 42:5-7- Job repents in dust and ashes

Luke13:1-5- Repent or Perish!

II Peter 3:9- God is willing for all to come to repentance



2. Faith toward God

Faith- Simply is that which you believe (We all have faith in something), What do you believe about God

Hebrews 11:1- Faith is substance (Either you have it or you don't!)
Hebrews 11:6- We must believe that God is (that God exist), and reverence him with godly fear
Romans 4:19-20- Abraham believed; staggered not at the promise of God & was strong in faith

Matthew 21:32- Pharisees did not repent so that they might believe John's preaching, You must repent so that you might believe.

Mark 1:14-15- Repent & Believe

Mark 16:14-15- He that believeth & is baptized shall be saved

Acts 16:29-31- Believe & ye shall be saved

John 7:38- Believe as the scripture hath said



3. Doctrine of Baptisms

1. Baptism in Water 2. Baptism in Spirit (John 3:5)
Baptism in Water:
Baptism is connected with getting rid of sin, the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16)

Mark 1:4- John baptized and preached repentance

Matthew 3:14-16- John baptized Jesus: Jesus baptized to fulfill all righteousness, Jesus had to be baptized & He set that pattern by doing so (No one is better than Jesus). We cannot fulfill all righteousness without being baptized

John 3:22- Jesus baptized his disciples

Mark 16:15- He that believeth and is baptized

Matthew 28:19- Baptize in the NAME of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost (One name to baptize in)

Luke 24:45- Repentance and remission of sins preached in His Name

Acts 2:38- Baptized in Jesus Name

Acts 4:12- No other Name whereby we must be saved

Acts 8:12-16- Baptized in Jesus Name

Acts 10:47-48- Baptized in Jesus Name

Acts 19:4-5- Baptized in Jesus Name



4. Laying on of Hands

Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
Not necessarily for hands to be laid upon to receive the Holy Spirit
Ye must fully repent and fully believe in order to receive the Holy Ghost

Acts 8:14-20- Peter lays hands on Samaritans

Acts 19:6- Paul lays hands on Gentiles

Galatians 3:2- Receive the Spirit by the hearing of faith

John 14:26- The Comforter (Holy Ghost) teaches you all things

John 7:38- The Holy Ghost will fill them that believe

Acts 1:8- Shall receive power after the Holy Ghost comes upon you

Luke 24:49- Promise of the Father is power from on high

Isaiah 28:11- Prophecy of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit

Joel 2:28- Prophecy of outpouring of the Holy Spirit



5. Resurrection of the Dead

Death in this present life is not the end!
Do whatever you must to make the resurrection unto life!

Acts 24:15- Resurrection of the death both of just and unjust

Hebrews 11:35- Hope for a better resurrection

I Corinthians 15:12-13- If Christ rose, how can we say there is no resurrection

I Thessalonians 4:13-17- Those who sleep in Jesus will be brought with him

I Corinthians 15:51-53- Corruption to Incorruption

Job 19:25- 27- After worms eat the flesh, we shall see God

Psalms 16:9-10- Our souls will not be left in Hell (Grave)

John 5:24-29- Resurrection unto life and unto death

Luke 20:35-37 Jesus assures the fact of the resurrection



6. Eternal Judgment

Judgment- To separate; to make a division between two or more entities

II Corinthians 5:9-10- We labor now to be accepted of God, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ

I Peter 5:17- Judgment begins at the house of God

Hebrews 9:27- Appointed for man to die, after this judgment

Matt 13:49- Judgment of righteous and wicked

Isaiah 5:14- Hell has enlarged itself without measure

Matthew 81:7-9- Everlasting Fire and Hell are the same thing

Hebrews 10:26-27- One who sins willfully looks for fiery indignation

Matthew 25:41, 46- Everlasting punishment

Romans 2:2-16- The soul is the object of judgment

Revelation 22:14-15 Eternal judgment for those who do not do His commandments