CommonWealth Magazine
1.Dear Sir,
I have a general question: The Bible instructs people to
be baptized
"in the name of Jesus Christ". My friend is a 7Th
day Adventist and his minister said that he baptizes people
in the following words: "It is then the practise of
Seventh-day Adventists to baptize new believers in the name
of the Trinity and not only in the name of Jesus."
My question here is, are the
7th day Adventists converted Christians since they are
baptized in a distorted view? I don't think you can baptize
in the name of satan and god at the same time???
I just wanted to clarify
this to him according to the Bible. Am I correct?
Thank you,
Sincerely, Robert
Answer,
Hi Nice to hear
from you. You are absolutely right we must baptize in the
"name of Jesus." The Seventh-Day Adventist have a lot of
truth but also a lot of errors. One time in the Bible there
was this same situation. "Apollos" though knowing the
scriptures he was preaching "knowing only the baptism of
John." He did not know about Jesus. Then God's people
"Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto
them, and expounded unto
him the way of God more PERFECTLY" (Acts 18:24-26). He
accepted the truth and God worked with him.
Those who follow God, but don't know ALL of the truth, we as
the true church of God are obliged to show them. Then if
they reject it then you can say they are not converted. Show
them the path first then, see if they are CALLED. I know
Some Adventist that at first, did not celebrate the holy
days but now they do, so they can either accept God's
calling of the truth or reject it.
Frank writes,
I wonder if you can explain
the following scripture.
The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child.... I lived as a
Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers
that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to
see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because
of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it
incredible that God raises the dead? (Acts 26:2-8, 22-23). >>
Note that it says the twelve tribes "earnestly serve God day and night", which
means that at the time of Paul all twelve tribes must have known God and served
him. How could this be if, as some teach, ten of those tribes lost the sabbath
and migrated to Northwest Europe hundreds of years before?
Frank.
Answer:
Hello nice to hear from you. Your
question is just a simple case of mistaken identity. You are right. At the time
the Israelites were pagans scattered all over Europe, and even many of the Jews
were not even believers in God or the Bible.
Paul when he was speaking of the hope,
he was speaking of HIS HOPE, and HE was the one serving God day and night, not
the 12 tribes. You must look at it in its context and subject. The New Bible
Commentary says, "Paul maintained that it was because of his hope in what God
has promised our fathers that he was on trial that day, namely the hope and
belief that God raises the dead" (p.1104). The subject was Paul's belief in that
hope. Let's look at the scripture again. "
"And now I [Paul] stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of
God unto our fathers [Abraham Isaac and Jacob]:
"Unto which promise our twelve
tribes, [I, Paul] instantly [Earnestly] serving
God day and night, hope to come.
For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I [Paul] am accused of the Jews.
"Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise
the dead?" (Acts 26:6-8).
It was Paul serving God day and night, not the Israelites. Some of the Jews
did not even believe in the resurrection, see Matthew 22:23. The hope in the
resurrection, the hope of the Messiah's promised to come to save Israel, and
raise Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God was the reason why Paul
was doing the work of God, the whole reason for his ministry. Many have
mistaken this to mean the Israelites were serving God day and night, but
really its Paul who was for the hope to come