Well, that is certainly a side step. Right, it's the Catholic's fault! Except Jesus told his disciples to do this, while he was yet living, before 33 or 30AD, depending which time line you are following. Jesus told them "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." I realize the United Pentecostal Church does not believe in the Trinity. That's why you have to insist on being baptized ONLY in the name of Jesus. So, I guess we need to start another 100 or 1000 page thread arguing about the Trinity?
Amazing how a false doctrine like the United Pentecostals make over baptism, or about the Trinity, then runs through all its bad theology!
I had a good friend get caught up in the UP or Oneness doctrine. It really mixed him up. I spent a lot of time discussing this issue with him. I've written papers for my PhD on the Trinity. I KNOW it is in the Bible, because that was my main source for the paper. But, he would eventually stop speaking to me and tell me he doesn't want to talk about it. Your theology regarding the Trinity, blaming it on the Catholics (I am not Catholic, I admit there is a lot wrong with the RCC, but they certainly preserved belief in the Trinity, for which we owe them!) and then totally disregarding an important verse, Matt 28:19, is totally bad eisegesis. And very sad you are in a cult that has deluded you.
Oh, did you forget to mention if you are NOT baptised in the name of Jesus only, and don't speak in tongues, then you are not saved? Another wrong doctrine! Everyone should understand where Wansvic is coming from. It is not just his beliefs about Baptism that are wrong, but also many more things, like not believing in the Trinity!
"The UPCI's theology is consistent with that of
Oneness Pentecostalism.
[16][17] They reject the
Trinity and instead believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are different manifestations of God, as opposed to separate persons.
[18] The UPCI believes that one must repent, be baptized "in the name of Jesus" (as opposed to "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"), and receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved, as outlined in
Acts 2:38."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Pentecostal_Church_International#:~:text=citing persistent racism.-,Beliefs,as opposed to separate persons.
"(T)he Oneness doctrine, a form of
Modalistic Monarchianism This doctrine states that there is one God, a singular divine spirit with no distinction of persons who manifests himself in many ways, including as
Father,
Son, and
Holy Spirit.
[7][8][9] This stands in sharp contrast to the doctrine of three distinct and eternal persons posited by
Trinitarian theology."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneness_Pentecostalism
Modalism is just another bad doctrine that sprang from Sabellius who taught a form of it in Rome in the 3rd century. These beliefs came to Sabelius via the teachings of Noetus and Praxeas. Although Praxeas later recanted his modalistic views in writing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabellianism#:~:text=Modalism has been mainly associated,teachings of Noetus and Praxeas.
Hmm! I have a lovely analysis of John 1:1 which shows why modalism is wrong if you are read that verse Koine Greek. Maybe I will bring that up. Anyway, Wansvic believes in modalism, which was rejected by the ancient church, the church through the ages, the Middle Ages, the Reformation and today. That kind of settles the entire discussion for me.
Sidestepping? Nothing you mentioned changes what the biblical record reveals concerning the proper way to administer water baptism. If Jesus meant for the apostles to baptize using a phrase, rather than a name, why are there no baptism records to that effect? No such records exist. What does exist, is the actions of the apostles. Their actions should assist everyone in understanding the truth. This direct evidence proves water baptism was to be administered in the name of the Lord Jesus. Why? Because it was Jesus who was crucified for all mankind. And as Paul explained in Romans 6:3-6 those who are baptized have been been buried with Jesus into His death.
Many do not realize they have developed opinions prompted by tradition. Tradition that goes directly against God's word. For those who are interested in learning the truth, there are many references concerning the removal of the name of the Lord Jesus from water baptism. The Roman Catholic Church takes credit for the change themselves. The RCC boosts that members of Protestant churches that water baptize in the phrase are no longer considered outside the church but are elevated to the title of sister churches; with the RCC being the mother church from which they sprang.
Please consider with an open heart what God's word actually reveals concerning the necessity of being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And as you do keep in mind that God's word does not contradict itself. I pray that the eyes of your understanding my be opened:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: " Matt 28:19-20
"
Is Christ divided?
was Paul crucified for you? or
were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" 1 Cor 1:13
Acts 2:38-39 (Jewish)
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.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:12-17 (Samaritans)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,
and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:43-48 (Gentiles)
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
And
he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:2-6 (Disciples who were baptized by John the Baptist did not realize they had to water baptized in Jesus name. After being told they were re-baptized in water and afterward received the Holy Ghost.
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye 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 Christ Jesus.
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 22:14-16 (Paul's water baptism)
And he (Ananias) said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and
be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
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