Godhead In Jesus

HOLY GHOST REVELATION BETWEEN MATTHEW 28:19 AND ACTS 2:38

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26.)

Although many of you who know me through these daily Bible lessons may be convinced that I have been blessed of God for my understanding of the oneness of God and water baptism according to Acts 2:38, there was a time when I was confused over the relationship between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. Yes, over forty years ago I was ignorant of the relationship between these two scriptures.

Over the past four decades I have learned that seminary-trained theologians and Bible scholars casually dismiss Acts 2:38 as the formula for water baptism choosing instead Matthew 28:19. Some ignorant trinitarians justify their position by deciding to elevate the words of Jesus, i.e. Matthew 28:19, over the words of Peter, i.e. Acts 2:38. This is the height of scriptural foolishness and stupidity because 2 Timothy 3:16 says:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Also, 2 Peter 1:20-21 reads:

“20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Back to my one-time conflict between Acts 2:38 and Matthew 28:19. First let me make the following clear. My father was a holiness and oneness preacher who had us baptized in the name of Jesus Christ at an early age. I did not have the doctrine of the trinity to contend with or to interfere with Peter’s baptism message on the day of Pentecost because I never accepted it.

When I and my three oldest of ten siblings were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in the mid-1960s, we were ignorant of the gospel message of salvation. None of us understood repentance and the significance of water baptism. So that initial baptism although scriptural was futile. But I now know that my father meant well although he was a bit overzealous.

Academically, I always did well in my public-school education. I was particularly good in English, history, and spelling. (I was always amongst the last students to stand in classroom spelling bee contests.) I was also a “speed” reader in the classroom. In those days, teachers sometimes had students read certain lessons for the class. I was frequently chosen by one teacher because I was a fast but accurate reader. The teacher found this talent useful when class time was running short and she wanted to complete certain material. I was recognized on two separate occasions by an English teacher in high school and college for my writing ability. It was suggested that I publish some of my writings.

(I dismissed these accolades because I had no interest in writing or being an author. At that time, I was scholastically focused on electrical engineering.)

I kept a running account of my academic achievements for my high school years (grades 9 through 12.) My GPA (grade point average) for these years was 87 – a B plus. I mention this achievement for a reason that I will share with you later in this lesson.

Later in life my father, the late Elder Joseph Elias Barrett (1898 – 1987) was the Wednesday night Bible teacher for Christian Pentecostal Church of Christ pastored by the late Bishop Willie Smith. It was on one unforgettable Wednesday evening that I had a Holy Ghost encounter that resulted in a spiritual revelation.

What confounded me then was the two prominent water baptism scriptures – Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. On that previously mentioned Wednesday evening water baptism was the subject. I sat and listened intently to my father’s teaching. But when he concluded his presentation that included reading and discussing the two scriptures, I was thoroughly confused. To my understanding, Matthew 28:19 collided with Acts 2:38. I did not then know the spiritual relationship between the two. Matthew 28:19 says to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” while Acts 2:38 says to “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Here is the reason I mentioned my academic achievements earlier. My lack of understanding had nothing whatsoever to do with my intellect, or lack thereof. I just could not mentally figure out the relationship between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. I raised my hand to ask my father for clarification.

Before continuing with what occurred next, let me insert at this point my lack of understanding that trinitarian Christians display with water baptism by being satisfied with having Matthew 28:19 repeated over them as opposed to obeying it. Here is what John 14:26 says:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Jesus says plainly that the Holy Ghost will not only bring all things to remembrance but teach ALL THINGS. One factor I can attribute this attitude to has to do with Matthew 11:25:

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”

Many believers have so much faith in what they are being taught by their triune God pastors and teachers that they accept verbatim everything taught. Let me contrast my spiritual state when I was first baptized in the name of Jesus Christ with that of many believers brought up in trinitarianism. Like the average triune God believer, I trusted the individual who taught me, i.e. my father. But, when Matthew 28:19 was discussed alongside Acts 2:38, I immediately saw a conflict.

Perhaps many trinitarians have not had the experience of being taught Matthew 28:19 alongside Acts 2:38. But I am certain that in the course of time they ran into someone who questioned their Matthew 28:19 repetition baptism or read a book or webpage/website that explored the issue. When they encounter the issue, it should have given the mind pause to ask questions or at least bring about a mental conflict leading to further exploration. But for so many, it does not.

It is at this point that Matthew 11:25 becomes relevant to this discussion. There are two classes of believers, the “wise and prudent” and the “babes.” The wise and prudent accept unquestioningly everything taught. They do not have an innate mental attitude that will compel them to explore further when they encounter a “red flag” (anything that seems suspicious.) Babes, however, keep themselves in a continual state of a cup half full. They keep themselves in a state of ever learning.

WRAPPING UP

Above I left my revelation narrative at the point where I asked my father for clarification between what I saw as a conflict between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. He began addressing my question. It was at this point that something miraculous occurred – I received a supernatural revelation. Here is what I compare it to. While my father was in the process of answering my question, the Holy Ghost instantly revealed the relationship between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. I compare this spiritual revelation to replacing a 30-watt light bulb with a one-hundred-watt bulb. All my questions were dispelled. What my intellect was unable to figure out, the Holy Ghost unveiled in blazing glory. This was unquestionably the greatest Holy Ghost intercession I have ever experienced.

Here is my suggestion to those who are similarly confused or who genuinely see a conflict between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38. But I must issue a caveat. You must develop a “babe” mindset. Without it you will NEVER receive a Holy Ghost revelation. You must develop an intense desire to know the truth. With that in place, I guarantee you a supernatural Holy Ghost revelation similar to mine.

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MANY CHRISTIAN WOMEN ARE IGNORANT OF THE PRINIPLE BEHIND DEUTERONOMY 22:5 AND SOME DO NOT CARE

“5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 22:5.)

I am persuaded that far too many women professing to be Christians turn a deaf ear to Deuteronomy 22:5 because they are not given an adequate or persuasive explanation for the argument by apostolic organizations against the wearing of pants. If I am correct in my assessment, I candidly though reluctantly agree.

(But in all truth, God IS NOT under any obligation to explain Himself to His creatures. Contrariwise, we are all under obligation as creatures to obey God without question. Questioning God is worst than a child questioning his parents’ orders. God does not owe anyone an explanation. Our unquestioning obedience is due Him whether we understand a command or not.)

Many preachers in apostolic churches who make it their business to preach Deuteronomy 22:5 are generally in the same state of ignorance the women who reject this scripture are in. While condemning the wearing of pants by women, they do not know the reason behind it.

Today’s lesson’s objective is to correct this lack of knowledge. Deuteronomy 22:5 is a commandment. Behind every commandment lies a holy principle. The principle behind Deuteronomy 22:5 is Genesis 1:27:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Jesus quoted it here as recorded by Mark:

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”

Genesis 1:27 specifies the general term “man” in Genesis 1:26. Man is specifically defined to signify two sexes or genders – male and female. Inherent in Genesis 1:27 is the truth that God does not wish there to be any confusion between male and female under any circumstances – whether clothed or unclothed. Jesus’ quotation of Genesis 1:27 as recorded in Mark 10:6 makes this principle of gender emphatic.

Note Mark 10:6 begins with the conjunction “but.” It serves to contrast with what is recorded in verse 5:

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.”

1 Corinthians 14:33 says that God is not the author of confusion. This moral principle carries over into human sexuality too. Now let me explain Deuteronomy 22:5 in terms of avoiding confusion between male and female. Pants happen to be a major piece of clothing for man’s lower half, i.e. below the waist in the United States of America ever since the 18th century. Gradually they became the de facto article of clothing for men so much so that when restrooms began to be made available to travelers, those for women were designated by an image of a woman in a dress and those for men by an image of a man in pants.

Other countries have different men and women apparel for wearing below the waist. But what every country and historical period have in common is that men’s and women’s clothing differ in some manner not necessarily in pants for men and dresses for women. But the principle remains the same. Outer clothing IS NOT made to be identical between the sexes giving rise to confusion between the sexes.

I have heard women who justify their continual wearing of pants despite the clear teaching of Deuteronomy 22:5 by reasoning:

(A) My pants were made for women.
(B) Women’s pants are styled differently than men’s pants.

But they all conveniently ignore the fact that women’s pants have two separate legs JUST AS pants for men. And it is just as easy to confuse a woman for a man under any number of circumstances. But here is my biggest argument AGAINST the typical woman’s argument for wearing pants. Pants MASCULINZE a woman. Pants have been designed for and worn by men for so long that they naturally project masculinity.

Subconsciously women who wear pants carry themselves in a manly manner many times even without them being aware of it. They walk like a man and otherwise act mannish as though they become possessed by a “man” demon. The simple disobedient act of dressing in pants makes women drop all petite mannerisms. 1 Peter 3:4 says:

“4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

Women dressing in pants has the same effect of a woman preaching (1 Timothy 2:12.) A woman preacher walks the pulpit like a man and takes on the voice and loudness of a man of God. Similarly, a woman who wears pants takes on the characteristics of a “tom boy.” Meekness and quietness go out the window.

The reason that pants for men and dresses for women are emphasized by many apostolic religious organizations in the United States is their strict observance of and adherence to Deuteronomy 22:5. No commandment of God is open to interpretation or discussion by anyone. God is under no obligation to explain Himself or His decisions to His creation. Anyone whether man or woman who interjects his or her opinion or assessment of Deuteronomy 22:5 is not operating in the fear (reverence) of God.

“17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17.)

Admittedly, no typical woman knows that God sees man and woman who dress themselves in identical apparel as an abomination. The sinner and professed Christian dress the same, the sinner woman through ignorance and the professed Christian woman through a pastor who is heavily influenced by the world. As far as these pastors are concerned, Deuteronomy 22:5 is not in the Word of God.

It is important that we all be aware of James 4:17. Many women are aware of Deuteronomy 22:5. They were taught by fathers who follow the apostles’ doctrine and holiness or have attended churches pastored by men who taught Deuteronomy 22:5. These women should acquaint themselves with James 4:17. They KNOW to do good having been taught Deuteronomy 22:5. They are judged by God to have sinned by wearing pants and will be held accountable.

WRAPPING UP

I am afraid that many women, especially those who know better, reason that God will not take any disobedience to Deuteronomy 22:5 seriously. To them it is no big deal. After all, what is the wearing of pants compared to a life of fornication and evil companionship? God does not see it this way.

God is holy and righteous. All unrighteousness is sin according to 1 John 5:17. God will not allow His Word to fall to the ground. And to you women who do not care what Deuteronomy 22:5 commands you not to do, NO disobedience will be overlooked. No matter your personal feelings towards wearing pants, no woman who continues dressing in pants will be allowed into the kingdom of God. Something like this is a spot and wrinkle. Ephesians 5:27 says:

“27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

What does God see when presented with a Christian woman wearing pants in violation of Deuteronomy 22:5? He sees confusion. He sees what He has made and born a woman masquerading as a man! He sees a woman self-willed and stubborn. Matthew 7:22 points out such Christian women. It reads:

“22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

Jesus will respond:

“23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23.)

I realize that many women believe that wearing pants is a minor offense like parking on the wrong side of the street. But what many of them fail to understand is the mind of God. Isaiah 55:8-8 say:

“8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

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THERE ARE YET APOSTLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28.)

“11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11.)

I heard rumblings about there no longer being apostles in the New Testament church over forty years ago. Back then I was associated with a local Bible Institute as an appointed instructor of oneness and New Testament Greek. But I was never persuaded by this belief because of the two scriptures posted above – 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11.

Some arguments put forth to give strength to the existence of modern-day apostles are that they were personally chosen by Jesus (the twelve original disciples) and they had to have witnessed the resurrected Christ. Naturally if these two points were scripturally true, the nay-sayers of modern-day apostles are right. But they are not biblically right.

Let us examine Ephesians 4:11. Verses 12-13 continue:

“12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13.)

Why Did God give “some, apostles” as well as prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers? The Holy Ghost lists the reasons:

(A) For the perfecting of the saints.
(B) For the work of the ministry.
(C) For the edifying of the body of Christ.

Let me ask a pertinent question. Does the New Testament church yet have to “perfect” the saints? YES!

Does the church still require work of the ministry? YES!

Does the church still require the edification of the body of Christ? YES!

These are MUST requirements that must be kept in place UNTIL the church is glorified which will mark the end of the church age (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.)

There is something else the naysayers are missing in their zeal for the end of the apostleship. The list of offices in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11 is a unit. In other words, if the office of apostle has ended, so has every other office, i.e. prophets, evangelists, pastor/teacher, and teacher which is a separate office not to be confused with pastor/teacher.

WRAPPING UP

If the office of apostle is no longer appropriate for the New Testament church, NEITHER ARE the offices prophet, evangelist, pastor/teacher, and teacher.

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EXPLAINING GENESIS 1:26

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26.)

The overwhelming majority of Old Testament scriptures use singular pronouns when speaking of God. For instance, Isaiah 44:24 reads:

“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and HE that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by MYSELF.”

And Isaiah 44:6 reads:

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and HIS redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside ME there is no God.”

“So God created man in HIS own image, in the image of God created HE him; male and female created HE them” (Genesis 1:27.)

In contrast to the many scriptures using singular pronouns, there are only four Old Testament passages that use plural pronouns of God. They are in the order of their appearance:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26.)

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of US, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever” (Genesis 3:22.)

“Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech” (Genesis 11:7.)

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8.)

How can these four anomalous (deviating from what is standard) plural scriptures be explained? After all, Deuteronomy 6:4 shouts:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”

Unlike the religious Gentile triune (three-in-one) explanation of God that arose in the second century, the Jewish understanding of one is the common sense, logical numerical understanding that reasonable people have, i.e. quantity. Also, what many trinitarian scholars do not seem to wish to face is the context of Deuteronomy 6:4. “One LORD” is as related to “three-in-one” as heaven is to hell.

Now with that brief introduction, let us proceed to understand the use of plural pronouns by God in Genesis 1:26. And I will provide a reasonable explanation without bringing verse 27 into the conversation in which God reverts to the use of singular pronouns.

The first use of a plural pronoun in Genesis 1:26 is within the phrase “let US make man.” The second use of a plural pronoun is the phrase “in OUR image, after OUR likeness” that immediately follows. Here is the one scripture that unquestionably gives a rational explanation. It is Ephesians 1:11 that reads:

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

God works ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL! How many times have you said or thought:

“Let’s see.”

Fully expanded, “let’s see” is “let US see.” No one in his or her right mind would bother to suggest or argue or think that this use signifies multiple individuals or persons. It is a commonly used writing convention that everyone understands. Why should its use by God be thought to be or mean anything more?

John 4:24 says:

“God is A Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

There exists only ONE Spirit according to Ephesians 4:4. Mouthing “let us,” God resorts to counselling within His own will. As it is a natural human prerogative to think within ourselves, “let’s see,” God certainly has the right to do the same without leaving room for anyone to think He exists as a triune being.

WRAPPING UP

Ephesians 1:11 removes any of the many explanations for God’s use of plural pronouns floating around such as including the angels in a creative act or the use of plurals of majesty. Ephesians 1:11 settles this issue once and for all time.

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