Legacy · Q&A
The Father and Son, Two Wills, and Baptism

Question:
Bro. Larry
What about these scriptures?
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I
and the Father that sent me. John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
If God is only one person, why did Jesus say in John 14:23, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." If God is only one person, why does Jesus say, "we"? If you say He is the Father of the flesh, then how can that be a real incarnation? If it isn't a real incarnation, then the atonement cannot save.
If God is only one person, then how can the one person have two separate and
distinct wills at the same time on the exact same subject? Jesus said, "Not my will but your will be done," (Luke 22:42), when speaking to the Father. Was Jesus praying to Himself in the Garden of Gesthemene? If so, how is it possible to do that? Jesus was not praying to Himself. We see in Scripture, Jesus praying to the Father. If the flesh of Jesus was talking to the spirit of Jesus when He prayed "Not my will but your will be done" (Luke 22:42), then how is Jesus really the incarnation of God since you have the flesh arguing with the spirit and they seem to be totally distinct and separate A man does not call himself 'father' until he has a son who is distinct and separate from himself. He cannot be his own father. Same as with 'son.' A man cannot be his own son. "In Jesus' name" is a reference to authority, not method. Acts 4:7 shows that people were asking "By what authority, or in what name, have you done this?" To Baptize in Jesus' name means to Baptize in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit just as Jesus commanded in (Matt. 28:19) If baptism is essential for salvation, then what happens to someone who repents of sin, accepts Jesus as Savior, walks across the street to get baptized but is killed by a car. Does he go to heaven or hell? If he goes to heaven, then baptism isn't a requirement is it? If he goes to hell, then faith in Christ isn't sufficient to save him is it?
Answer:
Dear Rissa,
Thanks for your inquiry. I have to wonder, in regard to this issue about the Father and Son, are you sure you don't have me mixed up with someone else? If you want to know what I am teaching on this topic, then please read this online gospel tract (slowly): The True Oneness of God I assure you that what you THINK I'm teaching is not the case.
As far as the baptism issue I would recommend reading our online bible study that covers that topic: The Worship of God in Spirit and in Truth Eph. 4:5 assures us that there is only "one baptism" which is now acceptable to God, and I Pet. 3:21 informs us that it is "baptism (which) doth also now save us." This is also synonymous with what Jesus Himself stated in Mk. 16:16. And there is no such biblical thing as "accepting the Lord as your personal savior." True faith in Jesus produces the true divine experience which alone cleanses us from sin and places us into the one Congregation that God has ordained and established (Jn. 737-39; I Cor. 6:11; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:4). In regard to being saved, one must purify his/her heart daily by means of the power received through the Spirit baptism, if one means to inherit eternal salvation at the second coming of the Lord (I Jn. 3:2,3; I Pet. 1:3-9). Salvation is not received at the BEGINNING of
one's faith in Christ, but rather at the END of a life that has REMAINED faithful to Christ after being born again (as evidenced in the above passage from I Pet. 1). Below are a couple of links that you might like to take a look at. Thanks again for writing.
Sincerely,
Lary
When and how is a person saved?
The Remission of Sins



