To The Church In Rome

It is a historical fact that the Catholic Church at one time baptized its converts in the name of Jesus but later changed to the Trinitarian Baptism. (“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”, Acts 4:12). In the actual description of baptism in the Didache the triune (Trinity) formula is used; in the instructions for the Eucharist (communion, in 9, 4) the condition for admission is baptism in the name of the Lord."The anonymous author of De Rebaptismate in the third century...dwells at length on 'the power in the name of Jesus invoked upon a man in baptism'. " (Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. i, p 352, quoting De Rebaptismate 6.7). Dictionary of the Bible by Scribners, page 241, Vol. 1. The originial form of words were into the Name of Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus. Baptism into the Trinity was a later development. Canney Ency. page 53- The early church always baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus until the development of the Trinity, afterward they were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Brittanica Ency. Vol. 3, pages 365-366, the triune and trinity formula as not uniformly used from the beginning, and up until the third century, baptism in the Name of Christ only was so wide-spread that Pope Stephen, in opposition to St. Cyprian, said that baptism in the name of Christ was valid. But the Catholic missionaries, by omitting one or more persons of the Trinity when they were baptized, were anathematized (cursed) by the Roman Church. Now the formula of Rome is "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost". “Cyprian (of Carthage) used the text: “Baptizing them in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, as a “battle-cry” in his strife with Pope Stephen I (Epist. 73 and justbefore “ad Iubaianum”). The official church of Rome however ignored his arguments, and adopted the position that baptism in the name of Christ alone was quite valid. As the canon of the Synod of Nemours (1284) expresses it: “Dicimus, infantem baptizatum esse, si baptizans dicit: Baptizo te in nomine Christi”. It in some measure explains this decision of the Popes that the text of Mt 28, 19 was not yet authoritatively fixed by the church" (Zeitschrift f. d. Neutest. Wiss. Jahrg. II, 1901, p. 286). “When Decius, emperor of Rome, instituted a persecution of the Christians, Cyprian fled from Carthage. His Doctrine in his De Catholicae Ecclesiae Unitate (On the Unity of the Catholic Church), is an exposition of the hierarchical organization of the church” ("Cyprian, Saint," 1994, Microsoft Encarta). There were promoters of the doctrine of the trinity within the believers in the Bible, they were “grievous wolves which not spared the flock, which spoke perverse things” to confuse and “to draw away disciples after them.” Philo Judaeus or Philo of Alexandria clearly taught (secretly and surrounded by mystery) the trinity doctrine, as did fellow philosophers, Pythagoras who inherited his concept of the triangle to represent the triune god (Philo uses the triangle in his works) and Plato; a doctrine which they all received from the Mystery teachings of Babylon” (Brian Hoeck). The Catholic doctrine of the trinity “has parallels both in philosophy (the 19th-century German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel's Absolute) and in other religions (the Trimurti of Hinduism)”. (From "Trinity," 1994, Microsoft Encarta). The Catholic church also borrowed heavily or incorporated ideas from the Mithra religion. Mithraism was one of the major religions of the Roman Empire, the cult of Mithra: After the conquest of Assyria in the 7th century BC and of Babylonia in the 6th century BC, Mithra became the god of the sun, which was worshipped in his name. The Greeks of Asia Minor, by identifying Mithra with Helios, the Greek god of the sun, helped to spread the cult. It was brought to Rome about 68 BC by Cilician pirates whom the Roman general Pompey the Great had captured, and during the early empire it spread rapidly throughout Italy and the Roman provinces. It was a rival to Christianity in the Roman world. Mithraism and other pagans in Rome had ideals of humility and brotherly love, a trinity, the use of holy water, the adoration at Mithra's birth, the worship of images, the adoption of Sundays and of December 25 (Mithra's birthday) as holy days, the belief in the immortality of the soul, etc. (and all that non-Biblical doctrines crept into catholic doctrine). Gradually, the religion of the magi incorporated Babylonian elements, including astrology, demonology [invocation of the dead

(later under the “dress of saints”) as “helpers”], and magic (The word magic is derived from the word magi). "Mithraism," "Magi," 1994, Microsoft Encarta). Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-87), ecclesiastic, “father of the church” and “Doctor of the Church”. Deposed three times. World Book Ency. Vol. 16, page 7270- But the doctrine of the three in one is considered to be a mystery for which there is not adequate explanation. The first authoritative statement of belief in Father, Son and Holy Ghost was made by the earliest General Council of Churches held at Nice in 325 A.D. which also declared the Son to be equal substance with the Father. The Trinitarians call themselves orthodox, and everybody else heretics. The heretics are those who stand on Word of God or differ to them. They consider themselves the custodians of evangelical truth. The early Church taught, with emphasis only one God; but the trinity was forced on the world by the sword of the Roman power. The average person is not aware that the dogma of the trinity unified the Roman church through the persecution of all non believers in it. The Inquisition, Auto De Fe, and Hitler (A nominal Catholic with the support and accord or agreement with Pope Pius the 12th in 1933. All of this led to much blood shed of anyone or anything, that opposed them.) At the present time, there is no Roman emperor’s sword to sustain it, only the tongue and pen of men. The first commandment states, “I am the Lord thy God. And Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:2-3) and “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30). These are never emphasized in any creed that man has made. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-8). If you reject the Apostles teachings of baptism into the Lord Jesus Christ, which will lead you into the revelation of Truth after Jesus Himself prayed for all who would believe on Him through the Apostles words, (John 17:20) and you go ahead and accept the trinity baptism into three separate persons, then you automatically are identified with the Roman Catholic Church for you have received their baptism! It is scriptural to baptize converts in the name of Jesus Christ. As there are more scriptures pertaining to baptism into Christ Jesus than many main doctrines in the Bible. Here are some of the many verses. Acts 2:37-42 (Jews at Pentecost baptized in the name of Jesus, after repenting and believing in the word of God.) Acts 8:12-16 (The Samaritans received the word of God by belief were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus). Acts 10:36-45 (The Gentiles and household of Cornelius heard the word. Peter commanded them all to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Jesus is Lord of all.) Acts 22:16 (Paul was baptized calling upon the of the Lord Jesus.) Romans 6:3-5 (The saints at Rome were baptized by the apostle Paul in the name of the Lord Jesus; who died for their sins found in Hebrews 9:15-22. He was buried, and rose again). Our baptism identifies us with him and it is commanded by Christ himself in Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:45-48, and John 3:5. The question now remains do you love God first and with all as command in the bible or a religion? Your baptism must be one by faith into a religious one or one appointed by the Savior. As your acts or deeds show forth your true or real commitment, to one or the other. Faith apart from deeds is dead, says James 2:15-26 and Hebrews 11:1-40. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned, Matthew 12:37. And finally this verse of scripture. Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. The Christian walk is one of faith and not by sight. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Each person has a certain amount of faith in them. But nowhere does it say in the word to do away with common sense. You alone are responsible for your own salvation. Nobody can do it for you. But God will help you in every step of the way and always thereafter, even as you continue by your faith following him. He will be your faithful friend to the very end. He has risen and we will likewise after our passing on, into his glory. Amen.