REASONS

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dear brother Marx....i am not real familiar with the origin of the statements
you guote as to what the UPC or others feel that the scripture says in the
compiling together of different verses of scripture to "prove" a point.  I
have heard from many believers from all different denominational churches and
even independant believers (those not aligned with any specific group) these
thoughts you express in your letter.
I can say one thing though that should run true regardless of where any of us
have come from in our spiritual walks with GOD.
   The Holy Spirit and only he...leads us into ALL truth.  I interpret this
to mean that unless the Holy Spirit "reveals" Gods WORD to us....we will not
gain its understanding.   ie..our understanding will be unfruitful...it will
just be words.
In Acts 17:11 the Berean christians believed what Paul and Peter had to say
NOT because they said it....but because the went home and studied the
Scriptures to see if these things were so.  The Holy Ghost revealed the truth
to them..and they who had open hearts (teachable spirits) recieved the WORD
gladly.

Doctrines and belief systems must be "according to Gods WORD" in their
totality in order to be considered "accurate"   Sometimes we get a "piece of
the puzzle" out of place.  It looks good at a far glance...but close up we
can see a mis-shapened piece.  It doesnt fit with the entire puzzle.  In this
spirit,,,,teachable and seeking the truth of God....we can begin to
understand anothers view.

I am not for compromising truths...but I stand for openness of spirit and
proper Godly character and attitude when discussing Gods TRUTHs.  Some have
erred in this debate and improper attitudes have been expressed and caused
"many" to shrink back and avoid further discussion on these issues.  Many
have been "aborted" at our altars of "legalism" and doctrinal traditions that
have had not expressed the intents of Jesus Our Savior and Lord.  I have
repented to the Lord Jesus for my actions in the past along these lines and
encourage others to do likewise....God encourages us to discuss His
WORD....He hates us to argue or debate His principles.    Come now, and let
us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they
shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool.  Isaiah 1:18
I believe this gives us a format for discussion one to another.....let us
reason....not war with the WORD of God.  Its not about how many verses you
present or how many I bring to the table....its about both of us seeking the
Lords guidance to "reveal" His will for our lives in ALL matters.

I can share some things now that I believe Jesus has revealed to me
concerning this issue...not all of it...just a part to consider.  We can talk
more in the future if you so desire in more detailed fashion privately or in
this forum.  I am only interested in the truthful disclosure of Gods WORD.  I
always can learn more clearly what the WORD of the Lord says....I remain
teachable and NOT close-minded.   Yet the only thing that can change my mind
on Gods WORD....is the revelation of Gods WORD to my spirit by His Holy
Spirit.  Hope thats not a tongue-twister for you but I dont seem able at this
moment to describe my heart in a different fashion.

Briefly.....IN  Matthew 28 the King James english translation states we
should baptize IN the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost:...
  If we were to ask our high school english teacher what that says ...they
might give us a different spin on what we have read many times.  The question
we should ask them is:  How are we to baptize according to this sentence?
  They would say in the NAME of the Father,  and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
  If we said to them what are the names of the Father , and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost.  They would say there isnt 3 names...there is only ONE name
stated in this sentance.  They would go on to explain the word NAME refers to
the following group of 3 titles,...Father,,,Son,,Holy Ghost.   These 3 are
titles given to the NAME, whatever the name is.
     Acts 4:12 states Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 
The name they are referring to here is not mentioned but we are told it is
the ONLY NAME we can be saved by.  Looking back up to the 10th verse we see
who the name is referring to ( the subject of the verse 12)
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the
dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Acts 4:10
The NAME stated here is JESUS Christ ......the city of His birth is mentioned
as is customary in history...but it also identifies that He was a "man" in
addition to being God.
     Now when we look in Acts 2:38 we see Peter instructing us how to be
obedient to God.....he states under the unction of the Holy Ghost (ie, not
Peter as the author of this statement,,but God as author) 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. 
     Note he says be baptized (how) IN the NAME of JESUS Christ...not of
Nazareth.....because the term Nazareth refers to the human element...the
huiman element can have no bearing on something "divine".....the Divine ONLY
has power over the human or natural realm of mankind.
     So now we have harmony between Acts 2:38 and Acts 4:12 (10 being the
subject of the name).  back to Matthew 28:19......what is the NAME being
referred to here?  Since both passages speak of the same baptism the NAME
must also be the same.   Logic tells us God would not have us to be baptized
in two different names or He would have told us so.  Titles are NOT names so
we have to find the NAME He refers to in Matthew 28 in order to be obedient.
 Our only conclusion we should reach here is that God is referring to the
NAME of JESUS Christ.
     So as you stated in your letter....the Name of Jesus does not appear by
itself but with the addition of Christ after it.   Let me ask you
something...when people refer to you do they always use your entire name?
  Or do they use sometimes just part of it?   Are they referring to the same
person?  Of course the answers are obvious.   Dr. Marx  I believe the same
thing is expressed in the scriptures here.
JESUS is the Name of God....Jesus Christ...Lord Jesus Christ....Christ
Jesus...Jesus Christ Our Lord....Christ...Lord...or just plain JESUS are ALL
describing the same GOD.  God has many other titles but His NAME.....the ONE
we are to be baptized INto is clearly stated in these verses.
     Our doctrines need to line up with scripture.
     Hope this opens up some things possibly you have not
considered....really I believe sometimes we just need to hear things a bit
differently than before to gain an understanding of them......I have
interpreted things differently in the past and when God brings someone across
my path who imparts further understanding of Gods WORD it sure is a breath of
fresh air for me.  I think we have to "breathe" a bit more in todays
"smoke-filled" atmosphere.

     If any would like to dialogue with me on these issues please feel free
to comment.....and i know my understanding may differ from yours....thats OK.
Lets reason one with another in LOVE.

IN the NAME of JESUS our blessed Hope
bro bruce