I'm not "THE" man! I'm just "a" man who loves Jesus and the WORD!

@Lara Knutzen Hope to see you there!

@Gordon Brooks Jr. The real question is not "IF" we interpret the directions, but "HOW" we interpret them. In my example about the handyman, he was given a set of instructions: Paint the pastor's name on the sign. However, it was left up to him to use common sense and "REALIZE" the pastor's name was "CALVIN HALL" and paint that on the sign. This is a hypothetical example by the way. So if he painted my name on the sign, all would be happy. However, if he painted "The Pastor's Name" on the sign, while he would have followed the letter of the instructions, he would "CLEARLY" have missed it's intent. The same holds true with the Scriptures. None of us walking the face of the earth today was around when the Word was written, and no person who through direct inspiration from God, actually "WROTE" the Scriptures is still alive to give clarity to the intent. However, we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to witness to our souls, to guide us in understanding and to make clear to us the original "INTENT" in the instructions we are given so we do not misinterpret them. So when Matthew tells us, "Jesus said, 'Go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT,'" if we chose to interpret that as we can baptize people using ANY of the three we choose rather than ALL three, would that not be a misinterpretation of the instruction? That's the difference between if and how! In order to make a decision as to whose name to baptize in requires an "IF." (IF I read the Scripture, I will know what I am instructed to do.) Deciding to follow the intent requires a "HOW!" (HOW I interpret the Scripture tells me the CORRECT way to follow the instructions.)

@Gordon Brooks Jr. I'd also like to add that before the birth of Christ, BAPTISMS took place. But at that time, the people of Isreal had no direct knowledge of Jesus or the Holy Spirit and so were only baptized in God's name, NOT in the name of the Triune Godhead. Even John did not invoke Jesus' name or the Holy Spirit when he baptised Jesus. He knew who Jesus was at the time of the Baptism but still knew nothing of the Holy Spirit or just how Jesus and Father God were connected. The people of Isreal were waiting for a "WARRIOR" King to come and overthrow their oppressors, not a living flesh manifestation of God, Himself, come to save the entire world.

Amen!