A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
the Oneness message but merely was baptized to follow
the Book of Acts. Some have attributed his baptism in
Jesus’ name to psychological pressures, such as being
tired, overworked, and afraid of failure. A careful study of
his testimony, however, reveals that he emphasized classic
Oneness themes, although he did retain some trinitarian
terminology. Had he remained faithful to his new
understanding, he would have undoubtedly attained a
consistent Oneness perspective.
In 1915 Bell gave three reasons why he was baptized
in Jesus’ name. 84 First, he had entertained doubts about
his previous water baptism ever since he had received the
Holy Spirit, and he believed it would “please God for me
now to be buried with Him in baptism.” It was a matter of
conscience, a matter about which God had been dealing
with him for a long time.
Second, before the meeting in which he was baptized,
God dealt specifically with him. He could not preach on
any other topic: “God took away every other message
until I would obey.”
Third, he realized that the apostles taught and practiced
baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was
the apostolic pattern; thus he needed to follow it.
In his first article after being baptized in Jesus’ name,
published in August 1915, Bell described his new spiritual
experience and theological understanding. The article,
entitled “Who Is Jesus Christ?,” begins as follows: 85
82
The lost Christ being re-discovered as the Jehovah
of the Old Testament and the True God of the New. A
realization of Christ as the Mighty God being
received.