Chapter Eight
Re-water Baptized
I was now very inspired to get some reading materials from Arnold of the ministry of the late William Branham.
Just quickly skimming through some of the material, I read in Genesis 45:1-8 the story of Joseph putting his Gentile bride away from him in the palace, as he wanted no Gentile with him when he revealed himself to his brothers. This was a perfect example of our Lord Jesus putting His Gentile bride in the palace at the rapture, and then going to reveal Himself to His brethren, the Jews. The Old Testament always types the New Testament perfectly, as a shadow is exactly like the real.
This is one of the greatest end time mysteries—whether the rapture of the church would be pre, mid, or post tribulation. It has split churches and caused many disputes. Here was the Scriptural answer in just a few sentences. The Bible held the key to a question as old as time itself.
I knew now, without a doubt, the bride would be raptured and safely tucked away in the palace (heaven) before our Lord went back for His Jewish brethren. He intentionally blinded the Jews so you and I, the Gentile bride, could have our eyes opened.
As I spoke more with Arnold, he gave me the name and phone number of Pastor Ed Byskal in Vancouver, British Columbia. Pastor Byskal is a man with quite a large church and who personally knew William Branham before the Lord took him home.
I called and after speaking on the phone with Ed Byskal for a while, Shelly and I knew we had to make a trip to see him.
We stayed for two weeks and fellowshipped with different families every night. I was having a difficult time catching what God was doing, as almost all these wonderful people had the same character as my friend, Arnold. It was not a put-on; it was a true nature change. I was seeing more of what the Lord placed on my own heart many years before; a Christian character would be so different from the people of the world, it would be readily recognizable.
As I continued to ponder on this supernatural event, the subject of water baptism came up. Years ago, Shelly and I were both baptized in the names (plural) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We were shown the Scriptures in Acts 2:38, which showed us we needed re-baptized in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, not His titles.
There is no power in titles, but only in the name. It is no different than me writing my son a check and signing it father. The bank would never cash it. The authority is in the name.
I then realized the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is the Lord Jesus Christ!
Satan, being the great deceiver who deceived the whole world, Revelation 12:9, deceives us into believing our baptizing any way we desire makes no difference to God, stripping us of the power God wants to bestow upon his people.
I looked into the history of water baptism and found it was always in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ until 325 AD at the Nicea Council, when it was voted to change it to the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to merge with a mixture of other beliefs.
Shelly and I made a decision to be re-water baptized in the name (singular) of the Lord Jesus Christ before we left Vancouver. Upon coming up out of the baptismal, I witnessed something very deep on the inside coming alive. I had never in my life experienced anything like this. This water baptism became one of the greatest events I ever experienced. I knew in an instant my life would be forever changed. I had held revivals in many parts of the world, but I now realized for the first time what a real revival was! It was happening within me.
I had no idea what was going to happen next, but I knew it was right. I had met the Lord Jesus Christ in the most personal way. Scriptures were being quickened through my mind at warp speed, with understanding that could only come from being one with the living Christ.
I knew the voice of the Lord before through prayer and fellowship, putting together messages, and having Him orchestrate many signs and wonders, but it was nothing like this! I knew, without question, I had become one with the Lord and at that time nothing else mattered.
I entered into the Spiritual rest of Hebrews chapter 4, knowing I would never have to search again. All the questions from my youth were now answered in Him. I knew the searching was over, just as I knew my new life was just beginning.
After returning to Florida, I witnessed the phenomenal experience of my water baptism to my local church. One sister stood up and asked if she could be re-water baptized, to which I readily agreed.
When she came out of the water, there was an unexplainable, supernatural glow about her that was witnessed by the entire congregation. She had a much bigger than normal smile that did not leave her for two to three weeks.
It was so astonishing; the entire church got re-water baptized. They saw something real happen and they all wanted it too.