Two baptisms one for the forgiveness of sins the second baptism is for Redemption

Two baptisms one for the forgiveness of sins the second baptism is for Redemption

**Welcome to Pleroma Pathways apocalyptic and mystic Christianity, where we explore esoteric and apocalyptic texts.**  

In early Christian and Gnostic thought, baptism played a crucial role in the spiritual journey. It was not merely a single event but a process involving distinct stages, each with profound theological significance. The first baptism is into the name of Jesus, symbolizing repentance and the forgiveness of sins. The second baptism is into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which represents an initiation into the divine redemption and the fullness of God's purpose. However, it is essential to clarify that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate names but titles that point to a singular divine identity—the name of Yahweh.  

### **The First Baptism: Forgiveness of Sins in the Name of Jesus**  

The New Testament consistently emphasizes the necessity of baptism in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2:38, Peter declares, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." This baptism signifies the individual's acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah and their desire to turn away from sin. It marks the beginning of a transformed life, aligning the believer with the teachings and mission of Jesus.  

This baptism represents a purification—a symbolic washing away of sins. It brings the believer into communion with the forgiveness offered through Jesus' death and resurrection. Just as Jesus was immersed in the waters of the Jordan River to inaugurate His public ministry, believers follow this pattern, entering the "Jordan" of repentance and emerging cleansed, ready to walk in righteousness.  

In Valentinian thought, the first baptism aligns with the earthly phase of the believer’s journey. It is a necessary step to move from the world of corruption and sin into a state of imperishability, preparing for the deeper spiritual transformation to come.  

The Second Baptism: Redemption in the Name of Yahweh 

The second baptism is described in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His disciples to "baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Many have interpreted this as a reference to three distinct persons within a Trinitarian framework. However, a closer examination reveals that the text speaks of one name—not three names. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are titles, not names.  

The singular name into which believers are baptized is **Yahweh**, the divine name revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yahweh, often translated as "I will be who I will be," signifies the manifestation and emanation of God’s corporeal divine nature and His character in the anointed believers. The titles *Father*, *Son*, and *Holy Spirit* reflect different aspects of Yahweh's interaction with creation:  

- **Father** represents Yahweh as the source and creator of all things.  

- **Son** refers to Yahweh's manifestation through Jesus, the Messiah and Redeemer.  

- **Holy Spirit** symbolizes Yahweh's ongoing presence and guidance among believers.  

This second baptism, often called "Redemption" in Valentinian and other mystical Christian texts, is not merely about forgiveness but about the full restoration of the believer to divine wholeness. As Theodotus explains, this baptism is a process of redemption that unites believers with their angelic counterparts: "when we...have the **NAME**, we may not be hindered and kept back by the Limit and the Cross from entering the Pleroma." The second baptism, then, aligns the individual with Yahweh’s divine purpose and secures their passage into the fullness of the Pleroma.

The descent of the dove upon Jesus during His baptism is seen as a key moment of redemption. Theodotus states, "the redemption of the **NAME**...descended upon Jesus in the dove and redeemed him." Through this act, Jesus demonstrated the necessity of redemption even for Himself as a model for believers, showing the way through Wisdom without being detained by the "Notion of the Deficiency."  

This second baptism, often called "Redemption" in Valentinian and other mystical Christian texts, is not merely about forgiveness but about the full restoration of the believer to divine wholeness. Valentinian Theodotus emphasizes this, stating:  

> “At the laying on of hands they say at the end, ‘for the angelic redemption,’ that is, for the one which the angels also have, in order that the person who has received the redemption may be baptized in the same NAME in which his angel had been baptized before him.”  

Thus, the second baptism signifies the individual's entry into the Pleroma —the eternal realm of divine presence and truth. Through this baptism, the believer is not just cleansed but fully transformed, participating in the divine nature and united with Yahweh's redemptive purpose.

### **The Spiritual Journey of Baptism**  

This baptism is more than a ritual cleansing—it is a transformation into divine unity. Theodotus explains that Jesus, "having emptied himself...led out the angels of the superior seed with him." By receiving the second baptism, believers are joined with these angelic beings, who "beg remission for us, that we may enter with them." The ultimate goal is unity in the Pleroma, where "the many" become "one" in divine harmony.  

The Gospel of Philip reflects this unity, stating: “You who have united perfect light with holy spirit unite the angels also with us, as images.” This prayer demonstrates the integration of divine unity in the process of redemption, where the believer is united not only with Yahweh but also with the angelic order as a reflection of divine harmony 

The transformation brought by the second baptism is profound, as Theodotus explains:  

> “Now since we existed in separation, Jesus was baptized that the undivided should be divided until he should unite us with them in the Pleroma, that we ‘the many’ having become ‘one,’ might all be mingled in the One which was divided for our sakes.”  

This act of redemption is not limited to humanity but includes the angels as well, highlighting the interconnectedness of all creation. The NAME of Yahweh serves as the unifying factor, bridging the division between the earthly and the divine.  

Theodotus further elaborates on the transformative power of baptism:  

> “For he who was baptized unto God advanced toward God and has received ‘power to walk upon scorpions and snakes,’ the evil powers.”  

Through baptism in the **NAME** of Yahweh, Jesus "rescued us from fire" and empowered believers to "walk upon scorpions and snakes, the evil powers," as Theodotus notes. This act of redemption breaks the hold of the "old life" dominated by "evil principalities" and opens the path to new life "according to Christ."  

The second baptism thus represents an elevation beyond worldly limitations and demonic influences. As Theodotus emphasizes, "From the moment when he comes up from baptism he is called a servant of God even by the unclean spirits, and they now 'tremble' at him whom shortly before they obsessed." This baptism not only transforms the believer but also establishes their authority over opposing powers.  

### **Entering the Pleroma Through Redemption**  

The second baptism symbolizes entry into the eternal realm of divine presence and truth. Theodotus describes this progression as becoming "equal to angels" and receiving "angelic redemption." The person who undergoes this baptism is "baptized in the same **NAME** in which his angel had been baptized before him."  

This mystical process culminates in the restoration of unity with Yahweh. Through baptism in the **NAME** of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—revealed as the singular divine name Yahweh—the believer is fully transformed and prepared to enter the Pleroma. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, a path from separation to divine union, from limitation to eternal glory.  

Understanding this second baptism deepens the believer’s appreciation of the divine mysteries and highlights the transformative power of Yahweh's name in the process of redemption. Through it, believers are not only redeemed but united with Yahweh's eternal purpose, fulfilling their divine calling.