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be observed that the author of the fifth book of the
New Testament, called the “Acts of the Apostles,”
was a companion of this Paul, and pretends to show
that those baptized by John the Baptist (pbuh) had not
received the Holy Spirit “and therefore were re-
baptised and then filled” with the Holy Spirit (Acts
viii. 16, 17 and xix. 2-7),not through baptism in
the name of Jesus (pbuh) , but through the “laying of
hands.” It is clearly stated in these quotations that
the two baptisms were identical in their nature and
efficacy, and that they did not “bring down” the Holy
Spirit upon the person baptized whether by John,
Jesus (pbuhthem), or in the name of either of the
two. By the “laying of their hands” of the Apostles
upon a baptized person, the Holy Spirit touched his
heart, to fill it with faith and love of God. However,
this divine gift was granted only to the Apostles
who were really prophets and inspired, and cannot
be claimed by their so-called successors.

(f) If the Gospels mean anything at all in their
statements concerning baptism, they leave behind the
impression that there was no difference between the two
baptisms, except that they were administered in the name
of one or other of the two Prophets. The great Pharisee
Paul or Saul of Tarsus has not a single kind word about
John the Baptist (pbuh) , who had branded the sect of the
Pharisees with the opprobrious epithet “the children of
the vipers.” There is a tinge of grudge against John and
against the value of his baptism in the remarks made by
Luke in the “Acts of the Apostles.” In addition, Luke was
a disciple and companion of Paul. The admission by Luke
that the baptism in the name of Jesus (pbuh) , too, was not
carried out by the Holy Spirit is a sure proof against the
Church, which has arbitrarily and wantonly transformed
it into a sacrament or a mystery. The Church’s baptism