In whose name should we be baptized?
First of all we need to define what baptism is. Let us look what the Scriptures say about that.
Romans
6:2-7, NIV. "We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don ’t you
know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His
death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order
that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life."
Col 2:12: “Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through
your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Baptism represents a decision to believe in Jesus as our Saviour. Through baptism we publicly demonstrate that we believe in our salvation obtained through Jesus, who died for us and rose on the third day. Similarly we symbolically indicate that by accepting Jesus in our lives, we are experiencing a rebirth, our old self has died, and we are a new creation through Jesus Christ.
Now in whose name should we be baptized?
Let us remember that baptism was made possible by what Jesus did (He is the One by whom forgiveness was made possible to us!) and that we symbolically indicate that by accepting Jesus in our lives, we are experiencing a rebirth, our old self has died, and we are a new creation through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the reason of our baptism!
If this is the case, baptism is not a magical ceremony that sets us right with God! Jesus is the One who set things right between God and us!
Now let us research the Scriptures and see in whose name the early Christians were baptized.
- Matt 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” NIV
It seems that Jesus encouraged His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Does this mean that any baptism not done “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is not honored by God? Did Jesus’ disciples understand it that way? Let us see in whose name they were baptizing people.
- Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” NIV
At Pentecost, the apostle Peter was encouraging people to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ”. It seems that based on just these last two mentioned texts that either you can be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” or “in the name of Jesus Christ”. Remember that baptism was made possible only through Jesus Christ “who died for our sins” (1 Cor 15:3).
3. Acts 8:12-17 “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” NIV
Even the Samaritans were baptized “into the name of the Lord Jesus”.
You may wonder what the text means here by “they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus”.
First notice that nowhere is there a mention that were rebaptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” because being baptized “into the name of the Lord Jesus” was not acceptable.
Secondly this text is a big event to the Jewish Christians. Remember that Samaritans were considered by the Jews as hostile as they had intermarried with gentiles and were considered only to be half-Jews. Upon further investigation by the church of Jerusalem, in front of two reliable Jewish witnesses (the apostles Peter and John), the Samaritans were baptized by God’s Spirit, indicating that God was welcoming them into the family of God. There was no doubt any longer that salvation had come to Samaria and was approved by God Himself!
4. Acts 10:44-48 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” NIV
An even bigger event happened here in front of the apostle Peter and several other Jewish believers: the gentiles were baptized by God’s Spirit. Not only had Samaria received the gift of salvation, but the whole wide world had received it as well and had been approved by God as indicated by the outpouring of God’s Spirit on the gentiles.
What was the Jewish Christians reaction?
They “were astonished”.
As there was no more doubt that God welcomed gentiles into His family, Peter didn’t hesitate to baptize them. He said: "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." And so they were baptized with water. Notice that they were also baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ”.
5. Acts 19:3-6 “So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” NIV
At Ephesus the apostle Paul found some believers who had been baptized by John the Baptist. Notice that the apostle refers to this baptism as a “baptism of repentance”. Remember that Jesus had not yet died for our sins when John the Baptist was alive. John the Baptist was a prophet who “prepared the way for the Lord” (see Matt 3:3). These believers had not yet been baptized by God’s Spirit and were encouraged to be baptized “into the name of the Lord Jesus”. After their baptism in Jesus’ name they received the Spirit of God.
6. Acts 22:12-16 "A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him.
"Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' NIV
Even the apostle Paul was baptized in “His name”.
Conclusion
It seems that based on all these above-mentioned texts that it doesn’t really matter if you are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” or “in the name of Jesus Christ”. Jesus is the reason why we are being baptized. He is the One who made reconciliation between God and us possible.
Have you experienced the power of God’s Spirit in your life? If you haven’t, why don’t you invite Jesus into your life and experience a thrilling experience, which will fill you with inner joy and peace. Come and answer His call at
http://www.answers2prayer.org/saviours_call.html.
Rob Chaffart
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BACKGROUND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This question appears simple but it is important for Christians to know the name
through which baptism should be done. There have been many heretic preachers who
refuse to believe in trinity. Trinity is the understanding of the Godhead.
Although this is not directly the subject matter, it is important that we accept
that God the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit exist as ONE PERSON. They are
inseparable! We cannot accept one and reject the others. We cannot accept two of
them and refuse to believe the rest.
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word
was God.
The above passage illustrates the existence of the Godhead in whose name baptism
by water (immersion) should be done.
If you want to know more about water baptism please click into our previous
discussion on this subject in our ally on this net.
I John 1:1-3
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with
our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the
Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and
declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to
us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have
fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son
Jesus Christ".
BAPTISM SHOULD BE DONE IN THE NAME OF THE TRINITY
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Matt. 28:19.
Any baptism that is done outside the above is not authentic and may be
unacceptable to God.!.
CONCLUSION
Peradventure you are not yet born again, please take advantage to become a child
of God today!. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart. Please
check for more details on how you can be a child of God on our Internet and you
will be glad you did.
God bless you.
Rev Debo Adeyemo
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In whose name should we baptized? The matter is water, and the form is the
baptizing "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
(Matt. 28:19).
Matt. 28:19-20 - Jesus commands the apostles to baptize all people "in the name
of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38 - Peter commands them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ in order to be actually forgiven of sin.
Mark 16:16 - Jesus said "He who believes AND is baptized will be saved.
John 3:3,5 - unless we are "born again" of water and Spirit in baptism, we
cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The Greek word for the phrase "born again"
is "anothen" which literally means “begotten from above.” See, for example, John
3:31 where "anothen" is so used. Baptism brings about salvation.
Acts 22:16 - Ananias tells Paul, "arise and be baptized, and wash away your
sins," even though Paul was converted directly by Jesus Christ. This proves that
Paul's acceptance of Jesus as personal Lord and Savior was not enough to be
forgiven of his sin and saved. The sacrament of baptism is required.
Rom. 6:4 - in baptism, we actually die with Christ so that we, like Him, might
be raised to newness of life. This means that, by virtue of our baptism, our
sufferings are not in vain. They are joined to Christ.
Mike Williams
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According to Scripture one can be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), or in the name Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:12,16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16). Paul alludes to being baptized in Jesus' Name in 1 Corinthians 1:13-15.
James Gillespie
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Simple! In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Triune God. God IS the Father, He IS the Son and He IS the Holy Spirit.
DeeDee
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In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although...I suppose this only applies if you believe in the trinity or in Jesus only!!! And whether you are involved with a Cult or not.
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We are baptized in the name of Jesus the savious of the world
Damian
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Jesus said we should baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
(Matthew 28:19)
Leon Collier
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I pray that all is well with everyone. I pray that God will give us all His revelation knowledge on the subject of baptism. I would like to start our discussion with a scripture that is found in I John 5:7 which says: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." God the Father is God; Jesus (Who Is the Word of God and God the Son) is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. They work in total harmony and agreement with each other. They have distinct functions. However, They are God in three persons.
I would like to call our attention to Matthew 28:19 which says: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" These words are from our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. This passage of scripture is known as the Great Commission. He instructs us to teach ALL nations and to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. This is fully acceptable in the sight of God because it came straight from Him.
I would like to call our attention to Acts 2:38 which says: " Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Notice the order that Peter mentions. He says that we should REPENT FIRST and then be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Water baptism DOES NOT save a person from sin. It is a public testimony that a person has turned from a lifestyle of sin to a lifestyle of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. A person can be baptized in the name of Jesus because Jesus (the Word of God and God the Son) is God according to I John 5:7 and John 1:1-2. It does not make a difference if a person is baptized in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The triune God (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) are One God expressed in Three Persons.
The important thing to remember is that EVERYONE must repent of their sins
and accept Jesus as his/her Lord and Savior. This is done by confessing our sins
to God, asking His forgiveness and receiving Jesus in our hearts as Lord and
Savior. Once that is done, a person isfree to get baptized in the name of Jesus
or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. May God bless you with more
revelation of His Holy Word.
Yours in Christ,
Melvin M. Lewis
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We should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Tito Javier
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We should be baptized in Jesus Christ's name, the name above all names. King
of Kings and Lord of Lords, our maker and our redeemer who is our greatest
example and who took our place by dying for us. When we are baptized, we die to
our old self and we become vessels through which Jesus Christ can work. He
becomes manifest in us and through us...We put the white cloak of Jesus upon
ourselves when we are baptized in Jesus' Name.
Beverleigh Pinches
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In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Geraldine Rietdyk
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You should be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Joe Otts
