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Baptism in the name of Jesus - or Father, Son, and Holy Ghos

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:15 am
by email
Matth.28:19 But the apostle baptize in the name of Jesus Christ only. Acts 2:38; 19:5; Gal.3:27. But churches today got people baptize into the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Who's example should we follow? Thanks for the previous answer.

Baptism in Whose Name

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 11:01 am
by larry
Thank you for visiting insearchoftruth.org and for your question.

This is a common question asked by others. I have provided an answer, and I hope this satisfactorily answers your question. But, if you have something further to ask, please let me know.

Baptism in Whose Name

A question often arises about what to say when one is being baptized. We need to understand there is no formula that has to be used.

Baptizing people “in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, or in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, or in the name of Jesus” are all acceptable. “In the name of” does not prescribe a ritualistic formula of words to be called out while baptizing a person, but explains by what right or authority baptism is commanded.

The issue of authority was discussed by Jesus and the chief priests in Mt. 21:23-27. We do not know what John, Jesus or the Apostles said during the act of baptizing anyone, but we know they all had divine authority for what they preached and practiced regarding baptism.

The same word for authority used in Mt. 21 is used in Mt. 28:18. Jesus is claiming deity and part of the Godhead. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three were active in creation (Gen. 1:1-2, 26; Jn. 1:1-3.) When we read in Mt. 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” we understand the gospel, including the command of baptism, is to be preached and practiced in the name of God, deity, or the Godhead. There is unity of authority.

In Acts 2:38, when Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” he was not stating a formula for baptizing but was showing by whose authority it should be done. In Acts 19, when Paul found some disciples who had not received the Holy Spirit because they had been baptized by John, he explained what they needed to do and in verse 5 we find that “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Again, not a formula of words to say, but by the authority of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your interest in spiritual things.

Larry