The Truth About Water Baptism
All Examples of Baptism Are in the Name of Jesus Christ
Very simply, all the examples we have in the New Testament plainly show that baptisms were performed in the name of Jesus.
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Those who baptize in the titles, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost tell me one thing: that they don't know the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! If they did understand, then they would use that one name whereby we MUST be saved.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
If Jesus is the only name whereby we must be saved, then why wouldn't people use it? In the Old Testament, God tells us that his people shall know his name, and again in Zechariah we are told that there will be one name known throughout the world.
Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
We are told in Acts 15:26 of men who hazarded their lives for the name of Jesus. Why would we not use the name of Jesus in baptism, our entrance into the body of Christ?
Acts 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus didn't say repeat after me. He said to baptize in the name.... His disciples obviously understood him, and on the day of Pentecost baptized in JESUS' name!
So, what is the name of the Father? What is the name of the Son? What is the name of the Holy Ghost?
Let's answer according to the scriptures.
We find Jesus referring to the name of the Father in John chapter 17.
John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
What name did Jesus manifest (make known) to the people? The name of "Jesus."
Of couse, no one is confused about the name of the Son...
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
But what about the name of the Holy Ghost?
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Ghost is sent in whose name? The name of Jesus!
Let's face it, the name of Jesus brings division. The Apostles, when brought into question in the temple about the healing of the lame man (Acts 4:1-24), could have avoided a lot of controversy if they had used the generic term "God" or "Lord." They could have told the council, "God gave us the power," or "It was through the Father that this man stands here before you whole," or even, "By the Spirit of the Eternal God, our Heavenly Father, does this man stand before you whole."
If they had said that, they might have saved themselves a lot of grief. They wouldn't have stirred up the bees nest they did. Of course, they were bold and used the name of Jesus!
Why wouldn't a Christian want to be bold and use the name of Jesus in their baptism? (The only name whereby we must be saved, according to Acts 4:12.)
In Ephesians we are told that the entire family name is Jesus.
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
We can also contrast this report of the Great Commission in Matthew 28 with the account in Luke.
Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Is there any confusion here? In verse 47, Luke simply says that repentence and remission of sins should be preached in "his" name....
Whose name? The name of Christ. Jesus.
In Acts 2:38 there is no mistake of what name the apostles used: "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."
Peter knew what name to use. He was not confused by Jesus' statement. He was not confused in Acts 4:12 when he told the council that there was no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.
In baptism we are taking on a name. It is important use and acknowledge that name. Jesus said in John chapter 10 that he was the door and that there was no other way to enter into heaven.
John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.