Joh 3:5 KJV 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.
Act 2:38 KJV 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.
Act 8:12-16 KJV 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. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 9:18 KJV And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Act 10:47-48 KJV 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Act 19:1-5 KJV And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 22:12-16 KJV 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Rom 6:3-6 KJV 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Col 2:11-14 KJV 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
1Pe 3:21 KJV The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1Jo 2:12 KJV I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
There’s only one Lord (Zechariah 14:9; Acts 2:36, 10:36), one faith (Mark 16:16; John 3:5-17; Jude v. 3), and one baptism unto salvation (Acts 2:38-22:16) says Ephesians 4:5. There are the baptisms of tongues and of fire, but only One unto salvation. If Jesus is the way, truth, door and life to God, then why would anyone use any other name? Jesus is the name of the father (John 5:43), son (Matt 1:21) and Holy Spirit/Ghost (John 14:26). In fact it’s the family name of God! (Ephesians 3:14-15) When someone baptizes into the titles (or names, as they love to call them) of God, they fulfill Matthew 7:21-23. Lord (Jesus is Lord of all) we did miracles and wonders in Your name (of Jesus). But He says to them, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” In other words, they were never ever His children or people. (Matt 1:21) Just like a groom knows His bride, we must be One with Jesus Christ or use His name to take away our shame. (Isa 4:1) To what are many baptized into? The father of lies, the son of perdition and the spirit of compromise from this world. By our words, we will be justified or condemned. (Matt 12:36-37) Who are we to deny the wisdom, power and only commanded as well as saving name of the Lord Jess Christ in our baptism? (Col 3:17; Matt 28;18; Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 1:23-24) If we deny Him, He will deny us but He remains faithful. Let’s us fear lest a spriit of error and unbelief causes us not to enter into the rest. We can be rest assured only in the sure foundational name of Jesus. Accept no substitute!
I am curious why you did not deal with Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Surely a command of Jesus must carry some authority, wouldn’t you agree?
Hi Dean. Thanks for your question. I do agree that Matthew 28:19 should be dealt with when discussing baptism. This post is just a list of verses that talk about baptism in Jesus’ name. I do have other posts where I discuss Matthew 28:19. Here are a few:
http://studiesinscripture.com/in-the-name-of-the-father-and-of-the-son-and-of-the-holy-ghost/
http://studiesinscripture.com/in-the-name-of-jesus/
http://studiesinscripture.com/water-baptism-for-the-remission-of-sins/
i agree, Steven, baptism can only be done in the name of Jesus, because Jesus is the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Baptism in the book of Acts fulfills Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19. The Apostles baptized in the NAME of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Brian, baptism was never in the titles but name of Jesus in the book of Acts. HOW DID THE EARLY CHURCH INTERPRET CHRIST’S COMMAND IN MATTHEW 28:19? ACTS 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, and 19:5 are four Biblical references that answer this question. If the Biblical record is not enough, please examine the findings of the educated, scholars, and historians.
Britannica Encyclopedia, 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365 – Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to words Father, Son & Holy Ghost in 2nd Century.
Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53 – The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 2 – Christian baptism was administered using the words, “in the name of Jesus.” page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until time of Justin Martyr, page 389.
Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, page 263 – Here the authors acknowledged that the baptismal formula was changed by their church.
Schaff – Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Volume 1, page 435 – The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.
Hastings Dictionary of Bible, page 88 – It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus.
IS IT AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY THAT THE NAME OF JESUS BE SPOKEN OR CALLED OVER A CANDIDATE FOR WATER BAPTISM WHEN HE IS BEING BAPTIZED? For the answer to this question, please read Acts 15:17 and James 2:7 [Greek Linear]. First Century Christians INVOKED OR CALLED the name of Jesus over believers in water baptism. If, as some say, “the name of Jesus means the authority of Jesus’, then so much more should the NAME, rather than titles, be called over an individual in baptism. Read Matthew 28:18, Acts 4:12 and Colossians 2:9. Jude 3 is an exhortation to “CONTEND FOR THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS.” See Galations 1:8-9 also. Should anyone dare to change what Christ and the Apostles established?
BAPTISM
1. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST
-or-
2. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
Which of These Were Practiced
By the Apostles in the Early Church?
BELOW ARE TWO COLUMNS FOR LISTING THE SCRIPTURES WHERE THE APOSTLES EITHER TAUGHT OR PRACTICED WATER BAPTISM.
IN JESUS NAME
JEWS – “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38.
SAMARITANS – They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16.
GENTILES – He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Lord Jesus. Acts 10:48.
PETER TAUGHT – There is none other name given whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.
PAUL TAUGHT – Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Col. 3:17.
FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST
Matthew 28:19 was a command by Jesus to baptize in a NAME. The Apostles did not repeat the words of the command, but they did obey it as seen in the scriptures above. Since Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles of the mainifestations of the Almighty Spirit and His body, the Apostles understood His SAVING NAME to be JESUS. Can any dare say that the Apostles disobeyed the Lord, or failed to baptize properly? THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST IS LORD JESUS CHRIST. The actions of the Apostles in the Book of Acts prove this to be true.
BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME
According to The Bible
JESUS TAUGHT – THAT REPENTANCE & REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.” Luke 24:47
PETER OBEYED – “REPENT & BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.” Acts 2:38-39
SAMARITANS – “. . .THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Acts 8:16
GENTILES WERE COMMANDED – “HE COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF LORD JESUS.” RV. Acts 10:48
PAUL RE-BAPTIZED – “. . . WHEN THEY HEARD THIS THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Acts 19:3-5
NO OTHER NAME FOR SALVATION – “. . .THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.” Acts 4:10-12
EVERYTHING DONE IN JESUS NAME – “WHATSOEVER YOU DO IN WORD OR IN DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Col. 3:17
The above scriptures are not given to refute Matthew 28:19 where JESUS told Apostles to baptize in the name of the FATHER, & OF THE SON, & OF THE HOLY GHOST. They merely show how the command was interpreted and obeyed by them.
The Apostles knew what most religious leaders of today fail to recognize. First: That the Lord Jesus Christ is the family name. Eph. 3:15. Second: That the FULNESS of the GODHEAD (Deity or God) dwelleth bodily in CHRIST. Col 2:9
They knew the name of the SON was JESUS. Matthew 1:21. They knew that the SON came in the FATHER’S name. John 5:43. They also knew that the HOLY GHOST was the SPIRIT of CHRIST and would come in JESUS NAME. John 14:26.
The name JESUS means JEHOVA SALVATION. Faussets’ Bible Encyclopedia. Page 359.
BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME
According to History
BRITANICA ENCYCLO. – The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son & Holy Ghost by Catholic Church in the second century. 11th Edition, Vol 3, page 365-366.
BRITANICA ENCYCLO. – Everywhere in the oldest sources it states that baptism took place in the name of Jesus Christ. Vol. 3, page 82.
CANNEY ENCYCLO. OF REL. – The early church always baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until development of Trinity Doctrine in 2nd century. Page 53.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLO. – Here the Catholics acknowledged that baptism was changed by the Catholic Church. Vol. 2, Page 263.
HASTINGS ENCYCLO. OF REL. – Christian Baptism was administered using the words, “IN THE NAME OF JESUS.” Vol. 2, Page 377.
The use of a Trinitarian formula of any sort was not suggested in early Church History. Vol. 2, Page 378.
Baptism was always in name of the Lord Jesus until time of Justin Martyr when Triune formula used. Vol. 2, Page 389.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLO. – Justin Martyr was one of the early Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church. Vol. 8
HASTINGS ENCYCLO. OF REL. – Name was an ancient synonym for “person.” Payment was always made in name of some person referring to ownership. Therefore one being baptized in Jesus name became his personal property. “Ye are Christs.” Vol. 2, Page 377 on Acts 2:38.
NEW INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLO. – The term “Trinity” was originated by Tertullian. A Roman Catholic Church Father. Vol. 22, Page 477.
Thanks for a very interesting article. I too cannot see how the masses can baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost as they are titles. When My son introduces me to his new friends he says this is my dad Johann.