Baptism in Jesus Name
The word baptism is from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to immerse, to plunge, and to dip.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that be- lieveth not shall be damned’. (Mark 16:16)”
Baptism is associated with believing the gospel. ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved’.
Peter associated repentance with baptism.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Jesus told Nicodemus ‘… Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’. (John 3:3). One must be baptized in water.
‘And John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized’ (John 3:23). Since the word baptism means to immerse, baptism requires much water, the last part of John 3:23 shows that immersion re- quires much water.
Jesus told his disciples, ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, bap- tizing them in the NAME of the Father; and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’. (Matt. 28:19).
Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. ‘”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” (Romans 6:4).
Only one manner of baptism can rightly represent the facts of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and that is IMMERSION. The true meaning is destroyed in sprinkling.
Jesus, Himself set the example for the benefit of His followers. ‘And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightaway out of the wa- ter.. .’ (Matt. 3:13-1 7).
Jesus’ baptism was not a baptism of repentance; it was intended as an example for others to follow.
Baptism is important because it was EXPERIENCED and COM- MISSIONED by Jesus Christ.
Why must I be Baptized?
• Act of faith
This is a public acknowledgement of one’s commitment to God.
• Obedience to God
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
• Removal of Sin
It is necessary for the remission of our sins (Acts 2. 38).
• Following the example of Jesus Christ
Jesus who had no sin was baptized as an example for us to follow. When John the Baptist questioned Jesus, He replied, “Allow it to be so now for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. “ (Matt 3:15).
• Spiritual Burial
When we are covered under the water it signifies burial of the sin- ful man and a new birth as a new person, as a child of God. Ro- mans 6:6 states, “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 should walk in newness of life”.
Formula of Baptism
Baptism must be performed in the name of Jesus
Mode of Baptism Total immersion
THE GREAT COMMISSION
Jesus commanded his disciples in Matthew 28:19. This command- ment is to the church, which is not to be
questioned, but to be obeyed by everyone. Jesus declared, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’.
The words Father; the Son and the Holy Ghost are not names but rather titles. Therefore to find out the name that belongs to these titles one must search the scriptures.
Note:
The word ‘name’ is singular in the commission statement; there- fore, there is one name common to these three titles. What is the name? There can be only one answer: Jesus.
Scriptures never contradicts themselves.
Jesus declared baptism in Matthew 28:19 and Peter declared bap- tism in Acts 2:38. Individuals, who have accepted Jesus’ words and not Peter’s words, admit that they believe in a contradiction of Scripture. Both Jesus’ and Peter’s declaration are correct.
Explanation of Matthew 28:19:
Name of the Son: Matthew writing about the birth of Christ stated in Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins “. Therefore, the name of the son is Jesus.
Name of the Father: “Phillip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us”. Jesus said unto him, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me has seen the Father: and now sayest thou then, shew us the Father” (John 14:8- 11). Therefore, the name of the Father is Jesus.
Name of the Holy Ghost: Jesus Christ answered Judas and said, “But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name …“Therefore, the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus. (John 14:26).
Jesus is the name of God: The Word of God declares, “There is no other name on this earth that mankind can be saved, that name is Jesus “, so if the name to be saved is Jesus, then the name to be baptized in must be Jesus (Acts 4:12).
By water baptism we are identified with Jesus Christ in His death burial and resurrection. “We are buried with him by baptism into death (Romans 6:4).”It was not the Father and the Holy Ghost that was crucified and buried in addition to Jesus.
The bride takes her husband’s name: The bridegroom’s name is Jesus! What name would the bride take upon her? The answer is Jesus. John the Baptist witnessed concerning Christ stated in John 3:29 that Jesus is the bridegroom. In Matthew 9:15, Jesus referred to himself as the bridegroom.
The Word of God proves that Baptism was done in the name of Jesus.
The scriptures below prove that Baptism was done in the name of Jesus.
Matthew 28:19
Jesus commanded baptism in His name; see Matt 1:21; John 14:7-11 and John 14:26.
Acts 2:38
Multitudes were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:16
Samaritans were baptized in the name of Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:48
Cornelius’ household (Gentiles) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:5
John the Baptist disciples baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 22:16
Saul was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
1st Corinthians 1:13
Paul reminded the church at Corinth that they were baptized in the name of Jesus.
Romans 6:3-4: Colossians 2:12
Buried with Jesus Christ into Baptism.
Galatians 3:27
Many have been baptized into Christ.
WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
Immediately upon repenting of your sins you should be baptized to wash away your sins.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to repent and then be baptized. Matthew 3:5-6 “During the days of John the Baptist, the people came confessing their sins and then John baptized them”.