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Baptism in the Name of Jesus

Baptism in the name of Jesus.

Baptism in the name of Jesus, why only this form(ula)?

And what does that really mean?

1. The command: Baptize! But how exactly?

Jesus himself gave his disciples the command: "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

..."
, Matthew 28:19

But what did the apostles do afterwards? They never baptized with this trinitarian formula.

Rather always: in the name of Jesus. For example: Pentecost: "... and let yourselves be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

for the forgiveness of your sins ...", Acts 2:38

Samaritans:

"... they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.", Acts 8:16

Paul: "... they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.", Acts 19:5. So is that a contradiction?

Did Jesus name 3 names, and did the apostles contradict him? No.

They understood exactly what Jesus meant.

2. What does "the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" mean?

Look closely: Jesus says "in the name", singular. Not "in the names," but in the ONE name. Question:

What is the name of the Father?

What is the name of the Son?

What is the name of the Holy Spirit?

The answer is not "Father, Son, Spirit", these are not proper names, but titles. The name in which all the fullness of God dwells, is Jesus. "For in him

the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.", Colossians 2:9

"And you shall call his name Jesus

...", Matthew 1:21

Jesus is the name in whom:

The Father acts (John 5:43)
The Son works (Philippians 2:9-11)
The Holy Spirit was sent (John 14:26)

The apostles understood this, and acted accordingly.

3. Why is the name Jesus so decisive?

Because in the name Jesus lies everything that saves: forgiveness:

"... in his name repentance and forgiveness are preached ..." (Luke 24:47)

Salvation:

"... in no other is there salvation ..." (Acts 4:12)

Power:

"... in the name of Jesus, rise up!" (Acts 3:6)

Prayer:

"... whatever you ask in my name ..." (John 14:13)

And therefore:

Baptism in his name means: you accept HIM. You put HIM on. "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.", Galatians 3:27

4. Why is baptism in the name of Jesus a covenant?

Baptism is more than a ritual. It is: a spiritual covenant, a sealing, a transfer of ownership, from "I" to "You, Jesus."

A burial of the old life (Romans 6:3-4)

And no covenant is concluded "in a title", but in the name of the covenant partner. God has given one name through which everything happens:

Forgiveness, salvation, rebirth. Therefore: baptism in the name of Jesus is not simply "one variant." It is the original, biblically established entry into the new man.

5. What about Matthew 28:19?

Jesus spoke prophetically, the apostles acted concretely.

In the first centuries no single follower of Jesus said "I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." All did it in the name of Jesus, because they had understood:

  • Jesus is

the revelation of the Father. Jesus is

the Son. Jesus is the one who

sends the Spirit. Therefore the one name is enough: JESUS.

Conclusion:

Baptism in the name of Jesus is:

  • biblical
  • apostolic
  • powerful
  • a covenant
  • the only documented baptismal command in the New Testament

Whoever is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ confesses:

"I no longer belong to myself, but to you. You are my Lord, Savior, King."

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