HISTORY OF BAPTISM IN JESUS' NAME - From Apostolic Archives International, Inc.

BAPTISM

IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

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.

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

(Scriptural references to actual baptisms in Bible)

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.

(Scriptural references to actual water baptisms in titles)

FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST:

(NONE)

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.

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.

You are invited to visit Apostolic Archives International, Inc. for tremendous information on the apostolic doctrine.

Teach your children

What is the first priority in teaching our children?

Paul wrote to Timothy reminding him that from a child he knew the holy scriptures.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:15 KJV

We can teach our children the things to get by in this world, but this world is not our home and there is the reality of heaven beyond this mortal world. We need to prepare our children for a place in heaven.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV

God impressed on His people how important it is to Him to teach our children His commandments.

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:7 KJV

Because of Timothy’s knowledge of the Word and his answer to the call of God in his life, he was able to save himself and teach others of the kingdom of God and to be saved. (2Timothy 1:5, 1Timothy 4:14)

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." - 1 Timothy 4:16 KJV

Because we love our children and we want the best for them, we teach them about Jesus and His love for them. We give them the knowledge of the Word as we have been given the knowledge, passing it on to our children so they too can have a place in heaven and be used in the kingdom of God here on Earth.

A key to prayer is to pray, “Thy will be done”

We can out think Jesus, having in our mind what the solutions are to all our problems, and be fooling ourselves. God knows the future, He knows the past, He knows the thoughts and the intents of man's heart. He knows what is best for us, and what is going to work out for our good. In fact, Jesus knows what is best for everyone and all of whom we are praying for. The key is for us to be in submission to His will.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." - Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV

And why would we fight His will when we know that His will is what is best for us? 

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

The only reason I can think of is that we are being carnally minded. 

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." - James 4:3 KJV

Do we have our mind on the realization eternity is involved in our prayers? Is our priority on things we want? Relationships that the Lord doesn't want us involved in? Going places the Lord doesn't want us to go to?

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" - 1 John 5:14 KJV

The bottom line is, Jesus knows what is best, and if we believe this and trust Him, we will not push for our own will when we pray. Instead, we will pray asking according to His will. "If this is your will Lord, let it be."

"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness [lead me forward on a firm footing]." - Psalm 143:10 KJV

"And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." - Luke 11:2 KJV

Time for Church!

When Solomon dedicated the Temple of God by prayer, fire came down from heaven consuming the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. The sacrifices he offered were acceptable to God.

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV

When Jesus’ disciples were praying, cloven tongues like as of fire sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. They were living sacrifices acceptable to God. He consumed them with the fire of His Spirit. The sign of His acceptance was their speaking in tongues as His Spirit gave them utterance.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2-4 KJV

John the Baptist foretold of this.

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" - Matthew 3:11 KJV

What made Jesus’ disciples acceptable sacrifices?

Those in the upper room were all baptized in Jesus name. Jesus is our Heavenly Father that came in the form of man to be our acceptable sacrifice for our sin. Jesus was born without sin.

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." - 1 John 3:5 KJV

When we repent of our sins and are baptized in Jesus name, we become an acceptable sacrifice, because Jesus, our acceptable sacrifice, has taken away our sins.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29 KJV

Because the blood of Jesus applied to our life through Jesus’ name in water baptism has remitted our sins, we have the promise of the gift of His Spirit.

"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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

We become a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.

We become lively stones, a spiritual house of God’s name and Spirit, His holy priesthood of saints.

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5 KJV

By presenting ourselves to God with repentance from the world, baptized in His name, and filled with His Spirit, we are a living sacrifice to Him, holy, and acceptable to Him, which is true worship.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1 KJV

Another translation –

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." - Romans 12:1 NLT

So let’s have church! Time to worship Jesus and be consumed with the fire of the Holy Ghost!

Becoming the Temple of God - Part Two

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

“But he spake of the temple of his body.

It is by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that WE are able to BECOME the temple of God.

We must become dead to sin, crucifying our old sinful nature in repentance. We are buried in a watery grave of baptism in Jesus name. By the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Jesus in us, we are resurrected to live a new holy life in Jesus. (Acts 2:38)

Apostle Peter preached this on the Day of Pentecost.

"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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

As the temple of God we have the name of Jesus called upon us, and the Spirit of Jesus in us.

We are reminded in the scriptures that we have become the temple of God.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 KJV

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV

The Body of Jesus - the Temple of God (Part One) 

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  

“Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?  

“But he spake of the temple of his body.  

“When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." - John 2:19-22 KJV 

Jesus’ body is the temple of God’s Spirit. All the fullness of God is in His body. 

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." - Colossians 2:9 KJV 

When we worship Jesus, we are not worshipping a man – flesh – but rather the Spirit of God that dwells within the man. 

We are not worshiping the temple, but rather the Spirit of God that dwells within the temple. 

Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. This temple which Jesus spoke of is His body.  

Jesus’ body was destroyed when He suffered the half-way death of the Roman whipping, and then hung on the cross to die.  

They put His dead body in a tomb, and on the third day the Spirit of God raised His body from the dead.  

Jesus, resurrected by His Spirit, showed Himself alive to many witnesses over the next forty days, and then ascended up to heaven.  

Ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit of Jesus returned to fill the hundred and twenty disciples that were praying in the upper room in Jerusalem.  

On that day, their body became the temple of God.  

(To be continued)

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 KJV

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12 KJV

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18 KJV

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." - Matthew 21:22 KJV

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." - 1 John 5:14-15 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 KJV

Another translation:

"So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT

From: Exploring God's Word Home Bible Study

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 14

I am baptized in Jesus name because there is salvation in no other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 KJV

"...Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" - Acts 11:13-17 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

*Photo from Exploring God's Word Home Bible Study

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 13

I am baptized in Jesus name to have my sins washed away.

Jesus loves us so much, that He put on flesh so that He would be able to pay the price of HIS VERY OWN sinless, holy blood. (He is our Heavenly Father!) It is when we are baptized IN JESUS NAME that our sins are washed away in His blood.

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," - Revelation 1:5 KJV

We WERE sinners, with no hope. But NOW we are WASHED in the name of Jesus when we are BAPTIZED in JESUS name. (And we are sanctified by the infilling of His Spirit!)

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV

And such WERE some of you!! But now we are WASHED in the NAME OF JESUS when we are BAPTIZED in JESUS NAME!

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV

It is not by works of righteousness which we have done – OUR righteousnesses are as filthy rags! (Isaiah 64:6) We could not pay the price of our sins! For the wages of sin is death. It is only by the MERCY of Jesus that we are saved. It is a GIFT.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23 KJV

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" - Titus 3:5 KJV

Another translation:

"He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." - Titus 3:5 NLT

In our new birth, we are born of water when our sins are washed away by water baptism in Jesus name. We are born of the Spirit when we are filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. (John 3:5)

The mercy of Jesus is displayed when we are baptized in His name Jesus – His name called upon us - all our sins being washed away by the blood He shed for us, and when He fills us with the GIFT of His Holy Spirit.

When Apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost,

"…They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

“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." - Acts 2:37-38 KJV

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16 KJV

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 12

I am baptized in Jesus name because I have decided to follow Jesus.

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. ... Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:21, 24 KJV

What did Jesus mean when He said, “If any man will come after me”?

If we want to be a disciple of Jesus, we must follow Him. Jesus suffered, died on a cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

How do we follow Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?

Jesus said, “let him deny himself…”

Another translation says, “you must turn from your selfish ways…”

This is a good description of repentance.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says for the word deny: “to forget oneself, lose sight of oneself and one's own interests: Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23

Jesus then said a person must, “take up his cross…”

The Bible says we are to put our old sinful selves, our “old man” on the cross.

"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. For he that is dead is freed from sin." - Romans 6:6-7 KJV

Jesus said we were to take up our cross and follow Him. After Jesus died on the cross, He was buried.

We follow His burial by being buried with Jesus by water baptism. Water baptism is like going into a grave of water. Our “old man,” our old sinful nature, and all our sins are buried in that grave of water. When the name of Jesus is called over us, His blood is applied to our life and our sins are washed away.

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death..." - Romans 6:3-4 KJV

Because I, too, want to follow Jesus, I am buried with Him by being baptized in water in Jesus name.

Hallelujah, Jesus didn’t stay on the cross, and He didn’t stay in the grave. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.

We follow His resurrection by being filled with His Spirit to walk in newness of life.

"…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 KJV

"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." - Ephesians 4:24 KJV

"…Wherein also ye are risen with him [to new life] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." - Colossians 2:12 KJV

"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:27 KJV

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back!

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." - Luke 9:62 KJV (see: Luke 9:57-62)

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From: Search for Truth Home Bible Study

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 11

I am baptized in Jesus name because Jesus is the one that was crucified for me.

Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Corinth:

"For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 KJV

Another translation says:

"Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ."" - 1 Corinthians 1:12 NLT

Paul asked them,

"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" - 1 Corinthians 1:13 KJV

Another translation puts it,

"Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!" - 1 Corinthians 1:13 NLT

Paul was glad he had not baptized many people so that it could not be said he baptized in his own name.

"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other." - 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 KJV

Paul makes it clear here, the one we are to be baptized in the name of is Jesus! We are to be baptized in the ONE that was crucified for us, Jesus Christ.

Just as Apostle Peter preached when the church began on the Day of Pentecost and is still the same being preached today!

"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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 10

I am baptized in Jesus name to apply the blood of Christ our Passover to my life

When the Israelites were in Egypt, God told them to shed the blood of an innocent lamb. This lamb would save them from the death angel when it came through the land on Passover night. It was called the Passover.

"Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover." - Exodus 12:21 KJV

It was not enough that the Passover lamb died, the BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE SAVED.

"And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you." - Exodus 12:22-23 KJV

Jesus is our Passover lamb. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" - 1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

Jesus was crucified at Passover. (John 19:14-15). Like the bones of the Passover lamb, Jesus’ bones were not broken. (Numbers 9:12, John 19:33, 36) He was without blemish (Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19). Bitter herbs were eaten with the Passover to remember their bitter bondage. Jesus was given vinegar just before His death that paid the price for our deliverance from our bitter bondage to sin and death. (Exodus 12:8, John 19:29-30, Hebrews 2:14-15)

Just as the blood of the Passover lamb had to be applied to their house in order for them to be saved from the death angel, we must APPLY the blood of Jesus to our house to be saved.

Our body is our ‘house.’ ("For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." - 2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV Another translation: "For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands." - 2 Corinthians 5:1 NLT)

We APPLY His blood when we are baptized in Jesus name.

"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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 9

I am baptized in Jesus name so that I can apply the blood that is necessary for the remission of my sins.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 KJV [Another translation: "for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible." - Leviticus 17:11 NLT]

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." - Hebrews 9:22 KJV

While the blood of innocent animal sacrifices pushed ahead the sins of Israel, they could not take them away. It took a man without sin to take away our sins.

"But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." - Hebrews 10:3-4 KJV

It took our Heavenly Father robing Himself in flesh, born holy and without sin, to shed His blood for us.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." - Romans 5:9 KJV

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" - Ephesians 1:7 KJV

We find peace and reconciliation with Jesus when we apply the blood of His cross to our life by water baptism in Jesus name.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." - Colossians 1:20 KJV

By repentance and baptism in Jesus name, God gives us the promise of the gift of His Spirit.

"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.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Why I am baptized in Jesus name - Part 8

I am baptized in Jesus name so that I can put on Christ and apply the blood that He shed for me for the remission of my sins.

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV

With the first sin, came the first shedding of blood. It took the death of an innocent animal to cover Adam and Eve after they sinned. It took not only the death of an animal, it took “putting on” that animal to cover their sin after it shed its blood.

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. ... And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? ... Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them." - Genesis 3:7, 11, 21 KJV

Jesus, like an innocent lamb, came to die for our sins. When we are baptized in Jesus name, we put on Christ to cover our sins.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27 KJV

Just as God covered Adam and Eve’s sin by shedding blood and clothing them with coats of skins, He shed His own innocent blood so He could clothe us by baptism in His name.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29 KJV

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" - 1 Peter 1:18-19 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." - John 7:37 KJV

What was “the last day, that great day of the feast”?

The feast that was being celebrated was the Feast of Tabernacles. This  feast lasted for seven days. Jews call this feast “Sukkot,” which is Hebrew for “tabernacles.” Sukkot was just celebrated. The last day of the feast is called “Hoshana Rabbah,” the "Great Hosanna" or "Great Salvation."

During the time of the Temple, starting on the second night of Sukkot, there was the Water Drawing Festival. While each day water would be offered with the sacrifice, the water was drawn the evening before. This Water Drawing was preceded by all-night celebrations in the Temple courtyard. The Talmud describes the festivities in detail. Levites played on harps, lyres' cymbals and trumpets and other instruments of music on the fifteen steps leading from the Court of the Israelites to the Court of the Women. There was a great fanfare, singing, reveling, and sages danced and juggled burning torches. Huge oil-burning lamps illuminated the entire city.

The Talmud states that "one who has not witnessed the Festival of the Water Drawing has not seen joy in his lifetime!"

It was said the water drawing came with a great awareness of Godliness, to the degree that people would “draw” prophetic revelation.

The verse that is connected to this joyous celebration is,

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." - Isaiah 12:3 KJV

It is interesting to continue with the rest of the verses after:

"And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." - Isaiah 12:4-6 KJV

It was on the last day of this feast, that Jesus “stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:37-39 KJV

Jesus connected the outpouring of His Spirit, which would begin on the Day of Pentecost, with the great joy of the Water Drawing Festival.

“The chassidic masters explain that the water celebration signifies a joy caused by a connection to God so deep and so true that, like water, it has no describable taste. And like water, it sustains all life.” (Chabad.org)

Jesus spoke to the woman at the well of His Spirit that would be poured out:

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:10, 13-14 KJV

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17 KJV

The joy that Jesus gives us in His Spirit is more than the water drawing celebration! It is joy UNSPEAKABLE and FULL OF GLORY!!

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" - 1 Peter 1:8 KJV

Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost how to receive His Spirit.

"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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Jesus spoke,

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:46-47

Peter preached of Christ’s suffering, death, burial, and resurrection to Jews from all nations on the Day of Pentecost at Jerusalem. He then preached of repentance and remission of sins in Jesus name:

"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." - Acts 2:38

Verses from the photo:

Acts 2:38, 41 "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. ... Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

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 10:47-48 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

Acts 19:4-5 "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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

1 Corinthians 1:13-15 "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name."

Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Colossians 2:11-12 "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: 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."

What is the definition of repent?

“To change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins” – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

Repentance is turning from sin and turning to God.

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." - 2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV

Another translation:

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” - 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT.

"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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

*This chart is from the Bible study “Exploring God’s Word.”

Jesus laid our foundation by His death, burial, and resurrection. When we apply His foundation to our life by becoming dead to sin by repentance, buried with Him by water baptism in Jesus name, and resurrected by the infilling of His Spirit to live a holy life, we are ready to build a new life in Christ.

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

There was no man that was without sin that could pay the price of our sins to set us free from our death sentence. For the wages of sin is death.

God, in His love and mercy, put on human flesh so that He could pay the price for us. He came in His saving name “Jesus.”

He could pay the price because He is holy, born without sin. So by His death, burial, and resurrection, God provided a way for us to once again - as in the beginning before sin entered in - have eternal life with Him.

We find eternal life by repentance, baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and by receiving the gift of God’s Spirit within us, His Holy Ghost.

It is on this foundation, the gospel, that only Jesus could lay, that we begin building a new, holy life.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…" - Romans 3:10

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…" - Romans 3:23

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:25

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23

"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." - Acts 2:38

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42

While Jesus’s disciples were sorrowful for His death, Jesus promised them joy at His resurrection.

"A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." - John 16:21-22 KJV

Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection is like the new birth of water and of the Spirit. When we pray the kind of prayer that is like a woman in travail (labor), we can expect joy, knowing souls are going to be born into the kingdom of God.

Travailing prayer births souls. This kind of prayer is in sorrow, with weeping, consuming physically. Yet when a soul is born, the joy is the reward that no man can take from us!

Sometimes, there must be travail again for the soul that has turned from God.

"My little children, of whom I travail [labor] in birth again until Christ be formed in you," - Galatians 4:19 KJV

Travailing prayer, once again, is worth the sorrow and the labor, for the joy we share when the backslider returns to God!

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." - Luke 15:7

We are saved by the gospel. The gospel is preached, we receive it, and we stand in it.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;" - 1 Corinthians 15:1

We are saved by the gospel when we not only believe it, but also obey it.

"By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:2

The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel ... For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4

How do we obey Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?

We become dead to sin.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" - Romans 6:1-2

We become dead to sin by turning our back on sin by repenting.

We are buried with Jesus by water baptism by immersion with the name of Jesus called over us.

We are resurrected with Jesus when we are baptized with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as God’s Spirit gives us the utterance (God changes our tongue/language).

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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 6:3-4

Jesus called this being born again of water and of the Spirit. This is necessary to enter God’s kingdom.

"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." - John 3:5

When we believe the gospel AND we are water and Spirit baptized, we are saved; the gospel was not preached to us in vain.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." - Mark 16:15-18

We have obeyed the gospel when we repent, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day." - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." - Acts 2:36

Peter then preached how to obey the gospel.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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." - Acts 2:37-38

Peter let them know that the gospel is for everyone.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39

Then those that believed the gospel and received the gospel obeyed the gospel.

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:40-42