Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus

John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Him. Isaiah prophesied of John:

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." - Isaiah 40:3 KJV

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." - Matthew 3:1-3 KJV

John the Baptist’s baptism was the baptism of repentance. John the Baptist did not baptize in the name of Jesus.

In the book of Acts, which describes the beginning of the church with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost and the spread of the gospel, Apostle Paul came upon some disciples of John the Baptist.

These men had not heard that the Holy Ghost was being poured out. They had been baptized by John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. They had not been baptized in the name of Jesus.

"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, 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.

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

“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.

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19:1-6 KJV

If you haven't been baptized in the name of Jesus, be re-baptized, like they were in the Bible!

The Gospel

The Bible teaches that a person is saved when they not only believe, but when they take action on that belief. (Mark 16:15-16)

According to the Bible, it is necessary to repent, to be baptized in Jesus name, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to be saved. These actions are what take place when a person truly believes! (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-13, Acts 2:38, 2Thessalonians 1:7-12, 1Peter 4:17, 1Corinthians 6:9-11, John 3:5, Romans 8:6-9)

Peter preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, then answered the people’s question, "…Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37

The people had heard Peter preach that Jesus is the promised Messiah. He preached Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The people at this point believed the gospel message.

Yet, they were not saved. They asked the essential question that a person that believes the gospel should and does ask, “What shall we DO?”

"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?" - Acts 2:37

Peter then answered the people’s question. Peter told them what they needed to do since they believed.

"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

THEN Peter said, “SAVE YOURSELVES.”

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40

Here is the important response of the people: THEY WERE BAPTIZED.

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

True believing results in action which brings salvation.

The people heard the gospel, they believed the gospel, but then they needed to respond with the action of baptism in order to be saved. They then OBEYED the gospel.

Notice, it was those that were baptized that were added to those that had already been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost that were in the upper room. It was because of their obedience to the gospel, they were then counted as those that “BELIEVED.”

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;" - Acts 2:42-44

"… And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:47

He must increase, but I must decrease

When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, He gave a sign to John that He is the Christ.

"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." - John 1:32-34 KJV (The Son of God is the body/flesh of God. 2Corinthians 5:19).

"Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." - John 1:35-37 KJV

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

"And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

"He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all." - John 3:22-31 KJV

John the Baptist’s mission was thus complete. Jesus began to baptize, and His ministry began. Shortly thereafter, John was cast into prison and then killed.

 

The Baptism of Jesus - to fulfill the righteousness of the Law

John the Baptist’s mission included a very important act in the life and death of Jesus. John the Baptist was to fulfil the Law, which required a sacrifice to be washed by a priest before it was offered.

John the Baptist called Jesus, “the Lamb of God.” Jesus came as a sacrifice for 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

"And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" - John 1:36 KJV

John the Baptist’s father was a priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia. His mother was of the daughters of Aaron. Priests were the sons of Aaron. Thus, John the Baptist was of the priestly lineage. (Luke 1:5, 57-60).

Jesus chose John the Baptist to do his part as a priest to fulfill the righteousness of the Law. Jesus, before He was offered as our sacrifice on the cross as the sinless Lamb of God and sacrifice for our sins, asked John the Baptist to wash Him by water baptism.

Priests washed the sacrifices before they were offered.

"And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD... And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: but his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD." - Leviticus 1:5a, 8-9 KJV

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" - Matthew 3:13-14 KJV

“And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [allow] it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered [allowed] him." - Matthew 3:15 KJV

"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." - Ephesians 5:2 KJV

JESUS - None other name whereby we must be saved

"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

"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

The Whole Armour of God - With all perseverance and supplication for all saints

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

Church!

A time and place to be perfected, to mature in Christ. To become equipped to do God’s work by the ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, as they build up the church, the body of Christ.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV