The Name of Jesus
By Isma Wells Erwin

Matt 28:18, 19, And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. These words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven, and are in conformity with the other words spoken by him.

Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. It is rather strange how that men have used this formula for baptismal service for years without realizing that they were not using the name at all, but simply using the words that Jesus spoke. They make no pretense whatever of using the name of the Father, or the name of Son, nor the name of the Holy Ghost, just as if God our Father had no name. It does seem that they would say, HI baptize you in the name of the Father (which is God? or Jehovah? or Elohim? or somebody else) and of the Son, (which is Jesus) and of the Holy Ghost, (which is the Comforter? or the Spirit of God? or ? ?). They don’t even make any pretense whatever to use the name, but simply use the formula, and therefore they do not get the proper results from baptism that they should receive, an~ consequently many are teaching that water baptism is not essential to salvation, but is simply used in obedience to the Word. They all, however, make some pretense at water baptism, for they realize that Jesus said (John 3:5), “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” They seem to tremble at the thought of no water at all, but they can’t see the efficacy of the water as being necessary to salvation. Consequently some will sprinkle, some pour, others hold that you must be immersed, some immerse three times, etc.

Eph. 4:5, There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism, so there is no doubt that somebody is wrong on this subject. Many people are beginning to realize this fact, but they look to man for understanding, and they wonder who is right. Brother, the Word of God is right, so let us look to the Word, or unto God (James 1:5) who giveth (wisdom) to all men liberally and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him.

Daniel 2:22, He revealeth the deep and secret things.

1 Cor. 2:10, But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALL things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. Beloved these and many other Scriptures make us to know that we should not be in error, nor in doubt about these things.

Proverbs 14:12, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Many feel sure they are right, and then find out they are all wrong. Let us search the Scriptures and pray. God will not leave us in darkness, if our hearts are honest. It is very evident that the Father has a name. Jesus said (John 5:43), “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not,” and also (John 17:11, 12) Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are one, while I was with them in the world, I kept them IN THY NAME.

John 17:26, And I have declared unto them thy name. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. These and many other Scriptures prove that the Father has a name. The word God is not the name, but there are god’s many, and whatever you worship is your god. We all admit that Jesus is the name of the Son, and the Holy Ghost is a character, called the Spirit, and we all know that the Holy Spirit is the (Matthew 3:16) Spirit of God, which is (Romans 8:9.) the Spirit of Christ, and of course bears the same name. When Philip desired to see the Father, Jesus said with much surprise, (John 14:9-11, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet thou hast not known me Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that lam in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake:” Could anything be plainer than this?

Eph. 4:4, There is one body, and one Spirit; so therefore the Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and all other references to the Spirit of Truth mean one and the same Spirit, that is the Eternal Spirit. Therefore they have one name, only different manifestations of one and the same Spirit.

1 Timothy 3 :16, God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory God was the Father, manifested in the flesh, or in other words, took on himself the form of man., that he might redeem man from his fallen state.

John 1:1, 14. The Word was God, and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.

2 Corinthians 5:19, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.

Matt. 1:21, The child’s name was called Immanuel which is, God with us. Many, many Scriptures bear out this point, that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost have one and the same name, and that name is Jesus.

1 John 5:7, There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Therefore Jesus said, All power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth, Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in (my name, i.e.,) the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, which is Jesus.

Acts 4:11, 12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. This is the stone, (and this is the name that has been rejected by the majority of preachers,) which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. These words were spoken by Peter, the foremost apostle, who just a few days before had preached the greatest sermon ever preached when three thousand souls were saved, and how did he tell them to be saved when they cried, (Acts 2:37, 38) Men and brethren what shall we do? Then said Peter, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of (the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Yes, which is) Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Oh! praise the Lord! This guarantee still holds good today, although spoken nearly 2,000 years ago, that if you repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus, FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS, YE SHALL RECEIVE the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 24:46, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved 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. For (Acts 10 :43) to him bear all the prophets witness that thru his name, as many as believe on him, shall receive remission of sins.

John 1:12, And to them gave he power to become sons of God, even as many as believe on his name: which were born of (water and the Spirit, which is) God. Brother, do you believe that Jesus suffered and died for you? That he was buried in the grave and rose again on the third day? Then are you afraid to be buried in his name?

Matthew 16:16-21, And Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, or (John 20:23) St. John says, whose so ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain: they are retained. Do you suppose Peter and the other apostles knew how to remit sins? Peter opened the door of the church, or used the keys, first to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38), by telling them, Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He began at Jerusalem, to the Jew first. Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them and when they received his words and believed on Jesus, he baptized them, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:14. When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (for Peter had the keys) who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for he that believeth and is baptized, (in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins) shall be saved or be filled with the Holy Spirit, which is the ‘Spirit’ of Christ.

Romans 8:9, 10 For if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Having then your sins remitted or taken away, and being filled with the Holy Spirit (for it is not by water only, but by water and Spirit) you become a son of God.

Romans 6: 22, Being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, thru Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom. 6: 2 to end, How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 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 we also should walk in the newness of life.
He that is dead is freed from sin. That is, his sins are remitted or taken away, the Spirit of Christ dwells in him, old things are passed away and behold all things, have become new. How say many then that we cannot live .holy or without sin? … It is “because they have hot had” their sins remitted, and have not been filled with the Holy Spirit. They have had an experience that they thought was born of water and Spirit, but not being baptized in the right name they have not had their sins taken away, and have not been made new; therefore they soon find themselves in the same condition they were in before they were’ baptized, because the inbred sin was not taken from them, but they are hard to convince of this fact, because they were honest in their intentions, and were made to believe they were saved.

1 John 3:7, 8, He that committeth sin is of. the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was’ manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil, or that he might deliver us from sin. No matter what church we “belong to” or what our past experience has been the Word of God is true. He that committeth sin is of the devil. Any person that sins is a sinner, whether he be a professed. Christian, church member, or does not profess to be a Christian.

1 John 3:9, 10, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. Do you believe this? If you believe God, then take him at his Word. You must have your sins remitted, or taken away, before God’s Holy Spirit will dwell in you, and the only way to remit sins is in Jesus’ name. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned. To be saved means to be delivered from sin, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8: 9, If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Brother if you commit sin you are not in the body of Christ, for in him is no sin. For (1 Corinthians 6:18) every sin that a man doeth, is without the body. Therefore, be not deceived. There is deliverance thru the blood of Jesus Christ, for the blood cleanseth us from all sin, and the Holy Spirit puts us in the body, which is the true church of God.

1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, and this (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:30) body of Christ is the church, which. Jesus said the very gates of hell shall not prevail against, to destroy it thru sin. Thru sin man was deceived and lost his first estate, but there is no sin, in the Spirit filled life. For he that is dead (Romans 6:7) is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God thru Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore (deceive you by making you believe that you are bound to sin) reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lust thereof. (17th verse) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, (and many� are the servants of sin now, and yet thinking they are born of God,) but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered unto you, (and if you have) being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. The only way this can be accomplished is to be (Acts 2:38; 10:43, 48; 19:16) baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:18, Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?

2 Corinthians 6:16, For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. We have the witness, proven by the Scriptures, that the apostles baptized people in the name of Jesus, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, which is the witness from God that “This is my beloved son,” or that we are accepted of him. Was Peter wrong on the Day of Pentecost when the (Acts 2:37, 38) Jews (being pricked in their hearts by Peter’s preaching, cried out and said) Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then said Peter, Repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Was this command contrary to what Jesus said?

Matthew 28:19, Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost? If so, why were (Acts 2:41) those who believed and were baptized added to the church? (Acts 8:16, 17, Why also did Philip at Samaria baptize those believers in the name of the Lord Jesus? They also received the Holy Ghost.

Acts, 10:48, Peter again at the house of Cornelius, when the Gentiles were first accepted, even after they had received the Holy Ghost commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Acts 19:1-6, Paul, also when he came to Ephesus finding certain disciples which believed, and had been baptized, (but not in the name of Jesus,) and had not received the Holy Ghost, (but were walking in all the light they had,) asked them first, Unto what then were ye baptized? Is it any wonder that Paul asked this question? Brother, Sister, may I ask, “Unto what then were you baptized,” if you have not received the Holy Ghost? When they received him, they (Acts 2:4; 10:44; 19:6) all began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Have you had this experience? It is the same Holy Spirit, the same God gives it, why then should our experience not measure up to the apostles’ standard? Peter found (Acts 10:2), devout men, that prayed to God always, and gave much alms to the poor, at the house of Cornelius, and yet unto these devout men, God sent an angel who told them to send to Joppa for Peter who would tell them (Acts 11:14) words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. They were doing all they knew, and God honored their efforts, and prepared the way [or them. No doubt, they had many wonderful experiences, so had the apostles and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and yet they (Acts 1:12-15) tarried until they were fined with the Holy Spirit of God. Let us not put our faith in our experiences, but let us walk in the light as he is in the light, and the blood of Jesus Christ will surely cleanse us from all sin. Let us put our faith in the Word of God. Many will say “I have been baptized,’; so also had those whom Paul found at Ephesus, but when Paul taught them the way, they were all baptized over again in the name of Jesus, their sins were remitted or taken away (Ephesians 19:1-6) and when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spoke with tongues and prophecied.

Mark 16:16, 17. These signs shall follow them that believe, said Jesus, In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues. It is God’s way, and if you are honest in your heart and purpose, and have not had this experience, it is because that men have followed tradition and error and have not sought diligently the Word of God. The time is at hand.

Joel 2:28, God said in the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and we are witnesses of the fact that these words are being fulfilled today, and that hundreds of people, many having been church members for years, are today accepting the “evening light” or the truth of the gospel, and are being baptized in the name of Jesus and receiving the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues when they receive him. Many are fighting against speaking in tongues, and water baptism in Jesus’ name, but the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of God. Do not fight against the Word of God, but pray and ask him to lead you on to deeper depths and higher heights in him. God is (Ephesians 4:30; 1:13) sealing his people with the Holy Spirit, unto the day of their redemption. If it is wrong to baptize in the name of Jesus (and it is surely either right or wrong) why then did Peter, Philip and Paul baptize in that name? Were they doing contrary to what Jesus said, “Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, when they baptized in the name of Jesus? Is Acts 2:38; 10:47, 48; 8:16; 19:5, 6, contrary to Matthew 28:19? Were all of these apostles wrong? We cannot ignore these facts. They simply did what Jesus commanded when they baptized in the name of Jesus, and the Lord bore them witness by confirming the word with signs following.

Proverbs 18:10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous runneth into it and are safe. All over the United States, Canada, and even the foreign countries, people are being baptized in the name of Jesus. Heathen that had never heard the name, being baptized in the precious name
The Resurrection and the New Birth 51 of Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance.

Malachi 1:11, For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, but ye have profaned it. The Jews rejected Jesus and were rejected by him. He took up the Gentiles and gave them a chance (John 1 :12), and as many as have received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to as many as believe on his name. Must the Lord look to the heathen to get a people for his name?

Acts 15:13-19. Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name, and to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this’ I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Will you be in that number that call on the name of the Lord?

Acts 2:21, And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved. The test is on, the name of the Lord is the strong tower of the true church.

Colossians 2:3-17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Acts 4 :12, For there is salvation in no other name, but the name of Jesus~ Ye must be born of water and Spirit, or ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God, which is the body of Christ, the church, and yet must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, which is Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:19, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. The only way to depart from iniquity is to have your sins remitted, or taken away. And the only name given that will remit sins, is the name of Jesus. This remission of sins means the removing or taking away of that inbred sin that we are born in. For by one man’s transgression ALL are made sinners (Romans 5:19), so by the obedience of one, shall all be made righteous. No matter what your religious experience has been, if you haven’t had your sins. remitted, you should have. This experience of being born ‘again, of water and of the Spirit simply adds to the other experience that you have had with the Lord.

This article “The Name of Jesus” by Isma Wells Erwin is excerpted from her booklet The Resurrection and the New Birth, 1954.