Why We Baptize in the Name of the Lord Jesus
By  Rev. E.G. Moyer

Baptize is not an English word, but rather a transliteration from the original Greek text. It means to cover, dip or submerge.

Evidence is strong in the New Testament that water baptism was always by immersion. For example:

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. John alsobaptized at Aenon, “because there was much water there” (John 3:23).

Philip took the eunuch “down … into the water” and baptized him (Acts 8:38).

The Apostle Paul refers to Baptism as a burial (Romans 6:4).Likewise, there is much evidence that the followers of Jesus were always baptized in His name. There are several references to water baptism in the book of Acts and without exception disciples were always baptized in the name of Jesus. For example:

The SAMARITANS. “Only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16).

The GENTILES. “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48).

The EPHESIANS. “And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).

The JEWS. “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).

The ROMANS. “Know ye not that so many of you as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3).

The COLOSSIANS. “Buried with him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12). “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” (Colossians 3:17). Of course baptism is a deed.

The CORINTHIANS. “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” (I Corinthians 6:11).

Historical scholars agree that Matthew 28:19 (where it states to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”) is not in its original setting. Early Church Fathers never quote it alike and seldom in its present form. Furthermore, under the law of Hermeneutics (Bible interpretation), doctrines should not be established on only one scripture. One church group has established an erroneous doctrine of “Baptism for the Dead,” by using only one scripture and misinterpreting its meaning. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” says the Scripture.

Listen to the Apostle Paul: “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank my God that I baptized none of you … lest any should saythat I had baptized in my own name.”

Many Christian groups do not believe how one is baptized is important. The early church did, for Peter commanded baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The gentile name, Jesus, is taken from the root meaning of the Hebrew, Jehoshua, meaning saviour. Hebrew names always denote significant purpose of being. There is no name attached in Matthew 28:19, only titles; neither father nor son is a common name. The name Jesus is a derivative of the name Jehovah God. Being “God with us,” Jesus came in His Father’s name (John 5:43). Isaiah prophesied of the Son to be born as the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus said He was the fulfillment of this by saying He was the Father in John 14:9. In the flesh He was the son of God, but in the spirit He was God himself; otherwise, how could He make these claims and do the miracles He performed? He is also the door into the kingdom of God and it is through Him or His name we have remission of sins, because He was the Lamb of God.

Can God be found outside of Him? The Scriptures say, “No.”

We are born into the world as the offspring of Adam. We are born again through Jesus, as the second Adam, into a new Creation.

Should not we bear His image? Is not Jesus the head of the body, the church? Should not the church bear His name in water baptism? Should not the bride bear the name of the Bridegroom? The apostles firmly believed this.

We conclude, if you have not been baptized in His name, you have misseda vital truth as a follower of Christ. Listen again to the Scripture: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby ye MUST be saved” (Acts 4:12, emphasis added). Peter told the high priests when he was forbidden to preach any more in the name: We ought to obey God rather than men.” Which will you obey?

THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS PUBLISHED BY THE APOSTOLIC ACCENT, PAGE 7, JANUARY 2003. THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY AND RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.