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Greater Bethel Apostolic Church Of God
Baptism in Jesus Name

There has been much discussion concerning whether baptism should use the words "in the name of Jesus Christ" or "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost".

Keep in mind that the Bible sends one and only one message. Anything else is false. So, to analyze this concern, we must turn back to the Bible to see what it says regarding how baptism is to be carried out.

From the day the Church began, baptism in the New Testament Church has always been in the name of Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost, Peter instructed those religious Jews who
had gathered for a religious celebration to "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)

This was not an arbitrary instruction by Peter, because Jesus himself in his last words to the disciples had informed the disciples that Christ was the one who suffered and rose from the dead the third day and that "repentance
and remission of sins should be preached in his name" (Luke 24:45-51)

The disciples followed this commandment by preaching repentance and remission of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38, 10:42, 19:1-6)

Acts 4:10-12 also clearly states that Jesus is the name in which there is salvation. It goes on to say that there is no other name (other than the name of Jesus Christ) by
which we can be saved. Knowing that baptism is part of
salvation, according to I Peter 3:21, there can be no doubt that baptism must be in the name of Jesus Christ.

Also, Colossians 3:17 expresses this perhaps clearest of
all: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus". All of our religious deeds, including baptism, must be done in this saving name. Ephesians 4:5 closes the argument by declaring that there is only "one"
baptism. We know from even this small selection of scriptures that this one baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ.

In fact, the only time the words "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" are used, is in a descriptional manner in Matthew 28:19. First, let us recall that the Bible has already established that baptism must be carried out in the
name of Jesus Christ. Notice also that in Matthew 28:19 the word "name" is singular, not plural. Jesus was showing himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 in which it was prophesied that a child would be born, a son given, who would be called Wonderful Counselor, The Everlasting
Father, The Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, and so on.
There is never any confusion about whom Isaiah is speaking. Even though the words "son", "Father" and "God"
are used here, it is quite clear that this is speaking of Jesus, and Jesus only.

Reading Matthew 28:19 in view of this makes it even clearer -- Jesus is the saving name (so also says Matthew 1:21) and baptism must be done in his name.

But you've already been baptized, you say? When Paul found disciples who had been baptized, but not in the name of Jesus Christ, he did not accept their baptism as a proper Church baptism. True, they were believers, because they
are called disciples. However, they did not have the full understanding. When Paul addressed them, they did not become offended, but accepted Paul's admonition, and they were baptized all over again in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, according to the prescription that Jesus left the apostles. (Acts 19:1-6)

Why should we argue about this? Jude instructs us to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Notice his choice of words. Contend means to debate with and correct those who call themselves religious, and to stand for truth. The faith indicates (along with Ephesians 4:5) that there is only one faith.

The fact that this faith was once delivered unto the saints
states that this one faith is only delivered once and for all. Any other doctrine deliverd later is not of God. It is interesting to note that only at the Council of Nicea some 300 years after Christ went back to heaven, did any religion officially institute baptism using the actual
words "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." The apostles, including Jude, all preached baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

If you are ready to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, or if you'd like to know more about this, send Email to Pastor at: geeveeanderson@aol.com and we can help you make one of the best decisions in your life.

Praise The LORD!