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CHAPTER FOUR

BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME

Part Two: The Traditions of Men

In part one of this chapter we showed how the apostles interpreted the Lord Jesus' teaching concerning the name to be used in baptism. In absolutely no instance did they actually apply any other name than the name of Jesus! One author, in attempting to resolve the scriptures with his personal interpretation of the matter, writes-

QUOTE # 4.1 -

"In the closing words of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the following command to His disciples: 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." -Matthew 28:19 NIV. However, in the early part of Acts we read: 'Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." -Acts 2:38 NIV...

• "...Granted, such passages as Acts 2:38 do give a description of how the Lord's disciples fulfilled His command... How then, can this apparent discrepancy be handled? A very plausible answer is that when the narrative in Acts indicates a baptism "in the name of Jesus," it is tantamount to saying, "by the authority of Jesus Christ"... In other words, baptism was enjoined and carried out under the divine command of the Son. The words employed in the actual rite came from the Matthaean pronouncement... The baptismal formula was not in the name of Jesus only. It was by His authority, or literally, 'in the name of Jesus'".

This particular quote is being used here because it embodies a number of common misconceptions regarding baptism. Some of them will be examined by formulating questions against those ideas which the Bible specifically contradicts.

Question # 4.5 - Although the above quoted author admits that Acts 2:38 describes how the Apostles fulfilled the Lord's command, does he have good reason for not following their lead? Are there any "discrepancies" (apparent or otherwise) between what was taught by Jesus and what was taught by the Apostles, or did the Apostles fully understand and obey the Lord's command?

"...Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them... then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer... And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name..."!!! Luke 24:36,45-46.

"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" -Mark 16:20.

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" -John 17:20.

"...Fellowcitizens... of the household of God... are built upon the foundation of the apostles..." Ephesians 2:19-20.

Question # 4.6 - Is there more than one name on which we are commanded to believe in for salvation? Do Acts 2:38, 4:12, & Col. 3:17 contradict Matthew 28:19? Or does the Bible teach that Jesus is the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?

Question # 4.7 - What is the New Testament name of the Father?

"Jesus...lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father... I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world... And I have declared unto them thy name..." -John 17:1,6,26.

"I am come in my Father's name..." -John 5:43.

"...The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me..." -John 10:25.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called...the Everlasting Father..." -Isaiah 9:6. See also Zech.14:9.

"...He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name..." -Hebrews 1:4.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named..." -Ephesians 3:14-15.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" -Philippians 2:10-11. With Isaiah 42:8- "I am the Lord...and my glory will I not give to another...".

Question # 4.8 - What is the name of the Son?

"...Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus..." -Matthew 1:20-21.

"And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, His name was called Jesus..." -Luke 2:21.

Question # 4.9 - What is the name of the Holy Ghost?

Jesus said "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name..." -John 14:26.

"The mystery which hath been hid... but now is made manifest... is Christ in you..." -Colossians 1:26-27.

"Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you..." -1 Corinthians 6:19.

"Now the Lord is that Spirit..." -2 Corinthians 3:17.

"...The Spirit of Jesus Christ" -Philippians 1:19.

"For as the body is one... so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body... and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" -1 Cor.12:12-13.

Question # 4.10 - What is the name above every name?

"...A name which is above every name:... the name of Jesus... -Philippians 2:9-11.

"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.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" -Colossians 3:17.

Question # 4.11 - Are we to believe the above author's "plausible answer" that "baptism in the name of Jesus is tantamount to saying- by the authority of Jesus Christ"? (Are the scriptures incomplete and the above author's interpretation is finally able to fill the missing link?) Or, does the Bible in fact give us some very explicit reasons for being baptized into the name of Jesus?

"John did baptize... and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins... saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me..." -Mark 1:4,7.

"...Said Paul, 'John verily baptized... 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 19:4-5.

"As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ..." -Gal.3:27.

"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" -Rom.6:3.

"Now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized...calling on the name of the Lord." -Acts 22:16.

End of Chapter Four, Part Two. To Be Continued in Part Three.

Bibliography for The Commandments of God, and the Traditions of Men Bible Study

Tom Raddatz