I am going to shed a little light on baptism and to understand the name we go forth regarding baptism. The order of preference should be for us to be Saved, Baptized, and then produce works as according to the Holy Spirit. I will provide scriptures regarding the above in the King James Version. The New International Version, also known as NIV from herein, has slightly different wording.
First, we must understand what is meant to be Saved and how to be Saved. This is necessary first before baptism. Nicodemus, whom was a man of the Pharisees, a ruler of the Jews, saw Jesus by night. Jesus told Nicodemus a man has to be born again in order to see the kingdom of God, which is found in John 3:3. Because Nicodemus was confused, he basically asked, how? Jesus answered him in saying a man has to be born of water and of the Spirit; John 3:5. Then comes the famous John 3:16 of which if we believe in Jesus, we should not perish, but have everlasting (eternal – John 3:16 NIV) life. It goes on to say that if we believe in Jesus, we are not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already; John 3:18. We must have true repentance which is found in Matthew 4:17.
Now unto my favorite topic, baptism. Most people believe in baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is where I come in to prove, by scripture, the baptism is done in the Name of Jesus. There are a few scriptures on baptism, but I am going to pick three and then go down deep to show how God and Jesus is the same, which is why we should baptize in the Name of Jesus, not Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We all know that Jesus spoke in parables to his disciples for they had the keys to the kingdom. Now, to understand this better, who is the Son? Who is the Father? Who is the Holy Spirit (Hopefully, you said Jesus)? When Jesus said name, it is singular not plural. Therefore, name means ONE, not many like names. Jesus did not say baptize in the names, but in the name. In Acts 2:38, Paul says to repent (John 3:16 and John 3:18) and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins (forgiveness of your sins Acts 2:38 NIV) and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit Acts 2:38 NIV). Romans 6:3 says if we are baptized into Jesus Christ we are baptized into his death. Our old nature dies and we have the nature of Christ, even so we also should walk in the newness of life. One powerful scripture would be John 11:25; “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though were dead, yet shall he live;” So, who is the life and resurrection? Whom do we have to believe in to be saved, born again, or so we shall live (Hopefully, your answer was Jesus as the scripture stated)?
Now, the scriptures will prove that Jesus and God are the same. In other words, God is Jesus made man on earth for the ultimate sacrifice so we all may be Saved. There are places in the Old Testament that God says; “I am the Lord thy (your in NIV) God. As in the Ten Commandments, God said “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage (Exodus 20:2).” It goes on verse three as God said not to have any gods before him. When Jesus was in the wilderness, fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was tempted by the evil one (satan). In Matthew 4:7-10, Jesus told the evil one do not temp the Lord thy God and worship the Lord thy God and serve him only. This ties into Exodus 20:2, in the Old Testament, where God says Lord thy God and Jesus said Lord thy God. We shall not serve two gods, so if Jesus said Lord thy God and God said Lord thy God, what does that make Jesus (Hopefully you said he is God)? If this is still confusing, then we can go to Revelation 1:1 and Revelation 1:8. The Revelation is of Jesus Christ, where Jesus reveals himself as John was in the Spirit. Verse eight, the Lord says he is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. In Genesis, it says God created the heaven and the earth. So, if we are not to serve two masters, then why would God say he is to be served, yet Jesus say he is the Lord our God and the Alpha and Omega? In Revelation 17:14, it goes to say the Lord of lord and King of kings. Since verse one states this is the revelation of Jesus Christ, it is safe to say Jesus is the Lord of lord and King of kings. If God wants to be served as in Exodus 20:2, then why does Jesus has the name above ALL names (Philippians 2:10)?
Once we are Saved and Baptized, we shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit shall minister to us regarding our gift or purpose in life in spreading the good news. Not all are called to be Pastors, Ministers, Teachers, or even Preachers, but we all have a specific calling upon us (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Hopefully, this is evident that baptizing should be done in the name of Jesus Christ, for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are titles of the ONE. If I had a child, that makes me a father, which is a title. I, being a father, have a name, which is Brian. Brian is the name that is greater than being a father.
Peace and Happiness to all.
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