For As Many Of You As Have Been Baptized Into Christ Have Put On Christ. - Part 2183

"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)

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is ..." (Acts 4:24)

For many, water baptism has become a symbolic ritual within the modern day religious culture, rather than an essential part of New Testament salvation -- wherein scripturally, water baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God. Peter explains -- "Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21)

When Peter (standing with the eleven) commanded those who were pricked in their hearts 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" we learned that the first 3,000 souls saved (having gladly received the Word) were water baptized. (Acts 2:38-41)

And again, the same in Acts 8:26-40; Acts 10:44-48; and Acts 19:1-7. In fact, Jesus Himself was baptized of John in the Jordan River saying, "For thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:13-16) 

Likewise, Jesus' apostles (including Saul/Paul baptized -- the apostle borne out of due time when Paul met with Ananias, immediately following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus). In fact, it is clear that water is an integral part of salvation, as we learn from the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Therein, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) 

And while water itself does not save us -- again, the answer of a good conscience toward God, it is important to note that He has decidedly included our heart response to water baptism in His Name within His plan of salvation. Note also that a water component has been consistent throughout the old and new, for as we read in I Corinthians 10:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4) 

Even then the Rock -- Christ! 

Further, if we are to become clothed in His righteousness, there must be a recognition that baptism is akin to being buried with Him by baptism into death. (Romans 6:3-4) Not by sprinkling some water over us, and most certainly not being baptized as an infant -- wherein we have not had an opportunity to first repent.

"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water ..." (Matthew 3:16). "And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:38). "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death" (Romans 6:4).

As well, we need to understand that every example of water baptism in the New Testament (after the cross) was performed in the Name of the Lord Jesus. But some from religious circles are quick to say -- but Jesus commanded His disciples to "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:19) Yes, He did -- IN THE NAME -- singular. And as we understand from Luke 24:45-47, Jesus opened the disciples understanding of the scriptures. But I digress.

In context, 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: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20) 

First, Jesus states that ALL power is given unto Him in both heaven and earth so He is going to divide Himself into thirds in the very next verse. Of course not. Neither are there any scriptures confirming that we are water baptized in the name of a trinity -- a triad -- a triune god. Zero. And whether the change was made at the Council of Nicea in 300 AD or not, should be of little consequence given that Jesus did not command them to use these words as a formula, but He commanded them to baptize in "the Name." 

In His Name. In My Name. And indeed, in everything you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17)

The word Name is singular, and clearly the focal point of Jesus' words. "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) The Name above every other name. (Philippians 2:9) What is His Name? JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) 

Jesus said, "I AM come in My Father's Name," and, "The Comforter [which is] the Holy Ghost ... the Father will send in My Name." (John 5:43; 14:26; John 15:26; II John 1:9) Jesus -- I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life; the Bread of Life. (John 14:6) Jesus told His disciples, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) Jesus told His disciples that if they had seen Him, they have seen the Father and know Him. (John 14:6-12) 

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).

Jesus declared, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:45-47) Both Jews and Gentiles, as we understand from the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47)

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter answered, "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). "Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

Years later, the salvation message was still the same as we see when Peter commanded Cornelius and his household "to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48)

Peter standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost -- which also included Matthew -- were in one accord. There was no dissension between them. Peter preached standing with the elven in agreement. (Acts 2:14) As Jesus said in prayer, "I have manifested Thy Name unto the men [the apostles] which Thou gave Me out of the world ... and they have kept Thy Word." (John 17:6)

The Samaritans, who were not Jews, were also baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.... They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 8:5-16)

And Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles too, baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Indeed, Paul said unto them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John's baptism." Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, 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 19:2-5).

The Philippian jailer came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas, saying, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." (Acts 16:30-33)

Other examples? Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15)

Paul baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, even when He was one borne out of due time. How did Paul know what to do? By his own admission, Paul said, "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) 

Finally, the body of Christ church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20). The apostles not only preached baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus but they practiced it. This is why we there are zero examples of water baptism using the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Instead, the apostles baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, in baptizing in Jesus' name, they fulfilled the command of the Lord in Matthew 28:19. Those who had walked with Jesus for three plus years also recognized that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) 

And as believers in the Lord Jesus by faith, we are to remain steadfast in the apostles' doctrine -- not some man-made creed that is void of scripture. And, as Paul said, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8). 

One final thought for those who reject water baptism in the Name of Jesus.  Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16) You see, when we willingly reject the counsel of God we are likened unto the Pharisees and lawyers who rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized. (Acts 7:29-30) 

Put on His cloak of righteousness -- the garment of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ this day for today is the day of salvation. Ask Jesus to be King of kings and Lord of lords in your heart, and be water baptized in His precious, holy Name -- in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Read the New Testament scriptures for your edification and learning, and discover the ultimate wisdom and knowledge that only comes from the Lord.

Stand in the offering plate.