Baptizing in the Name

by Rex Conklin with Frank Klin maranathamedia.com Come now, let us reason together. We are challenged to be Bereans. Test the spirits and search the Scriptures preserved and handed down by the church in the wilderness to see if these things are so. Pray for discernment and may our Father richly bless as you study His Word. After His death and resurrection Jesus calls the eleven remaining disciples together to give them their commission saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nationsTeaching 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 KJV) Adding in the rest of verse 19 we read, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Some say that with the use of the word name the verse indicates that beside the Father and Son the Holy Ghost is an entity unto itself making it one of a three person god they call the trinity. If the Spirit is a separate Being from the Father and Son does it have its own name or is it actually part and parcel of another divine pattern? This study will take us through the gospel of John and Lukes account of the apostolic church in Acts to determine by what power or name we are to baptize in. Will the evidence agree with what a majority of the Christian world is teaching today about a triune baptismal formula? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - (John 3:16) The above text identifies God as a Father who had a Son to give. John then tells us, He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. - (John 3:18-19) What a sad reality. This reality was evident all through the life of Christ. In verse eleven of the first chapter of Johns gospel we read, He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Those of His own who did not receive Him kept asking for proof of His identity, Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. - (John 10:25) The literal Son of God testified as to where His power came from while He was on earth for He had clothed his Divinity with humanity. He gives His Fathers name as the origin and source of His power. He then warns that because they did not accept Him if another (allos John 14:16) came in his own name they would receive him. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. - (John 5:43) Is the church telling us today that someone has come in his own name to represent Christ and His Father?

I am the LORD (YHWH): that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. - (Isaiah 42:8) But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God (YHWH), even to them that believe on his name: - (John 1:12) What a precious thought. Jesus gives those who receive Him and believe on His name power to become the sons of God His Father. Now when he (Jesus) was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. - (John 2:23) Even the people that had come to the feast of Passover knew Jesus was the King who came in the name of His Father. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. - (John 12:1213) And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philipand desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. - (John 12:20-23) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. - (John 12:26, 28-32) With the sacrifice of our Saviour on the cross Satan is no longer the prince of this world. As the father of lies He still tries to make that claim and comes in whatever name he chooses saying he represents the Father and Son. We do not have to fall for his deceptions. As the literal Son of God Jesus said that if He is lifted up He would draw all unto Himself and lead them, as the true shepherd, to His Father. In John chapter 14 Jesus wants us to know something special about the relationship He has with His Father and Their relation to us. This is the continental divide between those who accept the truth of the literal Father and Son and those who do not. ye believe in God (the Father), believe also in me. - (John 14:1) I go to prepare a place for you. - (John 14:2) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. - (John 14:3) I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever; If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. - (John 14:6, 16; 15:10) The Son of God in John 14:16 is another Comforter, the allos parakletos that will abide with us forever. Parakletos: literally, "called to one's side," to one's aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor, advocate. (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words) Jesus continues to share, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. - (John 14:21-23) The Old Testament confirms that the Father dwells in us, For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. - (Isaiah 57:15) The Son of God tells us that He speaks in the authority of one person only, For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. - (John 12:49-50) The prophet Isaiah wrote of this truth. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD (the Father). As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD (the Father); My spirit that is upon thee (applied to the Son of God as well as the believer, see also Isaiah 61:1), and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD (the Father), from henceforth and for ever. - (Isaiah 59:20-21) Jesus also proclaimed that the Spirit is the words that He received from His Father, It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. - (John 6:63) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - (John 14: 26) We are given the same promise when the Father abides in us, For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. - (Matthew 10:20) John the Baptist declared about Jesus, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit (of the Father) descending, and remaining on him, the

same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost (the Spirit received from the Father). - (John 1:26,33) We read previously how Jesus testified that He was the Truth. You can then understand that as He is holy, He also has a Spirit that is holy. Notice how He addresses Himself, the Spirit of Truth. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. - (John 15:26; 16:13) As Jesus spoke only what He heard from His Father while on earth, so He continues to do as the Spirit of Truth, that part of Himself that He gives to us. When it comes to prayer look at how Jesus addresses to who, and in whose name, we should pray. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. - (John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23-24, 26-27) When Jesus says that if we ask of the Father in His name and how He in turn will pray the Father for us, this sheds light on Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us.... John chapter 17 has the heartfelt prayer of Jesus to His Father. Notice how fundamental the Fathers name is in relation to unity with the believer. I have manifested (made visible or known what has been hidden or unknown) thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name... And I have declared (recognized, made known) unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. - (John 17:6, 11, 12, 26) Jesus uttered that while He was on earth He declared His Fathers name and would continue to declare it. This harkens back to what we read previously when the Son asked, Father, glorify (manifest, acknowledge, praise, honour, make glorious) thy name. This plea was so poignant and heartfelt that the Father answered directly and audibly. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (John 12:28) How beautiful to see a divine pattern of headship and submission in the relationship of the Father and Son as the Son manifests and declares the name of His Father while the Father in turn glorifies His own name in the manifestation of His Son. After the commission to goteach allbaptizing them in the name by what name did the apostolic church in the book of Acts do this? Did the Father glorify His name again?

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21) How do we call on the name of the Lord? Then Peter said unto them, 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 gift comes from the Father through Jesus name. See our study The Gift: Our Abiding Possession for this unquestionable truth. A lame man sees Peter and John about to go into the temple. Peter heals the man in the name of Jesus, Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walkAnd as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. - (Acts 3:6 & 11) Now listen as the apostle tells those who witnessed the healing that the God of their fathers has just glorified His name through His Son. Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus - (Acts 3:12-13) But ye denied the Holy One and the Justand killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name (the Father) through faith in his name (the Son) hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. - (Acts 3:12-16) Peter then calls the people to repentance and some do not appreciate the message. And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day - (Acts 4:1-3) On the morrow before the council Peter and John were asked a pointed question, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? - (Acts 4:7) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of IsraelBe it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. - (Acts 4:8 & 10) There is more power through the name of Christ resurrected. Jesus literally healed the crippled man by His own Spirit working through Peter. Doesnt this remind you of what happened on the day of Pentecost, the very day when in heaven Jesus received back from His Father the glory that He had before He came to earth? Peter spoke boldly then under the power of the gift of the Holy Spirit and he speaks boldly here as he shares a vitally important truth.

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) Though the chief priests and elders knew Peter and John had been with Jesus, could not deny the miracle, and marvelled at their boldness they conferred together as to what should be done to the disciples. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. - (Acts 4:17-20) So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all glorified God (the Father) for that which was done. (Acts 4:21) Did you catch that? The Father is glorified again, this time through His people. Peter and John return to the believers to share all that had happened and when the believers heard it they cried aloud to the Father. Lord (YHWH, the Father), thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them isThe kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord (YHWH), and against his Christ (anointed One). For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed And now, Lord (YHWH), behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. (Acts 4:24, 26-27, 29-30) Now see how the Father answers the prayer prayed in the name of His Son. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. - (Acts 4:31) This was another outpouring of the Spirit as on the Day of Pentecost. Peter and certain other apostles again get in trouble for speaking the name of the Son of God. The enemies of God know that there is power in the name and they fear. Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. - (Acts 5:28) Gamaliel, one of the Pharisees, gave his testimony and concluded his remarks by saying, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. - (Acts 5:38-39) His words ring true today. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they

departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. - (Acts 5:40-41) In Acts chapter sixteen we have the account of Paul commanding an evil spirit in the name of Jesus to come out of a woman, and he came out the same hour. - (Acts 16:18) Then we have a curious account. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. - (Acts 19:13-16) Why did this happen? The people were mixing the sacred with the profane. Many repented of their evil deeds. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. (Acts 19:17-20) Now lets look at verses in Acts that highlight baptism to see if there is a correlation between the receiving of the Holy Ghost and the Name the believers were baptized in. Peter is in Caesarea at the home of Cornelius. He reveals that, God (the Father) is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) - (Acts 10:34-36). So the same salvation offered to the children of Israel through the sufferings of the Lamb of God was offered to all who believed, Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost (Spirit of Christ) sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:21) Peter continues, that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God (the Father) anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with himTo him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.- (Acts 10: Acts 10:36-38, 43-44)

Cornelius, along with his family and friends, received the Holy Ghost just by hearing the words of Peter. They hadnt even been baptized with water. Christs glory that He had before the incarnation was again manifest through His Spirit. Notice that this outpouring of the Spirit came through Jesus, just like John the Baptist proclaimed in the gospel, that the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Ghost. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. - (Acts 10:45-48) In another example the apostle Philip had gone to the city of Samaria and discovered the people had been bewitched by the sorcerer Simon Magus, To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God Here was someone who came in his own name and the people believed a lie. 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. - (Acts 8:10, 12) This account is the opposite of the story of Cornelius. These believers received water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ before they received the Holy Ghost. This shows that the great commission is not a formula of baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Rather the emphasis is on teaching and believers were to be baptized with water in the name of Jesus, who carried the name of His Father. The gift of the Holy Ghost would come from the Father through Jesus Himself as we learned previously from John the Baptist. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. - (Acts 8:14-17) During Sauls conversion on the road to Damascus he sees Jesus face to face, the very one he had been persecuting. How had Saul known who to persecute? This is Sauls testimony, I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 26:9) While Saul was blind physically he sees in vision a man. Jesus Himself speaks about Saul to that same man, Ananias, in a vision, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. - (Acts 9:15-16) Paul did suffer great things for the sake of Jesus name, but was heard to testify, I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. - (Acts 21:13) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately

there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. - (Acts 9:17-18) Here Jesus Himself, through Ananias, filled Saul with the Holy Ghost. It was not until then that Saul was baptized with water. The new apostle then, through the Spirit of Christ, had power to teach all nations whatsoever Jesus commanded him. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he 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. 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. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. - (Acts 19:1-6) In our journey through Johns gospel and the book of Acts, how many names did we discover that the gospel was preached in? We found the name of the Father several times and how God glorified His name in His Son. Nowhere did we find the name of the Holy Ghost or Spirit. This is curious because a majority of the Christian world deems the Spirit a third co-equal, co-eternal Being with the Father and Son. When you do a comprehensive study nowhere in Scripture is there a name for the Spirit. In the book of John we learned the Spirit comes from the Father as a part of who He is. He in turn gave the Spirit to His only begotten Son to be a part of who He is. It was also poured out in great measure on the day of His baptism and again on the Day of Pentecost. Because of this study we would like to take another look at what is termed The Great Commission from Matthew. Knowing that originally there was no punctuation or chapter and verse indicators when Scripture was written, coupled with the fact that we found only the name of the Father and Son and no name for the Spirit we propose the following reading of the verse: And 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. - (Matthew 28:18-19 part A) And of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, unto the end of the world. Amen. - (Matthew 28:19 part B-20) Why read it like this? By baptizing with water in the name of Jesus, we baptize in the name of the Father. Then it is that Jesus baptizes the believer with the Spirit so that we are able to teach all things whatsoever our Saviour commanded. And these are the things Jesus heard from His Father. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God (the Father) raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. - (Acts 3:22) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall

not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. - (John 14: 26; John 16:13) In using someones name we are recognizing and acknowledging the dignity and authority of the one named. The use of a name also recognizes the character of the one giving it, or all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc. To do something by ones command and authority is acting on His behalf and promoting His cause. By what name or power have ye done these things? In the name of Jesus, the Son of God, through the power of His Spirit given to Him by His Father. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name for Jesus said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. - (John 20:31; John 15:7-8) If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. - (1 Peter 4:14; John 15:21) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. - (1 Corinthians 8:6)

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