Baptism in Jesus' Name

Question: What is baptism in Jesus' name?

Answer: Jesus' name is presented in the scriptures as being of great importance. "Neither is there salvation in any other," Peter said, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:_12). The name is the name of Jesus (vs. 7-12). The Christian is to do all he does in "the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col._3:17).

Water baptism is said to be essential to salvation. Jesus taught regarding the Great Commission: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mk._16: 16). Water baptism when preceded by belief, repentance, and confession of Jesus' deity is for the remission of sin (Acts_2:38, 22:16). Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God and places one into Christ, where salvation continues to be enjoyed (1Peter_3: 21; Gal._3:27; 2Tim._2:10).

To be baptized in Jesus' name is essentially equal to being baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt._28:19). This baptism, strictly viewed, is into (eis) the name of the Godhead and Jesus (Matt._28:19; Acts_19:5). Hence, baptism initiates a relationship between the one being baptized and God (Rom._6:3ff.). In this special sense (relationship) God's people of old were baptized into Moses (1Cor._10:1,2). There is one baptism today (Eph._4:5).

Baptism into Jesus' name is an acknowledgement of Jesus' authority and Lordship (Lk._6:46). When one thus refuses scriptural baptism, one is refusing Jesus as Lord of their life (Ibid.). When one is baptized into Jesus' name, one is accessing Jesus' ability to save (Rom.6:3ff.). We are not baptized into some man or in regards to man. This Paul argued in his Epistle to the Corinthians (1Cor._1:11-13). Paul asked, "were ye baptized in the name of Paul" (1Cor._1:13). Their primary attachment was not to Paul but was to be to Christ. Without scriptural baptism, there can be no genuine attachment to Christ (1Pet._3:21).