Baptism -How Many times?

[Evelyn Blacksher]

How often should a person be baptized? i encounter many who were baptized ,when they accepted CHRIST,but walked away from HIM,now they're back and feel the need to redo it. Some say,every few years they like to be redipped. Some say,they did not do it right the 1st time.

[Superintendent Elijah Marshall]

whether the burial comes after the resurrection or before... doesnt matter to God.. He just wants you to identify with His death, burial and resurrection.. I say this because I acknowledge that there was one occasion In Acts 10:44-48, where they received the Holy Ghost first and then were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus... So.. praise God..

[James Pierce]

We are to be baptized once in the name of Yashah.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

That works for me........

[Della Morton]

Christian water baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. If it is not important in the plan of God, why did Jesus command it in Matthew 28:19? And why did Peter follow up by saying, "Be baptized every one of you," and by commanding the Gentiles to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:48)? We must remember two points about the importance of water baptism. First whatever Christ definitely established and ordained cannot be unimportant, whether we understand its significance or not. Second, Christ and the apostles showed the importance of this ordinance by observing it. Jesus walked may miles to be baptized, though he was without sin, saying, "For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness" (See Matthew 3:13-16).

It is true that water itself does not contain any saving virtue, but God has chosen to include it in His plan of salvation. Peter explained, "Baptism doth also now save us (not putting away the 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). According to Luke 7:30, "the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized."
The Mode of Baptism

According to the Scriptures, the proper mode of baptism is immersion. "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). A corpse is not buried by placing it on top of the ground and sprinkling a little soil on it, but by covering it completely.

According to the World Book Encyclopedia, "At first all baptism was by complete immersion" (vol. 1, p. 651). And the Catholic Encyclopedia states, "In the early centuries, all were baptized by immersion in streams, pools and baptisteries" (vol. 2, p. 263). Immersion was not convenient after the Catholic church instituted infant baptism; thus the mode was changed to sprinkling. (See Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed, vol. 3, pp. 365-66)

Repentance identifies us with the death of Christ, and baptism identifies us with His burial. Coming for from the watery grave of baptism and receiving new life in the Holy Spirit identifies us with His resurrection.
The Formula for Baptism

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). He did not commend them to use these words as a formula, but He commanded them to baptize in "the name". The word name is used here in the singular, and it is the focal point of the baptismal command. The titles father, Son, and Holy Ghost describe God's relationships to humanity and are not the supreme, saving name described here, which is Jesus. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Jesus is the name in which the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are revealed. The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph, "She shall bring forth a son and thou shall call 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). Thus by baptizing in the name of Jesus, we honor the Godhead. "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). Luke 24:45-47 records that just before His ascension Jesus opened the disciples understanding. It was necessary that their understanding be opened, and many today need this same operation in order to understand the scriptures.

Then Jesus said to them, "Thus it is written, and it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day." The disciples had their understanding opened so that they could grasp the vast importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Verse 47 describes the commission that Jesus then gave: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations (Jews and Gentiles), beginning at Jerusalem."

Peter was one of that number to whom Jesus had spoken and whose understanding had been opened. After having listened to these instructions, a few days later he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to preach on the Day of Pentecost. The hearts of the hearers were pierced and feeling condemned, they cried out to Peter and the other apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter did not hesitate but boldly answered. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall received the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day they were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

Some say that Peter told them to be baptized in Jesus' name because they were Jews and this baptism was to make them acknowledge Jesus Christ. But let us go with Peter to the house of Cornelius several years later. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, yet there again Peter "commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). (Most translations actually say, "In the name of Jesus Christ.") If Peter was wrong on the Day of Pentecost, he surely had ample time to be corrected before he went to the house of Cornelius. Was Peter wrong on the Day of Pentecost? When the hearers were pricked in their hearts, they spoke to Peter and the rest of the apostles (Acts 2:37). This included Matthew, who wrote Matthew 28:19. Moreover, when Peter preached, he stood up with the eleven (Acts 2:14).

Matthew was there, yet we find no words of correction from him. He surely would have spoken up if Peter had disobeyed the Lord. Bit all the apostles understood and carried out the Lord's commission. As Jesus said in a prayer, "I have manifested thy name unto the men (the apostles) which thou gavest 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 8:5,12,16).

Let us see how Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, baptized. He went to Ephesus many years after the Day of Pentecost and found some disciples of John the Baptist there. "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. 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).

Although these disciples had already been baptized, the name of Jesus was so important as to cause them to be rebaptized in His name. We do not believe that Paul changed the formula or mode of baptism when he baptized Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15) or the Philippian jailer. The latter 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 (shortly after midnight), and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway" (Acts 16:30-33).

How can we doubt that Paul baptized these people using the same mode and formula that he used elsewhere, that is, immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Paul was not with the apostles when Jesus gave His final instructions to them in Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47, yet Paul baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. How did he know what to do? He said that his gospel was not a tradition of men but a revelation from God. "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it from of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul was chosen to bear Jesus' name to the Gentiles, and he wrote many divinely inspired epistles to the church. To this apostle, God revealed the mystery of the church, "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:5). Paul claimed to have divine authority: "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (I Corinthians 14:37). And Paul wrote, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Colossians 3:17). Water baptism is done both in word and deed.

We cannot afford to overlook this command to the church. The 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 Jesus' name, but they practiced it. Nowhere can we find that they baptized using the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Instead, we find them baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In baptizing in Jesus' name, they fulfilled the command of the Lord in Matthew 28:19. 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). Let this be a solemn warning to us. Some say that they will accept the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 but not those of Peter in Acts 2:38. But Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Peter was one of the apostles, and to him had been given the keys of the kingdom, so we have no right to discredit his words.

In Mark 7:8 Jesus said, "Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men." History tells us that it was not until many years after the apostles that the mode and formula of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ were changed. (See Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible, vol. 1, p. 241.) Which means more to you, the command of the Lord or the tradition of men?

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

You say JESUS instituted water baptism by using Matthew 28:19. This is deceptive and inaccurate. It was the Prophet, John the Baptist, that spoke CLEARLY about the manner of baptism that CHRIST would bring and install:

"And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." - John 1:25-27

The Jews knew that CHRIST would come baptizing and cleansing the people of their sins, but they didn't know what HE would baptize them with!


"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but HE that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" - Matthew 3:11

The key word in that sentence was "but", which indicated a major difference in the two individuals. The difference was not just in JESUS being the Messiah, but the difference in baptisms. According to scriptures, the ONLY baptism that JESUS baptizes anyone in is the baptism of the HOLY GHOST. If you can show any place in the Bible where JESUS Himself baptized with water, please show me, because HE was not sent for that. The Apostle Paul also said that he wasn't sent for such either:

"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." - 1st Corinthians 1:14-18

[Della Morton]

Trevor What Your saying is that Water Baptism Is Not important concerning Salvation! You are in Serious Error!
BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT AND IT'S NECESSARY FOR ONE TO BE SAVED! Jesus Said One must be born-Again of The WATER and of the Spirit Jn.3:3-5 OTHERWISE YOU CAN NOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. You cannot say you believe Jesus over the apostles teaching They were not Divided!
You cannot say you believe Just the four gospels and Not The Rest of the bible. That my friend is wrong.
Please Study these scriptures if it's your desire to learn the bible .

"A Study In The Book Of Acts”

How Did The Original Apostles Baptize?

Acts is the only New Testament book where any baptisms are recorded and everyone of them were done in the name of our Lord and Savior ‘Jesus Christ’. Also no one every preached or taught in the titles of Father, Son or Holy Ghost at all but in the one name of those titles – Jesus Christ. There is nothing wrong with using those titles in preaching, teaching, etc as long as the user and listener knows that they just that ‘TITLES’ and not the’ NAME’

Acts 2:38 Peter who had the Keys of the Kingdom which were, and are, the words whereby we are to be saved by (Matthew 16:19; Acts 4:12; 10:34 & 36; 11:14), preached Jesus Christ. This is what the Apostles Doctrine was, is and always will be – see verse 42 also Acts 13:12 (Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; 2 John 1:9-10; Jude verse 3; Revelations 22:18-19) and also this is where the one and only ‘church’ was born and established - see verse 47 (also Acts 5:14; 6:7; 11:20, 21, 24).

Acts 8:12 Here Philip preached and baptized both men and women in the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:16 Peter again preaches Jesus Christ and then baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [Lord Jesus is a shorter way of saying they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. No abbreviations or alterations were every authorized or approved by Jesus or the Apostles. (Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; 2 John 1:9-10; Jude verse 3; Revelations 22:18-19)].

Acts 9:18 Paul then called Saul (Acts 13:9) was baptized in Jesus’ name (See verse: 5, 20, 27 and 29; 4:12; 17:3, 18; 18:5; Colossians 3:17).

Acts 10:47-48 Peter preached Jesus Christ (see verse 36, 38 and 11:17; 15:17) and here he baptized the first Gentiles in the name of the Lord [Lord is a shorter way of saying they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. No abbreviations or alterations were every authorized or approved by Jesus or the Apostles. (Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; 2 John 1:9-10; Jude verse 3; Revelations 18:19)].

Acts 16:15 Lydia which worshiped God, heard Paul preach Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16; Acts 17:18) the Lord opened her understanding as he did to the disciples in the beginning (Luke 24:45) and she was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:15; 4:12; 17:3; 19:3-5; Romans 1:16; Colossians 3:17).

Acts 16:30-33 The keeper of the prison asked what must he do to be saved (Acts 2:37) and was told to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, 42) and he was baptized, he and all his family in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, 42; 4:12; 17:3; 18:5; 19:3-5; Colossians 3:17).

Acts 17:23 Paul preached to the men of Athens who had built an altar unto the UNKNOWN GOD was none other than Jesus Christ.

Acts 18:8 Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth and all his house and many of the residents living there heard and believed and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:16; Acts 4:12; 18:5; Colossians 3:17).

Acts 18:24, 28 Apollos taught and preached publicly showing by the Scriptures (the only scriptures they had at that time was the Old Testament) that Jesus was Christ (even Jesus told the Jews at Jerusalem to search the Old Testament for they testified of Him and Him alone - John 5:39).

Acts 19:1-5 Paul asked found certain disciples and asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost since then believed (Acts 2:38; John 7:37-39; John 3:3, 5, 7) and they said they had not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost and they Paul asked them a most important question: ‘Unto what then were ye baptized? And hearing their answer preached Jesus Christ to them and when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus then Paul laid his hands (in prayer) on them and they received the Holy Ghost just as all true believers did (Acts 2:1-4 11:15).

Acts 19:13-16 Here even the vagabond Jews, exorcists took upon themselves to use the name Jesus Christ and try to rebuke evil spirits (demons) out of some people who were possessed just as Paul had been doing (verse 12). The only problem was that the demons knew these Jews did not have the authority to use the name of Jesus Christ for they had not obeyed the Apostles Doctrine (Acts 2:38, 42) by repenting and being baptized in His name (this is where, and how ‘calling on the name of the Lord’ is done) and receiving the infilling of the Holy Ghost. So even these false preachers knew enough to use the one and only name of God – Jesus Christ – and not the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And in Acts 19:17 because of the events of verses 13-16 the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

[Preacher]

We, are baptized once,by the holy spirit..note the bible says one baptism,this mean there is only one that counts the one by God himself, to wash away sins, the moment we are born again.

God Bless

[Della Morton]

So Duckona Your saying the burial is not necessary in Water Baptism?

[Preacher]

the bible teaches us that there is One baptism,this means there is one baptism that washes away sins, this would be the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
water could never wash away a sin,only God can do that, through his spirit,the Holy Spirit,we are baptized by his spirit,or fire,this washes away sin's..never H20.

God Bless

[Della Morton]

ANNNNNTTT!!! WRONG!
Here's Why> Some churches teach that the one baptism is the “baptism of the Holy Ghost”, and that water baptism is not necessary. But you’ll notice that Paul re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in Acts 19:1-6 and that Peter commanded them to be baptized with water in the Name of the Lord after they were filled with the Holy Ghost in Acts 10:44-48. The baptism Jesus and His Apostles are talking about isn’t the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It is one part of being obedient to the Gospel, and receipt of the Holy Ghost is a promise of God, not something we can earn or do for ourselves. Receiving the Holy Ghost isn’t something we go get; God gives it to us when our heart is right and we’re ready to accept Him by asking Him in Faith. It is God’s promise. God cannot lie. The outpouring of the Holy ghost is Still happening today! So The One Baptism is referring to water baptism. In scripture the instead of calling it Holy Spirit baptism it calls it Holy Spirit Infilling. (Acts 2 )Receiving the Holy ghost (Acts 19) Is Water Baptism important?Give me reasons why it's important In Scripture!?
Here's 40 to New a Few off the top of my head.
1. Because Jesus commanded it. He commanded His disciples to baptize those whom they had taught. (Matt. 28:19)

2. Because Jesus modeled it. He was baptized by John in the river Jordan in order to fulfill all righteousness. (Matt 3:13-15) If it was righteousness thing for Him to do, then how much more is it vital for sinners.

3. Because baptism is coupled with faith and linked to salvation in the teachings of Jesus. 'He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.' (Mark 16:16)

4. Because baptism is linked with repentance and the forgiveness of sins in the teachings of the apostles. 'Repent and be baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins...' (Acts 2:38)

5. Because baptism in essential in receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38; see also Acts 19:3-5)

6. Because in baptism our sins are washed away. (Acts 22:16)

7. Because in baptism we call on the name of the Lord. "Arise and be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16) Baptism is like an action of prayer. In this action we call upon God to fulfill all promises which He has made to us through Christ. Such calling upon the Lord is essential to our salvation.

8. Because in baptism we are brought into spiritual contact with the blood of Jesus. We are 'baptized into his death' where His precious blood was shed. (Romans 6:3)

9. Because in baptism we act out the burial of Jesus. (Romans 6:4) We are 'buried' with Him.

10. Because in baptism we act out the resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:4) We are raised with Him.

11. Because in baptism we mark the formal beginning of a new life in Christ. (Romans 6:4) After our baptism we walk in 'newness of life'.

12. Because in baptism we come 'into Jesus Christ' where there is salvation and blessing. (Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27)

13. Because in baptism we demonstrate our hope in the resurrection of the righteous. (Romans 6:5)

14. Because in baptism we 'put on Christ'. (Galatians 3:27)

15. Because in baptism we complete the process of new birth -which began when the Holy Spirit -inspired word was implanted into our hearts. (John 3-5)

16. Because being born of the water and the Spirit is essential to entering Christ's kingdom of salvation, "except a man be of the water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." (John 3:5)

17. Because in baptism we experience the circumcision of Christ in which the sins of the flesh are removed in the sight of God. (Colossians 2:11-12)

18. Because in baptism we are raised with Him through faith in the operation of God,: baptism demonstrates in the physical realm our faith about what God is doing in the spiritual realm when we are baptized. (Colossians 2:12)

19. Because baptism is a necessary to be counted among the followers of Christ. 'Those who received his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:41)

20. Because even Holy Spirit baptism was no substitute for obedience to Christ in Christian baptism. After Cornelius and his household were baptized in the Holy Spirit, Peter 'ordered' that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:48)

21. Because even the baptism of John the baptist was no substitute for Christian baptism. (Acts 19:3-5)

22. Because when people in the first century believed the gospel they were baptized immediately. (Acts 8:36; 19:5) The action must have been considered very important.

23. Because baptism is a prominent part of the preaching about Jesus. Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch. As part of his message he must have spoken of the importance of baptism. At the first opportunity the eunuch asked, "See here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized." (Acts 8:35-36)

24. Because if one believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, there is nothing to hinder his/her baptism. (Acts 8:36-37) While teaching about the significance of baptism is important, one need not know all there is to know on the subject because he submits to the Lord in this act.

25. Because baptism leads to a realization that one has obeyed the Lord, hence to joy. (Acts 8:39) The newly baptized eunuch went on his way 'rejoicing'.

26. Because baptism, being the final act in a series of initial responses to the gospel, saves us. The Apostle Peter declared, "baptism now saves us..." (I Peter 3:21)

27. Because in baptism one is following the prompting of a good conscience. It is evidence that one is sincerely trying to do exactly what the Lord commanded. (I Peter 3:21)

28. Because we are baptized in the NAME of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The NAME is Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38)

29. Baptism is the natural result of having believed the preaching the things concerning about the kingdom of God, they were baptized..." (Acts 8:12)

30. Because baptism is required of all believers, "they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12). "We were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, bond or free. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

31. Because we are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:16) Jesus is Lord!

32. Because healing happens when we are baptism. (Acts 9:18)

33. Because baptism is the natural response of a heart opened by the Lord. (Acts 16:14-15) Through the gospel the Lord opened Lydia's heart to respond to Paul's message. She responded by being baptized.

34. Because baptism is coupled with faith in the reports of salvation in the book of Acts. Many of the Corinthians heard him [Paul], believed, and were baptized.

35. Because baptism is the antetype of the crossing of the Red Sea. (I Corinthians 10:12) Just as Israel left the bondage of Egypt by passing through the sea, so we also leave the bondage of sin to enter into a new relationship with God in baptism.

36. Because baptism is the antetype of the waters of Noah's flood. (1 Peter 3:20-21). Just as the waters removed Noah from a sinful world, so in baptism we pass from a sinful state to a forgiven state.

37. Because baptism is the result of the work of the Spirit on the heart and mind through the word. "We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body" (I Corinthians 12:13)

38. Because there is one baptism which has been required since the first century and shall be required until the Lord returns. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)

39. Because we draw near to God with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience , and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)

40. Because baptism is one of three witnesses. "For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one" (I John 5:8).
I hope this Helps. God Bless. Love In Christ Morton

[Della Morton]

HISTORY TELLS THE TRUTH
Duckina,and anyone that says water baptism is not necessary,Please consider this:
Now I have heard every reason possible not to baptize in Jesus name from the thief on the cross (Baptism is into the death,burial, and rising of Christ-Rom6:4) to it was meant for only Jews (Then why did Cornelius an Italian gentile get baptized into Jesus name in Acts10:36-48?) to the disciples were disobedient to Mathew 28:19 (The father's name was Jesus-John5:43 and the son was Jesus-Mathew1:21 and the Holy Spirit came in Jesus name-John14:26) but then why did the gifts,signs,and miracles follow on disobedient believers (As promised by Jesus to his followers in Luke24:45-47 and Mark16:15-17 then given in Acts2 onward?)-they would not of.We should not continue in sin that grace may abound wrote Paul in Galatians.Do you know of any Christian dileberately walking in sin, healing someone.I do not.In fact Peter rebuked Simon though baptized into Jesus name but wishing to purchase the gift that Peter had in Acts8.Now somebody said that we are saved by grace.And we are Ephesians2:8-10 states were are saved by grace thru faith and created unto good works in Christ Jesus and ordained to walk in them.So while though all have sinned and fallen short of perfection and nobody can work their way into heaven.And Jesus died for all of our sins,Hebrew9:22.It is our faith and obedience that clears our conscience making us right in God's view,1Pet3:21 and Col2:10-12.By grace we have the opportunity to obey God.It is like when I call and you answer and nothing more.But what is grace.God's unearned favor reflected in one's life.The advocates of the sinner's prayer fail to see that in itself is a work.It is a realatively new creation in Christianity, within the last 150 years or so.Now jesus commanded baptism in his name in Luke24:45-47 and to disobey it means lack of faith Mark16:16.Faith without works or fruits is dead and useless says James2:19-26 and in Hebrews11 every example of faith did works showing it!2 King5:14 speaks of Naaman who was sent to be cleansed of his disease to Isreal and was told to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River by the man of God.He at first was angry and refused saying he expected the man of God to call upon his God and simply remove the Leprosy.And as many that want to call upon God alone (Romans10:13) saying like the devils we believe in God in our hearts (James2:19) but they are not saved.That every person in the bible whether Paul Acts22 or the Eunuch Acts8 who did this were baptized by immersion in Jesus name.Acts22:16 which commands us to call upon the Lord Jesus and washing away our sins without waiting like many Catholics who previously practiced and taught in this in 2nd thru 6th centuries.And such as Constantine who was baptized on his deathbed.His servant then reasoned with him saying if God asked something difficult would of you not done it.Of course he would of!Yet his servant said how much easier than wash and be clean at that he obeyed and was made clean by obeying.If your atleast honest with yourself there you will admit that there is not one baptism in the titles in the word of God.If that is our guide and compass then we must conclude that since all baptisms were in Jesus name that has to be the bible way to do it.Of course I could use Col3:17 as my closing scripture which says do all words and deeds in the name of Jesus.Again Paul who baptized others in Jesus name,Acts16:15733,18:8, and 19:1-5 and was baptized into Jesus name by Ananais in Acts22:16&9:18 said this:"For as many of you that have been baptized into Christ have put him on in",Gal3:27.Jesus our example in all was baptized by John in Mathew3:12-17 and Mark1:9, walking 70 miles to do it.I don't believe anyone walks that great distance just for show.Never did he speak in unknown tongues, pray a sinner's prayer (Again he being sinless did not need such.But he was baptized to be our example for what we need to do as the book of Hebrews shows us also.) or simply say "Just Believe" to anyone.There are novels written though fiction from Thecla a 2nd century presbyter in Asia minor who wrote that baptism was in the name of Jesus.This proves the practice alive and well still.Furthermore the Early Catholic fathers all thought that baptism saved you by the washing and regeneration.Post apostolic fathers all taught that baptism "confers forgiveness of sins" from Barnabas to Iraneus the Bishop of lyons and even the book The Shepard of Hermas records this.Tertullian clearly believed this also.Pope Stephen declared baptism in Jesus name to be valid in the 3rd century.Bishop Ursinus in Treastie of Baptism declared it correct as only Heretics needed rebaptism and those baptized into Jesus needed not to be rebaptized but only to be baptized with the Holy Ghost.Even though the church which baptized them had other false doctrinal views.The Justinian code of 529 declared the death penalty for anti-trinity baptisms and all those rebaptized into Jesus name.Thomas Edwards in 1646 said True baptism was only in Jesus name and it was heresy to baptize into the titles father,son,and spirit.And I say if we can heal, pray and do miracles in Jesus name why not baptize into it (Mathew7:20-27)?

This article is based on a publication which was originally written in 1961 and titled " A Collection of the Evidence For and Against the Traditional Wording of the Baptismal Phrase in Matthew 28:19 ". The author was a minister, presumably Protestant. He signed his work simply as A. Ploughman. He lived in Birmingham, England. The author had not encountered anything dealing with the authenticity of Matthew 28:19, during his 50 years of Biblical study except from out of print articles, books and encyclopaedias. I would have never considered reviewing this information except for the fact that a trusted friend was quite zealous about the importance of the conclusions reached. In this article, only the secular historical quotations have been retained as written from Ploughman's research. However, it must be remembered that we have no known manuscripts that were written in the first, second or even the third centuries. There is a gap of over three hundred years between when Matthew wrote his epistle and our earliest manuscript copies. (It also took over three hundred years for the Catholic Church to evolve into what the "early church fathers" wanted it to become.) No single early manuscript is free from textual error. Some have unique errors; other manuscripts were copied extensively and have the same errors. Again, our aim is to examine all of the evidence and determine as closely as possible what the original words were. Considering the fact that all of the scriptures from Genesis thru Malachi make no reference to a Trinitarian God, and that from Mark thru Revelation we also find no evidence for a Trinity, we must consider the possibility that all the existing manuscripts may have one or more textual errors in common. Again quoting from the Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics: "In all extant versions the text is found in the traditional [Trinitarian] form. ..though it must be remembered that the best manuscripts, both of the African Old Latin and of the Old Syriac Versions are defective at this point." So then, though all early Versions contain the traditional Triune name in Matthew 28:19, the earliest of these Versions do not contain the verse at all. And curiously, not due to omission, but due to removal! We can not be certain of the motives why these pages were destroyed, but for the sake of our study we are now compelled to consult the early historical writings.Before we make references concerning these early writers, it should be emphatically stated, that if the question under consideration were one of doctrine, the written records of these Catholic writers would be totally irrelevant. Doctrine must be obtained from the pure Word of God alone, and not from Catholics, Jews or other sources. These self proclaimed "fathers" lived in an age of unrestrained heresy. Their testimony is valuable only because they provide an incidental and independent verification of scriptural texts much older than our current complete copies.Our first witness will be Eusebius of Caesurae, also known as Eusebius Pamphili. He was born around 270 A.D., and died around 340 A.D. He lived in times of rampant doctrinal change, was a Trinitarian, and in later life assisted in the formation of the Nicene Creed. Regarding our inquiry into Matthew 28:19, Eusebius is our key witness. Therefore, to establish his veracity as a credible witness, let us consider the following quotes:"Eusebius of Caesurae, to whom we are indebted for the preservation of so many contemporary works of antiquity, many of which would have perished had he not collected and edited them." Robert Roberts, in Good Company, vol. III, pg. 10 Eusebius, the greatest Greek teacher of the Church and most learned theologian of his time. .. worked untiringly for the acceptance of the pure Word of the New Testament as it came from the Apostles. .. Eusebius. .. relies throughout only upon ancient manuscripts, and always openly confesses the truth when he cannot find sufficient testimony. E.K. in the Christadelphian Monatshefte, Aug, 1923 from Mosheim, in an editorial footnote. Eusebius cites this text (Matt. 28:19) again and again in works written between 300 and 336, namely in his long commentaries on the Psalms, on Isaiah, his Demonstratio Evangelica, his Theophany. .. in his famous history of the Church, and in his panegyric of the emperor Constantine. I have, after a moderate search in these works of Eusebius, found eighteen citations of Matthew 28:19, and always in the following form:'Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in My name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you. 'It is evident that this was the text found by Eusebius in the very ancient codices collected fifty to a hundred and fifty years before his birth by his great predecessors. Of any other form of text he had never heard and knew nothing until he had visited Constantinople and attended the Council of Nice. Then in two controversial works written in his extreme old age, and entitled, the one 'Against Marcellus of Ancyra,' and the other 'About the Theology of the Church,' he used the common reading. One other writing of his also contains it, namely a letter written after the Council of Nice was over, to his seer of Caesurae.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. "(1 Thessalonians 5:21) In this verse, the Greek word translated as "prove" is dokimazo, and it means, "to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy. "

In our efforts to determine which reading of Matthew 28:19 is original, we will submit both renderings to ten "tests". In doing so, we will be able to recognize the genuine, and expose the spurious.

1. The Test of Context

When examining the context, we find that today's Trinitarian wording lacks logical syntax, that is, the true understanding of the verse is obscured by a failure of the varying concepts to harmonize. If however, we read as follows, the whole context fits together and the progression of the instructions is comprehensible:

All power is given unto me. .. go therefore. .. make disciples in my name, teaching them. .. whatsoever I have commanded. .. I am with you. .. (Matthew 28:18-20)

2. The Test of Frequency

Is the phrase "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" used elsewhere in the scripture? Not once.

Did Jesus use the phrase "in my name" on other occasions? Yes, 17 times to be exact, examples are found in Matt. 18:20; Mark 9:37,39 and 41; Mark 16:17; John 14:14 and 26; John 15:16 and 16:23.

3. The Test of Doctrine

Is any doctrine or concept of scripture based on an understanding of a threefold name, or of baptism in the threefold name? None whatsoever. Is any statement in scripture based on the fact of baptism in the name of Jesus? Yes! This is clarified in 1 Corinthians 1:13:"Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" These words, when carefully analyzed, suggest that believers should to be baptized in the name of the One who was crucified for them. The Father, in His unfathomable love, gave us His only Son to die in our stead, He being later raised to incorruptibility by the Spirit of God. But it is the Lord Jesus Himself who was crucified, and therefore in His name believers must be baptized in water.

According to Dr. Thomas, in Revealed Mystery Article XLIV:

There is but one way for a believer of 'the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ' to put Him on, or to be invested with His name, and that is, by immersion into His name. Baptism is for this specific purpose. " "As for it's significance, baptism is linked inseparably with the death of Christ. It is the means of the believer's identification with the Lord's death. - God's Way, pg. 190. The Father did not die, nor the Holy Spirit. As the scripture says, "buried with Him (Jesus) in baptism," not with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:3-5)

R. Roberts used this explanation in "The Nature of Baptism", page 13):

According to trine immersion, it is not sufficient to be baptized into the Son. Thus Christ is displaced from His position as the connecting link, the door of entrance, the 'new and living way. ' And thus there are three names under heaven whereby we must be saved, in opposition to the apostolic declaration, that 'there is none other name (than the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth) under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. '(Acts 4:12).

This, of course, is the same reasoning offered by Paul. Were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or in any other name that replaces Christ from His position as the sacrificial Lamb and the only name given to us for salvation?

Based on the above understanding alone, we can ascertain the genuine text of Matthew 28:19 confirming the use of the phrase, "in my name."

4. The Test of Analogy

Does any other scripture make reference to baptism in the Triune name? No. Does any other scripture reference baptism in the name of Jesus? Yes! The Father baptized the disciples with the gift of the Holy Spirit, a promise that came according to Jesus "in His name. "(John 14:26) This is because Jesus is the "common denominator " [Literally:Name] in both water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit, as made apparent by the following scriptures:

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away:for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 14:26 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. (See also John 7:39).

Acts 8:12 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.

Notice that they were baptized as a result of the preaching of the name of Jesus Christ, not the titles "Father, Son and Holy Ghost." By analogy, we should therefore be baptized in Jesus' name, because the invoking of His Name is the catalyst of understanding that prepares us for the baptism of the Spirit, which is also given in His name. (Acts 2:38-39, 19:1-5, John 3:3-5)

5. The Test of Consequence

When we are baptized, do we "put on" the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? No. Do we put on the name of Jesus? Yes. When we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to all baptismal accounts recorded in scripture, we are quite literally being baptized "into" the name of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

No mention is made in scripture of any baptism being related to the titles of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Every actual account mentions a clear connection with the person of Christ, and His atoning sacrifice.

6. The Test of Practice

Did the disciples, as they were implementing the "Great Commission" ever once baptize into the Trinity? Never! Did they baptize in the name of Jesus? Always! (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48 (inferred); 19:5, etc.) The argument has been made when defending Triune immersion; "I would rather obey Jesus, than to imitate the Apostles." This kind of reasoning though, places the Apostles in rebellion, and makes all Apostolic baptisms contrary to the word of God. If all of God's Word was inspired, and it was, then we should not try to pit one verse against another, but rather seek to reconcile all of God's Word in proper context, and rightly apply it to our lives. It is easier to believe that the disciples followed the final instructions of Christ, than to believe that they immediately disobeyed His command.

7. The Test of Significance

What significance is mentioned in scripture for baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? None. What significance is conveyed toward being baptized in the name of Jesus? First, scripture teaches that baptism in the name of Jesus is an act of repentance leading to the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Second, baptism in His name alone is associated with the promise of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 19:1-5). Third, baptism in the name of Jesus is compared to our personal willingness to be living sacrifices or even die with Christ. (Romans 6:1-4 and Colossians 2:12). Fourth, being baptized into Christ is how we 'put on' Christ (Galatians 3:27). Fifth, baptism in His name is called the "circumcision of Christ," and reflects our "putting off" of the man of sin, therefore becoming a " new creature in Christ Jesus. " (Colossians 2:11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Baptism in the name of Jesus expresses faith in the physical life of Jesus, the crucifixion of the Son of God for our sins, and the remission of sins through His name. Trinitarian baptism can only express faith in Catholic theology itself.

8. The Test of Parallel Accounts

Matthew 28 is not the sole record in the gospels of the "Great Commission" of the Church. Luke also recorded this event in great detail. In Luke 24:46-47, he wrote of Jesus speaking in the third person:"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nation s. "This passage alone, in contradiction to the falsified text, establishes the correct wording of Matthew 28:19, where Jesus spoke in the first person, "in my name. "Further, the Gospel of Mark also records another version of the "Great Commission," using some of the same patterns of speech:"Go ye. .. all the world. .. preach the gospel. .. every creature. .. baptized. .. in my name. .. "(Mark 16:15-18) Of course, it is not baptism that "in my name" refers to here, but rather the works that the disciples would do. Yet compared to Matthew, the similarity is striking, for neither is baptism explicitly mentioned there, but that disciples should be made, "in my name. "

9. The Test of Complimentary Citation

While there is no text that offers a complimentary citation of Trinitarian baptism, there is a striking resemblance between the actual wording of Matthew 28:18-20 and Romans 1:4-5. Matthew contains the Commission of Christ to His Apostles, while the Romans account is Paul's acceptance of his own commission as an apostle. Consider the following similarities:

Matthew 28:18-20........................................Romans 1:4-5

"all power is given unto Me". ....................... "the Son of God with power"

"Go ye". ...................................................... "received. .. apostleship"

"teaching them to observe". .......................... "for obedience to the faith"

"all nations". ................................................. "all nations"

"in My name". ............................................... "for His name"

10. The Test of Principle

It is written:"whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. .." (Colossians 3:17). In this principle laid down by Paul, the implication is clear. The word "whatsoever" would of certain necessity include baptism, which is a command involving both word and deed. The traditional wording of Matthew, containing the Trinitarian wording, is clearly not in accordance with the above principle. The shorter wording, without the falsified insertion, follows this principle. This establishes which of the two wordings is the contradictory one. God's Word does not contradict itself; rather it compliments and completes itself. Paul not only expressed this principle, but he applied it specifically to the topic of baptism. In Acts 19:1-6 there is an account concerning the disciples of John who had been baptized under his ministry. Like baptism in Jesus' name, John's baptism was one of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38). John message, which accompanied his baptism, was that One would come after him, who would "take away the sins of the world" and "baptize with the Holy Spirit. "Paul introduced these disciples to that One, and applied the above principle re-baptized them. "When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them" And so, applying the test of principle to our two readings in Matthew 28:19, we find very strong support for the phrase "in My name".