Understanding Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus

Water baptism is one of the most important and clearly commanded acts of obedience in the New Testament. Yet there is much confusion in the Christian world about how baptism should be performed and in whose name.

On the Day of Pentecost, when the crowd asked Peter what they should do, he replied: 'Repent, and be baptised 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 was the apostolic formula for baptism — in the name of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the book of Acts, every recorded baptism was performed in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5). The early church understood that Jesus Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9), and that his name encompasses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 records Jesus commanding his disciples to baptise 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' The Apostles understood this to mean the name of Jesus Christ — for Jesus is the name of the Father (John 5:43), the Son (Matthew 1:21), and the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

Baptism by full immersion in the name of Jesus Christ is not merely a tradition — it is a commandment of God for the remission of sins. It is the moment when we are buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

If you have not yet been baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, we encourage you to study this important doctrine carefully and to obey the word of God. Contact us if you have any questions or would like to know more.