BAPTISM  IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal. 3:27. Water Baptism by burial (immersion) in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the will and command of God according to the scriptures rightly divided. To Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, isn't just "another religion" or some human conception. This is God's plan revealed to man in the holy word of God. The apostle Peter was not in a state of illusion, but he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost when he gave God's plan to remit sins in Acts 2:38. In verse thirty-seven a simple but very important question was asked by lost men: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" God's plan was made known for this age through the mouth of Peter in the following words: 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) Repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins were mentioned very clearly by our Lord several days before Pentecost. In Luke twenty-four we read where he "opened their understanding..." (ver. 45). Then He explained how He was to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. Then He makes it clear that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (ver. 47). Notice the close. These verses make it plain that sins are not remitted in the step of repentance. It is true that real repentance will lift the burden of conviction and we are on our way toward the "remission of sins" but just bear in mind that the record says "Repent, AND be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." Acts 2:38. Connect this with (John 3:5). We certainly don't intend to lead anyone to think that Water Baptism is above any other command of God concerning salvation for it isn't. Faith is a part of God's saving plan, but faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. (James 2:17) It is true that one must repent or perish (Luke 13:3). God commands all men to repent...(Acts 17:30) Repentance alone will not bring remission of sins! We are told by the man of God that one must "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...For example, we read where Paul prayed and fasted in repentance (Acts 9). Later on when he (Paul) gave his testimony before the chief captain and the multitude he said, "And one Ananias came unto me...And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Understand the scriptures given above. Notice how Jesus said "repentance and remission of sins in his name" (Luke 24:47); then Peter said. "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38); and here is Ananias telling Paul to "arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16) To call on the NAME of the Lord is to call on JESUS, for JESUS is His Name! We wish to say right here that as strongly as we teach and believe in water Baptism in Jesus' Name we certainly don't recommend Baptism until you have truly repented of every known sin. Unless you have died to sin and turned to God with all your heart and soul, water Baptism is to no avail at all! Jesus said, He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be saved...(Mark 16:16) This "believeth" here isn't a hand-shake with the preacher! True repentance is prompted by Holy Ghost conviction and a soul-- searching broken hearted, seeking of the soul by a person tired of sin. Notice on the day of Pentecost how these men were "pricked" in their heart...(Acts 2:37) This sorrow was not repentance! We are told that "godly sorrow "WORKETH repentance..." (2nd Cor. 7:10) True repentance will bring obedience. (Acts 8:36).Now we wish to point out to you that the name of Jesus is to be used (called) in Water Baptism. The Lord spoke of a people "upon whom my NAME is called..."(Acts 15:17) We deny that it is the will of God for the preacher to immerse a person and never say a word (some teach this). Some say it isn't important what you say! If you say Lord Jesus Christ, or Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They say it is what is in the heart. This simply isn't so! It is true that the right spirit must be had. The person being baptized should be taught the truth as to the true identity of Jesus before Baptism. They should be instructed that they are being baptized "into Christ" as the scripture teaches, and that God's true Name in this day should be used in the act! (John 5:43;Matthew 1:21) The Bible is plain to the honest heart as to the NAME of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. (Mat. 28:19) A simple study of the word of God will make it clear that these WORDS aren't just to be repeated! We are to be baptized in "THE NAME ..." There is only ONE saving NAME... (Acts 4:12) There is only one NAME in which we can have the remission of sins... (Luke 24:47-Acts 2:38). There is only ONE NAME that contains power over the Devil. (Mark 16:17) This NAME is JESUS! We are speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead... (Col. 2:9) God's name is revealed in and through Him. (Hebrews 1:4) Where will you go in the Bible to find where the trinity formula was ever used in Water Baptism? I challenge you to find it! The apostles taught in Jesus Name. The sick were healed in Jesus Name; The devils were cast out in Jesus Name; all New Testament Christians were baptized in Jesus' Name!!! (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-5) I call upon you today to read these verses and see for yourself that Water Baptism is to be administered in the name of Jesus Christ and not in some "powerless form of words" that were never used by the apostles! Paul asks, "Is Christ divided! Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1st Cor. 1:13) Will you please consider prayerfully that last question? In what name were you baptized? We are told to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."