Baptism is regarded today as an "outward expression of what happened on the inside," but is that what the bible regards it as? Baptism in most Protestant churches are also done through the influence of the Catholic church with infant baptisms, and baptizing in the titles "Father, Son, Holy Ghost."
In 1 Peter 3:21 it states "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" So that ends the argument of individuals who believe you don't need to be baptized to be saved; and if that's not enough for you, look in RED John 3:5 which states" Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
If Jesus said you must be Born Again or else you cannot in inherit the kingdom of God, he said it, and cannot go back on his word!
So now we know that baptism is required of every Christian, and it's a must to understand how today's churches have twisted core doctrine, and now offer a little cute prayer called the "salvation prayer," or "the sinners prayer" while lying to the people and telling them to "accept Jesus into their heart as their personal Lord and Savior;" which is a lie! Salvation isn't a magic trick and nowhere in scriptures did anyone say a sinners prayer, or "accept Jesus into their heart." Everyone in the New Testament church followed the teachings of the apostles! Which was repentance, baptism in Jesus' Name, and receiving the Holy Spirit. This can be seen within Acts 2:38 which stated: "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."
However, individuals utilize the verse where Paul said he's happy he didn't baptize any as an excuse to not get baptized. in 1 Corinthians 1:13-17 "is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 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. 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." These scripture verses not only provide evidence that the church of Corinth was in fact baptized but also in whose name they were baptized in.
When Paul stated, "were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" He was saying that they were baptized in the NAME of Jesus, so they shouldn't have been be idolizing Paul like they were baptized in his name. The NAME of Jesus is so powerful that Acts 4:12 states: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none another name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Christians pray in the NAME of Jesus, heal the sick in the NAME of Jesus, preach in the NAME of Jesus, but as soon as it comes time to baptize in Jesus' name, that name no longer exists?
When someone is baptized it should NOT be in the titles "Father, Son, Holy Ghost," but should be done in the NAME of the "Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ, or Jesus." The reason is that there are numerous places in the bible where the NAME of the Lord was called during baptism. But first, we must find out what the name of the Lord is. When Saul had an encounter with Jesus in Damascus, Saul didn't know who it was that appeared unto him. So in Acts 9:5 Paul asked "Who are you, Lord?." "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," The NAME of the Lord is Jesus Christ!
The examples of Baptisms in the Name of Jesus is recorded as follows in the book of Acts, Acts 2:38 "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 8:16, "For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the NAME of the Lord Jesus."Acts 10:48, "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 19:5, "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 22:16, 'And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
The reason baptism is done in Jesus' name is that in Luke 24:47 Jesus said: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." When the apostles went out with the gospel, the NAME of Jesus Christ offended many, not the titles " Father, Son, Holy Ghost." But the NAME of Jesus is the name that people wanted the apostles to stop preaching, because of how effective and powerful it is! There's no blood or remission of sins in titles but in the NAME of Jesus!
However, one may come and question asking what about Matthew 28:19 where it states "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Now, if I told an individual to write me a check in the NAME of the CEO of Amazon you wouldn't write " The Name of the CEO of Amazon" on the check, but instead you would write Jeff Bezos on the check because Jeff Bezos holds the title of CEO of Amazon.
When Peter and the disciples preached on the day of Pentecost, they didn't disobey Jesus by preaching baptism in Jesus' Name but instead obeyed, and fulfilled it. To end, I want everyone to know " that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" Philippians 2:10
No longer hold the traditions of men, but instead, study the word of God and find your salvation in the word of God!
