In what name should I be baptized?

If you are reading this article then it would be safe to say you have read or come to the conclusion you need to be baptized. If not please read (WIP Article - “Is baptism necessary for Salvation?”) for more on this question.

Otherwise let us begin by stating that a name and a title are two different things. Do not get these confused. Your name sets you apart, your title such as Son or Father does not. If there were two Fathers standing side by side and I said go to the Father you would ask which one. Many people are considered a Son or Father but have a different name. Any male individual that has created a child could be considered a Father even if only genetically. Any male individual born of a mother is a Son. It is the name that sets us apart not the title.

We have some power that is given behind our name, for instance we sign our name on any contract, agreement, check, etc. If we tried to sign Father or Son on any of these it would have no meaning the signature would be null and void. It is your name that is required.

This is important because when it comes to being baptized in the name of; Matthew 28:19 is brought up. Which states;

Matthew 28:19
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 the Bible stopped right there I guess some could say that you would baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We would still have a problem… Father is not a name, Son is not a name, and the Holy Ghost is not a name. Not to mention that the Bible did not stop there and there are plenty of scriptures that teach there is a name, a wonderful name that is above every other name and we will examine them shortly.

Also if we look at the context of the scripture it says in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. So what are the names of the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost? Believe it or not there are scriptures that answer this question.

Let us begin with this prophecy about the Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

This scripture is talking about Jesus and he is referred to as the everlasting Father. If he is the Father, then the Father’s name is Jesus. But let us look at another scripture.

John 5:43
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

This is Jesus telling them that he comes in his Father’s name. That would mean the Father’s name is Jesus.

There is no way to get around these scriptures except to just deny or ignore what the scriptures clearly say. What about the Son?

Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

It is very clear that the Son’s name is Jesus. What about the Holy Ghost?

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.

If the Holy Ghost is sent in the name of Jesus then this scripture is clear that the Holy Ghost’s name is Jesus.

And there are more scriptures. Luke recorded this;

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Notice this scripture says repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name. Not the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Because we have already established that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost have the same name. This scripture only edifies this. And there are more scriptures;

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

That name is Jesus!

Colossians 3:17
And 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.

This scripture tells us that whatever we do in word or deed, this includes baptism, that we must do it in the name of Jesus. Not the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This leads us to the day of Pentecost. The day the church was born. No one will argue that the church was born on the day of Pentecost. And what was said on the day of Pentecost?

Acts 2:37-39
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:38 makes it clear that you are to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ and for what? For the remission of your sins. You have to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ to get your sins removed. You can’t change what this scripture says. Other scriptures in the Bible do not cancel this scripture out. Hebrews says;

Hebrews 9:22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Jesus shed his blood for us and by his blood we are saved.

Revelation 7:14
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

How did they wash their robes with the blood? They were washed through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. And there are more scriptures.

Acts 8:12-16
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. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Notice that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Meaning Jesus Christ) which is what Peter said on the day of Pentecost and every time they baptized it was in the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (which is Jesus Christ) notice not one place did they baptize any other way.

Acts 19:3-5
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 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. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

These scriptures show it matters what name, if it did not matter then why did Paul re-baptize them in the name of Jesus Christ? Nowhere in the bible can you find one place that says they baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Not one place. There is only one way to get remission of sins that is baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38).

God is not the Author of confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

He would not allow two ways to salvation because automatically there is division. Anyone who says God honors Jesus Name and Father, Son and Holy Ghost Baptism does not understand the principle behind what took place to allow for remission of sins. There were three men that shed blood and died on the cross but only one of them was ordained of God and a sinless offering. Baptism is not an outward expression of an inward gratitude, it is a process that God designed before the foundation of the world.

No one will argue that the kingdom did not come until after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost the Jews were offered this salvation plan first, then the Samaritans and finally the Gentiles. But none of this would have taken place if Jesus the “son of man” did not die and shed his blood.

Hebrews 9:22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Who shed their blood for us? The Son and we identify the Son by his name. The father didn’t die for our sins, neither did the Holy Ghost. It was Jesus Christ. To make the New Testament into full force he had to die. God the Father couldn’t do this nor could the Holy Ghost it took God manifested in the flesh to do it. Make no mistake God died (1 John 3:16). But he did it through the manifestation of Christ Jesus (1 John 3:5)

Hebrews 9:14-17
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

The New Testament is (The Son of God, God in the Flesh) Jesus Christ’s blood shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). To get the blood there is a process… Baptism while calling on his name (Jesus Christ). Acts 22:16 shows this clearly.

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

The Lord’s name is Jesus… (Acts 9:4-5) leaves no question. Jesus is Lord (Acts 2:36, Acts 10:36, Romans 6:23, Romans 14:9, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Philippians 2:11)

Acts 9:4-5
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

There is power in the name… When Peter and John were brought before the Pharisee’s they ask them by what power or name did they heal the crippled man.

Acts 4:7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 4:10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Peter answered them and said it was by the name of Jesus Christ! He evoked the power by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. Peter said to the beggar…

Acts 3:6-7
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Baptism without calling on the name of Jesus Christ does not evoke the power of his blood (Acts 22:16).

Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Revelation 7:14
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

There are many churches that will pray in the Name of Jesus, they will cast out demons in the Name of Jesus, they will ask for healing in the Name of Jesus, basically they do every other thing there is to do in the Name of Jesus except Baptize in his Name. There is only one Lord, one Faith and one Baptism.

Ephesians 4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

That one Baptism is in the Name of Jesus Christ. Anyone that teaches otherwise causes confusion and contention and Paul makes it clear there is only one Name to be baptized in…

1 Corinthians 1:10-15
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

The Corinthians were arguing over who baptized them losing sight of the true importance which was not who baptized you but by what name were you baptized in?  Today there are those who say they have been baptized in (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) instead of Jesus Name which is a strong parallel to verse 12 which leads Paul to ask “Is Christ divided?” again God is not the Author of confusion there is only one way to be Baptized (One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism). He also asks “Was Paul crucified for you?” “Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” He is telling them you get baptized in the name of Jesus because Jesus died on the cross for you. Not Paul, not the Father, not the Holy Ghost but Jesus Christ.

Another interesting aspect of the baptism in Jesus Name is (Galatians 3:27) which states being “Baptized into Christ”

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

How can you be baptized into Christ without the mentioning of His name (Jesus Christ) during the baptism? Peter made it clear on the day of Pentecost.

Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

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.

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It is your choice to believe or not believe what you have read/heard.

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

How were they being added to the church? They were repenting, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and they were receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts2:38). This has never changed. You must be born again (John 3:3). Read (WIP Article – “What Does it Mean to be Born Again?”) to understand more about being born again.