E-MAIL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
DAVID L. ODOM
>Matt. 28;19 states,...baptizing them in the
name of the father and of the son and of the >Holy Ghost,....and then from
that point forward all examples say "baptizing them in the >name of the
Lord or in the name of Jesus Christ," examples are Acts 2;38,Acts 8;16
Acts >10;48, Acts 19;1-7, Acts 22;16, Romans 6;3, I Cor. 1;13, Galatians
3;27. So which is the >correct way to be baptized, "Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost or in the Name of Jesus? >Please keep in mind Mark 16:15-16, and
Ephesians 4;5, the importance of baptism.
Thank you again for responding with some Bible
questions. I will try to put forth my understanding of the Scriptures you asked
about, but remember that I too am only a human being, and I am not inspired as
the apostles and prophets were through the Holy Spirit as He guided them into all
the Truth that the Father wanted mankind to have.
I am on the same level as you, and thus we both
need to treat one another with respect, even if we disagree on what the
Scriptures mean in certain places. We both have the responsibility to 'examine
the Scriptures to see whether these things are so.' (Acts 17:11). I always say,
trust no man, save the God-Man, Jesus Christ, for He is perfect, and none of us
are! We know that if we understand a passage or passages differently, then
either one of us is wrong, or both of us are wrong, but both of us can't be
correct when we hold two different positions on a Scripture or teaching in
God's Word, for He doesn't contradict Himself! He is perfect!
I believe the answer to your first question is
found in the fact that there was no 'verbal' formula that was spoken when the
apostles baptized people into Christ Jesus. "...baptizing them in
(actually, 'into', from the Greek word "eis") the NAME of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
You will not find anywhere in the New Testament
Scripture's where there was any kind of 'statement' made when people were
baptized, in order to make it a legitimate baptism. In other words, there is no
'magical formula' that must be stated in order for the baptism to be right in
the sight of the Creator.
Does that mean then we can't make a statement
when we baptize someone, that we are baptizing them into the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (baptizing them into a new relationship
with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)? We could also say that we are
baptizing them into Christ, for we are, if we have taught them correctly
concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that the baptism, (immersion in water,
is the actual point in time where the Creator has shown us that the blood of
Christ reaches us and washes away all of our past sins), is Scriptural, and
their heart is in a proper repentant attitude.
