Notice how Jesus told the apostles to baptize people: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19 NKJ).
Yet throughout the book of Acts people were baptized in the name of Jesus. "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all" (Acts 19:5-7 NKJ).
There have been small wars fought over this subject. Some people believe you are not saved unless you are baptized in Jesus' name. Consequently, they look down on anyone who would baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Here's a Scripture that has helped me put this subject in proper balance: "For in Him (Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9 NKJ). The fullness of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dwells in the name of Jesus.
If you baptize in Jesus' name, or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the same thing is being accomplished. I don't believe it matters which version we use. What really matters is whether or not we first believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
When I water baptize I say, "I baptize you in the name of Jesus, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." It's important that we don't get hung-up on procedures and miss the heart of the issue - we must be born again.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally, reaching over 30,000 people each month.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.
