Acts 19 -20

Christian Baptism

Acts 19:5 is the final verse in Acts that establishes the formula for Christian baptism.  In Acts 2:38, Peter tells those who asked him what they needed to do to be saved, and he replies, "Each of you must repents of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." We see that this is a three part process: repentance, baptism, filling.  We also see that the baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ. This was first given to the Jews.

Then in Acts 8:16, the Samaritans are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, by Peter.  After they lay hands on them they receive the Holy Spirit.  Next in Acts 10, at the house of Cornelius, Peter baptizes the Gentile believers, in verse 48, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Thus Peter, with the keys to the Kingdom, baptizes all three major races of people, Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  As I stated in an earlier post, this is not in conflict with Jesus' commandment in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It is in 100% agreement with what Jesus commanded in that Peter does exactly what Jesus said to do, to baptize in His Name - which is the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the correct and only formula for Christian baptism.

This revelation is not limited to Peter as is evidenced by today's reading.  Paul preaches in Ephesus to believers there who had been baptized by John the Baptist.  While this was a good baptism (John baptized Jesus Himself!), this was not up-to-date with the revelation given to Peter and all the disciples.  After telling them to be re-baptized, they were all baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (v.5) by Paul, who then laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.  There was no quibbling about what Jesus said versus what Peter and Paul taught relative to baptism.  The Holy Spirit in a believer agrees with the Holy Spirit that writes and reveals the Word.

What is confusing is that nearly every denominational church baptizes in the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and not in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have never understood their position.  They perform nearly every other ceremony and ritual in the name of Jesus Christ, but still stick to the Roman Catholic tradition of baptism in the titles.  To me, this is in error.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.