Episode 11 :: Question 6 on Baptism in Jesus’ Name

Questions 6 – Hansen (Italy): Dear Pastor, God bless you! Please, about baptism; baptism in Jesus’ name or baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which is correct?

Answer 6: Both of them. Now, did you notice in the 28^th chapter of St. Matthew’s gospel, when you read from the 18^th verse to the 20^th verse where Jesus actually gave these instructions and then the latter part of it said that “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost:” [Matthew 28:19] He didn’t say “in the names of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost;” He said “the name“ which means the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit answer to one name. That’s the name of Jesus! Why? Because the Bible says “the fulness of the Godhead bodily dwells in Jesus.” [Colossians 2:9] That means, if you want to see the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in one person, it’s Jesus you look at. The Bible also says that Jesus is “the express image of the Father’s person.” [Hebrews 1:3] He is the revelation of God, so that’s very important. The name of Jesus is the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You [also] notice that Jesus gave that instruction in St. Matthew’s gospel, [but] when the apostles began to act on it they didn’t say “We baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost;” they said “in the name of Jesus,” because their understanding of the instructions of Christ was that Jesus was the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So, when you say “in the name of the Father, the Son and the HolySpirit,” you’re talking about the name of Jesus. That’s the revelation, and it is better that you mention the name of Jesus, because you can’t cast out devils by saying “I command you to come out in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit;” you haven’t said anything. You’ve got to use the name of Jesus. So, they’re the same, but the point is that it’s like saying “I give you” without releasing it. You give something to someone and don’t release it; you’ve got to release it, so “release” there is by the name of Jesus. So, you baptize them “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” and then say “in the name of Jesus.”