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NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question:
Dear Joe! Greetings in the name of Jesus! While I agree with the things you wrote in reply to Andrew, you did not address the original question at all. 'Apparently the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus. Was this a revelation from the Holy Spirit after Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?' Were the actions of the apostles mistakes? Were they 'abbreviating' the 'formula?' Or, just maybe, the Holy Spirit led them to baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? It DOES seem that the Spirit led Paul to write: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17 NASB It also seems that the leaders of the Jews were aware that this name was dangerous to their religious tradition: "And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." Act 4:18 NASB. Please note that I am not denouncing the Trinitarian method, nor denying the command of the Lord in Matthew 28. I am not 'Jesus-only' or 'Oneness.' I am simply stating that baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is Biblical and valid. Sadly, mere humans seem to have a penchant for going a step or two (or more!) further than the leading of the Spirit of God. This applies equally to the 'Jesus-ONLY' camp and the 'Trinitarian Formula-ONLY' camp. The zeal of both of these camps leads them beyond the simplicity of Scriptural teaching, IMHO. Peace to you in Christ Jesus, charis |
Bible Answer: One thing that seems to clear it all up is when people read books. Soon they find that the term "in the name of" means by the authority of, not what sounds come out of your mouth. So both verses are saying the same thing. Go in the authority of God. Who is the Father Son and Holy Ghost, and doing something in the Name of Jesus is the same thing as doing it in the Name of God, or if I write it in a more wordy manner "doing it in the name of Father Son and Holy Ghost" The error of this discussion among christians is that it hinges on ignorance of meaning of the phrase. This idea of it being some sort of "spell you Speak" was never what the disciples meant when they wrote about "in the name of" The term was used all around them at the time as it has been to this day when you hear someone say "Open up in the name of the Law" and if it is a policeman you do not even think for a moment that His exact syntax needs to be correct. You do not say I am not going to open up becuase he did not say "Open up in the name of the Police in Mayberry" No you get sort of anxious and realize that the POWER of the LAW is at your door and you must open or you might be face first on the ground in cuffs. I am amazed at how embedded this strange concept of speaking the words is what carries the power. The Law is powerful not becuase of the words of the Officer, but the Power behind the badge. You are going to open or more officers will come and they will enforce whatever law it is they are trying to enforce. You will not stand against them. When I go baptize in the Name of Jesus I go in the Name of Jesus because I am called. I go because I am sent. I have God with me and He has commanded me to Baptize. So if I say nothing at all when I dunk the new believer, (haveing taught him previous to the dunk to believe on Jesus) I am still baptizing in Jesus Name (or GOD) or Father Son and Holy Ghost, because he ordained me and sent me. |