In What Way Do We Baptise Correctly?
1) Direct Answer
We baptize by immersion in water, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, after repentance and faith. Not using titles, but calling the one saving Name over the believer.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- The command and pattern: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). That is how the church began, and they never changed it.
- Samaria: “They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16).
- Gentiles: “He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48).
- Ephesus: Those already baptized another way were re-baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
- Personal appeal: “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
- Mode: Baptism pictures burial and resurrection—so it is immersion. “We are buried with him by baptism” (Romans 6:4).
- Authority: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47). “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
- Matthew 28:19 says “in the name” (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The apostles, with their understanding opened (Luke 24:45), carried that out by calling the revealed Name—Jesus Christ.
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- Now notice: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles of the one God. A title is not a name. The Bible never records anyone being baptized by saying the titles only. Every example shows them invoking the Name of Jesus Christ.
- You see, it’s not three Gods and it’s not three names. It’s one God who was above us as Father, with us in the Son, and now in us by the Holy Ghost. The revealed covenant Name that carries that authority is Jesus Christ.
- Baptism is for repentant believers. Infants cannot repent or believe; sprinkling does not picture burial. Immersion does.
4) Short Reinforcing Statement
If you were baptized only in the titles, be baptized again in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the apostolic way, the Bible way, and God honors His Name.