8 Baptisms In His Name (1/2)

The word baptism implies immersion, or plunging into a thing. It is one of the basic doctrine of Christ Jesus

”Therefore leaving the principle of the doctrine of Christ, let us go unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward G.o.d, of the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS and of laying of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement.”

The six doctrines form the elementary or basic doctrine of Christ. For almost three decades now, I have based our foundational studies in the ministry on all these doctrines. Note that we are considering how this wonderful Name evokes power in the various kind of baptisms.

There are three types of baptism:

1. The baptism into the Body of Christ

Baptism into Christ and his Body is a spiritual transformation or plunging of a sinner (who is previously in the domain of Satan) into the kingdom of his dear son

Galatians 3: 26-27

26 For ye are all the children of G.o.d by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

I Corinthians 12:13

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

On the day you repented of your sin and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit baptized you into Christ and his body (Church). You then become a member of the body of Christ where Jesus is the chief Shepherd. But you should know that the salvation of the sinner is by the agent of the Holy Spirit as evoked by his name.

Matthew 12:21

21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Matthew 1:21

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Act 4:12

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2. Baptism by water immersion in His name

Another form of baptism that follows the baptism into the Body of Christ is water baptism. While the agent of baptism into the Body is the Holy Spirit the local Pastors or ministers is the one that conduct this in his Name.

Matthew 28:19

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Act 8:15-16

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Act 8:38

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

From the above three pa.s.sages you can see that water baptism was done in his exalted Name and it involved the three persons of the G.o.d head. Some thought that Paul as an apostle did not count water baptism as important but this cannot be true. He even re-baptized some converts.

Act 19:3,5

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

In our various churches, may be because of my Baptist background, we place great emphasis on water baptism in his Name. I believe G.o.d is not frivolous and he does not establish what is not beneficial.

In conducting water baptism in our church, we take along with us many of our Pastors (men and women), so they will help us bring them out, as many of them get slain in the power of the Holy Spirit. At one time we had to travel to the warm spring at Ikogosi in Ekiti State (Nigeria) to conduct the service. People who came around were always astonished at the power of G.o.d in display. I believe this happens in our ministry because we hold each service as they come in holy reverence and fear of the Holy Spirit.

3. Holy Ghost Baptism in His Name

The Holy Spirit baptism is the greatest priority in the heart of the exalted Jesus as the Head of the church. This is for the purpose of effective service, power and victory over every work of the devil. When you become conscious of his indwelling presence your lives will change for good.

Act 1:8