Matthew 28:19 NIV
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Many misunderstand why we baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, vs Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Simply, it’s NOT about “having to” but “wanting to”.
It’s about the same love in a marriage where a bride surrenders her surname and identifies with her husband’s name because now, they are one.
We are considered “The Bride of Christ” and it is obvious that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not “names” but titles.
Furthermore, to baptize in the “name” (singular) of this trinity is to desire to know what that “name” is and what it really means to you. Because despite popular belief, the name “Jesus Christ” wasn’t just a first and last name as many just assume, it was a personal revelation of what “He” meant to you.
I wish that it was all about convincing people with wise and persuasive words, but instead, it’s about the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power that draws you to honoring His name in water baptism.
Unfortunately, many didn’t even know that they had a choice to be baptized via Acts 2:38 vs the traditional means.
Remember that evil thrives in darkness “grey areas, lukewarm” or areas that are not well defined, identified or clarified. For God is not the author of confusion.
In Matthew 16:16, Peter set an example for us by setting himself apart from all other “followers” and declared boldly that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
This was not an easy thing to do during that Levitical reign!
You were in grave danger of being stoned to death for publicly making those claims that a carpenter’s son was the Messiah.
So at that time, Matthew 16:16, was where Jesus gave Peter the KEYS of the Kingdom of God, (Nobody else was given these keys!), and Jesus further stated that whatever Peter bound/loosed on earth will also be bound/loosed in heaven! Jesus also said that “upon this rock I will build my church”.
So what was this “rock”?
This “rock” was upon that sole revelation that Jesus was the Christ and that we should later desire the gift of the Holy Spirit “in us” vs. simply being content with the Holy Spirit just “with us” or “above us”.
So here is the formula which was hidden from the wise and prudent, that the name of Jesus Christ becomes the name of above all names in our heart and lives.
Honoring this name also comes with a promise, and that promise is receiving THE GIFT of the Holy Spirit.
Eliminate the confusion, and make a BOLD spiritual and public statement like Peter and honor the name of Jesus Christ in your baptism.
So does Acts 2:38 contradict what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19?
It does not contradict, because what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 was like a riddle that needed to be further investigated or revealed. So there is no contradiction, because Acts 2:38 just simply clarified what Jesus said so that there should be no more confusion among us.
But if you are still on the fence, then riddle me this?
If Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit and already possessed the Holy Spirit in Him prior to birth, then what was that “dove-like” Spirit of God that fell upon Him again at age 30 when He was baptized by John? (Matthew 3:16)
Hmm? 🤔
Revelation 3:12
“All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.
Feed your souls brothers and sisters, your brother in our war against sin,
Ray Evangelista
An Acts 2:38 "Mens" Ministry 