One hot topic among Christians is baptism. The great commission of Jesus was for His disciples was baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Some may think the World Mission Society Church of God is incorrect because it conducts baptism in the new name of Ahnsahnghong. So, what is the teaching on baptism in the Bible?
Matthew 28:18-19 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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…”
Importance of Baptism
Two thousand years ago, the first thing that Jesus did before starting his ministry was to undergo baptism.
Matthew 3:13 – Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
Everything Jesus did while He was on the earth was to set an example for His people. Once we receive the Savior, we must be spiritually reborn. Spiritual rebirth means that we receive forgiveness for our sins and we can start a life devoted to Christ. Therefore, as Christians, the first thing we must do to follow Christ is receive baptism.
Is Any Baptism Okay?
Many people today think that during baptism, as long as the baptizer says, “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” that it’s a valid baptism. However, this is incorrect. Churches must conduct baptism correctly. Not every baptism is correct in the eyes of God.
Acts 19:3 – So Paul asked, “Then, what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
John the Baptism baptized the people telling them to believe in the one coming after him — Jesus Christ. But once Jesus Christ came and people received Him, people needed baptism in the name of Jesus. Today, Jesus told us to conduct baptism in the name of the Father and in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit. Now is the age of the Holy Spirit when churches should baptize people in the name of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the New Name
Revelation 3:12-13 – The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
We are living in the time when we have received the new name. So the correct teaching is baptism in the new name of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of the Father Jehovah, the name of the Son Jesus. The name of the Holy Spirit also exists. Jesus commanded baptism in the three names. A church that does not baptize in the three names cannot be following the teachings of Christ.
The bible explains that we die because of our sins (Romans 6:23). If we want to have eternal life, first we should be baptized and have our sins washed. We should be baptized in the name of the Father, the name of the Son, and the name of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-19).