HASTINGS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION: Christian baptism was administered using the words, "in the name of Jesus." - Vol. 2, pg. 377. Baptism was always in the name of Lord Jesus until time of Justin Martyr when Triune formula used. - Vol. 2, pg. 389. NAME was an ancient synonym for "person." Payment was always made in the name of some person referring to ownership. Therefore one being baptized in Jesus� name became His personal property. "Ye are Christ�s." - Vol. 2, pg. 377 on Acts 2:38.2 BRITANNICA ENCYCLOPEDIA: The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son & Holy Ghost by the Catholic Church in the Second Century. - 11th Edit., Vol. 3, pp. 365-366. |
| The Name of God |
| When you are baptized in Jesus' name, you are in that act identifying yourself with Jesus. Your life is starting over with the goal of being as much like Jesus as possible. "He who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (I John 2:6). |
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| The reason that we are baptized in Jesus� name is that we are taking on his name (similar to the way a bride takes her husband's name). We are saying that we belong to Jesus, and we are identifying with Him in His death and burial: As many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4) |
| Pope Benedict XVI, INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY: The basic form of our profession of faith (I believe in God the Father...and Jesus Christ...and the Holy Spirit) took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. - pp. 82-83 Every one of the main basic concepts in the doctrine of the Trinity was condemned at one time or another...Any doctrine of the Trinity, therefore, cannot aim at being a perfect comprehension of God...The doctrine of the Trinity is only possible as a piece of baffled theology. - pp. 171-172 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord. Deut 6:4 'Father' is purely a concept of relationship. Only in being for the other is he Father; in his own being in himself he is simply God...The concept of 'Son' is a concept of relation...The first person does not beget the son as if the act of begetting were subsequent to the finished person; it is the act of begetting, of giving oneself, of streaming forth. It is identical with the act of self-giving. - pp. 183-185 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (I believe in the Holy Spirit) This article was at first really understood in terms of salvation history, not of the Trinity. In other words, the third section of the creed refers in the first place, not to the Holy Spirit as the third person in the Godhead, but to the Holy Spirit as God's gift to history in the community of those who believe in Christ. - p. 331 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:38-39 |