Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

I repented and received the Holy Ghost in the spring of 1974. I was not attending any Church as I was a Hippie at that time. I noticed several scriptures that connected water baptism to salvation so I felt I had better do it.

I went to the Church of Christ where I had attended as a young boy and was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I was content with that but after a while realized the COC was sorely lacking in spiritual life and left there to search for more.

My Cousins husband heard about the change in my life and stopped by about that time. He was the first one to mention baptism in the name of Jesus to me. He gave me a few scriptures about it and got me thinking on it.

In a short time I became part of a street ministry and was so happy with that I gave everything to it and for some time never thought much about the difference.

Then I met a fellow at work who was Oneness. He also shared baptism in Jesus name. Again I thought it sounds right but I was not fully convinced it was important enough to be rebaptized.

After I was married one night my wife suggested we visit a certain Charismatic Church. We did and found out the Pastor had recently rebaptized everyone in the Church in Jesus name! By now I was convinced this was the way the Apostles baptized so down we went into the name of Jesus!

I was very happy with this but at the same time I had also been fellowshipping with a satellite Church of The Ceylon Pentecostal Mission a Trinitarian group out of the Far East. As far as Christian zeal and living they were very attractive to me. They had Churches worldwide and I was truly blessed to hear the testimonies and also the teachings of perfection and holiness.

I shared baptism in Jesus name with the Pastor. He flatly rejected it but nonetheless appointed me an Elder in our Fellowship. Several times we discussed it but to no avail. I was greived because I really was coming attached to the group there.

I had been seriously praying about what the Lord would have me do. Was it important enough to choose over a Church that I loved and felt like family with?

I was thinking on this deeply one day at work unloading trucks. I was pulling a large pallet of Paper (worked in a Paper Mill) off a Truck. I noticed the Secretary said "Jesus Christ". Knowing she was an ungodly Woman I continued pulling the pallet of paper through the aisle.

Then again the woman exclaimed "Jesus Christ". This time I had to see why. I turned and saw on the whole side of this large stack of paper this was written in black marker.

Jesus Christ Acts 2:38!

Now friends this happened JUST AS I THOUGHT what should I do about this?

Oh was I thrilled in my spirit! Jesus had heard my prayers and showed me this was the truth and that HE was confirming it!

It was my turn to teach that coming Sunday. I taught a message on "Full New Testament Salvation". I concluded by saying Acts 2:38 was what the Apostles taught to those seeking to be saved.

I was amazed when one of the other young Ministers came to me and said what a great message it was! Then the Pastor came and said "you cannot teach that here".

That was the beginning of the end of my ministry there but I was now aware of just how important being baptized in Jesus name was. Since that experience in 1980 many times I have heard of people who question if its really worth contending over.

I can speak as one who knows. Rejoice in this truth! Rejoice that YHWH has opened your eyes to see it! He desires that all his elect Children partake of his whole plan of salvation. Michael Gibson 4/24/09

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

Very interesting and personal. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

It is my understanding that some of the Church of Christ ministers use the name "Jesus Christ" when they baptize.

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

Elder D. C. Lawrence in the Fairborn Ohio Church said in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

I have heard of some of them saying "I baptize you into Jesus Christ".

I consider that accurate baptism.

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

What a great testimony.

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

I encourage all I speak with to call upon the name of Jesus at their baptism...Acts 22:16

I encourage all I speak with to find a minister who officiates baptism in the 'name of Jesus'

I attempt to share what the import of Matthew 28:19 suggests. BUT Acts 22:16, wraps it up for me...its MY baptism, MY death, MY burial, MY resurrection into and with Jesus, and its MY inaugural day into His priesthood, MY washing away of my sins, in MY baptism I fulfill the priestly laws of washing...I am fulfilled in MY baptism.

Why shouldn't I call upon the name of Jesus at MY baptism, it is the name which is above every name that is named (Phillipians), it is the name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, Why shouldn't a man officiate baptism in the name of Jesus, neither is there salvation in any other name given under heaven among us all whereby we can be saved Acts 4:12.

Jesus said He came in His Father's name...baptize them in the name of the Father; and His name shall be called, Jesus...baptize them in the name of the Son; Jesus said the Spirit would come in His name...baptize them in the name of the Holy Ghost.

Why should I let another disuade me from calling on the name of Jesus who said to Phillip..."...you see me you see Him that sent me" (Gospel of John)

If Jesus is the express image of God's person (Hebrews 1) would not His name reflect the same?

At your baptism see to it that you call upon the name of Jesus, it is YOUR baptism! Acts 22:16 (Paul did)

Why loose the true import of the name of Jesus by making excuses. Matthew 28:19 is a revelation into all that the name of Jesus implies. The apostles understood and throughout the book of acts beginning at 2:38 baptism was officiated in that name.

MY baptism will reflect the signature of Jesus upon the scrolls of my heart, the echoes of my mind, imprinting my spirit with that great name in this new and everlasting covenant.

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

Good post friend. It seems this truth is getting dimmer to some who once praised it!

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

I was just reading in 1 Sam 3 of a day in Israels history when:

1. The true Word of God had become precious (rare).

2. Ther was no open (clear) vision.

3. The High Priest (minister) had laid down and his eyes waxed dim.

4. The Lamp of God had gone out in the Temple.

5. But The young prophet Samuel heard from God.

Could this be an accurate description of what we are seeing among us today? Many of our leaders have lost their vision and theres really no need for the Lamp of God to burn anymore? But thank God there are a few Samuels left who hear the call, and stand faithfully to preach "Thus saith the Lord".

Thank God for the "faith that was once delivered uinto the saints".

Re: Baptism In Jesus Name:My Testimony
 

I missed this testimony the first time around. Thanks for bumping it!