Baptism

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by houstonupci

I have a very general question...

For those of you that think what is said at baptism is of utmost importance, I would really like to know your basis.

I absolutely believe baptism is essential according to the Word. However, I do not see a single time where there are specific words said at the time of baptism as is the practice in the church today.

And for those that believe "Jesus name" baptism is the only way, why is it not the same as "the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"? If they're the same thing, does it really matter? Would Jesus turn away a believe because the person that baptized them said the wrong words?

Jesus doesn't "turn away believers" because of "technicalities". Rather, believers are those who follow Jesus according to the faith and practice of the apostles. The apostles baptised in the name of the Lord. How do you perform an official act "in the name of Jesus" that is designed to signify the believer's identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, as well as signify the washing away of sins by the merits of Jesus Christ, as well as signify the believer's entrance into the community of disciples of Jesus Christ - without actually invoking the name of Jesus Christ?

Acts 2:21, Acts 22:16, and Romans 10:9 and 13 show that the one seeking salvation from the Lord is to call upon his Name, which is done in baptism as per Acts 22:16. However, disciples who perform baptism are to perform them in the Name (Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:16). Those who call upon the Name of the Lord are those of whom it is said the Lord's Name is "upon them" (Acts 15:17, James 2:7), and the Lord's Name is upon them by the invocation of the Name upon them performed by the Lord's representatives (Num 6:27).

So then it is the biblical pattern that those who come to the church to be baptised are to call upon his Name, and are to have His Name called upon them by the church (ie by the one baptising). The two go together: the individual's faith and public confession of the Lord, and the church's official act of admitting said person into the community of disciples (see also Matthew 18:18).