The "Claim to the Name"

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by notofworks

What do you mean by the highlighted statement?

Calling on Christ, being baptized in His name, invokes his presence and He becomes involved in the baptism. He performs a spiritual circumcision while we are under the water being figuratively buried with Christ. And we become Christ's disciple when we are baptized in His name.

The insinuation was very clear that trinitarians don't value the name of Jesus because they haven't been baptized "In Jesus' Name."

The accusation is that Oneness value the name MORE since they are eager and willing to be baptized in the name of Jesus thereby exalting the name of Christ. I am not saying that Trinitarians do not value the name of Jesus. You have misunderstood me.

"Splashing through the waters of baptism" insinuates nothing except it is a descriptive way of describing baptism. Are you saying there was no splash of water when you were baptized?

I'm saying you are making a holy event profane with your glib remark by making it equal to taking a dip in a swimming pool.

But here you clearly say that those who are baptized "In Jesus' name" value the name of Jesus more than those who aren't. I'm sorry, Mizpeh, but there isn't a "non-oneness" believer who wouldn't hear that as being theologically and/or spiritually arrogant. Clearly, you see your standing in Christ as superior to that of others. I have a difficult time with that.

What else should I think if someone is unwilling to be baptized in the name of the Lord according to the word of God? Who's disciple are they anyways? Baptism is an initiation into becoming part of the body of Christ. Baptism is a burial with Christ. We associate ourselves with Jesus in baptism. Why would you not baptize in His name?

As for being arrogant or having a superior standing, I simply don't see how you can call yourself a disciple of Christ's and not be baptized in His name except it be because of ignorance of the word of God, or because one is blindly following the traditions of men, or outright disobedience. I'm not sure how that makes me arrogant. I think being baptized in Jesus' name shows a respect for the name of Christ and that I am following Christ as His disciple. If you value the name of Christ, why don't you baptize in His name like the apostles did? Whose disciple are you anyways?