For those that left the UPC...

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Right. So, being silent in baptism would give the same impression, IMO.

Why would Paul say what he did here if nothing was said at all?

"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (I Cor 1:13)

I answered this question earlier:

Originally Posted by missourimary

Even 1 Cor 1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ...13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Is, according to commentaries http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/1-13.htm (see lower part of the page) discussing that people are baptized INTO someone's name to profess becoming followers of that person, and that Paul was making the point that he didn't baptize them nor did he make them his own followers, but Christ's. This passage could be brought to the unstated conclusion that since they were not baptized in the name of Paul, they were baptized into a name, and that name would have been Jesus', or it could mean that Paul did not make disciples for himself, but of Jesus. Jesus died for them, and it is Him they should follow, not dividing the body of Christ with disputes, not following various leaders, but following the One who died for them and they pledged to serve by their baptism.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

So, you are now saying that words are spoken?

PO, I said "If words are spoken", not that they must be or that a certain phraseology needs to be used.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'm thinking of the passage in Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

So every time you make a pot of coffee or drop an egg in a skillet or take a step, you say the words "in the name of Jesus"? There is no need to. The verse in Colossians isn't talking about saying "in Jesus name" with every movement we make, but reminding us that we should represent Jesus in all we do.

The phrase "In the name of Jesus", BTW, often means "by the power or authority of Jesus". It reminds us to behave in a manner that represents Him, not simply to say we are, but to DO it.
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

v17 isn't telling people how to cast out devils or heal the sick. The verse, in context, is telling people how to live-as representatives of the One who saved them, in love.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

It appears that his name is very important and I can't find where not uttering that name is a very solid view of the scriptures.

I'm also thinking of James 5:14 "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:"

If they anointed with oil and nothing was said, it would be like you were mentioning above, unbelievers or anyone standing around might get the impression they were doing these acts by their own power.

So, I don't think there is solid evidence that nothing is uttered during baptism. That's all I have time for today.

You are not comprehending what I'm saying, and I don't know how to explain it any more clearly than I have. I am not saying that nothing should be uttered at baptism, but that what is said over us at baptism doesn't hold nearly as much importance as we might think, because what is said is not God's focus. The heart of the convert, calling on Him and responding to His call, is.