Do You Baptize in the Name of Jesus?

Do You Baptize In The Name Of Jesus?

Mr. Waddey:
Does the church of Christ baptize in the name of Jesus? I believe this is the proper way to baptize.
-Jim

Dear Jim:
Churches of Christ do baptize in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:5), but we do not believe that the words "in the name of Jesus" must be pronounced by the administrator to make a baptism valid.

When the Lord gave his Great Commission he told the apostles to make disciples of all nations "baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). To do a thing in the name of the Lord does not mean simply to say the words "in the name of." Rather, it means to do as the Lord instructed. Since the Lord himself teaches us to baptize disciples into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, when I explain to a convert that I am now baptizing him into this sacred relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I am baptizing him in the name of Jesus, i.e., just as he instructed.

Sincerely,

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