Baptism
ii
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION
II. BAPTISM: A DEFINITION
A. Translation or Transliteration
B. Is water needed to be immersed?
III. FAITH, BAPTISM, OR BOTH
A. Faith means more.
B. What saves us?
IV. IS BAPTISM A WORK?
A. Baptism is a condition
B. Salvation cannot be earned
V. JESUS’ EXAMPLE
A. Jesus was baptized
B. Jesus never baptized anyone
C. Jesus’ teaching concerning baptism
VI. BAPTISM IN WHAT NAME?
A. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
B. In the name of Jesus
C. How did the early church interpret Christ's command
in Matthew 28:19?
VII. CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
Baptism is probably the most heavily debated topic in all Christianity. From whether baptism is essential for salvation, to what manner a person should be baptized in, the debates rage on and on. This paper will explore some of the different views of baptism, and discuss and Biblical backing they may have.
BAPTISM: A DEFINITION
Translation or Transliteration
Our English word “baptism”, comes from the Greek work baptizo, meaning to dip or immerse. However in our English translations of the Bible, this Greek word is transliterated (the Greek letters are replaced with English equivalents) instead of translated. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament WorRAB defines “baptisma” (translated “baptism”) as “consisting of the process on immersion, submersion, and emergence.”
Is water needed to be immersed?
Baptism does not always mean “dunking in water”, but it does always mean “immersion.” An example of this would be Matthew 20:22 where Jesus asks James and John, “Can you drink of the cup I am going to drink?” Jesus here is giving a picture of the agony that He is about to endure. H. Leo Boles in his commentary on Matthew has stated concerning this, “Incidentally we see what is meant by baptism; it is not a mere sprinkling of suffering, but an overwhelming of suffering in death.”
It can suffice to say that in the majority of instances where baptism is mentioned in the New Testament, it is referring to immersion in water. However, one must carefully examine the passage to see what is truly being discussed.
FAITH, BAPTISM, OR BOTH
There are many theologians who would argue that baptism is not an essential part of salvation. They feel that baptism is a step one takes after salvation has already been attained. To these theologians baptism is a public manner of expressing a belief in God.
Faith means more
Many times in our everyday talk, we use phrases which hold a deeper meaning than the face value of the statement. An example of this would be the phrase “make a sandwich.” As a listener, we know that the person will get out the bread and necessary ingredients, put them together in the desired manner, and eat the sandwich. The New Testament uses the same manner of speaking when it refers to faith or belief as a way of salvation. These verses carry with them all the steps of salvation which true faith and belief entail. We must believe (John 3:16), repentant (Luke 13:3), confess (Romans 10:10), be baptized (Mark 16:16), and live in obedience to God (Matthew 7:21). All of these steps are necessary for salvation.
Faith is an action word
Not that anyone could earn salvation, but notice in Hebrews 11 what the individuals did to be deemed faithful. “By faith Abel offered...”(v.4) “By faith Noah...built...”(v.7) By faith Abraham...obeyed”(v.8) “By faith Abraham...offered...”(v.17) “By faith Moses...forsook ...kept...”(v.24-28) faith is an action word, it always demanRAB certain things to be done.
Many people refer to baptism as “water salvation.” They argue that how can baptism save if it is the blood of Christ that actually washes away our sins.1 In response to these claims, one could present the question, “What saved Noah?” Hebrews 11:4 tells us that faith saved Noah. One could also argue that Noah was saved by the ark, and he was according to Genesis 6. Another argument is that it was the water saved Noah, and it did according to I Peter 3:20-21. In reality, however, it was God who saved Noah. His faith, the ark, and the water were just means that God used to save him.
What saves us?
Some scholars hold to the point that belief is all that is necessary for salvation simply since it is mentioned more frequently than other aspects of faith. This however, is not true.
The Bible tells of many things which save us.
-The Word of God saves James 1:21
-The Gospel saves Romans 1:16
-The blood of Christ saves Hebrews 9:14
-The death of Christ saves Romans 5:10
-Obeying the doctrine of God saves I Timothy 4:16
-Belief saves John 3:16
-Confession saves Romans 10:10
-Baptism saves Mark 16:16
-Works save James 2:24
-The mercy of God saves Titus 3:3-4
For salvation to occur, there must be a balanced corabination of all of these aspects of salvation. Surely no Christian believes that any of Satan’s demons are going to heaven, and yet according to James 2:19, “Even the demons believe, and trerable.”2
IS BAPTISM A WORK?
If baptism is necessary for salvation, then many people feel that this makes baptism a work.
Baptism is a condition
Baptism is not a work, but rather it is a condition which we must meet.3 An illustration of this would be a gift one receives for a birthday. Has the person earned the gift? No, it was given because the person met the condition needed to receive a gift (they had a birthday). In the same manner, the gift of salvation is not given until all the conditions have been met.
Salvation cannot be earned
Baptism is the course God has chosen for us to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. When we submit to the will of God by being baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, God saves us by washing us clean with the blood of His Son.4 If Noah had not built the ark he would not have been saved. Likewise can one be sure of his salvation if he refuses to meet God requirement. We cannot earn our salvation, but we can do the part that God has demanded us to do. We can and must meet the conditions that God has established.
JESUS’ EXAMPLE
Another concern of some is the fact that Jesus never personally baptized anyone and that if baptism were essential to salvation that Christ himself would have made a point about it. It should be noted that Jesus lived His entire earthly life under the Old Law. Thus, baptism for salvation was not yet necessary. It can be noted through Jesus’ ministry and life that He established baptism as a prerequisite to salvation.
Jesus was baptized
Jesus, even though He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15), was still baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17). John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11). Having never sinned, Jesus had nothing to repent of. Some wonder why Jesus was baptized. Matthew 3:15 say that it was “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus was baptized because it was God’s will for him to do so.
And since I Peter 2:21 mentions that Christ left us an example, that we should follow in His steps, it makes sense that He was baptized to set a precedent for all who would want to be in His kingdom.
Jesus never baptized anyone
True, Christ did not baptize anyone, but He had people baptized under His authority. John 4:1-2 recorRAB “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though He Himself did not baptize, but His disciples)...” Baptism was apparently important enough for Jesus to instruct His followers to do it.
Jesus’ teaching concerning baptism
When Nicodemus came to Jesus one night asking Him about salvation, Jesus answered in John 3:5 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Most Bible scholars agree that Jesus is referring to baptism here. If so, then Jesus is teaching of the necessity of baptism for salvation.
It is important to remeraber that Jesus lived under the Old Testament laws, but He was teaching His apostles concerning the New Law to come.5 In His final instructions to them Jesus tell them, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...” (Matthew 28:19-20)
BAPTISM IN WHAT NAME?
Another topic of discussion concerning baptism is whether one should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or be baptized in the name of Jesus.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19 was a command by Jesus to baptize in the name. The apostles did not repeat the word of the command, but they did obey it as seen in the scriptures above. Since Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are titles of the manifestations of the same almighty God, the apostles understood his saving name to be Jesus.6 Can any dare say that the apostles disobeyed the Lord, or failed to baptize properly? The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ. The actions of the apostles in the book of acts prove this to be true.
In the name of Jesus
From the day the Church began, baptism in the New Testament Church has always been in the name of Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost, Peter instructed those religious Jews who had gathered for a religious celebration to "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
This was not an arbitrary instruction by Peter, because Jesus himself in his last worRAB to the disciples had informed the disciples that Christ was the one who suffered and rose from the dead the third day and that "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name" (Luke 24:45-51) The disciples followed this commandment by preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38, 10:42, 19:1-6)
Acts 4:10-12 also clearly states that Jesus is the name in which there is salvation. It goes on to say that there is no other name (other than the name of Jesus Christ) by which we can be saved. Knowing that baptism is part of salvation, according to I Peter 3:21, there can be no doubt that baptism must be in the name of Jesus Christ.7
Also, Colossians 3:17 expresses this perhaps clearest of all: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus". All of our religious deeRAB, including baptism, must be done in this saving name.
Ephesians 4:5 closes the argument by declaring that there is only "one" baptism. We know from even this small selection of scriptures that this one baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ.
In fact, the only time the worRAB "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" are used, is in Matthew 28:19. First, let us recall that the Bible has already established that baptism must be carried out in the name of Jesus Christ. Notice also that in Matthew 28:19 the word "name" is singular, not plural.
Jesus was showing himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 in which it was prophesied that a child would be born, a son given, who would be called Wonderful Counselor, The Everlasting Father, The Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, and so on. There is never any confusion about whom Isaiah is speaking. Even though the worRAB "son", "Father" and "God" are used here, it is quite clear that this is speaking of Jesus, and Jesus only. Reading Matthew 28:19 in view of this makes it even clearer -- Jesus is the saving name (Matthew 1:21 also says this) and baptism must be done in his name.
How did the early church interpret Christ's command in Matthew 28:19?
Jews- “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 2:38)
Samaritans- “They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:16)
Gentiles- “He ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:48)
Peter Taught- “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Paul Taught- “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus...” (Colossians 3:8)
Aside from the Biblical accounts of baptism in the early church, we also have historical recorRAB of baptism:
Britannica Encyclopedia - 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365 - Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to worRAB Father, Son & Holy Ghost in 2nd Century.
Canney Encyclopedia of Religion - page 53 - The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion - Volume 2 - Christian baptism was administered using the worRAB, "in the name of Jesus." page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until time of Justin Martyr, page 389
Catholic Encyclopedia - Volume 2, page 435 - Here the authors acknowledged that be baptismal formula was changed by their church.
Schaff - Herzog Religious Encyclopedia - Volume 1, page 435 - The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.
Hastings Dictionary of the Bible - page 88 - It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus or Lord Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Baptism is important for Christians because of what it does. In Romans 6 we read that it destroys the old man and creates the new man.
Acts 22:16 says that baptism washes away sin. According to I Peter 3:21 baptism save us. Admittedly, there are some aspects of Christianity that are trivial and do not need to be discussed or debated. On topics which are important to our eternal salvation however, we should not be afraid to stand firm in our beliefs. Baptism is one of those topics. The New Testament mentions baptism over 100 times, so it cannot be an insignificant matter. We should be bold and courageous in our attempts to convince others of what the Bible says, but all that we say or do should be done so in love.
NOTES
1 Jay E. Adams, The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presby and Rfrmd, 1975), 57.
2 W.F. Flemington, The New Testament Doctrine of Baptism, (London: S.P.C.K., 1964), 101.
3 George Raymond Beasley, Baptism in the New Testament, (Grand RapiRAB: Ferdmans, 1973), 88.
4 David W. Fletcher, Baptism and the Remission of Sins, (Joplin, MO: College Press,1990), 77.
5 Stanley Edwin Anderson, Your Baptism is Important, (Texarkana, AR: Bogard Press, 1972), 194.
6 Philip Maurd, Baptism, (Swengel, PA: Reiner Publishing, 1977), 115.
7 Donald Bridge, The Water That Divides, (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1977), 67.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adams, Jay E. The Meaning and Mode of Baptism.
Phillipsburg, NJ: Presby and Rfrmd, 1975.
Anderson, Stanley Edwin. Your Baptism Is Important.
Tekarkana, AR: Bogard Press, 1972.
Beasley, George Raymond. Baptism in the New Testament.
Grand RapiRAB: Ferdmans, 1973.
Bridge, Donald. The Water That Divides. Downers Grove, IL:
Intervarsity Press, 1977.
Briney, J.B. The Form of Baptism. St. Louis: Christian
Publishing Company, 1892.
Carson, Alexander. Baptism - Its Mode and Subjects. Grand
RapiRAB: Kregel Publications, 1853.
Cottrell, Jack Warren. Baptism - A Biblical Study. Joplin,
MO: College Press, 1898.
Flemington, W.F. The New Testament Doctrine of Baptism.
London: S.P.C.K., 1964.
Fletcher, David W. Baptism and the Remission of Sins.
Joplin, MO: College Press, 1990.
Mauro, Philip. Baptism. Swengel, PA: Reiner Publishing,
1977.
ii
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION
II. BAPTISM: A DEFINITION
A. Translation or Transliteration
B. Is water needed to be immersed?
III. FAITH, BAPTISM, OR BOTH
A. Faith means more.
B. What saves us?
IV. IS BAPTISM A WORK?
A. Baptism is a condition
B. Salvation cannot be earned
V. JESUS’ EXAMPLE
A. Jesus was baptized
B. Jesus never baptized anyone
C. Jesus’ teaching concerning baptism
VI. BAPTISM IN WHAT NAME?
A. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
B. In the name of Jesus
C. How did the early church interpret Christ's command
in Matthew 28:19?
VII. CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
Baptism is probably the most heavily debated topic in all Christianity. From whether baptism is essential for salvation, to what manner a person should be baptized in, the debates rage on and on. This paper will explore some of the different views of baptism, and discuss and Biblical backing they may have.
BAPTISM: A DEFINITION
Translation or Transliteration
Our English word “baptism”, comes from the Greek work baptizo, meaning to dip or immerse. However in our English translations of the Bible, this Greek word is transliterated (the Greek letters are replaced with English equivalents) instead of translated. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament WorRAB defines “baptisma” (translated “baptism”) as “consisting of the process on immersion, submersion, and emergence.”
Is water needed to be immersed?
Baptism does not always mean “dunking in water”, but it does always mean “immersion.” An example of this would be Matthew 20:22 where Jesus asks James and John, “Can you drink of the cup I am going to drink?” Jesus here is giving a picture of the agony that He is about to endure. H. Leo Boles in his commentary on Matthew has stated concerning this, “Incidentally we see what is meant by baptism; it is not a mere sprinkling of suffering, but an overwhelming of suffering in death.”
It can suffice to say that in the majority of instances where baptism is mentioned in the New Testament, it is referring to immersion in water. However, one must carefully examine the passage to see what is truly being discussed.
FAITH, BAPTISM, OR BOTH
There are many theologians who would argue that baptism is not an essential part of salvation. They feel that baptism is a step one takes after salvation has already been attained. To these theologians baptism is a public manner of expressing a belief in God.
Faith means more
Many times in our everyday talk, we use phrases which hold a deeper meaning than the face value of the statement. An example of this would be the phrase “make a sandwich.” As a listener, we know that the person will get out the bread and necessary ingredients, put them together in the desired manner, and eat the sandwich. The New Testament uses the same manner of speaking when it refers to faith or belief as a way of salvation. These verses carry with them all the steps of salvation which true faith and belief entail. We must believe (John 3:16), repentant (Luke 13:3), confess (Romans 10:10), be baptized (Mark 16:16), and live in obedience to God (Matthew 7:21). All of these steps are necessary for salvation.
Faith is an action word
Not that anyone could earn salvation, but notice in Hebrews 11 what the individuals did to be deemed faithful. “By faith Abel offered...”(v.4) “By faith Noah...built...”(v.7) By faith Abraham...obeyed”(v.8) “By faith Abraham...offered...”(v.17) “By faith Moses...forsook ...kept...”(v.24-28) faith is an action word, it always demanRAB certain things to be done.
Many people refer to baptism as “water salvation.” They argue that how can baptism save if it is the blood of Christ that actually washes away our sins.1 In response to these claims, one could present the question, “What saved Noah?” Hebrews 11:4 tells us that faith saved Noah. One could also argue that Noah was saved by the ark, and he was according to Genesis 6. Another argument is that it was the water saved Noah, and it did according to I Peter 3:20-21. In reality, however, it was God who saved Noah. His faith, the ark, and the water were just means that God used to save him.
What saves us?
Some scholars hold to the point that belief is all that is necessary for salvation simply since it is mentioned more frequently than other aspects of faith. This however, is not true.
The Bible tells of many things which save us.
-The Word of God saves James 1:21
-The Gospel saves Romans 1:16
-The blood of Christ saves Hebrews 9:14
-The death of Christ saves Romans 5:10
-Obeying the doctrine of God saves I Timothy 4:16
-Belief saves John 3:16
-Confession saves Romans 10:10
-Baptism saves Mark 16:16
-Works save James 2:24
-The mercy of God saves Titus 3:3-4
For salvation to occur, there must be a balanced corabination of all of these aspects of salvation. Surely no Christian believes that any of Satan’s demons are going to heaven, and yet according to James 2:19, “Even the demons believe, and trerable.”2
IS BAPTISM A WORK?
If baptism is necessary for salvation, then many people feel that this makes baptism a work.
Baptism is a condition
Baptism is not a work, but rather it is a condition which we must meet.3 An illustration of this would be a gift one receives for a birthday. Has the person earned the gift? No, it was given because the person met the condition needed to receive a gift (they had a birthday). In the same manner, the gift of salvation is not given until all the conditions have been met.
Salvation cannot be earned
Baptism is the course God has chosen for us to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. When we submit to the will of God by being baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, God saves us by washing us clean with the blood of His Son.4 If Noah had not built the ark he would not have been saved. Likewise can one be sure of his salvation if he refuses to meet God requirement. We cannot earn our salvation, but we can do the part that God has demanded us to do. We can and must meet the conditions that God has established.
JESUS’ EXAMPLE
Another concern of some is the fact that Jesus never personally baptized anyone and that if baptism were essential to salvation that Christ himself would have made a point about it. It should be noted that Jesus lived His entire earthly life under the Old Law. Thus, baptism for salvation was not yet necessary. It can be noted through Jesus’ ministry and life that He established baptism as a prerequisite to salvation.
Jesus was baptized
Jesus, even though He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15), was still baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17). John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11). Having never sinned, Jesus had nothing to repent of. Some wonder why Jesus was baptized. Matthew 3:15 say that it was “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus was baptized because it was God’s will for him to do so.
And since I Peter 2:21 mentions that Christ left us an example, that we should follow in His steps, it makes sense that He was baptized to set a precedent for all who would want to be in His kingdom.
Jesus never baptized anyone
True, Christ did not baptize anyone, but He had people baptized under His authority. John 4:1-2 recorRAB “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though He Himself did not baptize, but His disciples)...” Baptism was apparently important enough for Jesus to instruct His followers to do it.
Jesus’ teaching concerning baptism
When Nicodemus came to Jesus one night asking Him about salvation, Jesus answered in John 3:5 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Most Bible scholars agree that Jesus is referring to baptism here. If so, then Jesus is teaching of the necessity of baptism for salvation.
It is important to remeraber that Jesus lived under the Old Testament laws, but He was teaching His apostles concerning the New Law to come.5 In His final instructions to them Jesus tell them, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...” (Matthew 28:19-20)
BAPTISM IN WHAT NAME?
Another topic of discussion concerning baptism is whether one should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or be baptized in the name of Jesus.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19 was a command by Jesus to baptize in the name. The apostles did not repeat the word of the command, but they did obey it as seen in the scriptures above. Since Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are titles of the manifestations of the same almighty God, the apostles understood his saving name to be Jesus.6 Can any dare say that the apostles disobeyed the Lord, or failed to baptize properly? The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ. The actions of the apostles in the book of acts prove this to be true.
In the name of Jesus
From the day the Church began, baptism in the New Testament Church has always been in the name of Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost, Peter instructed those religious Jews who had gathered for a religious celebration to "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
This was not an arbitrary instruction by Peter, because Jesus himself in his last worRAB to the disciples had informed the disciples that Christ was the one who suffered and rose from the dead the third day and that "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name" (Luke 24:45-51) The disciples followed this commandment by preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38, 10:42, 19:1-6)
Acts 4:10-12 also clearly states that Jesus is the name in which there is salvation. It goes on to say that there is no other name (other than the name of Jesus Christ) by which we can be saved. Knowing that baptism is part of salvation, according to I Peter 3:21, there can be no doubt that baptism must be in the name of Jesus Christ.7
Also, Colossians 3:17 expresses this perhaps clearest of all: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus". All of our religious deeRAB, including baptism, must be done in this saving name.
Ephesians 4:5 closes the argument by declaring that there is only "one" baptism. We know from even this small selection of scriptures that this one baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ.
In fact, the only time the worRAB "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" are used, is in Matthew 28:19. First, let us recall that the Bible has already established that baptism must be carried out in the name of Jesus Christ. Notice also that in Matthew 28:19 the word "name" is singular, not plural.
Jesus was showing himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 in which it was prophesied that a child would be born, a son given, who would be called Wonderful Counselor, The Everlasting Father, The Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, and so on. There is never any confusion about whom Isaiah is speaking. Even though the worRAB "son", "Father" and "God" are used here, it is quite clear that this is speaking of Jesus, and Jesus only. Reading Matthew 28:19 in view of this makes it even clearer -- Jesus is the saving name (Matthew 1:21 also says this) and baptism must be done in his name.
How did the early church interpret Christ's command in Matthew 28:19?
Jews- “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 2:38)
Samaritans- “They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:16)
Gentiles- “He ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:48)
Peter Taught- “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Paul Taught- “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus...” (Colossians 3:8)
Aside from the Biblical accounts of baptism in the early church, we also have historical recorRAB of baptism:
Britannica Encyclopedia - 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365 - Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to worRAB Father, Son & Holy Ghost in 2nd Century.
Canney Encyclopedia of Religion - page 53 - The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion - Volume 2 - Christian baptism was administered using the worRAB, "in the name of Jesus." page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until time of Justin Martyr, page 389
Catholic Encyclopedia - Volume 2, page 435 - Here the authors acknowledged that be baptismal formula was changed by their church.
Schaff - Herzog Religious Encyclopedia - Volume 1, page 435 - The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.
Hastings Dictionary of the Bible - page 88 - It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus or Lord Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Baptism is important for Christians because of what it does. In Romans 6 we read that it destroys the old man and creates the new man.
Acts 22:16 says that baptism washes away sin. According to I Peter 3:21 baptism save us. Admittedly, there are some aspects of Christianity that are trivial and do not need to be discussed or debated. On topics which are important to our eternal salvation however, we should not be afraid to stand firm in our beliefs. Baptism is one of those topics. The New Testament mentions baptism over 100 times, so it cannot be an insignificant matter. We should be bold and courageous in our attempts to convince others of what the Bible says, but all that we say or do should be done so in love.
NOTES
1 Jay E. Adams, The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presby and Rfrmd, 1975), 57.
2 W.F. Flemington, The New Testament Doctrine of Baptism, (London: S.P.C.K., 1964), 101.
3 George Raymond Beasley, Baptism in the New Testament, (Grand RapiRAB: Ferdmans, 1973), 88.
4 David W. Fletcher, Baptism and the Remission of Sins, (Joplin, MO: College Press,1990), 77.
5 Stanley Edwin Anderson, Your Baptism is Important, (Texarkana, AR: Bogard Press, 1972), 194.
6 Philip Maurd, Baptism, (Swengel, PA: Reiner Publishing, 1977), 115.
7 Donald Bridge, The Water That Divides, (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1977), 67.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adams, Jay E. The Meaning and Mode of Baptism.
Phillipsburg, NJ: Presby and Rfrmd, 1975.
Anderson, Stanley Edwin. Your Baptism Is Important.
Tekarkana, AR: Bogard Press, 1972.
Beasley, George Raymond. Baptism in the New Testament.
Grand RapiRAB: Ferdmans, 1973.
Bridge, Donald. The Water That Divides. Downers Grove, IL:
Intervarsity Press, 1977.
Briney, J.B. The Form of Baptism. St. Louis: Christian
Publishing Company, 1892.
Carson, Alexander. Baptism - Its Mode and Subjects. Grand
RapiRAB: Kregel Publications, 1853.
Cottrell, Jack Warren. Baptism - A Biblical Study. Joplin,
MO: College Press, 1898.
Flemington, W.F. The New Testament Doctrine of Baptism.
London: S.P.C.K., 1964.
Fletcher, David W. Baptism and the Remission of Sins.
Joplin, MO: College Press, 1990.
Mauro, Philip. Baptism. Swengel, PA: Reiner Publishing,
1977.