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Question 1

List the five accounts in Acts of water baptism in the name of Jesus. Give the chapter and verse for each account with a brief description of each.

Answer 1

a. Peter preached baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” to the Jews on Pentecost, leading to their baptism in accordance with that message(Acts 2:37-38, 41).
b. The baptism of the Samaritans was “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” in response to the gospel preaching of Philip (Acts 8:12, 16).
c. The baptism of Cornelius was “in the name of the Lord” or “in the name of Jesus Christ,” in response to the commandment of Peter (Acts 10:48).
d. The believers at Ephesus were rebaptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
e. Paul was baptized in the name of Jesus, for Ananias told him, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16) (p. 157).

Question 2

How does I Corinthians 1:13 support these five accounts of baptism in the name of Jesus?

Answer 2

When divisions arose within the Corinthian church, with various groups following after the different leaders, Paul asked rhetorically if Christ was divided, or if Paul had been crucified for them, or if they had been baptized in the name of Paul. The obvious answer to the last question is, “No, we were baptized in the name of Christ” (p. 158).

Question 3

Cite the verses of Scripture which demonstrate the following points concerning baptism in Jesus’ name:

a. Burial with Christ
b. Identification with Christ
c. Taking on the family name
d. Remission of sins in the name
e. Power and authority in the name
f. Do all in the name
g. Jesus is the highest name

Answer 3

a. Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12 (p. 158).
b. Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27 (p. 158).
c. Ephesians 3:14-15 (p. 160).
d. Acts 2:38; 4:12; 10:43 (pp. 160-161).
e. Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 4:7; John 14:14; Acts 3:6, 16 (p. 161).
f. Colossians 3:17 (p. 162).
g. Philippians 2:9-10 (p. 162).

Question 4

The Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist were rebaptized in Jesus’ name to express what?

Answer 4

Faith in Jesus as Savior, as the fulfillment of John’s message (p. 163).

Question 5

We can understand from Colossians 2:9-12 that baptism in the name of Jesus is a demonstration of faith in the _____________________ of Jesus and His all-sufficient role in our ______________.

Answer 5

Deity; salvation (p. 164).

Question 6

a. Is calling on the name of Jesus like reciting a chant or a magical formula?
b. What is necessary to make the name of Jesus effective when it is invoked?

Answer 6

a. No.

b. Personal faith in Jesus (Acts 3:16; 10:43) (p. 164).

Question 7

Does the biblical account support the historical use of two or more formulas?

Answer 7

No. The apostolic church used one formula for baptism and there can only be one formula for the New Testament church (p. 166).

Question 8

Some contend that “in the name of Jesus” only means in the power and authority of Jesus. Nevertheless, how would that power and authority be invoked?

Answer 8

By using the proper name associated with that power and authority (p. 166).

Question 9

Cite one verse that demonstrates the name of Jesus was orally invoked at baptism in the apostolic church.

Answer 9

Acts 22:16 (p. 166).

Question 10

A literal reading of Acts supports the conclusion that “in the name of Jesus” was a phrase actually called at baptism. In what other situations was this phrase called in faith?

Answer 10

In various situations involving prayer for the sick or crippled (p. 168).

Question 11

What is the conclusion of scholars regarding the baptismal formula of the Early Church?

Answer 11

Theologians and church historians recognize that the Book of Acts does give the baptismal formula of the Early Church (p. 169).

Question 12

Why cannot Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38 be contradictory?

Answer 12

There must be only one form of Christian baptism since there is only one New Testament plan of salvation. Also, since the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, it does not contradict itself (p. 170).

Question 13

Could Peter’s bold statement in Acts 2:38 have been in error? If not, give two reasons to support your statement.

Answer 13

a. Matthew or other witnesses would have corrected him if he had given an incorrect answer.
b. Peter had heard Jesus speak Matthew 28:19, Matthew heard Peter speak Acts 2:38, and only seven to ten days separated the two events. If Peter was in doctrinal error, the other apostles followed him in error and we cannot trust anything they preached or recorded (pp. 170-171).

Question 14

What does the grammar of Matthew 28:19 indicate?

Answer 14

Matthew 28:19 describes only one name, which is the proper name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost (p. 173).

Question 15

Matthew 28:19 describes one name for three titles of God. Cite Scripture to show how the name of Jesus is associated with each title.

Answer 15

a. The name of the Son is Jesus (Matthew 1:21).
b. The Father has revealed Himself to man through the name of Jesus (John 5:43; 17:6, 26; Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 1:4; 2:12).
c. The Spirit is given and revealed through the name of Jesus (John 14:26).

Question 16

How does the context of Matthew 28:19 support the conclusion that the singular name referred to is Jesus?

Answer 16

The entire passage of Matthew 28:18-20 is strongly Christological, with Jesus declaring His authority and power in a distinctly personal matter. The sense of this passage virtually demands the understanding that the name to be invoked is one, that of Jesus; not the three titles of Father, Son and Holy Ghost (pp. 174-175).

Question 17

What do Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples in Mark and Luke indicate concerning the use of a name?

Answer 17

Both Mark and Luke cite Jesus as commanding the gospel to be preached in His name (p. 172).

Question 18

Did Old Testament prophecy reveal or predict a unique name to be associated with God? Cite a verse to support your statement.

Answer 18

The Old Testament predicted that God would be known by one name (Isaiah 52:6; Zechariah 14:9).

Question 19

a. Some insist on using Matthew 28:19 as a profession of a particular doctrine. What is that doctrine?
b. Does the Bible teach such a doctrine?

Answer 19

a. Trinitarianism.
b. No. The word trinity never appears in Scripture, and the Bible always emphasizes that God is one, not three. Furthermore, Jesus is the Father (Isaiah 9:6), the Son (Matthew 1:21), and the Holy Ghost (II Corinthians 3:17-18).

Question 20

State six reasons given by the author to show that the baptismal formula is of critical importance.

Answer 20

a. The Bible places so much importance on water baptism that we should practice it exactly as the Bible commands.
b. We should follow the example of the Apostolic Church.
c. Tradition is an inadequate substitute for biblical teaching.
d. Obedience to and respect for God’s Word will cause us to follow it exactly.
e. John’s disciples had already been immersed in water unto repentance, yet Paul baptized them again, this time in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:1-5).
f. The name of Jesus is uniquely associated with all the purposes of baptism, such as burial with Christ, identification with Christ, and remission of sins (pp. 180-181).