The Name of Jesus

All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
I have been reading an analysis of the origins of the triune or the Trinitarian formula found in Matthew 28:19 in information I received from a fellow minister and former president of Texas Bible College.  The triune formula on baptism obviously disagrees with the rest of the scriptural accounts of baptism. In every instance where baptism takes place in the scripture it is always done in the singular name of Jesus Christ (or some variant thereof). According to the analysis of Matthew 28:19, the post apostolic fathers were  in a disagreement over the manner of baptism. Some said it was to be done in Jesus name right up to the council of Nicaea, others weren't so sure. In the end the Roman Emperor Constantine insisted that the bishops then present come up with a statement that they could all agree on. The Doctrine of the Trinity was the result. In my opinion these bishops that were there, even the ones who were previously insistent that the singular name of Jesus was the correct form of baptism, were along with the emperor, carnal men who did not know the Lord personally. Thus they adopted the Doctrine of the Trinity to everyone's satisfaction. And they, in my opinion, condemned thousands if not millions to being lost and undone.

In Acts 4:8-12 the Bible says,  "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, "Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Two points worth mentioning, Apostle  Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost and the name of Jesus was the means by which the man was healed. Not only was the name of Jesus given for salvation but everything done was to be done in Jesus name. See Colossians 3:17.


While excellent reading, the analysis of Matthew 28:19 is very scholarly, it is somewhat cumbersome to read as a result.  Let me cut to the chase. According to Matthew 28:19 whether spurious or authentic, no one was ever baptized there. When the apostles baptized new converts whether Jewish or Gentile they invariably did so in Jesus name. They knew of no other Saviour than the Lord Jesus Christ. They recognized the Man Christ Jesus as the Son of God and were believers in His deity. No one else could walk on water, open blind eyes, raise dead people to life, etc. They may have had temporary confusion as to His identity as God in the flesh but that was dispelled after His resurrection. See 1st Timothy 3:16. When John the Baptist sent a couple of his disciples and asked if Jesus was truly the Messiah or not in Luke 7:19-23 the Bible records, "...in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."  Sounds as if even John the Baptist had doubts. The Lord Jesus is looking for belief in the most notable people.

Friend, if you are looking for scholarly justification for your belief system there is plenty to go around but it won't save you. If on the other hand you are looking for someone to be a help in time of your need let me point you to the Lord Jesus Christ. In Psalm 46:1 the Bible says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." The psalmist goes on in the next few verses saying that though the earth may be removed and the mountains be cast into the sea you may rest assured that the Lord Jesus will come to your aid when you call upon Him. If you don't know or perhaps have never known the Lord Jesus, let me encourage you to repent of your sin and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and God has promised to fill you with His Spirit. You will never be sorry in this life and you will be eternally grateful in the life to come. See Mark 16:15, Acts 2:38.