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Jesus Christ’s Blood is in His Name at Baptism
Part IV
By Michael Trapasso

Paul tells us in Hebrews 9:22, that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. As we can plainly see from Paul’s writings, it takes the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. Peter, in Acts 2:38, preaches to ‘Repent and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ Are not these two statements quite similar?
The ‘BLOOD’ of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
The ‘NAME’ of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
From Paul’s statement and that of Peter’s, we can see that ‘BLOOD IS IN THE NAME’, and to have blood applied, we must be baptized (washed) in the NAME of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. This is why the disciple Ananias of Damascus in Acts 22:16, said unto Saul of Tarsus, ‘And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be ‘BAPTIZED,’ and ‘WASH AWAY THY SINS’, Calling on the NAME of the Lord.’ On the Revelator verified this as he declared in Rev. 1: ‘Unto him that loved us, and ‘WASHED’ us ‘FROM OUR SINS’ in his own ‘BLOOD.’ It should be noted that the Lord Jesus said unto Saul of Tarsus that in the city of Damascus, ‘It shall be told Saul of Tarsus to be BAPTIZED. One can understand from these scriptures that those who have been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ have plunged into the very blood of Jesus Christ. Before we proceed further, however, we would like to stress that we do not mean that baptism is all there is to salvation nor that it is to any avail unless the person being baptized has truly repented of his sins.

The association of baptism and blood has been in God’s plan long before the Christian Era. Even in the very early days of the Hebrew religion, God required that all converts be baptized and that a BLOOD sacrifice must be offered up immediately. (See the Jewish Ency. Vol. II, p. 499 and the Ency. of Religion and Ethics by hastings, Vol. X, p. 402). Paul expresses this same relationship under he anointing of the Holy Ghost when he wrote, ‘Know ye not that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?’ And as we know, Christ’s death was his blood sacrifice. (Rom. 6:3)

One can see that Paul again associates baptism in the NAME of Jesus Christ with Christ’s blood when he stated, ‘Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were or baptized in the Name (Onoma) of Paul?’ (I Cor. 1:31). Paul, of course, is reminding these Corinthians that it was Jesus Christ that was crucified for them no himself (Paul), and that they were BAPTIZED into the NAME of Jesus Christ, not into Paul’s Name. We see that Paul reminds them of the crucifixion which was Christ’s sacrifice, and then he immediately reminds them of their baptism into the Name of the one that was crucified for them.

In Acts 8:26-39, we find Philip preaching to the Ethiopian from Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The immediate response from the Ethiopian is, See, here is WATER; what doth hinder me to be BAPTIZED?’
As we have seen in Acts 2:36-38, Peter preached the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and then he immediately gives the command to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

In Luke 12:50, Jesus too, associates the term baptism with his crucifixion.

In Co. 2:12-14, we find, ‘Buried with him in BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, `… HAVING FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRSPASSES; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us … NAILING it to his CROSS.’

Again we see the relationship of Christ’s lood and baptism. Heb. 10:19-22, ” Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the BLOOD of Jesus, by a new and living way, which we hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his FLESH,… having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure WATER.’

In 1 Peter 3:18-21, the scriptures begin with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and end with ‘BAPTISM doth NOW SAVE US.’

Paul again reveals the union of Calvary with baptism in Titus 3:4-5 when he wrote, But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (the love manifested at Calvary). Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he SAVED us, BY the WASHING OF REGENERATION, and RENEWING of the HOLY GHOST.’ (Thus parallels perfectly with Jesus said in John 3:5, as mentioned earlier.)

Paul writing to the Ephesians, once more reveals this relationship of the blood of Christ with baptism. Eph. 5:25-26,’…Christ also loved the church, and GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT (speaking of how he willingly gave his life for it at Calvary) that he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it with the WASHING OF WATER y the word.’

In 1 John 5:8, John relates BAPTISM with the BLOOD and the SPIRIT. He states,’… the SPIRIT and the WATER, and the BLOOD: and these three AGREE in ONE.’

The angels that were cast from heaven before man was ever created had no tempter, and yet they fell and were thrown out of heaven. Jesus taught, however, that when we enter heaven we will never be cast out. Why is it that we will never lose our heavenly inheritance such as some of the angels? Rev. 22:4-5 reveals why,’ And they shall see his face, and his NAME shall be in their foreheads… and they shall reign for ever and ever.’ This is also implied in Rev. 3:12. Those who have taken the NAME of the Lord upon themselves through BAPTISM ere saved by the BLOOD of Calvary and these same souls will be kept safe throughout eternity. Is it possible that the Lord Jesus would someday place his NAME on our foreheads if we refused to take his Name upon us now through BAPTISM?

Shocking as it may seem, very few people have been baptized into that wonderful redemptive Name of Jesus. The masses like Naaman cannot see that baptism into the Name of Jesus Christ is any better than the more popular formula: in the name (ONOMA, identical to the already noted) of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They do not realize that Father, son and Holy Ghost are only titles and not names and that the Name of these titles is the powerful Name of Jesus. (John 5:43, 17:11-12, R.S.V. as quoted earlier; Matt. 1:21, Luke 1:31; John 14:26; Heb. 1:4). They do not seem to understand that Jesus many times used peculiar statements to bring out truth. For example in Luke 14:26, Jesus said unless a man HATE his father and mother and sister, he cannot be my disciple. Jesus did not literally mean this, no not at all, but rather He was BRINGING OUT that a man must love Him above everyone else. In the very same sense, Jesus was BRINGING OUT that the Name of these titles is his Name. Luke confirms this in his Gospel the 24th chapter and the 45-47 verses by saying that Jesus THEN OPENED their understanding and sent them out to preach REMISSION OF SINS in HIS (Jesus) NAME among all nations ‘beginning at Jerusalem’. This is why Peter, ‘beginning at Jerusalem’, preached BAPTISM in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST for the REMISSION OF SINS. (Acts 2:5, 38). The reason it is so expedient that one be baptized in the proper manner is because the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ is in his NAME. The water is only the means that God chose whereby a soul becomes united with the redemptive name of Jesus Christ.

Baptism Into the Name of Jesus Christ
Essential or Ritual?
Part I
By: Michael Trapasso

In these closing days of Calvary’s grace as the atmosphere is charged with the electrifying expectation of the soon return of Jesus Christ, the question of whether baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ is a must to salvation has indeed become a most controversial subject.

Before discussing this matter further, however, we wish to emphasize that we who are baptized in this manner are baptized in or into the Name, the Name Jesus Christ.

We find that from the first chapter of Genesis to the last chapter of Revelation the scriptures proclaim why it is so vitally important that a person be baptized in the Name of Jesus. But before we give the scriptures a chance to testify of this marvelous truth, we will lay a solid scriptural foundation for the necessity of water baptism as found in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles.

In the beginning of the Gospels, we find John the Baptist heralding his blazing message of truth. Not only was his ministry for the purpose of preparing the people for the coming of Christ, but also for the plan of salvation that would be ushered in after Calvary. He preached to REPENT, to be BAPTIZED, for the REMISSION OF SINS, and to believe on him which would baptize them with the HOLY GHOST. (see Mark 1:4, 8; Matthew 3:2, 11). After Calvary, Peter, to whom Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom, (Matt. 16:18-19), preached to REPENT, to be BAPTIZED in the Name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION OF SINS, and to receive the HOLY GHOST, (Acts 2:38). So as one can see, John’s message was a stepping stone to Peter’s.

By scanning the pages of the New Testament, one will readily acknowledge the fact that water baptism indeed, is vividly portrayed throughout the sacred writings. The FIRST WORDS of Jesus that we find in the opening book of the New Testament are addressed to John the Baptist. Jesus requested that John baptize him; but John, feeling his unworthiness, hesitated. Jesus insisted, however; and the next words we find are, ‘And Jesus when He was BAPTIZED went up straightway out of the water’. (Matt. 3:16). His LAST WORDS, in this same book and also in Mark, are addressed to His disciples. He commissions them to go forth and preach the GOSPEL and ‘he that BELIEVETH and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not (of course then, these would not be baptized) shall be damned.’ (see Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19).

In John 3:3-7, Jesus firmly declared two requirements that a soul must obey if he is to enter into the kingdom of God; ‘Except a man be BORN AGAIN OF WATER (baptized) and OF THE SPIRIT (receive the HOLY SPIRIT) he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.’ This new birth was so important that Jesus repeated three times ye must be ‘born’ again.

In Acts 16:25-34, we find where Paul and Silas began to sing praises unto God at midnight; soon thereafter, an earthquake shook the jail; and the prisoners were loosed. The jailer, knowing that the event had happened because of Paul and Silas, looked to them for salvation. Paul immediately preached the word of the Lord unto him and his household. The same hour of the night he BAPTIZED them. No doubt, it was close to 2:00 A.M. Paul and Silas baptized them at such a late hour, even before they had eaten any food to provide nourishment for their lashed backs. One might ask, ‘Why did they baptize them at such a late hour under such circumstances?’ The reason was that Paul knew the penalty for letting a prisoner escape was death. (see Acts 12:19, 16:23). He realized that this jailer could be put to death at any moment for allowing his prisoners to escape. So Paul, knowing that this man had not completed his salvation, for he had not been ‘born again of water’, looked beyond the needs of his own flesh and baptized this man and his household.

Paul realized the importance of water baptism from the very beginning of his own conversion to Christianity. From reading Acts 9:9, 18-19, one will notice that Paul had been without food and water for three days; but before eating or drinking anything, however, he was BAPTIZED. Paul was fully aware that his need for salvation was much greater than his need for that of water and food.

When the door of salvation was opened to the Jews as far as the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ is concerned, we can clearly see that baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ was certainly a requirement for salvation. The Apostle Peter boldly declared, ‘Repent and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST, for the REMISSION OF SINS and ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST.’ (Acts 2:38) and yet we can see that this was not only Peter’s doctrine, but the doctrine of all twelve apostles. For just three verses after Peter finished his sermon, it was no longer considered Peter’s doctrine, but rather the ‘Apostle’s (plural) Doctrine.’

When the door of salvation was opened to the Samaritans, the first thing that Philip did, after preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the ‘NAME’ of Jesus Christ, was to BAPTIZE the people in (eis, Greek: meaning into) the NAME (ONOMA; Greek) of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:12, 16).

When the door of salvation was opened to the Gentiles, as found in Acts 1:43-48, Peter, remembering that Jesus has said a man must be ‘born again of water’ cries out, `Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as wee have? And he commanded them to be BAPTIZED in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST.’ (R.S.V.) By reading Acts 11:13-14, one can see the Bible further confirms that the words Peter spoke to the Gentiles were the requirements for salvation. These two scriptures proclaim, ‘And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose surname is Peter; who shall TELL thee WORDS WHEREBY THOU and ALL THY HOUSE SHALL BE SAVED.’ So as we can see, when Peter commanded them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, he was telling Cornelius and his household the plan of salvation.

When the door of salvation was opened to the Ethiopians, the first convert cried out, See here is the WATER, what doth hinder me to be BAPTIZED?’ (Acts 8:36). And as was have already seen in verse 16 of this same chapter, Philip baptized all his converts into the NAME of the Lord Jesus.

When the door of salvation was opened to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul preached to twelve men who had not received the Holy Ghost. He also realized that these men were not properly baptized; so he immediately REBAPTIZED them in (eis) the NAME (ONOMA) of the LORD JESUS. (see Acts 19:1-6)

When the door of salvation was opened to the Galatians, it is only natural to assume that he baptized them in the same was that he had baptized the Ephesians as just mentioned above. And from Paul’s words to this church of Galatia as found in Gal. 3:27, ‘For as many of you as have been baptized into (eis) Christ have put on Christ’, it is further evident that he baptized them into the name of Jesus Christ.

When the door of salvation was opened to mankind across the known world, they too, as we shall see, were baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ by the apostles.

Although we have seen that the Apostles of Jesus Christ commanded baptism into the Name of Jesus Christ, many sincere folks may still wonder, ‘Is baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, many sincere folks may still wonder, ‘Is baptism in the name of Jesus really the ANSWER to being saved?’ The scriptures give a direct remark concerning this question as it explains in I Peter 3:20-21, ‘…wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even BAPTISM doth also NOW SAVE US (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the ANSWER (noun) of a good (clean, R.S.V. conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.’ Peter, after saying “baptism doth now save us,’ placed in parenthesis that baptism is not for the purpose of an outward washing as in the O.T. (see Lev. 16:24), but now the ANSWER of a clean conscience is just another term as a clean soul or heart of life which has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus. This scripture proclaims the blood of Christ purged our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Peter concludes with the phrase, ‘by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.’ That is, it is by and because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, that when an individual is obedient to God’s word in being properly baptized, it results in the remission of his sins. Paul too, in I Cor. 15:17 and Romans 4:25, reveals that it is by the resurrection of Christ that the gospel has its saving power.

In the light of these scriptures alone, excluding many more which fully support and uphold this doctrine, an individual having a desire for complete salvation should not only be convinced of his need for water baptism, but also that his union with Christ in this manner should be administered in the Name of Jesus Christ.

The Urgency of the Hour
By Michael Trapasso

Friend, seeing how that Jesus and his Apostles taught baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and how that the prophets confirmed it, and how that history corroborates it, may we urge you to be baptized into the Name of the one who died for you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Although no one knows the very day that Jesus will return for his people, we should remember, however, that Jesus taught that definite signs would precede his immediate coming. Such signs as the restoration of Israel, famines and earthquakes across the land. Signs such as the plea of nations for peace, and wars and rumours of wars. Jesus taught that when the gospel was preached to every nation, he would then soon return. In the past centuries, this was not accomplished, but because of world-wide communication and speedy transportation of this day, this is no longer a hard task for the church. Approximately every 2,000 years in Biblical history, some great event has occurred. Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus appeared on earth; and as he was completing his ministry, he said unless the time of his return be shortened, no flesh would be saved. Realizing the lateness of the hour, may we again urge you to be baptized into the Name of the one that gave his life for you if you have overlooked or been led astray from entering into that redemptive Name Jesus.

Surely Jesus Christ is soon to return for a people, but who is he returning for? In Acts 15:14, James plainly tells us, “…God at first did visit the GENTILES, TO TAKE OUT OF THEM A PEOPLE FOR HIS NAME.” The Apostle Paul further substantiates this in Romans 6:3, 5, 8; “Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED into Jesus Christ were baptized into his DEATH? For `IF’ we be DEAD (baptized) with Christ, we believe that WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM.”

May God abundantly bless you as you consider the essentiality of baptism into the ‘NAME’ of ‘JESUS CHRIST.’

This article The Urgency of the Hour by Michael Trapasso is excerpted from