by C. Haskell Yadon

We People who believe and practice water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ are often cited by other groups for bringing confusion on the subject. Would you be willing to take a look at this subject from our viewpoint?

Let us take a journey through the Book of Acts and visit the churches established by different apostles, in different cities among different races of people. Let us especially see if there was confusion among them concerning water baptism.

In the Book of Acts we find nine accounts of baptismal services.No doubt there are others, but these nine constitute all that are recovered under the ministry of apostles. Seven of the nine records of baptism pertain to the establishing of six different churches. the other two accounts refer to the baptism of the Ethiopian, and the baptism of Saul, or Paul. First, let us examine the six churches whose charter members were baptized by the apostles.

The Church at Jerusalem - Acts 2:37-41

Peter instructed the Jews whose hearts had been pricked by his message, thus: " Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Remember, this was the birthday of the church. Peter made no mistake, for God blessed his ministry about 3,000 souls who gladly received his words, and were baptized.

The Church of Samaria - Acts 8:12-17

The people of Samaria believed Philip's preaching concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. therefore, both men and women were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Where did Philip get the formula of baptism in the name Jesus Christ ? >From his home church in Jerusalem,no doubt.

The Church at Caesarea - Acts 10:44-48

While Peter Preached Jesus to these Gentiles,the Holy Ghost fell on all that heard the Word. A baptismal service followed immediately,for they were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord. The American Revised Version says,"...in the name of Jesus Christ."Thus we see the Jews of Jerusalem, the Samaritans,and the Gentiles of Caesarea were all baptized into the same name.

The Church of Philippi - Acts 16:14, 15 also verses 25-34

The first convert in Europe was a woman named Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened at the preaching of Paul. After she had attended unto the words of Paul, she and her household were baptized. Also the Philippian jailer and his household were baptized. These people were the first members of the church at Philippi.There is noting said as to what name these people were baptized into, but,as we shall see later, Paul baptized the Ephesians in the name of the Lord Jesus. Therefore,it is evident that the converts of Philippi were likewise baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The Church at Corinth - Acts 18:1-11

The first fruits of Paul's ministry at Corinth were Crispus and his household, with others who believed and were baptized. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, we find the clue as to the name in which they were baptized-1 Cor.1:13, "... was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? " That the Corinthians were baptized in the name of the One who was crucified for them,is evident.

The Church of Ephesus-Acts 19:1-7

Here Paul found certain disciples who knew only the baptism of John. After proper instruction, Paul baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus. God bore witness to their obedience,for they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues, and prophesied.

In Acts 8:34-39 we find that Philip baptized the Ethiopian. It is certainly not unreasonable to believe that, if Philip baptized the people of Samaria in the name of Jesus Christ, he baptized the Ethiopian likewise.

The last record of baptism to be considered is that of baptism to be considered is that of the Apostle Paul- Acts 9:15. Paul was told that he must bear the name of Jesus to the Gentiles. His personal personal testimony is given in the twenty-second chapter of Acts, in the sixteenth verse. He quote Ananias as saying , "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Also in Romans 6:3,Paul says, "... so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death." Paul includes himself among those baptized into Jesus Christ. The Galatians were baptized into Christ -Galatians 3:27. The Colossians were buried with him in baptism-Colossians 2:12. It was simply baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, without exception, or apology concerning any other formula. We have cited every baptismal service recorded under the ministry of the apostles. We have found no conflict. It cannot be honestly said that confusion was born on this subject in the early church. Naturally, there is a question in the minds of some Christians as to the use of Matthew 28:19 in baptism .The truth is, there is not one record where an apostle baptized a convert repeating the words in Matthew 28:19. Also, we find no explanation for not using the so-called trinitarian formula,and no effort to reconcile it with baptism was not known until the second and third centuries. If you question this statement, I invite you to study church history. Such proof is too abundant to be ignored. In all fairness,I ask, Are we bringing confusion because we continue to teach and practice that which was fundamental in the first church? Would it not be right to say that confusion was born when men supplanted truth with tradition? We are willing to bear the guilt of opposing and discomfiting tradition with Gospel Truth.