How Were You Baptised?
(A study on being re-baptised in the name of Jesus)
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?
Being baptised properly is an essential element of obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we read the story of Paul’s encounter with these men in Acts 19, we find that the first question that was asked by Paul was, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” These men were not unsaved Gentiles; they were called “disciples.” This tells us that the question Paul asked must be an essential thing and of a very great importance. The next question asked by Paul was, “How were you baptised?” This tells us that the manner in which a person is baptised must be a very important thing! Paul considered it to be so important that he took men who had already been baptised in one way and correctly baptised them. He did not consider it to be noteworthy that they had accepted another form of baptism, but Paul knew that they must be baptised correctly. The correct way would be in the name of Jesus only.
Why is baptism important?
The Bible teaches us that baptism is an essential part of becoming a Christian. Many have taught that being baptised is a public display of your faith. Although baptism is a wonderful display, it is so much deeper than expressing your faith. What does the Bible say about baptism?
Examples of baptism in scripture:
- Acts 2:38: “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”
- This is the Gospel preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost. This is the plan of salvation as expressed by Jesus. Those who were baptised on the day of Pentecost were baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
- Those that received the Gospel in Samaria were baptised in the name of Jesus
- Acts 10:18 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
- The first gentile believers were baptised in the name of the Lord. His name is Jesus.
- Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- The disciples who had been previously baptised in another way were rebaptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Acts 22:19 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
- Paul was baptised “calling on the name of the Lord.” His name is Jesus.
It is necessary, and you must obey the Gospel by being baptised in Jesus’ name. Jesus said, “Except you be born of the water and the spirit, you can not enter into the kingdom of God.”
In conclusion, if when you were baptised, the minister spoke over you saying, “I now baptise you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” you were not baptised correctly. This is important. We pray that every minister who reads this will search the scriptures for themselves and make the necessary corrections.
(This is an excerpt of a tract recently written to help those who need further instruction on their need to be baptized correctly. If you would like to have this study in its entirety, please reach out to us!)
Pastor Smith
