Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: "In his Name": Immersion

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Introduction

Jesus, the Christ, stands as the central figure of Christianity, revered as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection form the cornerstone of Christian faith. One of the significant aspects of His ministry and the early Christian practice is the concept of immersion, commonly referred to as baptism, which is performed in His name.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of immersion in the name of Jesus is rooted in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This directive underscores the Trinitarian formula, yet the early church often emphasized baptism specifically in the name of Jesus, highlighting His authority and the new covenant established through His sacrifice.

Theological Significance

Immersion in the name of Jesus symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The Apostle Paul elucidates this in Romans 6:3-4 : "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." This act signifies the washing away of sins and the believer's rebirth into a new life in Christ.

Early Church Practice

The Book of Acts provides numerous accounts of baptism in the name of Jesus, reflecting its importance in the early church. For instance, Peter, on the day of Pentecost, exhorts the crowd: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). This practice is further evidenced in the accounts of the Samaritans (Acts 8:16), Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:48), and the Ephesian believers (Acts 19:5).

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

Immersion in the name of Jesus is rich with symbolism. It represents a public declaration of faith and allegiance to Christ, marking the believer's entry into the Christian community. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation, signifying repentance and the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. The act of being submerged in water and rising again mirrors the believer's spiritual resurrection and commitment to live according to the teachings of Christ.

Conclusion

In summary, immersion in the name of Jesus is a profound and essential practice within Christianity, embodying the believer's union with Christ and the transformative power of His redemptive work. It is a testament to the believer's faith, a rite of passage into the Christian life, and a continual reminder of the grace and salvation offered through Jesus, the Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 28:19
Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

2424. Iesous -- Jesus or Joshua, the name of the Messiah, also ...
... "Jesus Christ" is properly "Jesus ." "" (2424 ) is His name, as the incarnate, eternal
Son of God (Mt 1:21,25, see also Lk 1:31) -- the Christ, the divine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2424.htm - 7k

3686. onoma -- a name, authority, cause
... "Praying in Jesus' name" therefore is ... According to Hebrew notions, a name is inseparable
from the person to whom it belongs, ie it is something of his essence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3686.htm - 7k

Library

Of the Name of Jesus Christ, and his Twofold Nativity.
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap.
XLIII."Of the Name of Jesus Christ, and His Twofold Nativity. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xliii of the name of.htm

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name ...
... RELIGION. Sermon I. "And this is his commandment, That we should believe
on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another.". ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i and this is.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer (Continued)
... the fixed attitude and unity of life with Jesus Christ. ... The attitude of the Person
of Christ is the ... had magnified his word above all his name." New Testament ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/vi jesus christ the divine.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity. And this is his Commandment; that we ...
... And this is His commandment; That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus
Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/second sunday after trinity and.htm

What is his Name?
... will have filled our hearts with suspicions of His goodness; if ... revealed to us in
"the face of Jesus Christ," we must ... that He came to manifest the name of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 2 what is his.htm

The Praying that Glorifies God
... A man cannot achieve the works of Christ through his eloquence and education; he
must fervently pray in the Name of Jesus, and receive power from Him in order ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 4 the praying that.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Jesus Christ.
... that "He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." He is called "Thy holy
child Jesus." Jesus Christ, therefore, was ... Glory be to His Holy Name. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vi entire sanctification as.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... on the Well-Beloved Christ and therefore spares mankind. Yea, more; for his sake
he sends the gospel of peace to men, and in the name of Jesus glad tidings are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

Jesus and his Fellow Townsmen.
... him unspeakably; the gospel according to Jesus Christ, attracts him ... scribe, the elder,
exclaiming against his self-sufficiency ... In the name of the true God, I ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/jesus and his fellow townsmen.htm

After the Resurrection Day.
... NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK: BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS
IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING YE MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/after the resurrection day.htm