The Bible teaches that there are many types of baptisms. The teacher in Hebrews says, that the ‘doctrine of baptisms’ or ‘instructions about cleansing rites’ were ‘elementary’ or ‘basic teachings’ in the early church. The focus of this article will be on the most important baptisms to Christians; however, it will briefly address baptisms specifically mentioned in the Holy Scriptures (Bible).
| Baptism | Verses | Description |
| ‘Cleansing rites’ of the Levite priests | Exo. 30:19
Exo. 40:31- Lev. 8:6
Psa. 26:6 Isa. 52:11 John 13:8- Heb. 9:10 |
“You shall make a laver (basin) of bronze… for washing; and you shall put it between the tent (tabernacle – later Temple) of meeting and the altar; and you shall put water in it. Aaron and his sons (priests – kohanim) are to wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die when they approach the altar to minister or make an offering… (Exo. 30:18-).” This ‘rite’ was a continual baptism of the priests to wash away their ‘uncleanness.’ |
| ‘Baptized into Moses’ | 1 Cor. 10:2
a type of: Gal. 3:27 |
“Our forefathers (ancestors) were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea (Red Sea – during the Exodus). They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud (‘Cloud to lead them by day’ – Exo. 13:21) and in the sea… they all ate the same spiritual food (manna) …(1 Cor. 10:1-3).” As the children of Israel passed through the ‘waters’ – the sea with Moses, it was a type of re-birth; new beginning – away from the worldliness of Egypt. |
| ‘Baptism of John’
‘baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’ (Mark 1:4) |
Matt. 21:25
Acts 1:5 Acts 13:24 Acts 19:4 Isa. 4:4; 44:3
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Jesus asked, “What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” “In those days came John the Baptist (Baptizer), preaching in the wilderness (Matt. 3:1).” This nephew of Mary – the mother of Jesus – this John said; “I baptized with water for repentance, but after me will come One (Jesus Christ) more powerful than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:7-; Luke 3:16; John 1:26-).” “Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River (Matt. 3:6).” |
| Baptism of the Holy Spirit
|
Matt. 3:11
Act 1:8 1 Cor. 12:13 Acts 19:2- Eph. 1:13 |
“I (John) baptize you with water for repentance; but… He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt.3:11).” “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you be My witnesses… (Acts1:8).” “…The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will in My name will teach you… (John 14:26).” “seal …of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13).” “Truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5).” “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed (Acts 19:2)?” |
| Baptism into Christ
(some call it the Believer’s Baptism, or Baptist of the Cross) |
Gal. 3:27
Rom 6:3- 1 Pet 2:24 Acts 2:38 Col. 2:12
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“You are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed (endued – Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8; abided – John 15:5) yourselves with Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).” “How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death… (that) we might walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:2-4).” Jesus, “…He suffered and …bore our sins in His body on the Cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteous-ness; for ‘by His wounds you have been healed (Isa. 53; 1 Pet.2:24).” |
| Baptism of Fire | Matt. 3:11
Luke 3:16 Acts 2:3 Isa. 4:4 Jer. 23:29 1 Cor. 3:12 Rev. 3:18
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John “baptized you with water for repentance; but… (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire… He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt.3:11-12; Rev. 20:12-15 ‘lake of fire’).” “There appeared to them tongues as of fire… resting on each one of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:3).” “Spirit of burning… (Isa. 4:4).” “fire will prove the quality of each person’s work (1 Cor. 3:13).” “’Is not My word life fire,’ declares the Lord (Jer.23:29).” “I council you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire… (Rev.3:18).” |
| Baptized for the Dead | 1 Cor. 15:21-29
Mark 10:38 Job 19:26 |
“Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with (Mark 10:38)?” “Christ has been raised from the dead …for since by one man came death, by (the Son of) Man came also the resurrection of the dead; for as in Adam all die, in Christ all will be made alive… the last enemy that will be destroyed is death… He (will) put all things under Him… otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead; if the dead will not rise (Dan. 12:2), why then are they baptized for the dead… at the resurrection of the dead; the body …is raised imperishable… (1 Cor. 15:20-30).” “After my body (skin; flesh) has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God (Job 19:26).” (Phil. 3:21 ‘transformed glorified body’) |
Some Important Introductions and Instructions
There are certain commands, instructions and teachings in the Bible given by our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles that can and should not be overlooked. They are of the upmost importance; some in which our very eternal salvation rest upon. One such verse is when the Lord Jesus said, “Very truly, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God (Heaven) unless they are born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5).”
Two others come after the all-important question, “What must (should) I/we do to be saved?” To which Peter with other disciples answered, “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).” And to which Paul and Silas answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved… immediately he and his family were baptized (Acts 16:31-33).” [Note two other very important verses: ‘what is required’ of all Christians – Deut. 10:12; Micah 6:8.]
The words must or should within the eternal question of salvation is not to be consider as taking an opinion; here they express something that is essential – an absolute necessary requirement to be performed in order to receive the desired outcome – ‘to be saved.’ Now, as the Lord taught us, by “two or three witnesses every matter may be established (Deut. 17:6; Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor.13:1).” Therefore, as certain Berean’s were counted as noble and wise by Paul for “searching the Scriptures to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth (Acts 17:11);” the competent biblical scholar or wise reader searching for the truth will not merely rely on a preacher or teacher’s word, nor simply look at one scripture when dealing with important topics. They will look to several writers and verses to properly establish “precept (teaching) upon precept (Isa. 28:10).”
There are three (3) important questions to be asked here. Is baptism required for salvation? If yes, which baptism(s) is/are required for salvation? How did Christ’ disciples baptize? A well know quote by Paul to the Romans says, “If you confess with your mouth that ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for it is with the heart one believes and is justified; and with the mouth one confesses (professes their faith) and is saved (Rom. 10:9-10).” Now remember the criminal on the cross next to Jesus was saved without water baptism; however, he did not have the time or ability to do more than profess to the other criminal, “Do you not even fear God… We …are receiving what we deserve for our crimes and deeds …?” And to ask/pray to Christ, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom (Luke 23:40-)!” But, what does this mean to us today?
Let us remember the Lord Jesus commanded His disciples in what is called the Great Commission saying, “Go into the entire world and preach the gospel to everyone. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but those who do not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16).” We know there are commandments by God (Eccl. 12:13) in both the old and new covenants. They come down to “Love the Lord you God with all of your heart and soul and mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself [(compare to ‘serve with all…’ in Deut. 10:12); Luke 10:27)].”
Christianity is not just a matter of the mind; it is an obedient walk by ‘word and deed (Col. 3:17).’ “Beloved children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in Truth (1 John 3:18);” “be doers of the word… you believe that there is one God; you do well, but even the demons believe and tremble! …Faith without works is dead… as the body without the spirit is dead (Gen. 2:7), so is faith without works dead (James chapter 2).” “The flesh gives birth to flesh (temporary and worldly), but the (Holy) Spirit (of God) gives birth to spirit (spiritual life) (John 3:6).”
The Lord God says, “If you love Me, keep My commands (John 14:15).” I hope now you see that those who call themselves Christians and hang on to some form of false and cheap grace – where they exercise a little mental belief – are in danger; and that “the way which leads to eternal life is narrow and difficult and few find it (Matt. 7:14).” Some “perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6); and some for reasons such as the ‘cares (hardships) of the world and pleasures of the life (Luke 8:14).’ But I pray you understand that this subject is of great significance.
The Most Important Baptisms to Christians
The most important baptisms can be found in the following. “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).” There is the requirement of belief in Jesus, that He is “the Lamb (Son – Rev. 5:13) of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).” There is a requirement of repentance (‘Jesus preached, Repent…’ Matt. 4:17). There is at least the obedient act of baptism. And there is the critical part of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise, it will help if we look at a few more verses: “Nicodemus… came to Jesus …and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can perform the signs you are doing unless God is with Him.’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said, ‘…how can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘that which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit… the Son of Man must be lift up (on the Cross); so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (John 3:1-15)’.”
| “Beloved… everyone who has this hope fixed on Christ purifies themselves, just as He is pure. Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness. …You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins… Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous… the one who practices sin is of the devil (see chapters: Ezek. 18; and Romans 6)… No one who is born of God continues in willful sin (see Heb. 10:26), because Christ seed (deposit of His Spirit) abides in them; and they cannot (continue in) sin, because they have been born of God… whoever keeps God’s commands lives or abides in God, and He in them… by the Spirit whom He has given us. …Everyone born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory… our faith (in) Jesus Christ the Son of God. This is the One who came by water and blood… It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the Truth; for there are three (3) that bear record in heaven; the Father, the Word (Son – Rev. 19:13), and the Holy Ghost (Spirit): and these three are one. And there are three (3) that testify and bear witness in earth: the Spirit (John 4:24), the water and the blood; and these three are in agreement. (1 John chapters 3 & 5).” |
Now back to our three (3) important questions to be asked here. Is baptism required for salvation? If yes, which baptism(s) is/are required for salvation? How did Christ’ disciples baptize? When Jesus said, you must be born again; He was not speaking of a baptism by water; but of the Spirit. Yes, there is a baptism that is required for salvation! We all must receive at least a measure of the Spirit of God and be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27). But this does not answer the question of how Christ’ disciples baptized; nor does it speak of obedience to the command to be baptized or the confession of our faith.
The baptism in Christ is through His precious blood (1 Pet. 1:19). And Jesus said, ‘anyone who loves Me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them and We will come to them and make Our home with them… the Father will send the Holy Spirit in My name, and the Spirit will teach you… the Advocate come, whom I (Jesus) sends to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – will testify about Me. And you also must testify… (John 14:26; 15:26).” This is what Peter and Paul speak of concerning the Holy Spirit.
Now there are different measures of the Spirit; thus, the apostle said, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed (Acts 19:2)?” And thus, Jesus was ‘full of the Holy Spirit’ without measure; and thus, it is written of some as being “full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24).” Thus it is written, “be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18);” and “beloved, build up yourself in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).” Still, we are to follow Christ’ example in the water; the water, blood and Spirit speak of Christ’ baptism and death and resurrection.
Water Baptism
Now we are born of water through in birth though our mother’s womb; but this also does not satisfied the baptism in water. If possible we must follow that example of Christ and be baptized in water. But this is where the denominations have issue with one another. We have scriptures and word definitions; but also tradition. So we now see disputes over infant versus adult baptism; and immersion versus pouring of water. Let me first offer definitions.
The term baptízō from the Greek βαπτίζω is defined in Strong’s Concordance as: “submerge, dip (immerse – dip under), baptize, ceremonial dipping. Strong states, “in contrast to antéxomai – ‘sprinkle’.” The baptism by John was to adults and by immersion. “Jesus came …to the Jordan River to be baptized by John… as soon as Jesus was baptized (submerged under water), He came UP OUT OF THE WATER. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending… on Him… (Matt. 3:13-).”
The original baptisms were by immersion in water. “An angel of the Lord told Philip, ‘Go…;’ so Philip went and met an Ethiopian… official… reading the Book of Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot…’ So Philip ran to the chariot and heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet; and he asked, ‘do you understand what you are reading?’ He said, ‘how can I unless someone explains it to me?’ …Philip (explained that Isaiah was speaking about the dead of Jesus Christ) …and the good news about Jesus. As they traveled… they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ …Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water… (Acts 8:26-36).” This tells us Philip was compelled to tell how Christians get baptized after believing; that the believer did not delay; and that the one baptized was submerge under water.
After Peter “earnestly witnessed and admonished them, saying ‘Repent and be baptized… and be saved from this perverse/wicked generation;’ those who accepted his message were baptized… about 3,000 souls (Acts 2:38-41).”
There are no infant baptisms in the Bible. Yes, children that knew what they were saying and doing, but no infants. However, adult baptized is for obedience and not for salvation; but disobedience can lead to loss of salvation. Let me be clear; the Lord God looks to the soul and heart. If an adult has water poured over their head, because no water was available for immersion, or there was danger to the person’s health due to immersion in cold water or due to other complications; then we are not to “lay upon them no greater burden than these necessary things: that they abstain from… sexual immorality… (Acts 15:28-)” and sin for “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9)?”
But what of the “except one be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5)?” First, we already addressed the need for the baptism into Christ and the Holy Spirit. Second, recall the very verse before this spoke of the amniotic fluid (water with electrolytes) of the mother’s womb (John 3:4). This verse is not saying water baptism is required for salvation; if you want one to argue for that – you do better with Acts 2:38. Nevertheless, after one believes in Jesus and learns of His commands and His disciples examples, they should hear the Spirit saying, “What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).” “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming …will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:5).”
A little commentary and a few verses
Another few verses; and then I will offer some teachings of a few denominations and early church bishops/elders. “There is one body, and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all… and in you (Christians) all. Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Eph. 4:4-7).”
“Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven (Matt. 10:32-33).” The ‘every head bowed’ suggestion or method was not used by the early church and probably not until after the Reformation and development of new denominations. The ‘altar call’ with public invitation was not used until almost 1800. It is said that even Whitefield, Edwards and Wesley did not use that method during their revivals. Some noted that the Spirit came upon individuals in the crowd and they would break out in cries of repentance and public confession of their faith in Jesus Christ.
And while on the subject, “I surrender all” is a good goal and statement; but the fact is it moves likely every Christian into a lie. If they sing ‘I surrender all’ as a desire and as their feeling at that moment – great; but if they are saying I have and/or do surrender all to God – it is a lie – we all know well that nearly every Christian still has ties to “things of the world” – whether gossip on social media or sin on television – and they well know they are not giving up either.
| Baptism in water came after believe in Jesus; but could come before or after the great measure of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter asked, “’Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit as we have (Acts 10:47)?” Paul asked, “did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? ‘…Into what were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied (professed/confessed)… (Acts 19:2-6).” |
“Crispus… believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, HEARING (Rom. 10:14: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”) believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8).” An infant does not have the capacity to hear and believe; only an adult can do this and repent – an infant has no need to repent; but if a Christian desires to dedicate their baby and have the infant (Latin: ‘unable to speak’ or make confession of faith; modern: very young child or baby) baptized in any manner; then let them do so – but it will not satisfy the child future requirements. Personally, I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church (as the Catholics do); then as a young adult about twelve (with knowledge and freewill) – at a Baptist ‘Royal Ambassadors’ camp; and then again (by freewill; though not necessary at that time) after falling away during high school and college, in a Pentecostal Church – as a witness and in rededication to Christ soon after I had been filled with the Holy Spirit with speaking in unknown tongues and being slain in the Spirit for some time (I fell out on the floor in or as in a trace – as in a measure of what Peter and Paul experienced; Acts 19:6; 22:17; 10:10; Rom. 8:26-; 1 Cor. 12:10).
What some denominations say on Baptisms
Anglican (Church of England) and their Episcopal Churches: “…baptism service is similar to the service for a child’s baptism, except that because you make the decision and the promises yourself, there is no role required for parents or godparents (who make decisions and promises on behalf of a child)… you may be either fully immersed in water, or, you may simply have water poured or wiped on your head.” Done by a vicar (clergy person – priest – or clergy representative). “Anglicans will tend to say that someone who has been baptized as an infant and then baptized as a professing believer is being ‘re-baptized;’ whereas a Baptist will tend to speak of the believer as their first ‘true’ baptism.” The position of the Church of England, Anglican and “the Episcopal Church as part of the Anglican Communion…” is they believe in infant and or adult baptism; and no need for immersion.
Assemblies of God (and many Pentecostal, Evangelical and non-denominational churches): “We believe… and practice two ordinances – Water Baptism by immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and in Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper)…” “The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures.” The position of the AOG is baptism by immersion ‘under water’ at an age of accountability or understanding.
Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention and others): “Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. …It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.” The position of the SBC is parents can have infants baptized; but only an adult believer being baptized by immersion meets the “act of obedience.”
Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213). “The early Church admitted three valid methods of baptism: immersion, sprinkling, and pouring.” “The Council of Carthage, in 253, condemned the opinion that baptism should be withheld from infants until the eighth day after birth. Later, Augustine taught, “The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants is certainly not to be scorned . . . nor is it to be believed that its tradition is anything except apostolic” (Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23:39 [A.D. 408]).” The position of the Roman Catholic Church is that baptism is a sacrament to be performed by a priest; and that infant baptism is as adequate as adult baptism.
What some Early Church Fathers said on Baptisms
The Didache (1st Century AD): “After the foregoing instructions, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living [running] water. If you have no living water, then baptize in other water, and if you are not able in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Before baptism, let the one baptizing and the one to be baptized fast, as also any others who are able. Command the one who is to be baptized to fast beforehand for one or two days” (Didache 7:1).
Tertullian: “When we are about to enter the water – no, just a little before – in the church and under the hand of the bishop, we solemnly profess that we renounce the devil and his pomps and his angels. Thereupon we are immersed three times” (The Crown 3:2 [A.D. 211]).
Hippolytus: At dawn a prayer shall be offered over the water. . . . Baptize first the children, and, if they can speak for themselves, let them do so. Otherwise let their parents or other relatives speak for them. Next baptize the men, and last of all the women. . . . The presbyter then takes hold of each of those to be baptized and commands him to renounce, saying: ‘I renounce you, Satan, and all your servants and all your works.’ When he has renounced all these the presbyter shall anoint him with the oil of exorcism, saying: ‘Let all spirits flee far away from you.’ . . . Let them stand naked in the water. When the one being baptized goes down into the water, the one baptizing him shall put his hand on him and speak thus: ‘Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?’ And he that is being baptized shall say: ‘I believe.’ Then, having his hand imposed upon the head of the one to be baptized, he shall baptize him once. Then he shall say: ‘Do you believe in Christ Jesus . . . ?’ And when he says: ‘I believe,’ he is baptized again. Again shall he say: ‘Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the holy Church and the resurrection of the flesh?’ The one being baptized then says: ‘I believe.’ And so he is baptized a third time. Afterward, when he has come out, he is anointed with the consecrated oil, and the presbyter says, ‘I anoint you with the holy oil in the name of Jesus Christ.’ And so each one then dries himself, and immediately they put on their clothes. Then they come into the Church” (Apostolic Tradition 21 [ca. A.D. 215]).
(Children – not infants; and as to the naked thing – it was practiced; but for obvious reasons of temptations and modern availabilities – it has not and should not be practiced in that manner.)
Origen: “Why, when the Lord himself told his disciples that they should baptize all peoples in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, does this apostle employ the name of Christ alone in baptism, saying, ‘We who have been baptized into Christ’; for indeed, legitimate baptism is had only in the name of the Trinity” (Commentary on Romans 5:8 [ca. A.D. 250]). “The Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants. The apostles, to whom were committed the secrets of divine mysteries, knew that there is in everyone the innate stain of sin, which must be washed away through water and the Spirit” (Ibid. 5:9).
(Origin says the apostles baptized infants – though I see no evidence of that until the 2nd or 3rd century; likely from families being baptized – which lead to babies through tradition).
Cyprian: “You have asked also, dearest son, what I thought about those who obtain the grace of God while they are weakened by illness – whether or not they are to be reckoned as legitimate Christians who have not been bathed with the saving water, but have had it poured over them. . . . I think that the divine benefits can in no way be weakened or mutilated, nor can anything less take place in that case, where that which is drawn from the divine gifts is accepted with full and entire faith both on the part of the giver and the receiver. . . . In the saving sacraments, when necessity compels and when God bestows his pardon, divine benefits are bestowed fully upon believers, nor ought anyone be disturbed because the sick are poured upon or sprinkled when they receive the Lord’s grace” [Letter to a Certain Magnus 69(76):12 [A.D. 254]). “He commanded them to baptize the Gentiles in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. How then do some say that though a Gentile be baptized . . . never mind how or of whom, so long as it be done in the name of Jesus Christ, the remission of sins can follow – when Christ himself commands the nations to be baptized in the full and united Trinity?” (Letter to Jubianus73:18 [A.D. 255]).
As to the Names
(The name of the Son is JESUS or Yeshua; or Jesus Christ; or Jesus the Christ – Yehoshua Ha’Mashiach; our the Lord Jesus Christ. If some want to say, “in that name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit;” that is fine when it is implied; and some add “in the name of Jesus;” and that is acceptable – but let us not place demands on which is correct – as long as they all point to the Lord God our Father in Heaven, in Jesus Christ – our Lord and the Son of God, and in the Holy Spirit – which proceeds from the Father through the Son. “Were you baptized in the name of Paul (1Cor. 1:13)?” No it was in the name of Jesus Christ. And it is the Father God Almighty and the Lamb of God who are worshipped in heaven (Rev. 5:13) and to who we are to fear, worship and obey. “Baptism saves you – not the cleaning of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:21).” “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews and Gentiles… (1Cor.12:12).”
Basil: Let no one be misled by the fact that the apostle [Paul] frequently omits the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit when mentioning baptism, nor let anyone suppose that the invocation of the names is a matter of indifference. . . . The naming of Christ, you see, is the confession of the whole; it speaks the God who anoints, the Son who is anointed, and the Spirit who is the anointing. . . . If, then, in baptism the separation of the Spirit from the Father and the Son is perilous to the one baptizing and useless to the one receiving, how can it be safe for us to separate the Spirit from the Father and the Son? . . . So too then are we baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (The Holy Spirit 12:28 [A.D. 375]).
The TRUTH SOURCE 