Importance of Baptism

Until John

We are currently living in the AD era, which stands for Anno Domini[Year of our Lord], all that happened before comes under BC era, which stands for Before Christ, who originated this separation? who brought this idea of AD and BC? Jesus Christ is the one who originated this separation, and He marked John as an end of old era - The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it - Luke 16:16

From the days of John the Baptist

And Christ used this same John as a mark for the new era "Year of our Lord" also, but now Christ did not call him as "John", instead He called him as "John the Baptist", because Baptism is the first step to enter into the year of our Lord - From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force - Matthew 11:12

In Bible, we can see many blessed characters, for example, Enosh the one who started calling the name of the Lord [To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord - Genesis 4:26] Abraham is the one became an identity of faith [he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness - Genesis 15:6], Jesus Christ did not mark them an identity for the new era, but John the Baptist, because Baptism is the first step to enter into Christ's Kingdom.

Counsel of God

And Bible says, that the Baptism is the counsel of God, rejecting God's counsel would lead into eternal wrath - 29.And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30.But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him - Luke 7:29-30

Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus

John started the ministry before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and his ministry lasted only for few years, so in those its called as baptism of John, but Bible is very clear that we need to be baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that was the reason, Christ said this after his resurrection from the death - for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now - Acts 1:4-5

So, we must be baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - 1.And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2.he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? So they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. 3.And he said to them, Into what then were you baptized? So they said, Into John’s baptism. 4.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. 5.When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus - Acts 19:1-5

Should we Baptize in the name of "Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" or in the name of "Jesus Christ"?

In the Book of Matthew, we can see Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to baptize in the name of "Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - 19.Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20.teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen - Matthew 28:19-20

But Peter, appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ as a chief apostle, commanded to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ - And Peter said to them, 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

Is Peter wrong? not just Peter, Apostle Paul also commanded to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ - 1.And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2.And he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3.And he said, Into what then were you baptized? They said, Into John's baptism. 4.And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus. 5.On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus - Acts 19:1-5

But we can see people are baptizing in the name of "Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", lets take one example from the Bible, Once Christ said to the demon possessed man go and tell that "God healed" you, but the got healed went and proclaimed "Jesus healed" me [Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you. And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him - Luke 8:39], In the same way, when Christ commanded to baptize in the name of "Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", Peter and Paul understood the meaning and baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, to tell the world that for our salvation Father, Son and the Holy Spirit all three of them suffered in the cross, and our Bible is filled with the explanation of Christ's Trinity, if you could understand this truth, the Bible will more sweater than anything in this world.

And if you continue baptize in the name of "Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", basically you are telling the world that only the second person in the Trinity God suffered for our salvation, the Father and the Holy Spirit were in heaven, and they did not know the suffering of crucifixion.

Lets correct our self, and baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, and proclaim our Heavenly Father, Son and the Holy Spirit all three of them suffered for our salvation, and the Love of Trinity God endures for ever and ever.

To the person who performs Baptism

Why apostle Paul said "I thank God that I baptized none of you"? Why Spirit of God put them in the Bible?  - 13.Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14.I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15.so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16.I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. 17.For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power - 1 Corinthians 1:13-17

When you baptize your church members or fellow believers, definitely that will bring proud, and over the period you ended up saying "I Baptized them", "These are my Souls", "My Sheep", "I have built", and its so dangerous and would bring the wrath of God - 29.At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30.The king spoke, saying, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? 31.While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! - Daniel 4:29-31

That was the reason Paul is saying "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius", Actually baptism is an opportunity that we can invite other pastors or ministers whom we need to reconcile, that will protect us from becoming conceited, and also would help building the relationship.