Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ
Dearly beloved of God, God raised His Son Jesus Christ from the dead, and before his ascension into heaven, Jesus Christ told his disciples what was coming not many days from then.
Acts 1:4, 5, 8
4 And being assembled together with them, commanded them [his apostles] that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion: holy spirit] not many days hence.
8 But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost [holy spirit] is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
John the Baptist spoke of this baptism before he baptized Jesus Christ early on in his ministry to Israel.
Mark 1:7 and 8
7 And preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].
The holy spirit was made available to the people of Israel on the Feast of Pentecost following Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead and his ascension into heaven.
After the Peter told the people present the significance of their speaking in tongues, he said:
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 [from] the Holy Ghost [Spirit].
They were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The eastern idiom of using someone’s name, represents the accomplishments, position, power, authority, reputation, character, and interests that the person's name represents.
To be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ means to be baptized in what he accomplished in association with his position in the heavenly realm at God’s right hand.
Only God is above the Lord Jesus Christ in power and authority, either in heaven or on earth.
The Lord Jesus Christ has the power and authority to save to the uttermost all that call upon his name. He is Lord of both the dead and the living.
He fulfilled all things written of him, proving that he was indeed the only begotten Son of God. He accomplished our redemption and salvation.
That day, on the Feast of Pentecost, the people were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the holy spirit.
To be baptized with the holy spirit is a greater baptism than John's baptism, which was with water. Why did John baptize with water?
John 1: 29-34
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
God told John to baptize with water to make Jesus Christ manifest to Israel; to make him known.
As John carried out God’s orders he saw the spirit descend upon and remain upon Jesus. God told John that this would be who would baptize with the holy spirit.
The new covenant was promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Hebrews 8-10 reveals that Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new covenant.
The Lord Jesus Christ made the new covenant of the spirit available by his death, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension and seating at God’s right side in the heavenlies.
Peter quoted Joel 2:28-31 to the people, explaining to them what they had just witnessed. Jesus Christ had sent the promise of the Father, which was the baptism with the holy spirit.
The Lord Jesus Christ made the baptism with holy spirit available on Pentecost and thereafter to whoever confesses the Lord Jesus and believes that God raised him from the dead.
Receiving the gift of holy spirit is what makes one a Christian; it is the new birth of the spirit. A person receives the gift of holy spirit the moment they confess the Lord Jesus and believe that God raised him from the dead.
God gave the manifestation of the spirit of speaking in tongues as the sign of our salvation. It is the proof that you have eternal life.
What a wonderful God to give us the proof of our salvation and redemption! All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rejoice forevermore, we have the proof!
Thank God for His great love and grace to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.