What Did the Apostles Believe?
In this next verse devout Jews directly ask the Apostles including Matthew (of Matthew 28:19) “WHAT SHALL WE DO?” Peter preaches the gospel: the death (repentance), burial (baptism in Jesus name) resurrection (receiving Holy Ghost). If there was a problem with Peter’s instructions no doubt Matthew would have objected.
38 Then Peter said unto them, 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The Apostles in the next verses believed that the one name of the LORD was Jesus. Further when they went forth into the world to spread the gospel they preached you must be baptized in Jesus Name.
Philip in Acts 8:12-16 was preaching entrance into the kingdom of God by the name of Jesus. When the respondents heard they obeyed and were then Baptized in Jesus’ Name. The scripture can’t get clearer than this. There is a definite connection, and affirmation between preaching the name of Jesus and baptism!
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Notice below, that Luke (author of Acts) again made a connection between Old Testament prophesies and the name of Jesus. That through his Name (Jesus) we should receive remission of sins (baptism). Then Peter commands (NOT a suggestion) that they be baptized in the name of Jesus.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (KJV)
In Acts 19, Paul met some Christians and asked about their experience in the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection).
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Paul asked if they had received the Holy Ghost (resurrection) since the time they started to believe. They replied they hadn’t heard of the Holy Ghost. John certainly preached the Holy Ghost, but they must have missed church that day. Then Paul checks on their baptism. John’s baptism is the baptism of repentance (death). Baptism is a allegory of Jesus’ burial. If baptism and specifically baptism in Jesus Name is not important, why did Paul have these disciples of John The Baptist baptized again? One would think, if you had been baptized by John the Baptist, you’d been baptized. The Apostle Paul in his wisdom knew there was a need for baptism in Jesus name. The church marries the bridegroom not bridegroom’s friend. The Bride takes the name of the bridegroom (Jesus). We must all comply with the pattern of the gospel (the death, burial, and the resurrection)
The apostles teach, in the scripture below “what ever you do, do it in the Name of Jesus”, including baptism.
The Roman Catholics, who authorized baptism in the three titles to go along with their analytical teaching of the trinity, completely violate this verse by ending all their prayers and by performing all their sacraments including baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Most Protestants half-heartedly try to obey this verse by ending their prayers in the name of Jesus, then go on and deny Jesus by refusing to baptize in the name of Jesus. This is a great church mystery.
To deny his name is to refuse to use it: