A Unified Method of Baptism
There is a continuing discussion regarding the proper method of baptism, even amongst those who consistently baptize in the Name and not the Title. We know that the Name of the Father is Lord, the Name of the Son is Jesus, and the Name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus. Therefore, we as Pentecostal Apostolic members of the body of Christ, and The Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Of The Apostolic Faith, should have a unified understanding, methodology and procedure for water baptism.
Several still baptize “In The Name of Jesus” using only the Name, and leaving out Lord or Christ. There are instances in the Bible where people were baptized in the Name of the “Lord Jesus”. Act 8:16 = (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Another scripture focuses upon being baptized in the Name of the Lord. Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. In Acts 2:38, Peter commanded the people to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Act 2:38 = 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. In Acts 19, again they are commanded to baptize in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Act 19:5 = When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Both Bishop R. C. Lawson, founder of the Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Bishop William L. Bonner, our current Chief Apostle, have taught us to baptize in the full Name Lord Jesus Christ. Bishop Lawson explains it an August, 1951 Contender For The Faith Magazine article which is reprinted for everyone’s clarification.
MY METHOD OF BAPTIZING A CANDIDATE by Bishop R. C. Lawson
After appropriate song or scripture, I address the prospective candidate in these words: “Beloved of God, do you believe that Jesus died for your sins according to the scriptures, and rose from the dead for your justification?” Upon the receipt of an affir¬mative answer, I state: Upon the profession of your faith of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, in obedience to His Word for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost, I baptize Bishop R. C. Lawson, Founder you in the Name, Lord Jesus Christ.
To my mind, this eliminates any possibility of critics saying that we do not baptize in the Name, Lord Jesus Christ, but baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, which would imply that any other that that He is known by – for instance, Alpha, Omega, Emmanuel – is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But when we omit the word “of’ and use the words, Lord Jesus Christ, to me this is the most exact and ironclad way of baptizing. Pray about this, maybe the Lord will give it to you.
