29 Apr 2023
On baptism
"Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptising more disciples than John – although in fact it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples."
(John 4.1-2 NIVUK)
The disciples did not baptise in Jesus' name, did they? It's not recorded, but in all likelihood, they baptised like Jesus would, similar to how John baptised Jesus and others.
The phrase "I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" was not invented yet. Reading John 1, Mark 1, Matthew 3, there is no record any such phrase was uttered.
Baptism is a symbol - a public proclamation - of the one who is baptised. What is said during baptism is less important than what people see about the baptised after he / she is baptised.
In Acts 19, Paul made distinction between baptism of repentance ("John's baptism") and baptism to receive the Holy Spirit (Paul baptised "in the name of Lord Jesus" and "placed his hands on them").
Neat.
Does any of this matter?
Depends who you ask and what you want to get out of it. The criminal who was crucified next to Jesus got to go to Paradise (Luke 23). He was never baptised and never received the Holy Spirit. He certainly did not speak in tongues.
What is important is to get your heart right with God and change your life.
If the opportunity is available, be baptised. It's a public proclamation of your faith and that you are committed to keep your heart right with God.