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"Baptism"
(1). To some, perplexity, and even distress, is caused by the apparent neglect of the disciples to carry out the Lord`s command in (Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.), with regard to the formula of baptism. They read the express words of the risen Lord in the Gospel: then turning to Acts and onwards, they find on single instance of, or, reference to, baptism in which the Triune name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is employed.
(2). On the contrary, from the very first, only ten days after the injunction had been given, Peter is found (Acts 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.) commanding all his hearers including those of the dispersion (the diaspora) to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, (Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.), are in accord, the formula being in or into the name of the Lord, or the Lord Jesus. In the last case, whether this refers to those who heard John or Paul, or whether the baptism was that of John or Paul, the formula is the same. (Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?), “as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 1:13-15 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.): here baptism “in the name of Paul” is clearly contrasted with baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, or Christ Jesus, which must have been used as to Crispus, Gaius and Stephanas.
(3). In all the other places where the act of baptism is mentioned, directly or indirectly, the formula by implication is the same. These are: (Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.), and (Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.). Yet on the other hand there stands the definite command in (Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.), as to the discipling of “The Nations” into the Triune name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(4). The “difficulty” is created by non observance of the injunction in (2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.), as to “rightly dividing the word of truth.” It comes by mixing up and thus confusing the “mystery” concerning the church of God during the “times of the Gentiles” with the ordinances and observances of the “times” of Messiah (Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.), with which the command in (Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.), has clearly to do, as the discipling of the nations, as “Nations,” is expressly declared. It is the commission of the Jewish ministry at the end of this age. There is nothing corresponding to this form of baptism in any of the foregoing passages, all of which are connected with individuals or families. Inasmuch as the mystery is the great secret which was “kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:), it follows the logically that it must be read into the Gospels.
(5). The “discipling” work of (Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.), is national work: its object, to bring all nations into blessing with Israel. It has nothing to do with the present dispensation and the “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,), of this dispensation. Matthew 28:19-20, takes up the proclamation of the kingdom, left uncompleted in (Matthew 10:5-15 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.), after the church has been called on high. Therefore, the baptism “in” or “into” the name of the Lord Jesus in Acts, was the continuation of John`s baptism for a while, during the transitional period of Acts until the mystery was openly revealed and fully proclaimed. Then, the baptism of (Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,), supervened and still maintains.
(6). To hold, as some do, that the disciples had “forgotten,” or were “ignorant of,” or else “ignored” the express command of the Lord, is to charge those spirit endowed men with either incompetence or insubordination! Peter and John and the rest must have known well the meaning and future reference of (Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.): and they knew of John`s baptism also: but until: led on” into more of “all the truth,” by the Holy Spirit, and until the revelation of the secret concerning the church which is Holy body was declared, they continued to baptize as John had done, into the name of the Lord Jesus.
(7). The explanation does no violence to the Word of God. It does not attack the intelligence or bona fides of the disciples. It leaves each of the several Scriptures unscathed and in its proper place, and each as being absolute truth. What it really “touches” is tradition only and the teaching based thereon.
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