Being baptized in his name

The idea of baptism in the name of Christ is comprised of two idioms: baptism and the name of Christ. What was an exceptionally clear one line description in ancient times is a jumble of confusion in ours due to the loss of a correct understanding of either of the contributing ideas.

Baptism means immersion. Ancient believers knew that baptism by water consisted in you being immersed completely in water. Baptism in the name of Christ is also immersion, but you are immersed in his character rather than water. You are baptized in the name of Christ when you obtain and fully submit to an understanding of how the Lord is. To be baptized in his name is to immerse yourself in the example of Jesus, consistently living as he would in your place,¹ as far as you understand, at all times and in all places.² In place of the baptizing priest is your idea of Christ, as far as you understand him (which comes from those who know him better than you).

Valid baptism by water always includes baptism in the name of Christ, because a baptizing priest will require you to take upon yourself his name by following his example, as far as they are able to teach you, before you are baptized in water.

All people must be baptized in the name of Christ if they will be saved.³ Very few professed Christians have immersed themselves in the name of Christ. Those who do not reconcile to their understanding of Jesus at some level cannot dwell in his kingdom. However, not everyone who is baptized in the name of Christ knows that they are baptized in his name.

The Lord provides the opportunity to be “baptized in his name” to all people, whether they explicitly believe in him or not. It is through subjection to what a person understands to be best that they are baptized by his name. While the fullest understanding of what is best requires explicit belief in Jesus, a person’s understanding of what is best might come from a different religion or secular understanding of morality.