The following is an extract from The Faith Once Delivered, a Bible study I put together as a Oneness writer.

Water baptism into Jesus’ name produces results and performs functions.

1. By being buried with Christ we participate in His death, burial, and resurrection (the gospel) (Romans 6:3–4).
2. By being baptized in Jesus’ name (buried with Christ) we receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
3. Being baptized in Jesus’ name means putting on Christ (Galatians 3:27).

Other Scriptural injunctions for water baptism in the name of Jesus besides Acts 2:38 are listed below:

Six Witnesses

I will introduce the “six witnesses” with the following poem.

I have six honest serving men,
They taught me all I knew,
Their names? What and Why and How,
And When and Where and Who
-Author unknown

The Scriptural counterpart for the concept found in the poem is 2 Corinthians 13:1: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” I will let these six witnesses—What, Why, How, When, Where, and Who—defend baptism in the name of Jesus.

WHAT?

Baptism in/into the name of Jesus Christ

1. Acts 2:38 with Luke 24:47
2. 1 Peter 3:20–21; Mark 16:16; Acts 4:10–12
3. Colossians 2:6,12
4. Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4
5. Galatians 3:27
6. Acts 19:4–5
7. Acts 8:5–16
8. Acts 10:48

WHY?

1. Remission of sins: Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 22:16
2. To put on Christ: Galatians 3:26–27. (Also see 2 Corinthians 11:2.)
3. Salvation: Mark 16:16; Acts 4:10–12; 1 Peter 3:20–21; Hebrews 11:7
4. To be buried with Jesus: Colossians 2:11–12; Romans 6:3–4
5. In obedience to the gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Mark 8:34–35
6. In obedience to Jesus’ command (as opposed to recital of His words): Acts 9:6; 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27

HOW?

1. By immersion: Acts 8:38
2. By faith/belief in the name (i.e., not a mere recital of a formula): Acts 8:36–37; 2:38; 10:43; Luke 24:47
3. By invocation of the name: Acts 22:16; 9:5; 26:15
4. In the name of Jesus Christ: Acts 2:38; 8:12–16; 19:4–5; Romans 6:3; Colossians 2:6, 12; Galatians 3:27

WHEN AND WHERE?

1. Day of Pentecost at Jerusalem: Acts 2:38
2. In Samaria, after the death of Stephen: Acts 8:5, 16
3. At Joppa, during Peter’s second journey from Jerusalem: Acts 10:48
4. At Ephesus, during Paul’s third journey: Acts 19:5

WHO?

Who Received baptism in Jesus’ name?

1. Jews: Acts 2:38
2. Samarians: Acts 8:16
3. Italian Gentiles: Acts 10:47–48
4. Ephesian disciples baptized by John who needed rebaptizing in Jesus’ name: Acts 19:5
5. Romans: Romans 6:3–4

Who Preached And Taught Baptism In Jesus’ Name?

1. Jesus: Acts 9:5–6; 22:12–13; Romans 6:3. (See Acts 9:10–15; 19:1–5; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 4:10–12; 1 Peter 3:20–21; Hebrews 11:7.)
2. Peter, with all the other apostles, including Matthew: Acts 1:14; 2:38, 41
3. Philip: Acts 8:5, 12
4. Peter with six other Jewish believers: Acts:10:45–48; 11:12
5. Paul: Acts 19:5; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:11–12; Galatians 3:26–27

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