========================================================================
  INTO HIS NAME
  by G.W. North
========================================================================

Summary: Christian baptism is different from John's baptism because it
is in Jesus' name, signifying that people are being baptised into a
bodily person.

Topics: "Baptism", "The Name of Jesus"
Scripture References: Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:48, Romans 6:3

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

G.W. North emphasizes the significance of baptism in the name of Jesus,
contrasting it with John the Baptist's ministry, which was limited to
water baptism for the remission of sins. He explains that while John
baptized in the Jordan River, he did not know Jesus and therefore did
not baptize in His name. North illustrates that Christian baptism
represents a deeper spiritual reality, where believers are baptized into
the person of Jesus, signifying a profound connection with Him. The
sermon highlights the transition from John's baptism to the Christian
practice, which embodies the triune God and the fullness of the Holy
Spirit. Ultimately, North calls for a deeper understanding of the
purpose and meaning behind baptism in the name of Jesus.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

So far as was possible at that time, John had succeeded in presenting
Jesus, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, in baptism; more
than he knew, he had presented the triune God and His method; the
reality of his mission had in measure been achieved. John Baptist had
used water only for the fulfilment of his baptism, and when he had
baptised people his basic ministry was completed by that act. He
baptised in Jordan only; he just baptised unto remission of sins, that
is all. He did not baptise in his own name; he did not baptise in any
name, he certainly did not baptise in Jesus' name, for confessedly he
did not know Him.

But Christian baptism is ministered in Jesus' name, which is to say
that, whereas John baptised into water, the apostles baptised into
Jesus' name.

To understand this let us in thought substitute the Holy Ghost for
Jordan and Jesus standing in the Spirit as He did in Jordan and the
picture becomes clear. This all means that people are really to be
baptised into a bodily person, for that is the sole common-sense and
comprehensive reason for baptising them in and into the name of that
person. Had we eyes to see it, nothing could have been more clearly
shown us by God than what took place at Jordan under John.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/gw-north/into-his-name/
========================================================================