Baptism in the Three-Fold Name
Understanding the distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is essential to avoid confusion and appreciate the unique ministries of each Person in our redemption.
Zac Poonen delves into the profound mystery of the Trinity, emphasizing the singular Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while highlighting the distinct roles each Person plays in our salvation. He clarifies that although God is One, He exists in Three Persons, each with a unique ministry in our redemption, such as the Son's sacrifice for our sins and the Holy Spirit's role as our Helper. Poonen explains the apostles' practice of baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ as a way to distinguish the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from a heathen trinity, ensuring believers understand the Triune God's unity and diversity.
Text
Jesus commanded us to baptize "in the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit " (Matt. 28:20). The Name is singular because God is One. But Jesus revealed that although God is One, He exists in Three Persons, Who are distinct from each other.
It wasn't the Father who died for our sins, nor was it the Holy Spirit. It was the Son. When Jesus ascended up to heaven, He sat on the right hand of the Father, not the right hand of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, the One He sent to His disciples to be their Helper was the Holy Spirit, not the Father. All this may sound elementary. But it is essential that we don't confuse the three Persons in the Godhead and their unique ministries in our redemption.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we read again and again that the apostles baptized people in the Name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38 etc.,). How does this fit in with Jesus' command in Matthew 28:20?
When two apparently contradictory statements are found in the Scriptures, we'll find on a closer study that both statements are true.
In order to make plain that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not a heathen trinity, the apostles identified the Son as Jesus Christ. So they baptized people in the name of "the Father, the Son the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit." This was called baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Command to Baptize in the Three-Fold Name
- A. Jesus' command in Matthew 28:20
- B. The significance of the singular Name
- II. The Distinction Between the Three Persons
- A. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct
- B. The unique ministries of each Person
- III. The Apostles' Practice of Baptism
- A. Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ
- B. The identification of the Son as Jesus Christ
Key Quotes
“When two apparently contradictory statements are found in the Scriptures, we'll find on a closer study that both statements are true.” — Zac Poonen
“It wasn't the Father who died for our sins, nor was it the Holy Spirit. It was the Son.” — Zac Poonen
“The Name is singular because God is One.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We must understand the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our redemption to avoid confusion and appreciate their unique ministries.
- Identifying the Son as Jesus Christ clarifies the distinction between the three Persons in the Godhead and helps us avoid a heathen trinity.
- Both the command to baptize in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the apostles' practice of baptizing in the Name of Jesus Christ are true and essential for our understanding of God's redemption.