On pentecost 33 CE there occurred from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze.” In the upper chamber of a house, some 120 of Jesus’ disciples were filled with holy spirit. Thereafter, reverent men and women gathered and were intrigued to hear these disciples “speak with different tongues.” Upon listening to what Peter said, including his pointed comments about Jesus’ death, many “were stabbed to the heart.” What should they do? Peter answered: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ . . . , and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.”—
Acts 2:1-4, 36-38.
Think of the religious situation of those Jews and proselytes who heard Peter. They had already accepted Jehovah as their God. And from the Hebrew Scriptures, they knew about the holy spirit, God’s active force used during creation and thereafter. (
Gen. 1:2; Judg. 14:5, 6;1 Sam. 10:6; Ps. 33:6) But they needed something more. It was vital for them to understand and accept God’s means of salvation—the Messiah, Jesus. Hence, Peter highlighted their need for being “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Some days before, the resurrected Jesus commanded Peter and others to baptize people “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.” (
Matt. 28:19, 20) That had profound meaning in the first century, and it still does.
In the Name of the Father
Those who responded to Peter’s discourse worshipped Jehovah and had previously had a relationship with him. They had been trying to follow his Law, which was the reason those from other lands had come to Jerusalem. (
Acts 2:5-11) However, God had just made a significant change in his dealings. He rejected the Jews as his special nation; their keeping the Law was no longer the means to obtain his approval. (
Matt. 21:43;Col. 2:14)
Those responding to Peter’s explanation could see now more than ever that Jehovah was a benevolent Father. He sent the Messiah to deliver them and was willing to forgive even those to whom Peter could say: “Let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled.” Actually, those applying Peter’s words would now have even greater reason to appreciate what the Father had done for all who wanted a relationship with God!—
Acts 2:30-36.
Indeed, those Jews and proselytes could now see that a relationship with Jehovah involved recognizing him as the Provider of salvation by means of Jesus. Today, millions of people from various backgrounds have learned from the Bible the truth about Jehovah. (
Isa. 2:2, 3) They became convinced of the existence of a Creator with whom they could have a meaningful relationship. Others worshipped various idols. They learned that Jehovah alone is the almighty God, and they now address him by his personal name. That is in line with the fact that Jesus said his disciples should be baptized in the name of the Father.
Upon learning the truth about inherited sin, many have accepted the Bible and have come to understand that God is offering salvation. Yes, all who are alienated from the Father need to turn to the One who can save them.—
Eph. 4:17-19.
If we have already dedicated our life to Jehovah God and have become a baptized Christian, we know what a wonderful thing it is to have a relationship with him. We can now appreciate how loving our Father, Jehovah, is.(
Romans 5:8.)
In the Name of the Son
Accepting Jesus, is directly linked to being baptized “in the name . . . of the Son.” Why is that vital? Well, accepting Jesus and being baptized in his name means recognizing his role in our relationship with the Creator. Jesus had to be hanged on a torture stake in order to remove the curse of the Law from the Jews; however, his death had a greater benefit. (
Gal. 3:13) He provided the ransom sacrifice that all mankind needed. (
Eph. 2:15, 16;Col. 1:20; 1 John 2:1, 2) He died so that we can gain endless life.
Being baptized in the name of the Son means acknowledging what Jesus has done for us and accepting his authority as “the Chief Agent of life.” (
Acts 3:15; 5:31) Previously, we had no relationship with the Creator, and actually we had no valid hope. But by exercising faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and being baptized, we now have a relationship with the Father. (
Eph. 2:12, 13) “You who were once alienated and enemies because your minds were on the works that were wicked,” wrote the apostle Paul, “[God] now has again reconciled by means of [Jesus’] fleshly body through his death, in order to present you holy and unblemished.”—
Col. 1:21, 22.
Being baptized in the name of the Son means recognizing Jesus’ authority and striving to follow his example and teachings, including that of being willing to forgive others.—
1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6.
Being imperfect, we are not able to imitate Jesus fully. Nevertheless, in line with our wholehearted dedication to God, we want to imitate Jesus to the best of our ability. This involves continuing to work at putting away the old personality and putting on the new. (
Ephesians 4:20-24.) We want to learn from Christ and imitate him.
There is another way we can show that we understand what is involved in having been baptized in the name of the Son. God “subjected all things under [Jesus’] feet, and made him head over all things to the congregation.” (
Eph. 1:22) Thus, we need to respect the way Jesus directs those dedicated to Jehovah. Christ is using imperfect humans in the local congregation, particularly the spiritually older men, the appointed elders. The provision of having such men appointed is “with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, . . . for the building up of the body of the Christ.” (
Eph. 4:11, 12)
In the Name of the Holy Spirit
What does it mean to be baptized in the name of the holy spirit? Those hearing Peter on the day of Pentecost were aware of the holy spirit. In fact, they could see proof right before their eyes that God continued to use the holy spirit. Peter was one of those who had been “filled with holy spirit and [who had] started to speak with different tongues.” (
Acts 2:4, 8) One who is baptized in the name of the holy spirit recognizes that the holy spirit is, not a person, but Jehovah’s active force. And such baptism means that one acknowledges the role the holy spirit plays in God’s purpose.
The Scriptures were written under the inspiration of holy spirit. (
2 Tim. 3:16) The Father in heaven gives holy spirit to those asking him.(
Luke 11:13)