Question:

Were the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus?

Answer:

Right after telling Nicodemus that no one can enter the kingdom unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5), we read in John 3:22, "After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized."

John's followers became upset by Jesus' baptisms. "And they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified -- behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!'" (John 3:26). John explain that this was what was supposed to happen.

The Jews also took note of the baptisms. "Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee" (John 4:1-3).

So not only was Jesus baptizing disciples, he actually baptized more than John, all prior to His death. Since His disciples were performing the baptisms, it is safe to assume that they had been baptized in the name of Jesus, since it was Jesus who authorized this baptism. Twelve of these early disciples became the apostles.



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