Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 14
NEED_DATE
NUMBER 28, PAGE 8

The "Formulas"

Joe A Swint

Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Defines the word "formula," as follows: 1. A set of words for use in any ceremony; as, a formula of faith (italicized). 2. A prescription; a recipe. 3. A prescribed or set form; a fixed or of conventional method. It is my conviction that many brethren today use the expression "in Jesus' name" as a formula; "a prescribed or set form," as "a set of words for use in a ceremony" without comprehending the meaning of the Bible teaching on the "name of Jesus Christ."

"Name" is used: "For all that a name implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc., of everything that the name covers...." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, article "Name," pages 99, 100) As it is used in Col. 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him," it means "by the authority of the Lord Jesus." One might use an expression common or at least familiar in our day, "open this door in the name of the law," which means by the authority of the laws of our land; national, city or state.

When one becomes a Christian, a child of God, he obeys the will of the Lord Jesus. He believes His word, accepts His terms of salvation, His promises, and does what he commands. The penitent believer then "makes the good confession," claims the authority of Christ, owns Him publicly as his Sovereign and King; i.e., renounces his own authority and all others, and publicly professes to submit to the authority, the will, of Christ. He is then immersed in obedience to Christ's will, the right action (Acts 8:38-39), for the right purpose (Acts 2:38), and he has been baptized into Christ (Bout 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27), and has received the remission of sins.

Many brethren use some "formula" at baptism, such as "upon the confession that you've made, and for the remission of your sins I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen" And many think this or some kindred pronouncement must be uttered or the baptism is "unscriptural" and therefore invalid! It reminds me of the old (and false) doctrine of "apostolic succession"; the claim that all who are baptized by an "ordained minister" who was ordained by another "ordained minister" and so on back to one that the apostles "ordained." Of course, there is no foundation for such a teaching in the New Testament. It matters not WHO administers baptism, as long as the subject Is qualified (Mark 16:16); the action is right (Acts 8:38,39; Rom. 6:4); and the purpose is right (Acts 2:38) If the requirements of Divine authority are met, then it is being done "in the name (authority) of the Lord Jesus."

At the close of a public prayer, we usually hear the words repeated, "in Christ's name," or "in Jesus' name we pray, Amen." Now, on the authority of Col. 3.17, prayer, (and all we do, in fact) must be done by the authority of the Lord Jesus. Through long continued use, such "formulas" have become sacred in the mind of brethren, and were you to fall to use the "formula" at the conclusion of a prayer or when immersing a penitent believer, they would hastily call it to your attention, probably telling you had failed to word a "scriptural" (which means "Divinely authorized") prayer, or failed to "scripturally" baptize someone!

It is not the pronouncement of a formula that is of importance — but what is being done by Divine authority. As in prayer, it must be in faith (Jas. 1:6); because it is commanded by the Lord (1 Tim. 2:1,8), and must be done by the proper person (Jas. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12) Also, we are even told what we may pray for. (Phil. 4:6-7; Eph. 6:18-20; Lk. 11:1-4) If these Divinely prescribed conditions are met, then the prayer is by the authority of Christ, "formula" or no. The pronouncement of a "formula" doesn't bestow Divine authority upon an unscriptural practice, making something that is unscriptural, without Divine authority, scriptural. (See Stanley Lovett's excellent editorial in the Preceptor of September, 1962, "In The Name Of The Lord Jesus.") On the other hand, the failing to utter a "formula" doesn't render a thing that is being done in obedience to God's will, unscriptural and invalid.

When we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual song in worship to God, we don't conclude with the pronouncement, "in Jesus' name we sing," although that is precisely what we are doing. (Col. 3:16-17) When a Christian does some act of benevolence; helps the widow and fatherless, or some needy saint, or any one who needs his help, either materially or spiritually (Jas. 1:27; Gal. 6:10); He Is obeying the will of Christ, doing what he does by the authority of Christ. But is it necessary to say, "In Jesus' name I do this?" It would not constitute a wrong to do so — but it certainly isn't necessary. When one obeys the Lord's will, he is acting by Divine authority, and thus glorifying the Father who is in Heaven.

I'm not maintaining that it is wrong to conclude a prayer with the words "in Jesus' name, Amen," or to use some appropriate remarks when immersing a penitent believer into Christ. I'm simply endeavoring to point out that it isn't necessary when the thing being done has Divine authority of the word of God behind it.

— 1040 W. Dallas Ave., Cooper, Texas