Why Baptism into Yahshua’s Name?

There is no greater commitment and obligation for a believer than for proper baptism. While many assume that baptism into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or into the name of Jesus is scripturally acceptable, the Bible shows otherwise.

Besides there being some suspension with the Trinitarian formula found in Matthew 28:19, nowhere is the formula of the “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” used within the Bible. In several places in Acts, we find the apostles baptizing only into the singular Name of the Messiah. And as we know from scholarship, the name of the Messiah was not Jesus. One reason for this is there is no “j” letter or sound within the Hebrew or Greek languages. The “j” was the last letter to be added to the English alphabet, near the time of Christopher Columbus. It is even missing from the original KJV.

The Name of the Messiah is “Yahshua.” As we explain in the Restoration Study Bible: “The Savior’s name in the Hebrew is ‘Yahshua,’ composed of five Hebrew letters, yod-hey-waw-shin-ayin, incorporating the designation ‘Yah’ of the Father, ‘Yah'(weh), and ‘shua,’ from a Hebrew word meaning ‘salvation.’ Hence its meaning: ‘Salvation of Yah.’ The name ‘Jesus’ lacks any etymological connotation, being a combination of several disparate elements. ‘Jesus’ is Latinized Greek, employing the letter J, the newest letter in the English alphabet. The ‘J’ was nonexistent in any language until the 14th century. The ‘e’ possibly resulted from dissimilation. The Greek has no ‘sh’ sound and employs the simple ‘s’ in rendering the Hebrew ‘sh’ of Yahshua. The ‘us’ ending is the nominative masculine singular ending in the Greek. No scriptural authority allows changing the saving Name Yahshua into a designation that lacks even a semblance of the original pronunciation and meaning.”

The Name of the Messiah is also confirmed from the fact that He came in His Father’s Name, Yahweh (John 5:43). The Name Yahshua means, “Yahweh is Salvation.” Therefore, this is the Name the apostles would have used in the New Testament. For additional information on Yahshua’s Name, see our Q&A: Why do you pronounce the savior’s name Yahshua instead of Yeshua?

How do we know that only one name is acceptable? Many will make the claim that using the Messiah’s actual name is not important.  Apostle Peter in Acts 4:12 stated, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Peter confirms that salvation is found in only one name, Yahshua. This is why we maintain that proper baptism is only into the Name of Yahshua the Messiah.

What about the hundreds of thousands who are baptized into a different formula or name? Should they be re-baptized? Since Paul in Ephesians 4:5 states that there is only one baptism and Peter confirms that there’s only one name wherein we find salvation, we believe that re-baptism is required for those who were baptized into a different form.

An example of such a scenario is found in the New Testament. “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Messiah Yahshua. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Sovereign Yahshua. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied,” Acts 19:1-6.

In this example, Paul finds a group of believers who were baptized into John’s baptism, which was a baptism of repentance. Once Paul explained to this group the benefits of Yahshua’s baptism, they were immediately re-baptized into the Name of Yahshua the Messiah. This example is analogous to those baptized into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or into the name of Jesus. While it was a baptism of repentance and meaningful in the eyes of Yahweh, it’s not the baptism that binds us to Yahshua.

There are several benefits to baptism into Yahshua’s Name:

• Only baptism into Yahshua’s Name leads to the remission of sins, Acts 2:38.
• Only baptism into Yahshua’s Name leads to the receiving of the Holy Spirits, Acts 2:38 and 8:17.
• Only those baptized into Yahshua’s Name become part of Messiah, Galatians 3:27.
• Only those baptized into Yahshua’s Name will share in the likeness of His resurrection, Romans 6:5.

For those desiring or contemplating proper baptism, we offer baptism into Yahshua’s Name and the laying on of hands by the presbytery. If you are interested, please contact the Ministry at 844-899-6438 and schedule a time with one of the elders. We can normally provide baptism as part of our Sabbath services, Saturdays between 1:30-4:30 pm, and during the annual Feasts at our home facilities in Holts Summit, Missouri. For a map and additional information regarding our Sabbath worship, visit our Plan a Visit page.

To help prepare, below are our pre-baptismal guidelines. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Ministry. In addition to our toll-free number, you can also email us at mail@yrm.org.

• I understand that baptism into Yahshua’s Name is necessary for salvation.
• I understand that proper baptism is into the singular Name of Yahshua the Messiah.
• I understand that baptism first requires repentance from my sins.
• I understand that the gift of the Holy Spirit is provided at baptism.
• I understand that baptism requires a lifelong commitment.
• I understand that upon baptism I must follow all the commandments of Yahweh’s Word.
• I understand that marriage is a covenant for life.
• I have read and agree with YRM’s Statement of Beliefs.
• I am not currently smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, or taking illegal drugs or substances.
• I am not currently involved in an immoral situation or a situation that may be viewed as immoral.
• I have nothing in my personal life that would prevent me from fulfilling the above requirements.

For additional information on Baptism into Yahshua’s name, please see our booklet, “If You Seek Baptism.”