In the Name...

This morning I 'caught' a phrase that Jesus said    
and then Peter said...   

Baptize in the name of....    

Jesus said it in what I know as the  
'Great commision' Matt 28:19    

Peter said it after the Holy Spirit showed up
and people asked him what to do.... Acts 2:38

I find it interesting to see that it is not just words
or names
or 'saying things'.... but
a declaration of a Title.
The Full Authority of the person declared..
Taking action with all the resources of 'the name' behind me
Power and Authority...
Baptizing with the authority of
Baptizing into that authority....

and it reminded me of 2 questions the Pharisees asked Jesus....

'By whose authority do you do these things?'
'Who gave you this authority?'
Matthew 21:23

2 different questions
2 different pieces to authority....

Soldiers and policemen operate in the authority of the Government
of whom the Queen is our 'Head'
They actually carry out actions in Her Authority
with Her Authority...
but only after they have been trained and pronounced 'fit' or 'qualified'.
to 'dispense' Her Authority
This is given by persons qualified by the Queen to certify that
the trainee is qualified and committed to
upholding the 'office of the Crown'....

I do classes with people who want to be Baptized....
I find out if they are actually in relationship with Jesus...
That their life is no longer their own but given over to Him.
and then I Baptize them
in the Name of
Father, Son, Holy Spirit....

So that they can operate in the authority of the Triune God
Given to them at the time of their conversion...
but 'ratified' (made known and confirmed) by their Believing Baptism...

Authority.
In the name of....

Lord Jesus
This principle of the Kingdom
seen in levels of Governance here on earth
So very interesting
So very Powerful.

To walk and live and serve
In Your Name.
In Your Authority.

Wow.

I am humbled
that You trust me with this

Thank You.

PJ