I am a new to this forum but would like to add my comments to Colonel's posting.

He says:

"I have a simple question and that is, in the book of Acts the only mode or formula used for baptism was in the Name of Jesus Christ, my question is why is  not this the formula used throughout christianity today?"

 Pastor Roger's answer seemed too simplistic. Pastor Roger says: "As in most such things men tend to go their own way" 

My answer: The Devil and his co-workers are the Christians enemy:  Ephesians 6:12  "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"

The Baptism into Jesus name is not a formula, it is a command from Jesus. It was the last thing he said before ascending into Heaven. It also included the Father first and the Holy Ghost after Jesus.

 Matthew 28:18-20  "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

The people in Acts 2:37 were pricked in their hearts after Peter preached Jesus to them and asked him what they should do. Peter gave them the answer in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"  The gift of the Holy Ghost is given after baptism.  No other way of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is given in scripture.

Romans 6:3-8  "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"

Belief in the Gospel and baptism into Jesus is the only way given in scripture to live your life in Him and he in you by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism alone is not sufficient. As an example, John the baptist's baptism was not sufficient.

Acts 19:1-7 "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 Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  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 Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve."

Belief and proclaimed "Faith" is not sufficient to become a future member of the bride of Christ. We have to be justified. Justified means righteousness before God. Jesus gave us the way to achieve this at his baptism.

  Matthew 3:13-15  "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him"

Jesus says baptism is the way to fulfil all righteousness, which means justification before God.

Faith alone does not get people into Christ no matter how sincere or devout they may be. They have to follow the commands and example of Jesus. Faith is dead without baptism. Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son. We are not commanded to do something so drastic to obtain righteousness. We are commanded to be baptised.

 James 2:16-24  "And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only"   Baptism into Jesus is our command from Jesus.

May the Lord bless your studies.

Dave Porter