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Updated:- Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

Isn’t it Strange That None of Jesus’ Disciples Did This?

Did any of Jesus’ disciples say: “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, at any time in the New Testament (Matthew 28:19)?

According to Apostle Matthew, Jesus’ last communication to his disciples was:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Matthew 28:19

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you [always], even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 28:20

Did all of Jesus’ disciples disobey this command? Christians call it The Great Commission.

They taught the people alright. And they taught in his name.

Apostle Peter, the disciples with the “keys of the kingdom”, was the first of his leaders to demonstrate obedience to The Great Commission and Christ.

What Are The Names of Jesus’ 12 Disciples?

According to Matthew, the names of his twelve leaders (apostles) are as follows:

1. Simon Peter
2. Andrew (Peter’s brother)
3. James (the son of Zebedee)
4. John (the son of Zebedee, James’ brother)
5. Philip,
6. Bartholomew
7. Thomas, and
8. Matthew the publican;
9. James the son of Alphaeus, and
10. Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus
11. Simon the Canaanite, and
12. Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him (Mattew 10:2-4).

Did Apostle Peter Rebel Against Jesus?

Their very first act of obedience began on the day of Pentecost. Peter stood up and taught the people “in the name”.

However, observe that he never said: “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. Not once!

So, was their teaching in rebellion to Jesus’ instructions?

He commanded them to teach “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, but none of them did that.

Instead of quoting what Jesus said, Peter did as he commanded for he taught the people in “the name” of: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This is so clear and unambiguous that there are no doubts that he obeyed the Lord. Yet, today many Christians are confused about this!

Jesus taught his disciples that whatever they ask in his name he will do it.

He told them:

“If ye shall ask [anything] in my name, I will do it.”

John 14:14

Jesus Disciples Tested His Principle of Agency

Subsequently, as Peter and John were traveling to church they had a unique opportunity to obey Jesus’ command and test his theory.

They encountered a man who was born “lame”; he couldn’t walk. He requested money from them but they were broke but not poor.

Peter explained that to the man, then he gave him something more valuable. Read the back story in Acts 3:1-5.

The first thing Apostle Peter did was to test Jesus’ Principle of Agency. He sent them. They are his agents.

Therefore, he told the crippled man:

“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Acts 3:6

Note in the Scripture above that neither Apostle Peter nor John uses any other name but Jesus’.

What did Apostle Peter give to the crippled man? The answer is hidden in the following verse:

Are You Preaching What Jesus’ Disciples Preached?

“And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”

Acts 3:7

“And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

Acts 3:8

Let’s examine what another apostle did, namely Apostle Philip. As a result of fleeing from the Persecutor of the Church, Saul of Tarsus, the Gospel of Jesus Christ reached the City of Samaria, (Acts 8:1-4).

Philip preached to the residents of Samaria. What was his sermon?

Maybe you were expecting me to say that he preached “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, but he didn’t.

He preached Jesus Christ.

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”

Acts 8:5

Asking For The Power of The Sender!                         

The Lord sent Apostle Peter on business for His kingdom. Therefore, when Peter invokes his name, as he did with the lame man, he is “asking” for the power of his sender. He is requesting Christ Jesus to act for him.

Consequently, Peter says:

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”. This is the request. Because the Lord sends him he only needs to use His name to access his power.

Next, Peter gave this man something. What did he give him? He instructed him “look on us”.

However, he received nothing until Peter touched him. Do you recall what Jesus taught them concerning laying on of hands?

Jesus taught them that they had power with him not only with their words but with their touch. Read Mark 16:18.

Peter transferred his faith in God, which he had by believing in Jesus Christ, to the lame man. He did this when he touched him. That’s the power of laying on of hands.

This he did by impartation!

Jesus’ Disciples Demonstrate Power Through Faith in His Name

As a result, he confidently declared: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee”. Then he touched him. He had faith in God and he gave it to the man when he touched him.

Later, listen to Ap[ostle Peter as he explained to the religious ignoramus of the time what he did.

He explained:

“And his name [Jesus of Nazareth] through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

Acts 3:16.

The lame man walked because of Peter’s faith in God.

The lame man got Peter’s faith in God to receive healing through Peter’s words and actions. Peter’s motive for holding the man by the hand was to transfer by touching his faith in God to him. He did. Peter obeyed the Lord.

If pastors and bishops and teachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ adhere to this simple modus operandi Christ would honor their words.

That’s why Believers shouldn’t pray for healing. Obey Jesus Christ.

The Lord Has One Name – But Many Roles

Maybe you are thinking that saying that Apostle Philip preached Christ to the Samaritans isn’t clear enough.

What exactly did he preach about Christ? The Word of God is not speculative. It’s definitive.

Therefore, it tells us exactly what he preached to them.

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

Acts 8:12

“The name” “of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” is Jesus Christ.  Philip knew this. He was also aware that to repeat Jesus’ commandment didn’t mean that he obeyed him. But he obeyed Jesus. He didn’t repeat Jesus’ instructions he honored them.

So, he preached in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and that name is: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Conclusion                         

Similarly, if you want to receive and enjoy eternal life with Christ Jesus, you must obey him. However, to do so you need spiritual insight. Not ignorance.

Philip chose to obey Jesus; therefore, he preached and baptized the Samaritans in the name of Jesus Christ.

Today, choose to obey Jesus. Get baptized in water calling on his holy name and start your journey to eternal life.