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 Several
months back we came upon a little book: “The Commission Given
By Jesus Christ to His Apostles;” by the Scotch Baptist,
Archibald McLean. It was edited by Horatio P. Gatchall, and
published in 1848 by The Christian Book Concern. But McLean’s
treatise on the Commission was first published in 1786, and is a
good example of the independent, non-sectarian thinking that
spawned the “Glassite” and Haldane movements in Scotland.
These, in turn, had their effect upon the Campbells — and are
hence a part of the “Restoration” history, and of early N.T.
preaching in the U.S.A.
This
is the second in a series of quotes from McLean’s
comments on the Great Commission. Read last month’s, if you
missed it, and coming issues — for early “Restoration”
exegesis.
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THE NAME — Matt .28:18 -20
“Our
Lord here commands his apostles to baptize the disciples (eis)
“into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.” The phrase, in the name, sometimes signifies for the
sake of, in the strength of, by the. authority of, invoking the
name of, etc., and doubtless baptism ought to be administered
with a view to God’s authority, depending on his assistance
and blessing, and calling upon his name for that purpose. But
here, I apprehend, the expression into the name, chiefly
signifies into the faith of the gospel.
All
Israel was said to have been “baptized into Moses, in the
cloud and in the sea” (1
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Cor. l0:2); that is, into the religion
established by the ministry of Moses. So Christians are said to
be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27); that is, into the faith or
religion of Christ; and this is frequently called his name.
Philip preached the things concerning the name of Jesus Christ;
the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for his name; Paul thought he ought to do many things
contrary to the name of Jesus; he was a chosen vessel to bear
his name before the Gentiles, (Acts 8:12; 5:41; 26:9; 9:15) etc.
In these passages it evidently means the faith or the doctrine
of Christ. So he himself explains it: “Thou holdest fast my
name, and hast not denied my faith.” “Thou hast kept my
word, and hast not denied my name.” (Rev. 2:13; 3:8) Here his
name signifies the same thing with his faith or word; which may
very properly be called his name, as it makes him known, or
reveals his true character. Agreeably to this, he addresses his
Father, saying, “I have manifested thy name unto the men whom
thou gavest me out of the world.” And he shows how he did so;
“for I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me”
(Jn. 17:6,8).
To
baptize, therefore, into the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost,” is to baptize into the faith or
doctrine of the gospel, which is testified by the Divine Three,
who are one; which reveals them in their distinct and relative
characters, and manifests their glory as acting their respective
parts in the economy of redemption; the gospel being a
revelation of the mystery “of God, and of the Father, and of
Christ” (1 Jn. 5:7 Col. 2:2).”
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