I'll write you a check

My entire life, I grew up in a denominational church where I was taught about the Trinity of God. I sang songs which lauded God in three persons, the blessed Trinity, heard sermons of God the Father, the son and the holy spirit were one yet three distinct beings. I believed it. After all, who wouldn't tell the truth in church, right?

Two years ago, in March of 2021, I found myself in a place of total dispair. I was ready to give up on life, on God because with all I had done I was pretty certain He had given up on me as well. I had been to church, thought I had God and the Holy Ghost infilling that I needed, was baptized, but I couldn't make it. Why did I feel like such a failure? Why couldn't I submit, surrender to God?

I happened upon an online church service from a local congregation. The title given caught my attention so I began watching. As the preacher spoke, it was as if he was describing my life across the airways that day. I felt compelled to continue to listen.

The title of the sermon that day was "Baptism in what name and does it matter". Like I said, I had grown up in denominational church so I had been baptized. In fact, I had been baptized three times at one church, twice at another and once at the last church I had attended. I was well familiar with baptism. Step into the water, and go down in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to be raised from the watery grave to new life in Christ. Only this day, I learned why I felt like such a failure and why I couldn't live for Christ the way I desired to.

As the pastor continued to share from scripture about baptism, he used an analogy. I'll change it up a bit here since I am female and the things he shared that day does not pertain to me. When you look at me, to know me on a personal level, you would know that I am a daughter. I am a wife. I am an aunt. I am a friend. But I am still only Shana Parker. The other things are just titles placed on me by society to identify my role in certain situations.

In like manner, when Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, saying to them " Go, make disciples of every nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Go, and teach them to obey all that I have commanded, and lo, I am with thee always, even to the end of the age." (Bare with me if I quoted that incorrectly. Went from memory at 3 am), He was not telling them to baptize in the titles here. He had already revealed Himself to the disciples that He was the Christ. He had said time and again that I and my Father are one. He had told them that He must go away so the comforter could come. If He had to leave for the Holy Ghost to come, how are there three parts? 

Jesus was teaching them in Matthew that they were to baptize in the NAME. What is the name? That name is Jesus.  Do you not believe what I'm saying to you is the truth? That's fine. I'll write you a check signed daughter, wife, aunt and let you cash it. There is no way to verify who I am by a title, only by my name. Baptism in any other name except the precious name of Jesus is the exact same. There is no power, no authority except by the name.