A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
mainline evangelicals generally are unhappy with the liberal
Protestant ethos they say dominates WCC debate on issues
such as feminism, inclusive language in Bible translation,
same-sex unions, ordination of homosexuals, abortion, environmentalism,
and population control.” 215
Interestingly, the WCC has discussed water baptism
in the name of Jesus Christ. Its study of water baptism
advocated the traditional trinitarian formula. In
response, two member organizations—both in areas
where the United Pentecostal Church International has
large national churches—asked that the WCC recognize
the validity of the Jesus Name formula. The Church of
North India stated: 216
In view of the fact that there is strong biblical evidence
for baptism performed/received in the name of
Jesus/Jesus Christ as well as the fact that certain
Christian denominations still baptize in the name of
Jesus (which is more personal and evocative of discipleship
than the metaphysical Trinitarian formula) the
churches should be urged to recognize as valid baptisms
in the name of Jesus.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines
made a similar proposal: 217
194
There are churches which are using the Trinitarian
formula as found in Matthew 28:19. . . . Most
of the member churches of NCCP are using this formula.
There are those who use ‘in the name of Jesus’
only. Both practices have scriptural support. Among
the NCCP member churches the issue of baptismal