Catholic Bible Study Augustine Institute | March 4, 2026

Episode Summary: The Bible and Baptism—Baptism In the Name

Episode Overview

In this rich and scholarly episode, the host from the Augustine Institute welcomes Father Isaac Morales to discuss the theological meaning behind Jesus’s command to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28). Drawing from Fr. Morales's new book, the conversation unpacks Old and New Testament references to God’s name, explores ancient Israelite concepts of temple and sacrifice, and connects these to Christian baptism and identity. Listeners gain a deep appreciation for what it means to be baptized "in the name"—not as a mere formula, but as a profound entry into divine relationship and participation in God’s dwelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Great Commission and Baptism’s Centrality

• Matthew 28:16–20 is read aloud, highlighting how Jesus commands his disciples to baptize in the Trinitarian name.
• Host observes:

  “It’s not just teaching what He taught... but how do you make disciples? By baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” [02:04]

2. What Does It Mean to Be Baptized ‘In The Name’?

• Fr. Morales points out the familiarity of the formula masks its depth:

  “It is so familiar to us that we don’t think about it, but it’s actually a very interesting phrase…There are three different prepositions used in the New Testament with regard to baptism ‘in the name’.” [03:16]

• Shares an anecdote of spiritual insight from praying the Lord’s Prayer:

  “I said, ‘hallowed be thy name.’ And just fireworks went off. I was thinking about the name...there’s so much theology behind the name.” [05:01]

3. Old Testament Foundations: ‘The Name’ and the Temple

• Deuteronomy 12 is read and analyzed:

  “...you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there.” [06:48]

• Fr. Morales emphasizes that placing God’s name is synonymous with God’s presence—Israelites didn’t think God literally dwelled in the Temple but that His name and thus presence was there.
• The prepositions used in Greek can be translated as “in,” “into,” or “for” the name, suggesting baptism incorporates individuals into God’s dwelling, making them part of the “new temple.”

  “To incorporate people into this new temple... Jesus is himself the temple. But then when we’re joined to him through baptism, the Lord comes to dwell in us in a particular way.” [09:35]

• Host connects to Ezekiel 36 & 47 (previous episodes):

  “...when we’re baptized in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, that we ourselves in some sense become temples.” [10:46]

4. ‘Calling on the Name of the Lord’ and Sacrifice

• The phrase is linked to both petition/prayer and the offering of sacrifices, most notably by Abraham in Genesis 12.

  “Offering sacrifice, calling upon the name of the Lord, they go together...and the context suggests that it’s an action associated with sacrifice, which, of course, is what would go on in the temple.” [12:51]

• Notably, the episode draws the line from Old Testament worship to Christian baptism and sacrificial life.

5. Baptism, Pentecost, and the Universal Call

• At Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter quotes Joel:

  “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved...Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins.” [14:48–15:21]

• Baptism in the name is thus the fulfillment of calling upon the Lord for salvation.

6. Early Christians: Those Who ‘Call on the Name’

• Acts 9—Ananias refers to Christians as “all who call on your name” [17:04], linking baptism and Christian identity.
• Host notes:

  “That’s kind of a cool early expression...of the catholicity of the Church...it’s something that ties us all together no matter where we’re from.” [19:28]

7. Universality and Sacrifice: Malachi’s Prophecy

• Malachi 1:11 is highlighted:

  “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name...” [19:51–20:30]

  • This connects baptism “in the name” with the prophetic vision of universal worship and inclusion of the nations.

8. From Temple to Baptized Identity

• The privilege of God’s name and presence, formerly tied to Israel’s temple, is now offered to all nations through Christian baptism.

  “Not just that they would have access to the temple, but that they can, in a way, become the temple and [God] comes to dwell in them.” [21:35]

9. Connecting Personal Rituals to Baptismal Identity

• Entering church and crossing oneself with holy water is a reminder of this reality:

  “Whenever you go into a church and you dip your fingers [in holy water] and cross yourself in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that’s a perfect reminder of what we received in our baptism.” [22:58]

• Christians become temples of God, entering a space where they find their deepest identity.

Memorable Quotes

• Fr. Morales:

  “To incorporate people into this new temple... when we’re joined to [Jesus] through baptism, the Lord comes to dwell in us in a particular way.” [09:35]

• Host:

  “...when we’re baptized in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, that we ourselves in some sense become temples.” [10:46]

• Fr. Morales (on universal worship):

  “For from the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the nations...” [20:17, quoting Malachi 1:11]

• Host:

  “Through my baptism, I am a temple of God. In a way, then kind of coming into the place where I most myself and find out who I am.” [23:18]

Important Timestamps

• 02:04 – Baptism as central to discipleship in the Great Commission
• 03:16 – Meaning of “baptism in the name”; Greek and Aramaic background
• 06:48 – Old Testament “name” theology and the Temple (Deuteronomy 12)
• 09:35 – Baptized as incorporation into God’s dwelling, the new temple
• 12:51 – Sacrifice and calling on God’s name (Genesis/Patriarchs)
• 14:48–15:21 – Pentecost: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved...repent and be baptized”
• 17:04 – Early Christians identified as those who “call on the name”
• 19:51–20:30 – Malachi’s prophecy of the universality of God’s name
• 22:58 – Ritual of crossing oneself as a reminder of baptismal reality
• 23:18 – Personal identity as a temple through baptism

Conclusion

The episode presents a masterful theological journey from the Old Testament’s reverence for the Name as the locus of God’s presence, through Jesus’s baptismal commission, to the lived identity of Christians as temples of the Holy Spirit. Listeners are encouraged to see the Sign of the Cross and baptismal ritual as reminders of profound participation in God’s covenant, presence, and universal promise.

For further study and action, listeners are invited to continue with the next episode, which will address how to live out discipleship as those baptized in the Name.