I really liked your post my friend. It's unfortunate that the name or Names used in Baptism is so taking away from the intent of what Baptism is all about. It about identifying with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.
This is also my thinking. If I Baptize in Jesus' Name, in reality I'm saying that Jesus is Baptizing because you can't take the Name away from the individual. They are the same. The Name is Jesus, Jesus is the Name....
John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
Therefore if Jesus did not Baptize, don't use His Name.qawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww12222222
Ok Dan. I'm proud of you. What you have just said is blessing my heart. I'm sure that the Holy Spirit is helping you see what Jesus wants you to believe. He so wants you, Dan, to center on His death, burial, and resurrection that Baptism represents. I think the most important part of the three is our new life! Hey, when you and I came out of the Baptismal waters after going down completely under the water, that in Jesus' Name we are buried with Him, and hey!! When the man of God brings us up out of that water grave, we are NEW Dan, brand new!! Jesus is blessed that we identified with Him and the Father is blessed that we obeyed because of conscience, and the Holy Spirit is ready to work for Jesus thru you and I because of obedience. Praise the Name of Jesus.