Apostle Paul conducted baptism in the name of Christ to emphasize the fact that baptism is not merely a formal ritual but a profound spiritual renewal that makes the believer a participant in the saving power of Christ Himself.

New Title: Baptism in Christ: A Path to Spiritual Renewal

Apostle Paul conducted baptism in the name of Christ to emphasize the fact that baptism is not merely a formal ritual but a profound spiritual renewal that makes the believer a participant in the saving power of Christ Himself. In other words, when Paul speaks of baptism in Christ, he not only refers to joining the common sacrament of baptism—which is already regarded as faithful and proper—but also to entering a new life, adopting a new nature in which Christ occupies a central role.

As noted in one source, "In the Epistle to the Galatians, the holy Apostle Paul calls Christians 'those who have been baptized in Christ' (Gal 3:27). The theme of baptism in Christ runs like a red thread through the theology of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul..." (source: link txt). This means that through the proclamation of the name of Jesus Christ, baptism acquires a special power: it becomes a symbolic expression of union with Him, encompassing not only an external encounter with the ritual but also an internal renewal, a clothing in Christ, as also emphasized in another excerpt: "In the Epistle to the Galatians, Apostle Paul refers to the sanctification of a person received through baptism as 'clothing in Christ', expressing it as follows: ‘Baptize into Christ, and be clothed in Christ’" (source: link txt).

Thus, even if Christians are confident in the correctness of their baptism according to its established norms, the worship and proclamation of the name of Christ in this sacrament add depth to its meaning. It indicates that through baptism, the believer not only participates in a ritual, but also undergoes a spiritual transformation, becoming a co-participant in the redeeming work of Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection—as reflected in the letters of Apostle Paul. This serves as a confirmation that the renewal brought about through Christian baptism is directly connected with the name and action of Christ Himself, which is the central theme of apostolic teaching.