Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize believers. Baptism was to become a public declaration of their faith in Christ and their entrance into the family of God. However, the different expressions used in Matthew and Acts have led some sincere Christians to wonder which name should be pronounced during baptism.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19
However, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter said:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Acts 2:38
This raises an important question: Should believers be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, or only in the name of Jesus Christ?
There is no contradiction between these passages. Matthew records the baptismal command given directly by Jesus. Acts describes Christian baptism as being performed under the authority of Jesus and as an expression of faith in Him. Baptism in the name of Jesus does not exclude the Father and the Holy Spirit. It identifies the baptism as Christian baptism performed according to Christ’s command.
The Command Given by Jesus
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and gave them the Great Commission:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Matthew 28:18, 19
He then gave the baptismal instruction:
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19
This is the only passage in which Jesus directly stated how Christian baptism should be administered. Therefore, it must be the foundation of the church’s baptismal practice.
Jesus did not say “in the names,” as though He were speaking of three separate gods. He used the singular word “name,” followed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are united in the work of salvation and in receiving the believer into covenant fellowship with God.
Jesus continued:
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:20
The apostles were not free to change or shorten Christ’s command. They were to teach and observe everything He had instructed them.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at Christ’s Baptism
The three Persons of the Godhead were revealed at the baptism of Jesus:
“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.” Mark 1:10
Then the Father spoke from heaven:
“Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11
Jesus the Son was in the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the Father spoke from heaven. This beautiful scene agrees perfectly with Christ’s later command to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Christian baptism brings the believer into a covenant relationship with the Godhead. The Father accepts us as His children, the Son cleanses us through His blood, and the Holy Spirit renews and empowers the life.
John’s Baptism Prepared the Way
Before the Christian church was established, John the Baptist called Israel to repentance:
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4
John’s baptism was given by God, but it was preparatory. John was preparing the people to receive the coming Messiah.
He declared:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I…. he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matthew 3:11
John’s message pointed forward to Jesus. Those who received John’s baptism were confessing their sins and preparing for Christ’s arrival. Christian baptism, however, looks back to the completed death and resurrection of Jesus and includes faith in Him as Lord and Saviour.
The Difference Revealed at Ephesus
Acts 19 clearly shows the difference between John’s baptism and Christian baptism. Paul met certain disciples at Ephesus and asked:
“Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” Acts 19:2
They answered:
“We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” Acts 19:2
Paul then asked:
“Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.” Acts 19:3
Their knowledge was incomplete. They had received John’s baptism of repentance but had not fully understood the completed ministry of Christ or the work of the Holy Spirit.
Paul explained:
“John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Acts 19:4
After receiving fuller instruction, they were baptized again:
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:5
Does this mean Paul ignored Christ’s command and used only the name of Jesus? No. The expression identifies their baptism as Christian baptism—baptism performed under Christ’s authority and according to His command. It distinguished their new baptism from the preparatory baptism of John.
Paul’s question about the Holy Spirit also shows that Christian instruction and baptism should include the work of the Holy Spirit. This agrees with Matthew 28:19.
Baptism in the Book of Acts
Several passages in Acts describe people being baptized in the name of Jesus.
Peter said:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 2:38
The Samaritan believers were described as follows:
“Only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 8:16
Peter commanded Cornelius and his household:
“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:48
The Ephesian disciples were also:
“Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:5
None of these verses claims to record every word spoken during the baptismal ceremony. Acts gives brief historical descriptions of what took place. The expression “in the name of Jesus” identifies the baptism with Jesus Christ, His authority, His gospel, and His saving work.
Matthew 28:19 gives Christ’s actual command. The book of Acts shows the apostles carrying out that command by baptizing people who had accepted Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
What Does “In the Name of Jesus” Mean?
In the Bible, doing something “in the name” of someone often means acting under that person’s authority.
Paul wrote:
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Paul was not merely asking the believers to repeat the name of Jesus. He was giving the command under Christ’s authority.
Jeremiah recorded a similar expression:
“As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee.” Jeremiah 44:16
Jeremiah spoke “in the name of the Lord” because his message came by God’s authority.
Therefore, baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” means baptism performed under the authority and command of Jesus. What baptism did Jesus authorize? He commanded His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Baptizing according to Matthew 28:19 is therefore baptizing in the name and authority of Jesus.
Why Does Acts Emphasize Jesus?
The book of Acts emphasizes the name of Jesus because His identity was the central issue. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was speaking to Jewish people who already professed belief in the God of Israel. However, many of them had rejected Jesus and participated in His crucifixion.
Peter declared:
“God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36
They needed to repent of rejecting Jesus and publicly confess Him as the Messiah. Baptism in His name expressed their new faith, loyalty, and submission to Him.
Peter later declared:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Acts emphasizes Jesus because salvation is available only through Him. This emphasis does not remove the Father or the Holy Spirit. Jesus came from the Father, accomplished the plan of salvation, and gives the Holy Spirit to those who believe.
Baptism Identifies Us With Christ
Baptism is more than the pronunciation of certain words. It represents union with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Paul wrote:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3
He continued:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Going beneath the water represents death and burial to the old life of sin. Rising from the water represents resurrection to a new life in Christ.
A person may hear the correct words during baptism and still fail to understand its meaning. True baptism must be joined with repentance, faith, surrender, and a commitment to follow Jesus.
Is Matthew 28:19 Authentic?
Some have claimed that the words “the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” were added to Matthew at a later time. However, there is no manuscript evidence supporting that claim. The known Greek manuscripts containing this passage include the threefold baptismal command.
Early Christian writings also show that believers baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, there is no sound biblical or historical reason to remove these words from Christ’s command.
Conclusion
In whose name should Christians be baptized? We should follow the clear command of Jesus by baptizing believers “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 28:19
The references in Acts to baptism “in the name of Jesus” do not give a different baptismal formula. They identify Christian baptism as being performed under the authority of Jesus and as a public confession of faith in Him.
Baptism in the threefold name is baptism in the authority of Jesus because it follows His direct command. It declares that the believer has accepted the Father’s love, Christ’s salvation, and the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit.
