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Some people perceive a contradiction between Peter's
command in Acts 2:38, and Jesus' command in Matthew
28:19.
- Acts 2:38 Peter said, "Repent, and each of you
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins. . . ."
- Matt. 28:19 Jesus said, "Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
In whose name are we baptized? Some people think we should
be baptized in the name of Jesus. And some people think
we should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.
Oneness Doctrine
Oneness doctrine is a contributing factor, if not wholly
responsible, for this confusion.
It denies that God exists in three persons, and asserts
that He is one person who has revealed Himself in three
ways (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
It asserts that God's name is Jesus.
- Jesus is God the Father.
- Jesus is the Holy Spirit.
- The name of God is "Jesus."
Oneness doctrine denies the preexistence of the Word as
the Son, and teaches that Jesus existed as the Father.
It teaches a person must be baptized in the name of Jesus
only (not baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit). Correspondingly, this doctrine in also called "Jesus
only."
The Simple Answer
What is the simple answer to, "In whose name are we baptized?"
The Bible says we're baptized in the name of Jesus, and
in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit (Acts
2:38; Matt. 28:19). There can't be a contradiction here,
as some allege, because God's word is perfect (Heb. 4:12).
Now let's go to the Bible to understand the difference
between these two phrases: baptized in the name of Jesus,
and baptized in the name of the Father and Son and Holy
Spirit.
Different Prepositions
The Greek preposition translated "in" is different in Acts
2:38 and Matt. 28:19.
In Acts 2:38, the Greek preposition epi is
translated "in". Here, "in the name of Jesus" means
we must be baptized by His authority (i.e., in the way
He commands).
- Young's Literal Translation brings out this distinction
in Acts 2:38: "Reform, and be baptized each of you on
the name of Jesus Christ. . . ."
In Matt. 28:19, the Greek preposition eis is translated
"in." Here, "in the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit" means we must be baptized (immersed)
into contact with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
entering into a divine relationship with them.
- The American Standard Version brings out this distinction
in Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Baptized in the Name of Jesus
The phrase "in (epi) the name" as used in Acts
2:38 means "by the authority."
A secular example of "in the name" appears in Esther 8:8,
when King Ahasuerus gave Esther and Mordecai permission
to make a law in the name of the king, whereby the Jews
could protect themselves. A law written in the name of the
king is a law authorized by Him.
A religious example of "in the name" appears in Acts 3:6,
16; 4:7, 10, when Peter healed a lame man in the name (by
the authority, power) of Jesus Christ. The healing was by
Jesus' authority and power, not Peter's.
In Acts 2:38, we're commanded to be baptized "in the name
of Jesus," which means to be baptized by the authority of
Jesus (i.e., as Jesus commands).
- If we're baptized in the name of Jesus, our sins are
forgiven and we are saved (Acts 2:38; Heb. 5:9).
- If we're baptized in any other name, our sins aren't
forgiven.
Baptized in the Name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit
The phrase "in (eis) the name" as used in Matthew
28:19 means we must be baptized (immersed) into contact
with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, entering into
a divine relationship with them.
When we are baptized in (eis) the name of the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit:
- Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27 We are baptized into (eis)
Christ.
- Gal. 2:20 We are crucified with Christ, and
Christ lives in us.
- 1 Cor. 6:19 Our body becomes a temple of the
Holy Spirit, who is in us.
- Eph. 1:3; 2:22 We are in Jesus, built together
into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Summary
To obey Jesus, we must be baptized in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, coming into contact with
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and entering into a divine
relationship with them.
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