In Whose Name Are We Baptized?
By Allan E. McNabb

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.

This doctrine 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 pre-existence 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.