Chuck Smith Jr Supporter Soul-shaper

Although the question regarding the correct words to use in baptism has been discussed by theologians throughout church history, today it is mostly a denominational issue, usually raised by Christians within a specific Pentecostal tradition. For example, the United Pentecostal Church teaches that baptism in the name of Jesus is the only legitimate form of baptism.

Outside of these denominations, the great majority of Christians do not differentiate between the use of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" and "the name of Jesus." Therefore, the greater part of Christendom would answer the question above, "There is no difference, so long as the meaning of the believer's baptism and its ramifications are clearly understood."

At other times in church history, when splinter groups insisted on baptizing their converts in the name of Jesus only, theologians such St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas favored the trinitarian formula, but granted that baptism in Jesus' name was acceptable.

In my opinion, it is one of the sad stains on Christianity that believers would become so divisive over the words used in baptism and reject the views of other believers with vehement dogmatism. Especially when the theology, purpose, goal, and results of baptism are so much more than the simple ritual. It seems that some of us lose sight of the fact that there "is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in hone hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). Whatever words were spoken over us at our baptism, God's intention was to baptize us into oneness and unity, not division.

June 20 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeremiah Kaaya Supporter Pastor at Springs of Power Church, Teacher by professional

Of Peter and Jesus, whose word should we ardently take. Peter the Apostle could have said not with the intent to mean Jesus alone, it could have been He (Jesus) was the one he (Peter) had been able to see physically. But God Himself is existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Peter also always heard Jesus talk of the source of His power; and that is God the Father. In my own opinion, I don't envisage any difference in what Peter said while baptizing in Acts 2:38 from Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19.

When Jesus said "All power has been given to me both in Heaven and on earth............." in Mathew 28:18, it was never to come to a conclusion that the rest of the members in the Trinity had nothing left for them. He said so simply because He is the one who had offered Himself for the salvation of many. However, He never did so by Himself, He always did everything together with the Father. 

In John 14:9-11, Jesus was letting Philip get aware that in Jesus, was the Father. And according to John 14:26 the Holy Spirit is to work with Jesus and the Father in the execution of things. 

In a nutshell, I can conclude that God the Father is the source of all Power and Might, the same is existent in His Son Jesus Christ, so to see or to speak to God the Son, means you have done so to both. God the Holy Spirit is the executer and testifies of the Son. 

However, this is not to say they are three, but He (God) is existent in those three offices, He is one God.

In such a case therefore, the two scriptures lead us to the same thing and there is nothing to say differs from the other.

The Ultimate baptism is done so in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God bless

October 30 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Thornton Supporter Bible student, unprofitable servant

The great commission gives explicit instruction about how people are to be baptised Matthew 28:19 

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

The accounts in the book of Acts are not giving an account of the words that were used when the baptisms were being performed but rather supplying the explanation as to by whose authority the baptisms were to be performed.

Matthew 28:18 
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

In the name means " by the authority"
Acts 4:7
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “ By what power or by what name have you done this?”

This was the accepted way of identifying the person who was being represented. The authority under which a person operates.

If a policeman says stop in the name of the law he isn't explicitly telling the person why it is he is stoping him but only telling him why he must stop.

Acts 2:38 
Then Peter said to them, “ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter isn't giving explicit instructions as to how the baptisms are to be carried out, but is declaring by whose authority he can confidently proclaim how it is the they can be cleansed from the guilt of rejecting and delivering their Messiah to be put to death. 
Acts 4:10 
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.....

Peter would not be doing something in the Name of Jesus and take it upon himself to change what Jesus had commanded him to do.

To say that being baptized in the name of Jesus simply means saying His name is like saying teaching in his name is simply repeating His name over and over.
Or to bare His name would have to mean having His name literally written on yourself.

Acts 4:18
So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Their is no reason to the exclude the Trinitarian formula in the act of baptism.
Baptism done in Jesus name, by His authoritative command requires it.

To tell someone who has been brought to faith in Jesus by the preaching of the gospel that to be baptized in Jesus name means, because all authority has been give to Him and He commanded it therefore it must be done. This is telling them why it must be done.

To tell that person that Jesus has commanded that the formula for their baptism is in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit as the way it is to be done will not be hard for them to understand.

December 08 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Roberta Hobbs Supporter

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all one; so I believe we should honor the Trinity.

June 20 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Andy Mangus Supporter I am a Christian since October 1979 & devoted truth seeker.

This question is one that for many years has had its roots in an unintentional divisive effect by many Bible theologians from what I have read on this subject.

To me, the simplistic way to explain and understand is to 'know that God is three persons-in-one'! Scripture tells us many times as such! Jesus tells us that "He is one with the Father"; that "He is in communion as one with the Father" and that "the Holy Spirit, the Father and He(Jesus) are ONE". The problem in our 'human understanding' is that we can't fully comprehend God with our limited mental abilities, knowledge, intellectual capacity and vision that is limited only to the physical realm, etc! Again, the point being is that "God is three persons-in-one: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit." 

It takes a lot of faith and difficult enough to believe and attempt to understand 'our physical world' --and-- even more so in our pursuits of really grasping a true comprehension of what God tells us in His Holy Word "of things we have not seen or which He has in store for us when we get to Heaven to be with Him in Glory forever and ever!" --Andy--

November 13 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Breon McGhee Supporter

I believe either is acceptable. When Jesus told his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the name of the Son and name of the holy spirit it was right after all power was given to Jesus. So being given all power did not effect how he wanted his disciples to baptize. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 15 all things were put under his feet EXCEPT He who did put all things under his feet,which is the father. 

There are 3 that bear record in heaven and those 3 are 1 but not 1 and the same person but 1 because they agree. God's use of the word one has always been referring to agreement, and that's been widely misunderstood. 1 John 5:8 gives a natural analogy to understand the Godhead and lordship. Your blood, water and human spirit must agree in 1 for your body to exist and function at 100% capacity, but you can't say they are all the same. Jesus said his father is greater than him and he needed to submit to the baptism of the holy spirit as the son of man before his ministry began. As we are to do to be effective. He mentions the father all the time to give proper reverence and honor and we take that away from Yahweh and give the honor that belongs to Him to His son thinking they are 1 person. 

We have access to the father through Jesus but we stop at the door which is Jesus and treat him like he is the father. I personally would baptize the way Jesus states, but using the authority of Jesus' name is acceptable as long as the main meaning and big picture is explained and everything is done in love the rest can just be unneeded religious details fought over.
God bless

September 16 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Edward Hunter Supporter

The difference is acknowledging Jesus only does not give honor to his father the Almighty God, the creator of all on earth and in the heavens along with the Holy Spirit.

June 20 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report