BAPTIZE IN JESUS' NAME ALONE?

 

Understanding Matthew 28:19 and Early Church Practice**

INTRODUCTION: THE APPARENT TENSION

"Jesus commanded baptism 'in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit'—yet the book of Acts shows the early church baptizing only 'in Jesus' name.' Is this a contradiction? Or a profound mystery pointing to Christ’s supremacy?"

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1. THE COMMAND: MATTHEW 28:19 (TRINITARIAN FORMULA)

One Name, Three Persons

• Key Text: "Go therefore and make disciples... baptizing them in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
• Critical Observations:
1. Not three names, but one name (Greek onoma) representing the authority and identity of the Triune God.
2. The Father’s Name: YHWH ("I AM" – Exodus 3:14).
3. The Son’s Name: Jesus ("YHWH saves" – Matthew 1:21).
4. The Spirit’s Name: No standalone name, but He is "the Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9).

The Mystery Unveiled

• Jesus is the embodiment of the Trinity:
• "Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).
• "The Spirit will glorify Me" (John 16:14).
• Thus, the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit is fully revealed in Jesus (Colossians 2:9).

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2. THE PRACTICE: ACTS (BAPTISM IN JESUS’ NAME)

Early Church’s Uniform Pattern

• Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized... in the name of Jesus Christ."
• Acts 8:16, 10:48, 19:5: All record baptism exclusively in Jesus’ name.

Why Jesus’ Name?

1. Covenant Fulfillment:
• The Old Covenant was in YHWH’s name; the New Covenant is in Jesus’ name (Hebrews 8:6-13).
2. Authority Over All:
• "God has given Him the name above every name" (Philippians 2:9-11).
• Demons flee, sins are forgiven, and the church is built in His name alone (Acts 4:12; Colossians 3:17).
3. Confessional Necessity:
• Baptism proclaimed allegiance to Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10).

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3. RESOLVING THE TENSION: ONE NAME, ONE GOD

Jesus as the Trinity’s Revelation

• The Father’s name is manifested in Jesus (John 17:6, 26).
• The Spirit is "the Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9) who points to Him.
• Conclusion: Baptism in Jesus’ name is baptism into the Triune God—because all divine authority flows through Him (Matthew 28:18).

Early Church Perspective

• They saw no contradiction because:
• To invoke Jesus was to invoke the Father who sent Him and the Spirit He poured out.
• Example: Paul blesses with "grace of Christ... love of God... fellowship of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 13:14)—one God, three persons.

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4. WHY THIS MATTERS TODAY

Against Division

• Error 1: "Only Jesus’ name baptism is valid!" → Risks neglecting the Trinity’s fullness.
• Error 2: "The Trinitarian formula is just tradition!" → Ignores Jesus’ direct command.

For Unity

• Form: Matthew 28:19 (theological truth).
• Function: Acts (practical confession of Christ’s lordship).
• Both/And: The early church’s practice fulfilled Jesus’ command, not contradicted it.

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5. CONCLUSION: THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Summary

• Matthew 28:19 reveals who God is (Triune).
• Acts reveals how we confess Him (through Christ).
• Jesus’ name is the doorway to the Father and the vehicle of the Spirit’s power.

Call to Worship

"Baptism isn’t about a formula—it’s about being plunged into the life of the God who is Father, Son, and Spirit, fully revealed in Jesus. His name is the key that unlocks eternity."

Discussion Question

"How does understanding baptism as ‘into Jesus’ name’ shape your view of the Trinity?"