Baptism - In What Name?
Should we be baptized 'In the Name of Jesus Christ' or
'In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost'? Which is correct and why?
The Bible presents a striking contrast between the baptismal formula employed in the Gospels and the one adopted by the Apostles in the books of Acts. This study aims to explore the theological and historical reasons for this variation, with a special emphasis on Acts 2:38.
Baptism, a cornerstone of Christian ritual and belief, is characterized by a divergence in the baptismal formula found within the New Testament. Matthew 28:19 prescribes baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, while the Acts of the Apostles, especially Acts 2:38, features instances of baptism exclusively in the name of Jesus Christ. This variance necessitates an exploration into the contextual and theological factors influencing these divergent baptismal practices.
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, gave the Great Commission to His disciples, stating:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
This triune formula is foundational to the doctrine of the Trinity, highlighting the equal status of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In contrast, in Acts 2:38, Peter declares:
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Notably, every instance of baptism recorded in the Acts of the Apostles uses the formula in the name of Jesus Christ or a similar variation.
One plausible explanation for this contrast lies in the historical and theological context of these texts. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He was establishing a normative framework for His disciples to carry out after His ascension, which likely involved a more formalized, institutionally recognized ritual of baptism reflecting the matured understanding of the nature of God in Trinity.
In contrast, Peter's declaration in Acts 2:38 came at a different stage of Christian history. During Pentecost, the Church was still in its nascent stage. The emphasis on the name of Jesus Christ possibly reflects the immediacy of Christ's ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, as well as the proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah and Lord to the primarily Jewish audience. This immediate context might have necessitated a simpler, more direct formula focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The difference in the formulae could also be ascribed to the intended audience and the specific purpose of baptism. The Matthean formula's triadic structure could have been intended for a broader, Gentile-inclusive audience and for an overarching theological education in the Christian faith. Meanwhile, the formula in Acts, aimed primarily at repentant Jews, served as a personal commitment to Christ and an identification with His death and resurrection, as signified in Romans 6:3-4.
A notable difference between Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38 is that there is an explicit promise of receiving the Holy Ghost in the latter that is missing in the former (although one could argue that Matthew 28:20 has the same promise implicitly with ...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world...). Could this align with the Great Commission's global scope (and the more 'basic' common view of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as separate) vs the targeted directive of the Disciples (with its correspondingly more 'advanced' view of Jesus being God and the Holy Spirit as well, as stated in 1 John 5:7)? And if Jesus is God, and Jesus is the Holy Spirit, then the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost would be... Jesus! Which would make the question in the title of this study somewhat moot.
From a theological perspective, it is important to note that both formulae affirm the same Christian truth - the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. While the baptismal formulae differ, they are not contradictory. In essence, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ can be understood as baptism into the work and person of Christ, which is consistent with the Trinitarian understanding of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.