Is baptism in Jesus’ name the only legitimate form of baptism?
There are certain Christian sects that teach that the only correct way to be baptized is in “Jesus’ name only.” In other words, according to these believers, baptism is not authentic nor honored by God unless one is baptized only in the name of Jesus.
Here are some of the reasons why they’ve come to this conclusion:
1. Even though Christ said to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), those specific terms are titles, and not names. Therefore, to baptize someone “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” means to verbally invoke the name of Jesus. According to this belief, the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is Jesus.
2. People who believe this way highlight the fact that since there is no biblical example of someone being baptized using all three titles—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—then it must not be the authentic form of baptism.
3. These believers tend to use the five examples in the book of Acts as proof that the “Jesus’ name only baptism” is the only correct way to carry out the rite (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; and 22:16).
While this may seem logical and correct to some, it’s important to dig a little deeper to test whether this interpretation is accurate. Let’s first consider Jesus’ words in his Great Commission:
“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.” Matthew 28:19. While it may make sense to some to apply a singular name to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—it’s not biblical. The Bible clearly teaches the plurality of God, meaning that God is a unity of three distinct, co-eternal Persons. This is really where the entire discussion is rooted. If we don’t understand the Godhead properly, then it’s easy to misinterpret the Great Commission—and many other texts pertaining to the authority of God.
Most people who believe in “Jesus’ name only baptism” are anti-Trinitarian. This means they do not believe that God consists of three distinct, separate Persons. Moreover, most of the people who believe in “Jesus’ name only baptism” also hold fast to a very distinct Oneness doctrine that teaches that there is one singular being—the One True God. They believe His name to be Jesus.
The Oneness doctrine is more formally known as Modalism—the belief that Jesus is the One Supreme God and that He manifests Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at different times, as needed. In other words, Jesus is revealing His divinity in three different forms or modes.
With a Oneness perspective, you can see how people come to the conclusion that the name Jesus was referring to in the Great Commission was His own. However, this is a very dangerous twisting of the Word of God. We need to be reminded that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Jesus is not speaking in some kind of secret code that needs to be deciphered. When He says “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” He is most definitely referring to three distinct, separate Individuals.
While the subject of the Godhead is an entire discussion of its own, an abundance of scriptural evidence shows that God is not a rigid singularity, but a unified plurality of three co-eternal Persons. Here are a few texts that show the clear plurality and tri-unity of God:
Genesis 1:26
Genesis 11:7
Daniel 7:13–14
Matthew 3:16–17
Matthew 28:19
John 14:26
John 15:26
Acts 2:33
Acts 10:38
2 Corinthians 13:14
Galatians 4:6
2 Peter 1:2
Revelation 3:21
Revelation 5:6–7
What did Jesus mean by “in the name of” (Matthew 28:19) when He gave instructions to baptize? The original Greek word used here for “name” is onoma. It means name (literally or figuratively), and authority or character. Since we have an abundance of proof that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct Persons, this means that the singular use of the word “name” here is not meant to be taken literally. In the figurative sense, Jesus is commanding the church to baptize people by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“In the name of” means “by the authority of,” “by the power of,” or “on behalf of.” So in every single instance where we see the disciples baptizing someone in the name of Jesus, the disciple is acting as the representative of Christ by invoking the name and power of Christ that he (the disciple) does not have in and of himself. Also, the disciples were not necessarily violating Christ’s command by baptizing in Jesus’ name only. If one happens to be baptized in Jesus’ name, then they, by relation, are being baptized also into the Father and Holy Spirit, since they all are One in unity, purpose, goal, and character (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30).
Another reason for the disciples baptizing in the name of Jesus was the initial importance and agenda to reconcile new believers with the fresh and powerful truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s important to remember that Jesus’ coming on the scene and dying as a sacrifice for all was a relatively new concept for the believers in the first century. Therefore, to gain a new believer’s acceptance and belief in Jesus as Messiah and Savior was essential to the growth and establishment of the early Church. This is why we see so much emphasis on Jesus’ name in the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters, as well (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 1:10).
To be baptized in the name of Jesus at that time meant that, contrary to popular opinion, you recognized and fully identified Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. So whether one is baptized in all three Persons of the Godhead, or just in the name of Jesus Christ, both are valid and biblical. Besides, the emphasis was never to be placed on the name, but on the purpose and meaning of baptism (Romans 6:3–11).
Baptism is not about a name, but about the sacrifice of self to be fully reconciled to God. Therefore, self is dying and being resurrected a new person in Christ, and to the fullness of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.