Today’s post contains the same information that is in FAQ 37.
Some people think Jesus and Peter were at odds in their teaching on the Christian baptismal formula. We have commonly heard some say, “I’d rather take Jesus’ word in Matthew 28:19 than Peter’s in Acts 2:38”.
What did Jesus teach about the baptismal formula?
To answer this question by merely referencing Matthew 28:19 is the epitome of shallowness. I believe it is one of the common areas in which a person will be ashamed at the judgment for not studying the Scriptures sufficiently (2Timothy 2:15). Jesus did not limit His teaching on baptism to Matthew 28:19. All four Gospel writers cover the Great Commission and quote Jesus making a reference to baptism. The combined study of these make it clear that Jesus taught baptism was to be administered, beginning on the Day of Pentecost, in His name. (See the Various Bible Lessons page, #10, Water Baptism And The Great Commission. You can access that page here.) The Apostles and other ministers of the New Testament were not negligent of the command but followed through on it by baptizing in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins. Thus, the full-orbed Great Commission and its fulfillment in Acts provide the surest proof of what Jesus taught about baptism. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was simply the first witness of Jesus’ teaching on the subject (Luke 24:47-48; Acts 2:38-39).
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The only other possible conclusion to draw is that the Apostles did not carry out Jesus command but followed Peter’s formula instead. And that idea is simply not plausible. That would mean Jesus’ High Priestly prayer that the Apostles were uniquely qualified to spread the Good News was meaningless (John 17:6-20) and would destroy the trustworthiness of the Scriptures (2Timothy 3:16). Imagine a Bible in which there was such confusion (2Corinthians 14:33)! It would also mean that there is no fulfillment of Matthew 28:19 in the New Testament. That, likewise, is just not plausible. The correct view is that the Apostles fulfilled Matthew 28:19 by baptizing in Jesus’ name, which is precisely what Jesus explained to them in Luke 24:45-47 just before His ascension into heaven.