The controversy over the formula for baptism is post-biblical. There is no such confusion in the Bible (1Corinthians 14:33). Today, there are some ministers who baptize in the name of Jesus and others who baptize in the titles of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. There were not two formulas for Christian baptism circulating in Bible times. There was only one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). And, no one who has read the New Testament can dispute that water baptism was administered by Christian ministers exclusively in the name of Jesus. There is no record of baptism being carried out by merely repeating the words, “…in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”.
The verse of Scripture that has most sparked the baptismal formula controversy is Matthew 28:19. That’s because people have interpreted it in a variety of ways.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Many ministers interpret this imperative to mean that we are merely to repeat the words of Jesus as a baptismal formula. But what’s profoundly significant is that the Apostles, who received the command, did not have that understanding because that’s not how they fulfilled it. They carried it out by baptizing in the name of Jesus.
The Controversy Resolved
The baptismal formula is not open for interpretation. It is determined by Scripture in a threefold way and cannot be altered. The three determinative aspects of it are prophecy, prescription, and fulfillment.
1/ Prophecy: Baptism in Jesus’ name is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Old Testament prophecy of the New Covenant called for remission of sins (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Micah 7:19; Ezekiel 36:25-29) and salvation in the name of the Lord (Joel 2:32). These prophecies were fulfilled by baptism in Jesus’ name. That is clear from Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost when the New Covenant was initiated. He quoted Joel 2:32 and ordered baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. It is also clear from the conversion of the Apostle Paul when Ananias said to him, alluding to Joel 2:32, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”.
As seen in prophecy, New Testament salvation is associated with remission of sins. There is no salvation without it (Hebrews 9:22). It is the most important aspect of salvation. Accordingly, the devil will oppose it more than anything else. Therefore, we must be careful that we receive remission of sins in the biblically prescribed way.
This important New Covenant prophecy of baptism was fulfilled by the Apostles two thousand years ago. It was asserted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost and accepted by all the Apostles (Acts 2:38-39, 42). Hence, Christian baptism was done exclusively in the early Church in the name of Jesus. That Apostolic fulfillment must be accepted by all who recognize the Christ-given authority of the Apostles (John 17:6-20; Hebrews 2:1-3) and the covenant in which we live. It is impossible for the formula to have changed since it was established on the Day of Pentecost because terms of a covenant cannot be altered within the time frame of that covenant (Galatians 3:15). Therefore, interpretation of the formula asserted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost and accepted by all the Apostles is not open to change. Our role is to observe its fulfillment and follow their example.
2/ Prescription: The Great Commission
Jesus, Who originally inspired the prophecies of New Covenant salvation (1Peter 1:11), interpreted them for the Apostles and prescribed them in the Great Commission. As we have pointed out, baptism is one of those prophecies. All four Gospel writers made reference to baptism in their accounts of Christ’s Commission (John 20:23; Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:45-47). A full-orbed study of the Commission reveals that Jesus called for His Own name to be used as the Christian formula. For a more detailed look at the Great Commission, see the author’s, Water Baptism And The Great Commission, which is #10 on the Various Bible Lessons page. What Christ specified in His post-resurrection teaching to His Apostles just before leaving this world cannot be dismissed without peril.
3/ Fulfillment: The Day of Pentecost
As pointed out above, Old Testament prophecy stated that the New Covenant would involve remission of sins and salvation in the name of the Lord. Accordingly, the Great Commission revealed that remission of sins would occur through baptism in Jesus’ name. Adding exponentially to this immense weight is the fact of the fulfillment of both. What transpired of the Day of Pentecost as a result of prophecy and the Great Commission is the most abundant proof that baptism is to be administered in the name of Jesus. Prophecy was thus fulfilled and the Great Commission was thus fulfilled. Therefore, the Day of Pentecost sheds light on the exact meaning of both. The Bible is an inspired document. Biblical fulfillment of anything prophesied or mandated is its interpretation. Since all the prophecies of New Covenant salvation were fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, that is the proof that remission of sins and calling on the name of the Lord for salvation referred to baptism. Likewise, since the Great Commission was fulfilled on that momentous day, of which Matthew 28:19 is a part, that is the proof that Jesus’ words to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost were referring to His Own name. In a powerful moment of post-resurrection self-revelation, Jesus used those words to assert His deity according to the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6. Acts 2:38 is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19. That is simply a fact of biblical chronology. To insist otherwise is to say that the Apostles were disobedient or never truly fulfilled their Commission, neither of which is possible. One may interpret Matthew 28:19 as he wills, but if he differs from the Apostles in the baptismal formula, guess who is wrong.
Reinterpretation or obedience to a mandate?
The formula to be used in baptism is not so much a matter of interpretation as it is of obedience to an explicit Scriptural command and to the numerous examples that follow. It’s very strange, in a way, to see people that never heard Jesus give His famous Great Commission attempt to interpret it— especially struggle to interpret it. No such struggle should occur. The role of interpreting Matthew 28:19 belonged to the Apostles and they did so two thousand years ago. And they were guided unerringly by Jesus (Luke 24:45-47). To endeavor to interpret the command today is anachronistic. The verse has long been interpreted by those who first heard it— those who had the distinct assignment to interpret it and be the first to fulfill it. That fulfillment is revealed in the book of Acts and serves as a precedent for us to follow. The role of all who came later, including us, is to receive the Apostolic interpretation and obey the mandate associated with it. Baptism in Jesus’ name is a strong imperative (Acts 2:38; 10:48). It was declared authoritatively on the Day of Pentecost for every person and will be in force until the end of the Church age.
38 Then Peter said unto them, 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.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Those who reinterpret Christ’s words in the Great Commission contrary to the precedent set by the Apostles fall into error and introduce a baptismal formula that was never used by the Apostles and early ministers.
Conclusion
Does someone today think he is called to interpret Matthew 28:19? It has been interpreted by those to whom it was spoken. Now it only needs to be obeyed.
Does someone want to determine the formula for water baptism? It was determined two thousand years ago. No one can correctly differ with the Apostles’ conclusion.
Does someone suppose baptism can be administered according to any interpretation of Scripture? Not so. It was determined in prophecy, prescribed by Jesus, and fulfilled two thousand years ago by the Apostles. Any formula that does not align with what has been set forth in Scripture in this three-fold way opposes Scripture and is heresy. The most basic rule of interpretation is that Scripture interprets Scripture. We are called to obey what the Scriptures show plainly as the formula for water baptism and which is demonstrated in all the examples of Christian baptism (Acts 2,8,10,19,22:16).