Author : Tom Rainwater
QUESTION: Do you baptize “in the name of Jesus Christ,” meaning that as you submerge someone, you say “I baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ”? (And not say “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost”?)
ANSWER: Hi! Thank you for your question.
Many Pentecostal groups demand that the words “in the name of Jesus” be said over the one being baptized in water, or else the baptism is invalid. They believe it’s wrong to say anything else other than that — even the phrase, “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
The truth is: No scripture binds a spoken formula upon the one doing the baptizing. Also, no scripture makes the validity of a person’s baptism depend on what is said at the time (or what is not said) by someone else.
Of course, the one being baptized must confess his faith in Jesus Christ prior to baptism (Acts 8:37). But if the one doing the baptizing wants to indicate verbally that he is baptizing “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38; 10:48) or “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), there is certainly nothing wrong with that. He would be speaking the truth of Scripture.
Baptizing “in the name of” indicates that the baptism is being performed in compliance with the authority of heaven. For example, a policeman may say, “Stop in the name of the law.” In doing so, he is telling you to stop based upon the authority he has as a police officer. If you stop as commanded of you, you are recognizing his authority and submitting to it. Likewise, being baptized “in the name of Jesus” (or “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”) means you are baptized because you recognize the authority of Heaven and want to submit to Divine will.
A similar verse is found in Colossians 3:17:
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
The verse instructs us to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The apostle Paul doesn’t mean we must speak the Lord’s name as a formula every time we do or say something. Rather, he is teaching that we must submit ourselves to the will of Jesus in all things. And that includes baptism.
