The Proper Formula to Be Used in Baptism?

From: Collected Writings By: Frederick George Patterson

• 1 min. read • grade level: 7

Q. “Zeta.” What is the difference between being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)), and being baptized in the name of the Lord, and Lord Jesus (Acts 10:48;19:5⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:48)
⁵When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:5))?

A. The only formulary ever given was unto (εις)the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)). Some have supposed that this formulary was changed in the Acts of the Apostles. But when the commission was given the Lord was present, and baptism is founded on His resurrection — not on His ascension; while in Acts He was absent, and the point was then the owning of one who was not there in person. Hence the recognition of His name. Yet we find in nearly every case the term is changed, so that the thought of there being a fresh formulary is guarded against. In Acts 2. it is “in (επι) the name of Jesus Christ.” In Acts 8 “in (εις) the name of the Lord Jesus.” In Acts 10 “in (εν) the name of the Lord” In Acts 19 “in (εις) the name of the Lord Jesus.” The formulary, therefore, in Matthew 28 is the form which should be employed, while the recognition of the name of the Lord is added as presenting the person to Him.

Words of Truth, New Series 2:180.

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.