In whose name is the Christian baptized? Many quote the great commission of Matt 28:19 to prove we are baptized into the Trinity, not into Jesus Christ alone.
Matt 28:19 – “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, (NKJ)
If we accept the translation as is, it does not prove that we are baptized into the Trinity, but merely the desperation of those who strive in vain to find support for this doctrine in scripture. This passage does not state that these three are one person, nor anything of the kind.
In conflict with this, six other scriptures refer baptism in the name of Jesus, not baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of Matt 28:19.
Let’s look at these scripture that contradict Matt 28:29. Notice that in none of these texts was anyone baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NKJ)
Acts 8:12 – But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (NKJ)
Acts 8:16 – For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NKJ)
Acts 10:48 – And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. (NKJ)
Acts 19:5 – When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NKJ)
Rom 6:3 – Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (NKJ)
Some scholars of the 19th and 20th centuries believe that Matt 28:19 was altered.
An article from Beauties of the Truth (Volume 2, Number 1, January 1991) stated the following…
“Eusebius, a fourth century writer, had the greatest library of any early church scribe. It contained manuscripts of the new testament that were at least 200 years older than any existing today. Manuscripts copied by Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and others not available today gave him access to almost original material. Eusebius cites Matthew 28:19 eighteen times in his work, always in the same form: “Go ye and make disciples of all nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you”
When he comments on the verse, Eusebius places great stress on the phrase, “in my name.” Apparently his sources, Origen, Clement and Justin Martyr, excluded “father” and “holy spirit” from this scripture…
Aphraates, a Syriac writer of the middle-fourth century, cites the text in yet a different manner, “Make disciples of all nations, and they shall believe in me.” … Ironically, Pope Stephen used only one name, Jesus…”
Pope Stephen I served as Bishop of Rome from254 to 257 AD.
Personally we are doubtful of the authenticity of the phrase in Matt 28:19, “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and think Eusebius was likely correct in quoting the text as saying, “make disciples of all nations in my name.”
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