Baptizing in the Name of the Lord

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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Baptism identifies the one baptized with a new person or position. For this reason, almost all the Scripture references to baptism use the word “unto” to show with whom or with what they are identified. One exception to this is Acts 10:46-4846For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:46‑48). Confusion over this verse has resulted in wrong teaching, which states that the apostles baptized in (unto) the name of the Lord rather than “in [unto] the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” We do not believe this is according to the teaching of the Word. The verses say, “Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” This last expression “in the name of the Lord” has been used to replace the commission of the Lord in Matthew, but it really confirms using the formula of the trinity. It emphasizes the command of the Lord to baptize, rather than stating unto whose name they baptized. It refers to the commission the Lord gave to baptize. The word “in” used in this verse is different than “unto” or “to” which is used in almost all cases regarding baptism. Where the Scriptures refer to the new position (or person), the word “unto” is used, but when Peter spoke, he was extending the command to baptize as the Lord had given it. So he says, “In the name of the Lord.”
D. C. Buchanan