Water Baptism - In the Name of …?

© 2026 Philip M Spence

In some Christian circles there has long been a debate about whether we should baptise in the name of Jesus, or in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Some have built a doctrine on one or the other, but the latter is most commonly used.

What does the scripture say?

• Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

• Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:38).

It is no surprise to find that both options are mentioned in the scripture. Why then do people pick one option and make a doctrine out of it, dividing the body of Christ?

I believe that it is due to ignorance of what is written in the scriptures, and from not understanding the original language of the scriptures. So then, let’s break it down.

[1] What is Written in the Scriptures?

We have already seen what Jesus and Peter said in the two verses above. It is interesting to note that “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” is recorded once in the New Testament.

• Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

The phrase, “in the name of Jesus” occurs a few times, but not simply that phrase. The phrases “in the name of the Lord Jesus’, and “in the name of the Lord’ were also used to baptise people.

• Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:38).

• For as yet He (The Holy Spirit) had fallen upon none of them. They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:16).

• And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48).

• When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:5).

Obviously, the first generation of apostles did not debate which formula should be used, or which name or names should be invoked when baptising people in water.

[2] Understanding the Original Language

Firstly, the word “Christ” is used in Acts 2:38 and 10:48. This simply means “the Anointed One”. Therefore, the apostle Peter said that believers should be baptised in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One.

Secondly, the word “Lord” was used by both Peter and John in Acts 8:16, and by the apostle Paul in Acts 19:5. This word is translated from a Greek word “Kurios” which literally means “Supreme in Authority”. The apostles baptised in the name of Jesus, the Supreme Authority. This could also be expressed as Jesus the King.

In the light of this, I believe that those who insist that baptism should be in the name of Jesus only have obviously not properly researched the scriptures. Neither Peter nor Paul baptised in the name of Jesus alone. They baptised in the name of Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus.

Thirdly, the word “Name’ must be understood from the Biblical perspective. The apostles were not just mentioning or using a name or the “right” name. The key is understanding the concept of name in their time and its languages.

In the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament, the words translated “Name” allude to the person’s Identity, Authority and Notoriety. This means that we come to know who the Bible says He is, what His authority is over our lives, and who we have come to know Him to be in our experience of Him, and relationship with Him. It is all about Him!

[3] What’s in a Name?

When we understand the concept of “name” in the scriptures, then we must understand who the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are. Jesus said that He and the Father are one (John 10:30), and that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father (John 14:9). Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit is one who is the same as Him (John 14:16 – another means another the same).

We know that the Godhead is three in one, the Triune God. Why then do some people want to divide God into parts by demanding the use of different names for different things. The main point of water baptism is not the name that we invoke, but being baptised into who He is, knowing His authority over our lives, and coming to know Him more as we walk with Him and in Him.

• And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16)

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Phil Spence is an author, speaker, mentor and musician. He leads Enlarj, a relational apostolic network influencing more than 20 nations. He oversees School of the Kingdom Global in many of these nations. Phil is internationally recognised as an apostle. Phil may be contacted via phil@enlarj.com