ANSWER: No! It is not right! “In the name of” simply means “by the authority of.” When one baptizes “in the name” of Jesus, he is baptizing “by His authority!” In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus had been given all authority. With this authority, He commands us in this passage to baptize “in the name of” the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, even unto the end of the world.

In Acts 2:38, baptism was said to be “in the name of Jesus Christ”; in Acts 8:16, “in the name of the Lord Jesus”; in Acts 10:48, in the name of the Lord.” Since all three of these are different, should one have to decide which of the three is the “divine” formula? Or may we select one of the three? The truth is that any of the three would be scriptural! To baptize in the name of Jesus Christ is simply to baptize by His authority! What did He authorize? He authorized baptism in the name of the Father, and if the Son, and of the Holy Ghost for all time! Therefore, when one baptizes in the name (by the authority of) Jesus Christ he is baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost!

Must one recite a specific formula when immersing another in water? It is, indeed, the wise and expedient thing to do! This would be especially true if nonbelievers were present. However, none of the passages referred to above teach (nor do any others) that we are commanded to “say” (formulate) the words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Neither is there any passage that commands us to “say” (formulate) the words “in the name of Jesus Christ.” When people insist on this unscriptural position, they add to God’s word, binding the commandments of men (Revelation 22:18-19; Matthew 15:9). None of the passages, normally used to support this unscriptural doctrine, teach what one is to “say” as he baptizes another! Every one of these passages simply teaches what he is to “do,” and by whose authority it is to be done! There is no biblical record of anyone having said anything during an immersion. However, that it is wise to do so, as stated above, cannot be denied. This writer has never failed to do so, and plans to do so in the future. Nevertheless, we must never bind on others what God has not bound!

To show the inconsistency of those who bind this false doctrine on others, we need to look at Colossians 3:17, which uses the same language, i.e., “in the name of.” This passage reads, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . .” Acts 2:38 reads, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ . . .” Consistency and honesty demand, since identical words are used, that both passages be interpreted the same way! In other words, if Acts 2:38 teaches that when we baptize someone we must “say” the formula, “I now baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ,” then Colossians 3:17 teaches that whatever we do in word or deed, we must also “say” the formula, “I now speak this word or do this deed in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Those who hold to the false doctrine that we must recite a divine formula when baptizing a person are inconsistent, because they fail to practice what they preach about Acts 2:38 when it comes to Colossians 3:17. The plain truth is that neither passage demands the recitation of any kind of formula.

It can only be concluded that whatever may be said during a baptism, whether in the name of Jesus; in the name of the Lord; in the name of the Lord Jesus; or in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, it is not wrong - no sin has been committed - no scripture has been violated! Since all three personalities are one in thought, will and doctrine, and constitute the “One God,” to baptize by the authority of (in the name of) any, is to baptize by the authority of (in the name of) all three. Conversely, to baptize by the authority (in the name of) all three, is to baptize (in the name of) each!