Is a Word Formula Required in Administering Baptism?

There are several things to be said in response to this unwarranted assumption.The gentleman obviously is under the impression that there is a particular word-formula that must be recited when the rite of baptism is being administered. This misconception is at the heart of the error he espouses. We offer the following observations regarding this matter.

Did Jesus Command Baptism Into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

It is irresponsible to contend that the Lord commanded his apostles to baptize “into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 28:19)—then to contend they never did this and that if we practice precisely what the Savior said to do we would be wrong.

Did Christ command baptism “into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”? Yes he did. Did the apostles obey him? One must assume they did.

If they did obey him, when did they do so? Was such confined exclusively to that ten-day period between the Lord’s ascension and the day of Pentecost? There is no evidence at all supporting the view that the Commission, as framed by Matthew, was temporary in nature.

The fact is, the blessing attached to the charge (“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”) clearly argues for the Commission’s long-term duration.

Not a Word Formula

No passage in the New Testament that mentions baptizing into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit or into Christ or in his name has reference to what is being said at the time of the immersion.

Each text depicts what is being done with a slightly different emphasis depending on the grammatical construction. There is no allusion whatever to a word formula that is required in order to validate the immersion.

Different Language

It is very obvious that there is no precise phraseology associated with baptism, even in terms of what is being done. The texts relating to this matter are varied in the original language.

Matthew says “baptizing them into (eis) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 28:19).

Luke uses such phrases as “baptized in (epi) the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38), “baptized into (eis) the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16), “baptized in (en) the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:48) or “baptized into (eis) the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).

If one assumes that the New Testament is inspired by God and is without contradiction, then each of these texts is correct. They are not in conflict but simply are discussing the relationship of baptism to the divine Godhead from slightly different angles.

In none of these texts is a “word formula” being prescribed (see J. H. Thayer’s discussion of “name,” p. 447).

The issue has been well summarized by Harold Mare and Hobart Freeman.

The meaning of baptism in the name of Jesus varies slightly according to the Greek preposition used. In Acts 2:38 Peter exhorted the Jews to repent and be baptized in or upon (epi) the name of Jesus Christ, resting upon His authority and being devoted to Him. Later Peter instructed Cornelius to be baptized in (en) the name of Jesus Christ, acting on His authority [Acts 10:48]. Three passages use eis(Mt. 28:19; Acts 8:16; 19:5) plus the parallel phrase ‘baptized into Christ’ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). A study of these verses along with the verb baptizo and eis in 1 Cor. 1:13; 10:2; 12:13 indicates that the one baptized is identified with Christ (or Paul or Moses) and passes into new ownership or partnership with Him, with new loyalty and fellowship" (1176).

The fact of the matter is, if one is immersed “in the name of Jesus,” i.e., by his authority, then his baptism must be into the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit for this is precisely what Christ himself authorized (Mt. 28:19). Again, though, it must be stressed that this does not refer to any spoken word-formula, but rather emphasizes the aim or goal of the baptism.

Finally, if the expression “in the name of” represented a verbal pattern that is required in the pronouncement of those exact words, then one would have to repeat that phrase every time he did anything, for Paul commands that whatsoever you do, in word or in deed must be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17).