The name of Jesus carries divine power and authority. As Apostolics, we pray in Jesus’ name, lay hands on the sick in Jesus’ name, cast out demons in Jesus’ name, and gather in Jesus’ name. Yet, many churches today do not baptize in Jesus’ name, despite baptism being the moment when sins are remitted (Acts 2:38) and believers publicly identify with Christ.

This raises an important question:

If we do everything in Jesus’ name, why is baptism the only exception?

The Biblical Command to Use Jesus’ Name

The Bible repeatedly teaches that the name of Jesus is the authority by which we operate:

• Prayer is answered in Jesus’ name:

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14, NKJV)

• Healing and miracles happen in Jesus’ name:

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’” (Acts 3:6, NKJV)

• Demons are cast out in Jesus’ name:

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons…” (Mark 16:17, NKJV)

• Sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name:

“To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43, NKJV)

• Salvation is in Jesus’ name alone:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NKJV)

Since everything is done in Jesus’ name, why would baptism—one of the most crucial acts of salvation—be any different?

Matthew 28:19—Misunderstood?

Many churches baptize using the phrase “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 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.” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV)

However, Jesus did not say to baptize in the titles, but in the name (singular). The word “name” indicates one specific name—not three separate names or identities.

The apostles, who were personally trained by Jesus, always baptized in the name of Jesus. If they misunderstood His words, we would expect correction—but instead, their actions were consistently affirmed by Scripture.

Every Baptism in the Bible Was in Jesus’ Name

If baptism in the titles was correct, then at least one example in the Bible should show it being used. However, the Book of Acts—the only historical record of how the apostles obeyed Jesus—shows that every baptism was done in Jesus’ name:

• The First Baptisms on the Day of Pentecost:

“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.’” (Acts 2:38, NKJV)

• The Samaritans Were Baptized in Jesus’ Name:

“For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:16, NKJV)

• Gentiles Were Commanded to Be Baptized in Jesus’ Name:

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10:48, NKJV)

• Disciples of John Were Re-baptized in Jesus’ Name:

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

If the apostles were wrong in baptizing exclusively in Jesus’ name, why didn’t the Bible correct them? The answer is clear: they correctly understood that the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is Jesus.

Why Baptize in Titles If the Father and the Holy Spirit Did Not Die?

Baptism is a burial with Christ, symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection:

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4, NKJV)

Since baptism is a representation of Jesus’ death, we must ask:

• The Father did not die.

• The Holy Spirit did not die.

• Only Jesus Christ died, was buried, and resurrected.

The act of baptism is about identifying with Jesus’ death and burial. The Father and the Holy Spirit were not crucified, but Jesus was. Therefore, baptism must be done in Jesus’ name, the name of the One who actually died for our sins.

This is why the apostles never baptized in the titles—because baptism is about Jesus’ sacrifice and our personal identification with Him.

The Name Matters

Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a covenant act where a believer takes on the name of Jesus. Just as a bride takes on the name of her husband, the church (the bride of Christ) must take on the name of Jesus:

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27, NKJV)

If we truly believe in the authority of Jesus’ name, then we must obey the biblical command to be baptized in His name.

Colossians 3:17—Do All in Jesus’ Name

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17, NKJV)

Baptism is both a word and a deed—it is spoken and performed. If everything should be done in Jesus’ name, then baptism should be no different.

Follow the Apostolic Pattern

The Apostles, under direct guidance from Jesus and the Holy Spirit, never baptized using the titles. Instead, they always invoked the name of Jesus.

If you were baptized in titles, consider following the biblical example and being re-baptized in Jesus’ name, just as the disciples in Acts 19:5 were when they realized their previous baptism was incomplete.

Baptism is not just a tradition—it is an essential part of salvation. If we truly desire to follow the Apostolic faith, then we must obey the biblical command to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

“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, NKJV)

If we do everything in Jesus’ name, why would baptism be any different?