Read Acts 4:17-18; 19:13-15; 1 Corinthians 1:12-16 and Colossians 3:16-17 and it becomes clear the phrase "in the name of Jesus" is not a formula required to be spoken when an individual is baptized into water for the remission of their sins; rather the phrase "in the name of Jesus" is the basis for which an act of faith is being done.
Still not persuaded? Still believe the phrase "in the name of Jesus" must be spoken verbatim when an individual is baptized? Consider the following examples from scripture, emphasized in bold:
- “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized 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)
- “But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed. 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 These two went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (For the Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” (Acts 8:12-16)
- “So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. … So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” (Acts 8:35, 38) (Notice “in the name of” is completely missing from this example.)
- “The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting anxiously for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. … 43 About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” … “No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 So he gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days.” (Acts 10:24, 43, 47-48)
- “A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.” (Acts 16:14-15) (Notice “in the name of” is completely missing from this example.)
- “Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell down trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house. 33 At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized right away.” (Acts 16:29-33) (Notice “in the name of” is completely missing from this example.)
- “Crispus, the president of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard about it believed and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8) (Read 1 Corinthians 6:11 and you’ll find, “Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.“)
- “While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the inland regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples there 2 and said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul said, “Into what then were you baptized?” “Into John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,” (Acts 19:1-5)
- “17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, … 12 A man named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who live there, 13 came to me and stood beside me and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight!’ And at that very moment I looked up and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has already chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear a command from his mouth, 15 because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.’” (Acts 9:17-18; 22:12-16) (Notice “in the name of” is completely missing from this example.)
If you’re convinced, after reading these examples, that a particular verbatim phrase concerning "in the name of Jesus" must be spoken when one is baptized, you’re going to have to decide who, in the previous examples, was saved and who was lost since no singular phrase was used every time; or perhaps you will accept that the exact verbiage wasn’t recorded every time because the verbiage used was not about using a required spoken formula, but rather a reflection upon the dependance upon the authority, power and permission of Jesus to cleanse us from our sins and to make us a member of his kingdom through his blood (Revelation 1:4-6).
"He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross! As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11)
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