The baptism of water according to the teachings of Jesus is clearly instructed in Scripture. In the New King James Version (NKJV), Jesus commands His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, not simply in His name alone.
In Matthew 28:19 (NKJV), Jesus says:
> “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.”
This is often referred to as the Great Commission. Here, Jesus gives a distinct formula for water baptism. If He had intended baptism to be performed only in His name, He would have said so explicitly. Instead, He included the fullness of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Other passages confirm that water baptism is a command for believers. For example:
Mark 16:16 (NKJV)
> “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
> “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.’”
While Acts speaks of baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ,” this is understood as the authority of Jesus, not a contradiction to the command in Matthew 28:19. The apostles fulfilled the Great Commission by baptizing with the understanding that the authority and power come from Christ, yet the formula Jesus gave includes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the baptism of water follows the command of Jesus Himself, as He clearly instructed to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The baptism of water according to the teachings of Jesus is clearly instructed in Scripture. In the New King James Version (NKJV), Jesus commands His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, not simply in His name alone.
In Matthew 28:19 (NKJV), Jesus says:
> “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.”
This is often referred to as the Great Commission. Here, Jesus gives a distinct formula for water baptism. If He had intended baptism to be performed only in His name, He would have said so explicitly. Instead, He included the fullness of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Other passages confirm that water baptism is a command for believers. For example:
Mark 16:16 (NKJV)
> “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
> “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.’”
While Acts speaks of baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ,” this is understood as the authority of Jesus, not a contradiction to the command in Matthew 28:19. The apostles fulfilled the Great Commission by baptizing with the understanding that the authority and power come from Christ, yet the formula Jesus gave includes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the baptism of water follows the command of Jesus Himself, as He clearly instructed to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
I am not thoroughly convinced that Acts 2:38 is talking about water baptism. I feel that it’s talking about the Holy Spirit baptism.