Baptized in which name?

Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Acts 19:4-7

We won’t go over the difference between the baptism of John and believers’ baptism in Jesus again, as this has been addressed a few times previously.

What I will say is that while we do not form doctrine based on narratives alone, (v.5) supports what I believe to be the clear teaching of scripture that only believers are to be baptized.

I will also point out that the phrase “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” raises a question. We are told by Jesus that Christian baptism is to be “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). We are also told by Peter to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). Peter likewise taught that we are to be baptized “in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). Then here in Acts 19:5 believers were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” So which is it?

The simple answer (and in this case simple is best) is that Christians have historically baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” for these three reasons: First, these are Jesus’s words. Second, these words are not merely narrative, but didactic (instructive teaching). Third, these words are the most inclusive, covering all that is said in the others that are specifically less inclusive.

What is the lesson: The words are not as important as that every believer is baptized as a believer into Christ. If you have been, great! If you have not been, let’s talk together that you may understand Christian baptism, and then get baptized!