BAPTISMAL FORMULA? by steve finnell

Jesus gave us the baptismal formula. Matthew 28:18-19 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been to Me in heaven and on earth.(NKJV)

After God the Father raised Jesus from the dead God the Father gave Jesus the authority. Jesus did not give Himself the authority. 

28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)

To deny that Jesus said baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit is to deny the authority of Jesus Christ.

Jesus "only" Pentecostals claim the only formula for water baptism was given in Acts 2:38 ...let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ....(NKJV)

In Acts 8:16 it says they were baptized, in the name of the Lord Jesus. This contrary to Acts 2:38 which says, in the name of Jesus Christ. That would be a different formula.

In Acts 10:48 it says be baptized, in the name of the Lord. This is contrary to Acts 2:38 which states, in the name of Jesus Christ. That would be a different formula.

IN Acts 19: it states, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. That is contrary to Acts 2:38 which says, in the name of Jesus Christ. That would be a different formula.

To do something in the name of someone is to submit to their authority. As when a police officer tell you to stop in the name of the law. If that police officers tells you to stop in the name of his authority as a law officer, it would be the same authority.

When Jesus said baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was saying be baptized by the authority of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

When the apostle Peter said be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ he was saying be baptized by the authority of Jesus Christ. I believe that Peter baptized them just as Jesus had told him, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

As for me I will stay with baptized by the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, however, I would not say those who are baptized in the name of "Jesus Christ only," have an invalid baptism.