The Singular Name

  Matthew 28:19 describes only one name, for nameis singular and not plural. (If one thinks this distinction is not significant, he should read Galatians 3:16 where Paul placed utmost importance on the singular in Genesis 22:18.) Matthew Henry recognized the significance of the singular here, for he wrote, “We are baptized not into the ‘names’ ‘but into the name, of the Father, Son, and Spirit, which plainly intimates that these are one, and their name one. 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not proper names but descriptive titles. Even if they were proper names, this verse specifically describes only one name, not three. We must still ask what is the one proper name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

All biblical references to the baptismal formula, including Matthew 28:19, describe the name Jesus. To be biblical, a formula must include the name Jesus, not merely recite the Lord’s verbal instructions. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” or “I baptize you in the name of the Lord” or “I baptize you in His name” are all insufficient, because none of them actually use the name Jesus Christ commanded us to use. 

A correct formula would be, “I baptize you in the name of Jesus.” It is also appropriate to add titles such as Lord or Christ to distinguish the Lord Jesus Christ from any others who have borne the name Jesus. We as Apostolics have good reason why Matthew 28:19 refers to the name of Jesus in baptism. 

(1) Its grammar designates one name (singular). 

(2) Its context shows that Jesus described His power and therefore told the disciples to baptize in His name. 

(3) Mark’s and Luke’s descriptions of the same instructions of Christ show that Jesus was the only name mentioned. 

(4) The Early Church, including Matthew, carried out Christ’s instructions by baptizing in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; I Corinthians 1:13). 

(5) The name of the Father is Jesus; the Father is revealed through the name Jesus (John 5:43). 

(6) The name of the Son is Jesus (Matthew 1:21). 

(7) The name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus; the Holy Ghost is revealed through the name Jesus (John 14:26).

(8) God has revealed Himself in the New Testament by one name (Zechariah 14:9) and that name is Jesus (Revelation 22:3-4). 

(9) The Bible does not teach the doctrine of the trinity, so there is no theological justification for a trine formula.

The Titles of the Holy Ghost

        

1. Spirit of God: Matthew 3:16;

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 

2. Holy Spirit of promise: Ephesians 1:13;

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

3. Earnest (proof or down payment ) of our Inheritance

Eph.1:14;

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 

4. Spirit of The Lord: Acts 8:39;

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

5. The Comforter: John 14:26;

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

6. Spirit of truth: John 16:13;

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

7. The Power (dunamis/dynamite power) of God IN us: Acts 1:8;

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

8. Spirit of Adoption: Romans 8:15;

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

9. Spirit of Christ: Romans 8:9;

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10. Spirit of Grace: Hebrews 10:29;

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

11. Eternal Spirit: Hebrews 9:14;

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

12. The Anointing (1 John 2:27)

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.