Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua - Questions & Answers

Q. You use Acts 4:12 a lot in discussing proper baptism. But what of Matthew 28:19? Does it not speak of baptism into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

A.   Matthew 28:19 seems to contradict other Scriptures in relation to immersion: “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
            Either something is wrong with this passage or something is amiss with the rest of the New Testament. The problem obviously rests with the verse or its interpretation.
            The Hebrew version of Matthew omits this verse. The Jerusalem Bible questions whether Matthew 28:19 is inspired or liturgical, meaning added in later translations.
            If we accept it as it stands we will see that it harmonizes with the rest of Scripture. Notice that it says to be baptized into the “name” (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If you are baptized into the one Name Yahshua, then you are baptized into the singular Name that is above every Name (Phil. 2:9). You have fulfilled this command, because the Name “Yahshua” contains the Father’s Name (Yah). (See our ministudy, Trinitarian Baptism and Matthew 28:19.)
            In every example of immersion in the New Testament we find that it was in the Name of Yahshua only (see Acts 2:38; 4:12; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3; 1Cor. 1:11-13; Gal. 3:27; John 14:6). Nowhere do we find a Trinitarian formula used in baptism. There is only one Name given among men whereby we MUST be saved.