I understand that the topic of baptism and the interpretation of Jesus' commandment in Matthew 28:19 can be a sensitive and deeply rooted theological issue. Our approach to baptism is not about rejecting Jesus' commandment, but rather about understanding and fulfilling it in the way I believe He intended. When Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," I see this as a directive to use the singular name that represents the fullness of God’s revelation. I believe that name to be Jesus.
God is the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Spirit in regeneration and indwelling (the Fullness of the Godhead bodily in the singular name. The greatest revealed name of God Jesus Christ). Thus, when we baptize in the name of Jesus, we are not denying the roles or manifestations of God but rather affirming the unity and completeness of God as revealed in Christ. This practice aligns with how the apostles carried out baptism in the book of Acts, where they consistently baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5).
It’s important to clarify that our practice is rooted in our interpretation of Scripture and our understanding of God’s nature. We deeply respect and honor the words of Jesus, striving to adhere to His teachings as closely as possible. Our emphasis on the name of Jesus in baptism is a reflection of our belief in the oneness of God and the authority of His name, not a rejection of any part of His command. We believe this understanding brings us closer to the intended meaning of His words and aligns with the practices of the early church.
I hope this clarifies my position and underscores that our commitment is to faithfully follow Jesus' commandment as we understand it through Scripture. Blessings to you as we continue to seek deeper understanding and unity in our faith journeys.