Why do JW's bapitze in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?

Jehovah's Witness baptisms are not valid because Witnesses not only do not use the proper baptismal formula, they do not use any formula! Catholic Answers spoke with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in Brooklyn, New York (headquarters for the Jehovah's Witnesses) and discovered that Witnesses simply dunk the new convert in water, without using any words to identify what the action is intended to be. For this reason Witnesses are not separated brethren; they are not Christians at all because they lack true baptism.

They are criticized for not using the formula of baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19) as many mainline churches do. Apostolic (Oneness Christians are often lumped with JW because they also do not baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. However, there is one major issue that divides us from the JW's and that is we believe and teach that Jesus Christ is the Father in creation, the Son in redemption and the Holy Spirit in regeneration. We baptize in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The Name Jesus is the singular name mentioned in Matt. 28:19.

There are 9 accounts in the Word that tell us Jesus' Name is the Name that all converts to Christianity were baptized in or into.

1. (Acts 2:38). Jews at Pentecost

2. (Acts 8:12, 16, R. V.) Samaritans

3. " (Acts 10:48). Gentiles at the house of Cornelius

4. (Acts 9:5-15) Paul's baptism

5. (Rom. 6:3-5) believers at the church of Rome

6. (1 Cor. 6:11, R. V.) Corinthians baptizes in Jesus Name

7. (Gal. 3:27 R. V.) Galatians baptized in Jesus' Name

8. (Acts 19:5, R. V.) Ephesians baptized in Jesus Name

9. (Col. 2:12) The Colossians were "buried with Christ in baptism"

In contrast there is not one account that anyone was ever baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost formula. This doctrine is based upon the creation of the trinitarian doctrine at the Council of Nicea, 325 AD long after the inception of original Christianity. As an Apostolic Christian I am proud to say that I have been baptized in the Name of the One True God, Jesus Christ.

In His Name,

gatita_63109

Many ppl misunderstand Matt. 28:19.

These misguided believers have misunderstood Jesus' directive when He commanded that baptism be performed in "the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." These misguided believers wrongly assume that we are to repeat Jesus' words when what the Lord desired was that we OBEY His words.

Jesus is the ONLY NAME specifically identified with the Father (John 5:43), specifically identified with the Son (Matt. 1:21), and specifically identified with the Holy Ghost (John 14:26).

Moreover, the apostles clearly understood His words, for they consistently and without exception baptized new converts IN THE NAME of Jesus Christ.

The scriptures NEVER record ANYONE quoting the words of Jesus in Matt. 28:19 as though they were a formula to be repeated. Rather, the apostles obeyed the command of Jesus by baptizing IN HIS NAME!

JC, you are totally wrong, Oneness believers do not deny the divinity of Jesus.

Other sources I've found seem to indicate that Jesus didn't even say such words.

[quote]For example: The early Church historian Eusebius appears to quote from a different manuscript than any we presently have, for eighteen times (between the years 300 and 336-C.E.) he cited Matthew 28:19, 20 as saying: ‘Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you.’

And it’s interesting that the traditional Trinitarian reading of Matthew 28:19 doesn’t appear in Eusebius’ writings until after the Council of Nicaea, when the Trinity began to formally be held as official doctrine. So, evidence strongly indicates that this is a spurious scripture inserted by later Trinitarians, in the same vein as 1 John 5:7-8.[unquote]

I guess so since the bible clearly says "...baptizing them in the "name" of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." There's no way around it.

Look at these verses and they prove the trinity to be right:

John 20:28-29

Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 48:16

Revelation 1:8

The Trinity is one God.

Jesus says at the end of Matthews Gospel to go and baptize people of all nations in the name of The Father & of The Son & of The Holy Ghost. This is in the Bible and cannot be denied.

Most Christians say they only believe in one God yet worship the trinity. I believe that JW reject the idea of the trinity as God is God the father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all at once but are three separate entities.

It's funny, because "the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" is actually "Jesus." But I don't know if they baptize that way or believe in the triune God.

Hi Karen - nice to see you about again.

In answer to your question:

Being baptized “in the name of the Father” means that the baptismal candidate recognizes God’s office and authority. Jehovah is acknowledged as “the Most High over all the earth,” the Creator and Universal Sovereign. (Psalm 36:9; 83:18; 2 Kings 19:15) Such a person also accepts Jehovah as his Judge, Statute-Giver, and King.—Isaiah 33:22; Psalm 119:102; Revelation 15:3, 4.

To be baptized ‘in the name of the Son’ means to acknowledge Christ’s office and authority and recognize him as the one through whom God has provided “a corresponding ransom.” (1 Timothy 2:5, 6) After Jesus’ death as an integrity keeper, “God exalted him to a superior position,” and those desiring baptism must acknowledge Christ as “Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) They must also accept Jesus as Jehovah’s “Faithful Witness” and as the “King of kings.”—Revelation 1:5; 19:16.

An individual must also be baptized ‘in the name of the holy spirit.’ He must realize that the holy spirit is not a person but is God’s active force, used in creation, to inspire Bible writers, and so forth. (Genesis 1:2; 2 Samuel 23:1, 2; 2 Peter 1:21) Jehovah’s spirit must be recognized as being vital if we are to comprehend “the deep things of God” and display the godly fruitage of “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (1 Corinthians 2:10; Galatians 5:22, 23) It must also be acknowledged that God’s spirit is needed to carry on the Kingdom-preaching work.—Joel 2:28, 29

There is nothing at Matthew 28:19 that says anything about there being three coequal persons in one God.It does not say that each one of these mentioned is a God.It does not say that all three are equal in substance,power and eternity.It does not say all are to be worshiped.

Since it does not say these things,then it does not teach the trinity,for all those claims are made concerning the trinity.

You should know by now karen that Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the pagan teaching of a triune god.

The difference is they believe in the three as three separate distinct entities whereas typical trinitarians believe in the father, son and holy ghost as different aspects of the same being.

In 1985, I believe the wording was changed to

"To Father, Son and the Organization". Prior to this it was "To Father, Son and Holy Spirit".

And they do not believe in the trinity, so I do not know why they chose that wording.