IS JESUS CHRIST GOD: Often times, due to a trinitarian bias, people see things in certain scriptures that aren’t there. Matthew 28:19 is an example.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Now, the above scripture doesn’t say ‘God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.’ It also doesn’t say ‘the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost who are three persons in one being/God.’ It doesn’t say any of these. Sadly, most folks see either or both of these when reading the above scripture. The above scripture therefore, doesn’t by any means, support the teaching of God being three persons in one being.
The father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are mentioned separately. The scripture doesn’t say they are all one God (three in one being).
Furthermore, Eusebius, a man considered to be ‘the father of church history,’ quoted Matthew 28:19 severally in the early 4th century after Christ, and he didn’t quote it the same way it appears in modern Bibles. In the writings of Eusebius prior to the council of Nicaea, he quoted Matthew 28:19 eighteen times. None appears the way it does now in modern Bibles. He quoted it thus:
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in my name
Justin Martyr and Aphraates of Nisibis, in the middle of the 2nd century and in the early 4th century respectively, also quoted Matthew 28:19 exactly the same way Eusebius did.
This simply means that the manuscripts (if you don’t know what this is, you have to read parts posted earlier) from which these men quoted didn’t have “the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” It had just “in my name (Jesus speaking).”
However, from the latter part of the 4th century, most manuscripts read Matthew 28:19 the way moderns Bibles do now. This is an indication that due to the conversion of pagans who already had trinity ideologies, re-written manuscripts had trinity notions induced into them. Most manuscripts started having the verse rendered the way it is today.
The writings of Eusebius, Aphraates and Justin before the middle of the 4th century reveals that their manuscripts read “in my name.” However, most modern versions couldn’t get hold of the most ancient manuscripts (those before the 4th century after Christ). As a result, they translated with manuscripts rewritten with the trinity bias in mind.
One major rule of Bible interpretation is that the bible explains it self. Scriptures interpret scriptures. For something to be considered scriptural, more than one scripture should support it. However, no other bible verse teaches baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
In Matthew 28:19, the instruction was given by Jesus Christ. However, every other place in the Bible where the baptism instruction was carried out, we see that it was done in the name (in the authority) of Jesus. The father and the Holy Ghost are not mentioned.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:16
For up to that time he had not come on any of them; only baptism had been given to them IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.
Acts 10:48
So he gave orders to have them baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Then they asked him to stay for several days.
If the instruction was to baptise in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and the early believers were using only the name of Jesus, it could have been sheer disobedience. However, the above scriptures show clearly that the instruction of Jesus was that the baptism be done in his name. Salvation can be found in no other name! Only Jesus Christ!
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
No other name! Only the name of Jesus.
We are baptised into Christ when we hear the gospel about him and believe it.
That is what God has instituted and has enacted and sealed by his power (his Spirit).
Doctrines are established with lots of related scriptures, not a single isolated scripture (as in the case of Matthew 28:19 which is often misquoted or misunderstood).
Eusebius, Aphraates and Justin quoted rightly from an ancient manuscript.
Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in my name (Matt. 28:19).”
Thanks for your time and effort invested in reading.
Light shines.
© SonsHub Media | Written By Fredrick Agaga
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Agaga Fredrick Abangji is a writer, reporter, content writer, believer in Jesus Christ, and a creator of religious literature. A student of Bingham university – Nasarawa state, studying mass communication.