The name of the Messiah is Yeshua, short for Yehoshua (יהושע), which means ‘Yah is salvation’ [Matthew 1:21] The forms Yahoshua and Yahshua are the names of the Messiah in Aramaic
Matthew 28:19-20 [NKJV]
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Yeshua’s words in purple)
The verses above show the traditional rendering of the baptism formula <in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit>.
The earliest formula of baptism seems to have been: <in the name of Yeshua>
Below are some examples:
Acts 2:38 – And Kepha said to them, “Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of יהושע{Yehoshua} Messiah for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 8:16 – for He had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been immersed in the Name of the Master יהושע.
Acts 10:48 – And he commanded them to be immersed in the Name of יהושע Messiah. Then they asked him to remain a few days.
Acts 19:5 – And when they heard this, they were immersed in the Name of the Master יהושע
Acts 22:16 – Rise up, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of יהוה
Romans 6:3 – Or do you not know that as many of us as were immersed into Messiah יהושע were immersed into His death?
1 Corinthians 6:11 – But you were washed, but you were set apart, but you were declared right in the Name of the Master יהושע
Galatians 3:27 – For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah
In every immersion described in the book of Acts, the apostles use <in the name of Yeshua> and not the longer formula mentioned above.
BAPTISM ‘IN YESHUA’S NAME’ IN HISTORY
Encyclopaedia Britannica states that baptism was changed from <in the name of Yeshua> to ‘in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the 2nd century (after Yeshua)
(11th Edition, Volume 3, pages 365-366)
Encyclopedia Britannica – Everywhere in the oldest sources it states that baptism took place in the name of Yeshua
(Volume 3, page 82)
Canney’s Encyclopaedia of Religion, the early Church baptised in the name of Yeshua until the development of the Trinity Doctrine in the 2nd century.
(page 53)
Catholic Encyclopaedia – the Catholics acknowledge that baptism was changed by the Catholic Church.
(Volume 2, page 263)
Hastings Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics – states that Christian baptism was administered using the words <in the name of Yeshua>
(Volume 2, page 377)
The use of a Trinitarian formula of any sort was not suggested in early Church History
(volume 2, page 378)
Baptism was always in the name of the Master Yeshua until the time of Justin Martyr (ca. 100 – 165 after Yeshua) when the Triune formula started to be used
(Volume 2, page 389)
Schaff – Herzog Religious Ecyclopedia – The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Yeshua.
(Volume 1, page 435)
New International Encyclopedia – The term “Trinity” was originated by Tertullian. A Roman Catholic Church Father.
(Volume 22, page 477)
Eusebius (early “Christian Historian”) cites Matthew 28:19 in works written 300-336 after Yeshua as many as 18 times. He cites it as “Go ye, make disciples of all nations in My name”. He uses this form until he attends the Council of Nicea after which he starts using the long form.
So, based on the evidence above and without the Trinitarian addition, Matthew 28:19-20 could read as follows
Matthew 28:19-20 (could read): 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations in my name, 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and behold I am with you all the days until the completion of the age. Amen"
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture was taken from The Scriptures
Copyright by Institute for Scripture Research
Used by permission.