Which Is Correct Matthew 28:19 Or Acts 2:38?
I just want to start by saying that the bible as a whole is our authority for doctrine. "2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:". We can't pick what verses we want to follow and what verses we don't. This question is one that is very debated but the bible is clear. I am going to explain why Jesus said "...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" in Mathew 28:19. And then Peter says "...be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ". Many churches will say I will listen to what Jesus said and not what Peter said. But the bible doesn't contradict itself. There is an explanation. One import thing to understand this is to understand the Ascension of Jesus. This is mentioned in Matthew chapter 28, Mark chapter 16, Luke Chapter 24, Acts chapter 1 and Ephesians Chapter 4.
In Luke 24:17 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. " These are the very words that Jesus spoke before he ascended to heaven. That Repentance and Remission of sins should be preached in His Name.
In 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. Peter says to Repent, and be Baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of Sins. As you can see Peter was doing exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ told him to do, to preach Repentance and Remission of sins in his name. There was no mistake.
I also want to note that all 12 Apostles were there when Peter spoke. Anyone of them could have corrected him if he had misheard Jesus. But he didn't Jesus spoke clearly in Luke Chapter 24.
Acts 2:14 "...But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice..."
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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.
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, "... baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: " Notice how "name" is singular letting us know there is only one name for the father, the son and Holy Ghost. If he was referring to multiple names he would have said "in the names". The singular name he was referring to is Jesus. Another thing to note is that father is not a name, also son is not a name and holy ghost is not a name. Those are ways God manifests himself. He manifests himself as a father at creation. He manifests himself as a son when he is born into the world and he manifests himself in spirit. We can't make these statements without providing scripture.
Jesus the Father:
Isaiah 9:6 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 14:7-9 KJV 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
John 5:43 KJV I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
John 1:3 KJV All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Colossians 1:15-16 KJV 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 2:9 KJV For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Hebrews 1:2-3 KJV 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Jesus the son:
Isaiah 9:6 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Philippians 2:5-7 KJV 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Jesus the spirit:
Galatians 4:6 KJV And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
John 14:26 KJV But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Romans 8:9 KJV But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
1Peter 1:11 KJV Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Ephesians 4:4 KJV There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Matthew 28:19 is fulfilled in Acts 2:38.
Now there are some that say there are 2 baptism in water they say one is in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and the other one is in the name of Jesus. There are even some that say that the baptism in the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) is for the gentile that doesn't know God. And the baptism of Jesus is for the Jew that knows a father but not the son. But this argument is quickly debunked with a few verses.
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
The bible tells us there is only one baptism and it is in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
In Acts 10:48 Gentiles are baptized in the name of Jesus. The Jews are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in Acts 2:38. And the Samaritans are baptized in the name of Jesus in Acts 8:16
I grew up Trinitarian. But at some point you have to decide if you are going to follow the word of God or what a denomination says . Many denominations came out of the Catholic church. Many denominations are Protestant. Although they may have left many tradition they haven't left the formula the Catholic church uses for baptism. The Catholic church baptized in the name of Jesus until they decided to change the formula.
BRITANNICA ENCYCLOPEDIA
11TH edition, Vol 3, Pg 365-366
BRITANNICA ENCYCLOPEDIA
Vol 3, Pg 82
CANNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION
Pg 53
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
Vol 2, Pg 263